First of all, we need to get rid of the term "silencer". When someone uses that word, it's quite obvious that they aren't familiar with the appendage. They are "suppressors". They "suppress" sound, they don't silence it. A 30.06 or 308 hunting rifle with a suppressor is still going to be quite loud. Just not "Bang" loud. Unless you're using subsonic ammo (which you wouldn't be hunting with) the sound is going to be very audible, and still likely require hearing protection.
The media, politicians and gun control advocates throw around "silencer" all the time because they are clueless, and going with the James Bond image of killing people in the night and getting away with it. It couldn't be further from the truth.
Every time I hear someone use that word, I shake my head and immediately know I am dealing with an amateur.