SHOULD I WEAR EYE PROTECTION WHEN SHOOTING AND BIRD HUNTING?
Back in the day did you wear a helmet when you rode your Schwinn?
If you were born in the '60s or 70s, the answer is probably "no". But today, young kids, teenagers, and even adults wear helmets whenever they ride bikes. As a country, we are much more aware of how to keep minor accidents from causing serious injuries.
The same thing is happening in the outdoor sporting world as well. Twenty years ago, few sportsmen and women wore shooting glasses and ear protection was unheard of. Now, shooting ranges and gun clubs may require both and lots of hunters are looking after their eyes and ears in the field too.
To help prevent injuries, there are several things you should consider wearing whenever you're shooting, hunting, and around firearms.
NOTHING TO JOKE ABOUT
Everyone agrees eye protection is something you should wear whenever guns are going off.
In the field, pellets and misplaced shots aren't the only things to worry about. Twigs, branches, and debris are also concerns. A pair of shooting glasses can help protect your eyes from all these and potentially even enhance your shooting.
Here are three things to look for in your new pair of shooting glasses:
Polycarbonate lenses: Lens material is what matters most in shooting glasses. Of the options out there, polycarbonate is best because it is impact resistant, durable, and very lightweight.
ANSI certification: For a pair of safety glasses to be real "shooting glasses", must be certified by the American National Standards Institute with a Z87.1 rating (ANSI Z87.1). This helps ensure the glasses will protect your eyes and face from impacts, scratches, and other hazards.
Lens color: This has nothing to do with protection, but it can help you see and shoot better. Gray lenses block glare without changing the way you see color. They're good for everyday wear and on sunny days. Amber-to-brownish lenses make flushing birds and clay targets stand out. This makes them a good all-around choice. Yellow and orange lenses also make birds and clays stand out, especially in low-light conditions.
They're really great in cloudy weather and in the early morning or during the last few hours of the day.
If you shoot clays under lights, yellow lenses are ideal.
Pick a Feather!
WWL
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