Shooting a shotgun in a blind

[Tomspur]

I am contemplating using a ground blind in a pasture that I have been seeing a good gobbler. I have used a blind for bow hunting but was wondering do I need ear protection if I am shooting a shotgun from my blind?
For those who know please advise. Thanks

[jepcho]

I've gun hunted out of a blind several times.  It's no louder that sitting on the ground from my experience.  You'll be just fine.

[jordanz7935]

Just make sure the end of your barrel is outside the lind when you shoot. I made that mistake once... i was literally shellshocked.Not very good for the ears.

[Marc]

The bottom line is that every time we fire a shotgun (blind or not) we are doing damage to our ears...

Try shooting a round of clay targets without hearing protection, and you will realize how loud a shotgun is...

When we are hunting, we are far less aware of recoil and of the sound of the gun...  Once again, put those turkey loads on paper without hearing protection, and you will certainly feel the recoil of that 2 oz. load, as well as hear the sound of the gun, and neither will be pleasant, and neither is noticed as we pull the trigger on a live bird.

I wear some sort of hearing protection at all times, but shooting from a blind, the sound is a bit louder...  IT would be even louder yet in a solid constructed blind (such as wood or cement), but even that cloth helps to direct the sound to some degree...

[2eagles]

A friend shot his shotgun through the screen netting in his blind. Nice hole, but no real harm done. I don't recommend doing this.
I shoot my waterfowl gun at turkeys and always have the 28" barrel + choke tube outside the blind. Don't have much choice with a barrel that long in my Gun Hunter blind. Noise has never bothered me shooting inside the blind.

[cornfedkiller]

Just make sure the end of your barrel is outside the lind when you shoot. I made that mistake once... i was literally shellshocked.Not very good for the ears.

My little brother shot a bird last year while sitting with me and didnt have the end of his barrel outside the blind.... The gun might as well have been a flash-bang.  My ears were ringing and I felt like I had been hit in the side of the head with a 2x4.  Ears didnt stop ringing for a couple days.

You will likely be alright if the end of your barrel is outside the blind, but my suggestion would be that if you CAN put some sort of hearing protection on before the shot, you would be smart to, as you will prevent the damage to your ears..

[mgm1955]

Done it both ways. Mostly don't, but only have two ears, probably a good idea to protect them.

[zelmo1]

Keep the barrel outside of the blind. Fast way to ruin a great day and maybe your hearing.

[wvmntnhick]

If I'd known more about hearing protection (or paid attention anyway) I'd probably not have tinnitus. My ears have a constant ringing and I can't shake it. I'd wear the protection if at all possible.

[Timmer]

When we are hunting, we are far less aware of recoil and of the sound of the gun...  Once again, put those turkey loads on paper without hearing protection, and you will certainly feel the recoil of that 2 oz. load, as well as hear the sound of the gun, and neither will be pleasant, and neither is noticed as we pull the trigger on a live bird.

That is so true!  Patterning 3.5" turkey loads my shoulder aches and my ears hurt a bit even with foam plugs.  Hunting I never wear protection and don't notice a thing.

I've never shot from a blind myself but have been along side youth that have.  I didn't wear protection the first time.  I was close to the front of the receiver and my ears rang for hours.  I have brought ear protection since.