Suppressors for hunting big game have become increasingly popular in recent years, and – looking back now – it’s easy to see why. For the modern hunter, a suppressor offers a wide range of benefits that go well beyond simply dampening the report of the rifle.
Still, it wasn’t until I had the chance to shoot a suppressed rifle myself during a Field to Fork event this past fall that I truly understood their full value. After I squeezed that trigger at the range session, I realized just how much of a difference a suppressor can make.
How Does a Suppressor Work?
In simplest terms, a suppressor, or “silencer,” is a cylindrical device that can be threaded on to the muzzle of a firearm. Its primary role is to reduce the audible report and recoil that typically accompany a gunshot.
In a sense, it functions similarly to the muffler on a car, which dampens engine noise by controlling the flow of exhaust gases. When a bullet is fired, the high-pressure gases that typically escape out of the muzzle at a high rate of speed are first channeled through a series of internal baffles and expansion chambers. These components work together to slow down, redirect, and cool the gases before they exit, which significantly reduces the overall noise output generally associated with a gunshot.
Despite what you might see in Hollywood movies, a suppressor doesn’t make your firearm completely silent. Though it certainly reduces the noise generated by the escape of propellant gases, the sharp “crack” produced by a supersonic bullet as it breaks the sound barrier remains. This sonic boom cannot be mitigated by a suppressor and is why even suppressed firearms using supersonic ammunition still produce a distinct and noticeable sound; albeit one that is certainly quieter than their unsuppressed counterparts.
If you are seeking to further minimize both the audible report and recoil felt, suppressors can be paired with subsonic ammunition. Subsonic bullets travel below the speed of sound, which means they are able to avoid the supersonic “crack” altogether. The slower rounds produce a much quieter and softer “pop” rather than a loud bang; however, their lower velocity typically means they have less kinetic energy downrange and experience a more pronounced bullet drop.
Suppressors Protect Your Hearing
Perhaps the most obvious benefit to hunting with a suppressor is the mitigation of the sound of the gunshot. A single exposure to any sound over 140 decibels is enough to cause immediate hearing loss and given that shot from my trusty 30-06 hunting rifle can reach somewhere between 160 and 170 decibels, hearing protection is a must when hunting. However, I’ll be the first to admit that in all the pre-shot excitement, my first instinct in the stand is often to reach for my rifle, not my hearing protection. More times than I would like to admit, I have taken a shot without my muffs on, and my ears were left paying the price.
On average, you will likely get a 20- to 40-decibel reduction when shooting suppressed. This can vary with caliber, ammunition, suppressor quality and shooting environment, but in many cases a suppressor will get you below that 140-decibel threshold into safer levels.
With a quality suppressor threaded on to the end of your barrel, bulky ear protection is no longer a must when in the deer stand. It is worth mentioning that when target shooting for extended periods, it is still good practice to wear the proper hearing protection, as repeated exposure to even a suppressed gunshot can eventually lead to permanent hearing damage.
As someone who enjoys sharing my passion for the great outdoors with others, suppressed rifles make a world of difference for communication in the blind. In the moment of truth, you can openly talk back and forth without having to worry about putting on hearing protection before the shot. Take it from someone who once had a hunting buddy accidentally spook the deer in front of us after “whispering” with hearing protection on – using a suppressor can spare you not only from potential hearing damage but also from missed opportunities and serious heartache.
Less Recoil, More Comfort, Improved Accuracy
One advantage that I certainly underestimated until I had the opportunity to experience it live at the range was recoil reduction. The high-powered hunting rifle that normally would have left my shoulder black and blue felt more like shooting a .22 Cricket. The difference between suppressed and unsuppressed was night and day.
Not only did the reduced recoil make the shooting experience far more enjoyable, but it also made it easier to stay on target and shoot more accurately. Instead of bracing for a punishing kick, I could focus on fundamentals like form, breath control, and of course shot placement. As an added bonus, a suppressor makes it much more manageable to shoot larger calibers, with little to no increase in felt recoil.
As hunters, our goal every time we head out into the woods should be to make a quick, clean ethical kill on the animal we are pursuing. However, I will be the first to admit that “deer fever” is real, and our aim – pun intended – does not always go to plan. I am guilty of making my fair share of marginal shots, and if you haven’t, well . . . you either haven’t been hunting long enough or you’re lying. In these unfortunate instances, the best thing that we can do is swiftly follow up with another round to put the wounded game down; this is where the value a suppressor comes into play.
Thanks to the reduced recoil, it’s easier to stay on target and keep the animal in your scope after the shot. This not only helps you spot the exact point of impact but also puts you in a better position to make quick, accurate follow-up shots if needed.
Suppressors Help New Hunters
Right along with saving your hearing and shoulder, a suppressor makes it easier to introduce a gun-shy hunter to rifle hunting. The reduced recoil and softer report make shooting more comfortable and far less intimidating, which is especially important for new youth or adult hunters stepping into the world of hunting for the first time. The quieter shot and dampened report helps remove the flinch factor and anxiety that many beginners face, allowing them to focus on shooting fundamentals and develop confidence behind the trigger. For mentors and new hunters alike, it’s a game-changing addition to the end of any hunting rifle.
A Golden Ticket for Deer Herd Management
On my hunting farm in the ag lands of northern Missouri, we have an extremely high deer density. Our preseason trail camera surveys often indicate that we need to harvest somewhere between eight and ten does every fall to stabilize the herd. A busy fall filled with landowner cooperative meetings, Field to Fork events, and many of life’s other commitments often make this harvest prescription difficult to fill with limited time to hunt. However, suppressors can make it just a little bit easier.
I am used to shooting and watching every doe and buck in my food plot hightail it to the nearest cover. Yet, upon my first time witnessing suppressed shots in the field, I saw deer, including a 4½-year-old buck, simply pause, look around, and then go right back to feeding. One of the go-to excuses I often hear from hunters for passing on the opportunity to harvest a doe – “I didn’t want to spook the buck I was after” – was busted (pun intended) right in front of me.
Whether you have multiple tags to fill yourself or are in a situation where multiple hunters are each trying to fill a tag, there’s a good chance the hunt isn’t over after the first shot is taken. Talk about getting the most bang for your buck – literally!
Suppressor Legality
In most states, civilians can legally own and hunt with a suppressor if they meet the defined federal criteria (more on this below). However, there are some states, like New York and California, that impose stricter suppressor regulations and/or outright ban public ownership. Before you head online or to your local gun shop in search of a suppressor to add to your hunting rifle, be sure to research your state’s laws to ensure you’re in full compliance with all local game and gun regulations.
Remember, regulations can vary from state to state and change from one hunting season to the next. Whether you are going on a cross-country hunting trip to a new area, hunting in your home state, or are breaking out your hunting rifle for a new season, be sure to check the local game and gun laws every year to ensure you are up to date and legal while traveling and in the field!
Other Considerations
It’s also important to understand that adding a suppressor to your rifle will affect your rifle’s point of impact. If your rifle was previously sighted in without a suppressor, you’ll need to re-zero it once the suppressor is attached. As ethical hunters, the last thing we want to do is risk missing or making a marginal shot, so it’s worth extra time and ammunition to dial things in and ensure you’re still shooting dead-on.
Another consideration to keep in mind when using a suppressor is the extra length it adds to the end of your rifle. Suppressors are commonly between 6 to 10 inches in length and can vary in weight quite a bit as well. That extra bulk on the end of your barrel might not seem like much, but it can make maneuvering in tight spaces – like ground blinds, tree stands, or box blinds – a bit more challenging. It’s something to be aware of and plan for, particularly if your hunting setups tend to be on the smaller side.
Chances are, once you’ve hunted with a suppressor, you won’t want to go back. The good news is, in many cases, you can use one suppressor across multiple rifles, as long as your suppressor is rated for the calibers you’re shooting. That means you don’t necessarily need a separate suppressor for every gun in your safe.
Just keep in mind that your hunting rifles will need to have threaded barrels to accommodate the suppressor. If your barrel is not already threaded, your local gunsmith can probably do the job quickly and affordably. Once that’s complete, swapping your suppressor between rifles becomes as easy as a single twist or push of a button.
Buying a Suppressor
One of the biggest hurdles that has historically kept hunters and shooters from buying suppressors is the paperwork and wait time involved with federal approval. For a long time, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) had a reputation for taking a long time to process background checks and issue a tax stamp, with this process sometimes taking upwards of a year.
The good news is that times are changing. Today, wait times are dropping faster than ever, and companies like new NDA partner Elevated Silence have worked hard to streamline the buying process making it more user-friendly than ever before.
“The buying process has been put on the fast track since about two years ago thanks in large part to the American Suppressor Association (ASA),” said Jim Hood, owner and CEO of Elevated Silence. “The current wait times for the ATF Form 4 process (application to possess a suppressor) is running about a week from application to pick-up. Some cases are a little quicker, and others may be a little longer, but either way, it sure beats the 10- to 14-month wait it used to be. Plus, with digital fingerprints and a digital passport photo, you can have your Form 4 submitted in as little as 10 minutes.”
Think of buying a suppressor like purchasing a new truck from your local dealership. It’s not all that complicated and is basically just a fancy title transfer, with an added federal background check. The suppressor is registered with the dealer, and you’re essentially filing the paperwork to have it retitled in your name.
Of course, unlike a truck, you can’t drive off the lot with your suppressor the same day. You’ll need to file your ATF Form 4, pay a $200 tax stamp, and submit a passport-style photo and fingerprints as part of the application (Due to a recent change in federal law, the tax stamp will be removed for suppressors beginning on January 1, 2026). Once that’s done and approved, the suppressor is yours, and you’re ready to enjoy the benefits at the range or in the woods this fall.
Final Thoughts
Whether you’re trying to protect your hearing, save your shoulder, or help someone take their first step into the world of hunting, suppressors are proving to be a tool worthy of being in every hunter’s gun cabinet.
If you’re curious about adding a suppressor to your hunting rifle, take the time to research your state’s laws, stay legal, and give our friends at Elevated Silence a shout. With the user-friendly buying process and short ATF wait times, you’ll be set to enjoy the benefits of hunting suppressed this fall and for years to come.