Bob,
Just a quick note of thanks and a photograph. Spring turkey season opened this past weekend in Texas and I was hopeful my 9 year old son, Zachary, would take his first turkey with a shotgun this year. I've always made him wear shooting muffs, but we're generally deer hunting out of blinds and putting them on just prior to a shot is not an issue. Trying to put on a pair of muffs while setting on the ground in front of a turkey is a different story, and wearing muffs the whole time is not an option. Take away the
excitement that arises when hearing a tom gobble and you've lost the joy of this sport.
Just prior to the hunt, I purchased a pair of camo Power Muffs Quad for Zak to use. They worked great. He wore them the whole time and could not only hear the birds gobble, but could hear my whispered instructions. On Sunday, April 3, 2005 we set up in a small group of live oaks before 6:00 am. The birds refused to cooperate, but finally at 10:00 am sharp, a beautiful Rio came in. I was able to whisper to Zak when he was clear to shoot, and he killed his first turkey with a shotgun (20 ga) at 38 yards.
I still can't believe he sat quiet for four hours, but when the opportunity did present itself, there was no messing around with muffs or ear plugs which may have revealed our location. The muffs are comfortable (a 9 year old wore them for four hours straight), he could hear the gobbles in the distance as well as my whispers, and he's one happy hunter (picture attached).
Thanks again for a great product,
Jerry E. Beardmore
Houston, TX