5 Benefits of Hunting with a Suppressor

Editor’s note: We may earn a modest commission from the affiliate links within this post.

We don’t know about you, but it would be really nice if a robust herd of whitetail deer or elk didn’t scamper off the moment a shot rang out. Think of it, you could fill as many tags as legally allowed in one hunt if they’d just stay in one spot! Unfortunately, unless by some defect, game animals aren’t deaf. Their hearing is good.

Too good.

Thankfully, there are states in the good ol’ US of A that permit the use of hunting with a suppressor, a device that reduces the chances of spooking other game animals along with other wildlife which could blow your setup.

States Where You Can Hunt With a Suppressor

As of January 2024, 41 states allow hunting with a suppressor. If we were you, we’d bookmark this page to reference where to plan your next hunt.

• Alabama
• Alaska
• Arizona
• Arkansas
• Colorado
• Florida
• Georgia
• Idaho
• Indiana
• Iowa
• Kansas
• Kentucky
• Louisiana
• Maine
• Maryland
• Michigan
• Minnesota
• Mississippi
• Missouri
• Montana
• Nebraska
• Nevada
• New Hampshire
• New Mexico
• North Carolina
• North Dakota
• Ohio
• Oklahoma
• Oregon
• Pennsylvania
• South Carolina
• South Dakota
• Tennessee
• Texas
• Utah
• Vermont
• Virginia
• Washington
• West Virginia
• Wisconsin
• Wyoming

States That Ban Suppressors Completely

Unsurprisingly, there are a handful of states that aren’t on board with allowing suppressors at all, along with certain types of firearms and firearm accessories.

• California
• Delaware
• District of Columbia
• Hawaii
• Illinois
• Massachusetts
• New Jersey
• New York
• Rhode Island

5 Benefits of Hunting with a Suppressor

Anyone who has hunted with a firearm can attest that adding a suppressor into the mix can greatly improve a hunt in more ways than one. Let’s examine the benefits, shall we?

1. Less-Noisy Hunting Grounds: To no one’s shock, this is the most obvious benefit. As we mentioned above, reducing the chances of scaring off game increases the chances of filling another tag. If you’ve ever hunted an area where there were other hunters present, the last thing you want are shots from another rifle ruining your chances of bagging an animal. Also, if you happen to live in a game-friendly area that has nearby residences, the locals will undoubtedly appreciate not hearing shots while enjoying their morning coffee.
2. Reduced Recoil: By lowering recoil, suppressors allow hunters to stay on target for quick follow-up shots. Suppressors are also useful on higher-caliber rifles which helps reduce shooter fatigue.
3. Reduced Muzzle Flip: Suppressors help reduce muzzle flip and the all-too-normal-flinching that can come with firing a gun.
4. Hearing Protection: As we’ve mentioned in a previous article, repeated exposure to gunshots can result in permanent hearing loss. Not enough hunters use hearing protection as it makes it difficult to hear what’s going on in the woods. By having a device on a firearm that takes the decibel level down a few notches, hunters can stay aware of their surroundings and prevent further hearing loss.
5. Other Animals Will Thank You: Other creatures are roaming about in the woods and gunfire can spook them too. Part of being a conservationist is not disrupting the habitats of other wildlife and letting nature do its thing.

Suppressors Made for Hunting

Thankfully, there are manufacturers that offer suppressors designed for the needs of the modern hunter. Manufacturers such as Silencer Central have products like the BANISH Backcountry suppressor which is rated for calibers up to the .300 Remington Ultra Magnum (RUM). The six baffles inside the Backcountry bring the decibel level down to 135 dB. It also weighs a mere 7.8 ounces so you won’t have to worry about any additional bulk in your pack.

Hopefully, the benefits listed above were enough to convince you to hunt with a suppressor. If you haven’t purchased one yet, get started now so year-after-next you’ll be heading into the woods with a can of your own!