Silencers for Texas Hunting

[03Lightningrocks]

The most common tool used by poachers, by the way? The .22 WMR rifle, according to the game wardens and other TPWD people I've spoken to.

Good point! Check out the regulations on caliber for hunting game animals.

[03Lightningrocks]

One or two shots from a rifle is not really noticable when shooting a deer. <SNIP>
five deer is the maximum over the entire season. That is really not enough to cause hearing damage.

Are you SERIOUS? Do you use hearing protection at the range? After all, it's only 50 shots or so, and that's not really enough to damage your heariing.

Your post lost credibility the instant you typed this. Do you really think firing 50 rounds at the range equates to firing one round while shooting at a deer?

[Sputz]

I am curious. Why would anyone need or want to use a suppressor for hunting white tailed deer? After 40 years of hunting, I have yet to see a deer duck after I fired my rifle. I have even watched deer stand around after I shot one of their comrads. I remember one deer season, my son and I killed four deer in about 15 minutes. They didn't even flinch when we fired. Heck... they would step over their buddy to keep eating clover. A suppressor does nothing to assist in hunting any game animal.

Hearing protection in a small area such as a blind would be one reason, at least that would be mine.

Sputz

One or two shots from a rifle is not really noticable when shooting a deer. Most of the time you are hanging the rifle barrel out the window. In even the most liberal counties, five deer is the maximum over the entire season. That is really not enough to cause hearing damage.

They make hearing protectors that work electronically if that is your reason. They cost a whole lot less and some of them even magnify the sounds you hear in the forest. They are activated just as the sound from your rifle goes off.

I'm still young enough that I would rather not take the risk if I had a choice to use a suppressor or not. I guess this is like owning a glock, 1911 or Harley if you don't have one, you just don't understand.

Sputz

[74novaman]

You don't have to give me or the government any reasons. I was only asking what benefit a person would derive from using one while hunting. I never considered using a silencer for hunting and thought maybe there was some advantage I had not thought of. Since you don't hunt, you probably can't tell me any advantage.

No need to be snide. I asked why we should have to provide reasons to exercise a constitutional right. You didn't ask about benefits, you asked why a person would want or need one. We frankly shouldn't have to justify wants or needs...to you or anyone else. The simple fact is, there is no good reason a person can't use a suppressor while hunting, if they want to.

It was not meant to make you feel threatened. I am sorry about doing that. If someobody came on this forum crying about not being allowed to use hand grenades for hunting, I would ask the same question.

Okay, lets not put words or tone in my mouth, please. I am in no way threatened.

Like I said earlier. I don't necessarily have a problem with the state of Texas allowing a hunter to use a suppressor. I simply tried to tell some of you why they don't. If those that want supressor restrictions lifted don't aproach the issue with the understanding of why they are restricted, the odds of getting the powers that be to see the light are slim to none.

We shouldn't have to make up reasons we should be allowed to use suppressors. Legislators should respond to a reasoned argument regarding the history of when and why suppressors were banned, the other countries who treat suppressors as polite, responsible ways to avoid annoying the neighbors and protect hearing and how it doesn't lead to rash of crazy movie style assassinations...simple facts and history in addition to being a violation of 2A rights should be enough of a reason.

And if they don't respond to that reasoning...well, thats what elections are for.

[03Lightningrocks]

I have to say. I never realized the "big loud bang" sound from a deer rifle was such a problem. There are probably millions of hunters suffering untold misery right now from years of shooting deer. Good luck to everyone on it. If you feel strongly that the laws should be changed, Do more than just grandstand on this thread. Take action and work to get it changed. I probably wouldn't use one myself, but I wouldn't cast a vote against it either.

[03Lightningrocks]

So how does everyone feel about using full auto weapons while hunting game animals? If a person apposed this, would that make them "anti-gun" as well? How about the magazine capacity while hunting laws? Same thing here???

[Sputz]

So how does everyone feel about using full auto weapons while hunting game animals? If a person apposed this, would that make them "anti-gun" as well? How about the magazine capacity while hunting laws? Same thing here???

Well the more holes in the animal the less likely it is to run to far away in the brush. Why would a pro gun person even appose? A bigger mag capacity would be nice also.

Sputz

[Carry-a-Kimber]

The most common tool used by poachers, by the way? The .22 WMR rifle, according to the game wardens and other TPWD people I've spoken to.

Good point! Check out the regulations on caliber for hunting game animals.

That is the point!! Poachers do not care what means and methods are legal to take game. Outlawing suppressors for hunting purposes does nothing to curtail poachers from using them.
About FA weapons: if someone wants to use them and waste all that meat by filling it with holes go for it.

[03Lightningrocks]

There is a Sons of Guns episode on right now where they are building a suppressor for hog hunting. Y'all may want to check it out.

[Carry-a-Kimber]

There is a Sons of Guns episode on right now where they are building a suppressor for hog hunting. Y'all may want to check it out.

Supressed hog hunting is legal in Texas. They want $3200 for that rifle.

[03Lightningrocks]

The most common tool used by poachers, by the way? The .22 WMR rifle, according to the game wardens and other TPWD people I've spoken to.

Good point! Check out the regulations on caliber for hunting game animals.

That is the point!! Poachers do not care what means and methods are legal to take game. Outlawing suppressors for hunting purposes does nothing to curtail poachers from using them.
About FA weapons: if someone wants to use them and waste all that meat by filling it with holes go for it.

So...your saying... If a law doesn't prevent a person from breaking said law, on occasion, the law should be eliminated??? As for full auto weapons while hunting, that is to keep hunters from shooting each other. Hunters still occasionally get shot so we might as well throw all caution to the wind and see if we can't set a few new hunting accident records.

[03Lightningrocks]

There is a Sons of Guns episode on right now where they are building a suppressor for hog hunting. Y'all may want to check it out.

Supressed hog hunting is legal in Texas. They want $3200 for that rifle.

I was cooking a steak on the grill and missed that part. I saw a preview where will is going to be cruising around in an airboat shooting at hogs! My son wants to do the helicopter hog hunt...LOL. I want to do it if it isn't crazy expensive. Something tells me I better hurry before someone falls out of a helicoter and they outlaw it again...LOL.

[Carry-a-Kimber]

The most common tool used by poachers, by the way? The .22 WMR rifle, according to the game wardens and other TPWD people I've spoken to.

Good point! Check out the regulations on caliber for hunting game animals.

That is the point!! Poachers do not care what means and methods are legal to take game. Outlawing suppressors for hunting purposes does nothing to curtail poachers from using them.
About FA weapons: if someone wants to use them and waste all that meat by filling it with holes go for it.

So...your saying... If a law doesn't prevent a person from breaking said law, on occasion, the law should be eliminated??? As for full auto weapons while hunting, that is to keep hunters from shooting each other. Hunters still occasionally get shot so we might as well throw all caution to the wind and see if we can't set a few new hunting accident records.

No, what I am saying is laws prevent law abiding people from doing things. Laws do not prevent criminals from doing things. It is illegal to hunt deer with rimfire weapons because the small caliber can't reliably take deer in a humane manner; there is no humanitarian reason to outlaw suppressors for hunting.

[03Lightningrocks]

So... did you see them wack out that hog at night? That was pretty darned cool. I would like to have heard that gun without the suppressor to see how much difference it made. Made me want to go hog hunting!

[Carry-a-Kimber]

So... did you see them wack out that hog at night? That was pretty darned cool. I would like to have heard that gun without the suppressor to see how much difference it made. Made me want to go hog hunting!

Got it recording, I'll watch it later. Guys at work were talking about it and one looked up the price of the gun. I guess we can agree that hog hunting is fun and pork is delicious.