I use them bird hunting dove and duck and when I’m not shooting with a suppressor.

use my suppressors when possible now,have always carried set of ear plugs with me,doesn't take 2 seconds to put them in,your hearing or lack there of is for life.

Damaged my hearing in my early 20s in the army because I didn't wear my issued earplugs. I have had tinnitus ever since and don't hear sounds above a certain frequency.

Not wanting to go deaf I started wearing standard earmuffs while wingshooting. However, I didn't like the fact that I couldn't hear what was going on around me so I got a pair of Peltor electronic earmuffs . I used these for a number of seasons but was never entirely happy because after walking for a few hours the earmuffs would get sweaty and uncomfortable. I eventually had custom electronic earplugs made - the ones where they take an impression of your ears. The company I used was CENS Digital. It was the best decision I have made regarding ear protection for wingshooting. They cut out sound above a certain decibel point and they amplify sound below that point. You can adjust the volume. They are small and fit snug so there is no bulk as with earmuffs, nor any sweatiness. The only drawback, and I think it was a problem with the Peltors as well if I recall, is that they can be noisy in very windy conditions. They were not cheap but I love them and have been using the same pair for 14 years.

When hunting furred game, it varies. If I am hunting in thick bush where I will find animals in close proximity then I wear my electronic earplugs while I am hunting. If I am hunting in open or mountainous terrain where I will normally spot the animals some way off and I will have time to stalk them then I carry the earplugs in my pocket and only pop them in prior to taking the shot. Sometimes, I don't even bother with the electronic earplugs and I use a protective wax which I push to the bottom of my ear (it takes the shape of the ear and sits snug) and I only push the wax up to block the ear canal prior to shooting. I have silenced my .243 so there is no longer an issue with that rifle but my 30-06 is not silenced. I'll admit that, for all my efforts at protecting my hearing, I have still taken the odd shot with no hearing protection whatsoever when circumstances require a quick shot and there isn't time to fiddle with plugs. Then I feel bad and admonish myself for not being more disciplined.

If I were shooting from a blind/hide, where the sound would probably not dissipate as well as in an open space, I would be very diligent in wearing ear protection.

I use them any time shooting, love my electronic walkers