Elk sounds

[Willie makit]

Since I'm a noob and never been on an elk hunt I am wondering about using a game ear. I use a set while deer hunting because they just work, I can hear a ton of the deer subtle grunts and "mews", plus it forces me pay attention to my stalking. (that little twig sounds like a .22 firing)

There are three big problems with them,
# 1 the wind can get very aggravating/annoying.
#2 if you have clothing that rubs them or noisy clothing, its deafening.
#3 You lose a lot of your precise coursing abilities.

I was just curious if anyone here uses them? I was thinking they would be usfull at least just to listen hard for that far off reply or perhaps one off in the timber where the sound should be muffled a bit?

[ElkNut1]

I've not used any but need to at times! (grin) I know of a couple of guys here who do so hopefully they will help out.

If your hearing is average you most likely will not need any additional help.

ElkNut1

[>>>---WW---->]

I have hearing aids that I hardly ever use except during hunting season. They are programable with three different settings. #1 is for regular conversation. #2 is for cutting down on background noise in crowded areas. And #3 is my bionic hunting mode that I have cranked up especially for elk hunting. The good ones have very little if any wind noise at all and they don't make you feel as if you are deaf when you take them out like the Game Ear or similar units that do nothing but magnify sound.

[elkmtngear]

I would think I would go nuts, because I would hear every squirrel, grouse, chipmunk, etc....and think it was elk coming in. Like when you are sitting in a tree stand, and all the little critters drive you nuts!

I never used the Game Ear, but the above assumptions have kept me from ever going there

Anybody ever use it and like it?

[Willie makit]

Elkmtngear you are correct about hearing every little sound, but after wearing them a while you get used to the extra sounds and you can usually tell the difference in the critters, at least i find that true while in our deer woods. I use them 100% of the time when I gun hunt (which is not often) for the hearing protection. I'm sure those more expensive ones are much better than my 120$ units. Mine are useless on really windy days, but then sounds becomes much less a factor then.

[mtnmutt]

I have hearing aids that I hardly ever use except during hunting season....And #3 is my bionic hunting mode that I have cranked up especially for elk hunting.

Can you give more specifics on the #3 program? You just have them set it so you can crank up the volume setting higher than the other programs?

I have powerful hearing aides mostly because my left ear is a profound hearing loss. I wanted both to the the same, so my right one with moderate loss has the same model.

During hunting, I have to turn off the left one because headwear causes feedback. I turn my right one up all the way on the regular conversation program when hunting. Seems the only thing I hear better is the squirrel chatter. I have a low-mid frequency loss. I can only hear highs well.

[>>>---WW---->]

Mutt: You are different than me. I have hi frequency loss. My aids don't have a volume control. Instead, they have three settings that are programmed by my audioligist or what ever you call them. The first two settings are set accordingly to my hearing test results. And the third setting is kind of what ever you want. As luck would have it, my hearing specialist is also an elk hunter. So she had a pretty good idea what I meant when I told her to put it in elk hunting mode. So she started programming it up and said, "Let me know when you've had enough"! Mine are made by Nuear and they are expensive. I dang near cried like a little baby when I lost one a couple of years ago.

[mtnmutt]

>>>---WW---->,
Thank you so much!

Ouch on losing one. A fellow backpacker lost one crossing a creek. Tried for an hour to find him it for him. Lucky he had insurance on it.

I am opposite of most people. Most people have your type of hearing loss: high freq loss. Mine are $3500 a pair. I have to use the behind the ear ones to get the extra power, however, those are less likely to pop out and get lost. A good thing while bushwhacking through timber.

My audiologists is a good sport on my weird requests. I have Paul's Elk Playbook with elk calls on my tablet. I may have her listen to the sounds and see what she can do. She mentioned a music program. I bet she can do an elk program. I will also see if she can set the high volume higher than the other programs, so I can crank it up. It would really help as they come in and step on branches.

Willie makit,
I apologize for the deviation from your OP. Here is my take on this with wearing powerful behind the ear hearing aides.
#1 If you are in the timber when it is windy, you won't get much wind noise. It will depend on how you have your head position. Use a tree to screen/block the wind if are doing a setup position. I have not had a problem in CO forest with wind. On a ridge, wind is a problem.
#2 you can make ear cut outs in your headwear that helps. Merino wool does not make much sound and is good for CO archery season. I have to turn off my left one one due to feedback with headwear. For my right one, I turn it down to normal while I walk through the forest and to high when I am setup at calling/ambush location.
#3 can't comment on this one

They do come in silent. If you can hear them step on branches that helps a lot, even if you never get to see them or only a small glimpse of them. Just be careful not to damage your hearing from using them. Personally, while walking, I would put them in a easily accessible outer pocket and only use them while stopped. It may depend on your terrain. CO forest has so much forest debris that I could never handle that amplified sound while walking.