You don’t have to be on the cutting edge of hunting or shooting to know that rifle suppressors have become one of the biggest phenomena in the outdoor niche. Like AR-profile-type rifles, they’re all the rage. While it took me a long time to make the plunge, I’ve known all along that they offer a lot of utility in the hunting woods.
Suppressors for hunting purposes have come a long way in that the number of states allowing them for hunting has almost doubled in a decade (with over 40 states permitting it). Demand for them has exploded
Why the Dampening Effect?
Suppressors or silencers, don’t entirely erase sound, but they greatly reduce it. For example, they can lessen the shot volume of a .308 from 173 decibels to that of an unsuppressed .22 rimfire (140 decibels).
The sound-dampening effect of suppressors means much less abuse to your ears.
This is good news to hunters and shooters alike.
The reasons to use them are clear and plentiful. In the safety area alone, they reduce recoil and hearing damage. Reducing recoil means the rifle doesn’t jump much, enhancing marksmanship. However, the dampened sound is ideal for more stealth hunting, not to mention the decreased sound is less disturbing to anyone nearby; an easier, more polite method of shooting, if you will. Also, I don’t know about anyone else, but I like to hunt private land with a suppressor to reduce my hunting footprint to other hunters. When I shoot, I’d rather not have nearby hunters be able to distinguish shot direction. Heck, I’d just as soon them not know I shot at all. Call me overly competitive…
There is another reason for silencer use for hunting to consider. Next time you are seeking a new piece of property to hunt, let the landowner know that your suppressor use will be a much less disruptive affair. This is pleasing to many hunting hosts.
Why Not Dampen?
To be fair, using a silencer for hunting isn’t always all roses, as they can make a rifle overly long, heavy, and hence, cumbersome in the field. The increased length can mean more snags on brush and awkward times in a tree stand for those who use them. As far as added weight, ask about any mobile hunter and they’ll tell you every ounce matters when traversing backwoods and hilly terrain. Luckily, there are a lot of alternative silencers less than a pound. However, remember that’s weight at the end of the barrel, so the awkwardness also comes with a balance issue.
Tips for Acquiring and Using a Silencer for Hunting
So, you’ve decided to take the Suppressor Leap. First off, make sure it’s legal in the state you’ll be hunting. Check closely, as even owning one is problematic in a few states. Some allow them but not for hunting purposes.
You can expect to pay $700 to $2000 for centerfire hunting cartridges. Add federal processing fees of $200 and you’ve got quite an investment.
If you’re still motivated to buy, also consider wait times. You will need ATF Form 4 to purchase one. This can be done via e-filing and can take as little as 5 days. Be aware that it can take much longer at times.
While you can use a suppressor adapter for your barrel, you can also get it threaded. Either way, consider asking your gunsmith to cut down the length of the barrel first. It’s also a good idea to sight in your rifle with the suppressor attached, if possible.
Before getting started, always determine the legality of suppressors in your hunting area.
Final Thoughts
Suppressors aren’t just for TV mob bosses and assassins. You’ll see more and more of them attached to hunting rifles in the fields, woods, and mountains of North America. The Boone and Crockett Club (B&C) even states that trophies taken with the use of sound suppressors in states and provinces where they are legal are eligible for entry into B&C. This is great news for those seeking trophy-class animals. Either way, there are a lot of benefits to silencer use for hunting. If you want to try being the strong silent type on hunts this coming season, you better get after it! You’ve got a few things to take care of.