How many hunters are using subsonic bullets? Back when I used to live close to/in the wilderness with many hunters around during hunting season, we heard gunshots almost every day, doesn't seem too popular to use those types of bullets if they are "almost completely silent".

That's usually because hunters are prohibited from using suppressors. Subsonic ammo isn't ideal for big game because you do have a a reduced range and speed. And because of the NFA, every suppressor needs a 200dollar tax stamp and several months of waiting, this also drives up the price of suppressors. In PA they tried to pass a bill to allow deer hunters to hunt with suppressors, but it was voted down because you don't need to know things to vote against something.

If only it was just "several months" of waiting. :-/

None. But I think what he was trying to say is that they could have used firearms and used subsonic bullets by town mandate.

Sounds like a typical HN idea, do something more complicated, "transformative" and expensive rather than just using what works and worked for a long time :)

You can, but subsonic rounds are less powerful and less accurate.

I get that but are they less powerful and accurate than an arrow?

My point was more that people tend to see hunting in a different way depending on the weapon used (I don't).

IME, no. It's safety. I guess other places might be different.