Longview, TX — Hunters can put their ear muffs and plugs away — if they’re patient and can afford to buy a silencer.

Gun suppressors were legalized in late March, for hunting game animals, game birds and alligators.

The law goes into effect Sept. 1, with the opening of dove season.

“Suppressors are already legal for hunting exotic animals, including feral hogs,” said Scott Vaca, assistant chief of wildlife enforcement with the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department.

Vaca helped develop the proposal for the regulation change.

Although the change opens the use of suppressors to a wider variety of animals, it does not change the tedious process people have to go through to get and keep the permit to use a firearm silencer.

Read more from the Longview News-Journal here.