Trigger Release, 3 or 4 finger Release, or Thumb Release?

EROCK1313 · Feb 19, 2008

Hey guys,

Currently I am using a Tru Ball Cyclone release and it has been pretty good. Recently while practicing; I realized that I was punching the trigger of the release which of course is causing some accuracy problems. Now I could go through the process of re-learning by shooting with my eyes closed for a couple of weeks just so I can build the "Surprise" part back into the release, but I have also been considering the Finger or thumb releases.

I have heard that using those types of releases for hunting is not that practical, but I wanted to get more clarification on the pros/cons for each release as well as to some basics on how they work since I have never used one. I am self taught and no one around me does archery (except the guys at Sprotsman's) so I have never used one of those types.

Also, what are some good types? I know about Carter, but they are a little steep in price for me at the moment.

Any help would be greatly appreciated!

rookieray · Feb 19, 2008

I dont have any info on your question. I just thought it was funny that I am in the exact same situation as you. I am self taught, the nearest archery shop is over an hour away. I use a Tru Ball Tornado release and am also having accuracy problems because of trigger punching. I went to Randy Ulmer's website as suggested by a user on this site. He talked about the surprise release and the eyes closed method. I was hesitant at first because I didnt want to start all over again. I ended up shooting with my eyes closed for 5 days and yesterday was the first day I started aiming with my eyes open, so far I am pretty happy. It still feels a little strange but my arrows are hitting their mark. The only problem I am having is my trigger doesnt seem sensitive enough, maybe I am squeezing to slowly, but its taking to long for the release. Anyways I am curious to see what others say about this.

COLO3D · Feb 19, 2008

The only way to properly learn how to shoot is to do it up close with your eyes closed. Especially after you have already taught yourself some bad habits. Trust me, I've been there.

To learn how to properly exucute the shot you must learn how it feels. That can only be learned two ways; up close with your eyes closed concentrating on the "Feel", or aiming and having someone else trigger the release for you. This one sound a little unothodox, but it also works.

The problem is your mind can only do one thing at a time. it can either aim or focus on form. You will find there are different schools of thought on this, but I think you should focus on aiming.

The only way to properly execute the shot while focusing on aiming, is to have the execution of the shot comitted to your subconcious. Not only do you have to do blank bail shooting for a while, you also need to build a bridge from there to aiming. This is done by doing aiming excersises up close with a large target. I did this with a release that would not go off. This helped to build my confidence in my ability to aim. I then started shooting at close range with a large target. When I could hold it in the middle until the release went off I would then move back a yard a day. It took me a couple weeks to make it back to 10 yards.

This process was not very exciting, but it was SOOOOOO worth it!!!

I don't know if this is what you were looking for, but I have been where you are, self taught with some bad habits. This is how I over came it. By the way, I did this with a Carter Colby back tension with the spike head. They are quite affordable online, used.

Boskee · Feb 19, 2008

LAST EDITED ON Feb-19-08 AT 12:36PM (MST)[p]Try the Carter Evolution. It's a great release and you just pull through the shot to execute. It'll cure your ills.Do what colo3d says to learn and you're on your way.

ruthunter · Feb 19, 2008

3 OR 4 FINGER IS REALLY A PERSONAL PREFERENCE I SHOOT A 4 FINGER CARTER FOR HUNTING CALLED (THE HAMMER). FOR 3D SHOOTS AND SPOT SHOOTING I SHOOT A 3 FINGER EVOLUTION MADE BY CARTER.EVOLUTION IS A GOOD CHOICE FOR TARGET PANIC BECAUSE YOU DONT HAVE TO ROTATE YOUR HAND AND THERE IS A SAFETY WHICH ELIMINATES MISFIRES.

timberline_shedfreak24 · Feb 20, 2008

Shoot em both. I shoot a 3 right now but will be switching to a 4 this year.

Timberline

"Live for somethin' or die for nothin'"

EROCK1313 · Feb 26, 2008

Thanks for all of your help guys. I really think that this will help me with form and accuracy. I was thinking of the Evolution or Hammer, but maybe also the Insatiable. Is there much of a learning curve for the thumb releases vs. the back tension releases?

timberline_shedfreak24 · Feb 26, 2008

Go with the Chocolate. You wont regret it.

Timberline

http://www.timberlineoutfittersnevada.com/

COLO3D · Feb 26, 2008

I still think that a back tension release is better for learning back tension and for learning how to aim without distraction.

coonhound40 · Feb 26, 2008

This may seem unorthadox but I got rid my trigger punch by switching fingers. I now use my middle finger on the trigger, it does 2 things. It allows me to lay my index finger along my cheek bone and my thumb under my jaw, giving me a great anchor point, the other is the fact that your middle finger is "dumb" making it less likely to punch.

Just my $0.02
Coon

COLO3D · Feb 26, 2008

>This may seem unorthadox but I
>got rid my trigger punch
>by switching fingers. I
>now use my middle finger
>on the trigger, it does
>2 things. It allows
>me to lay my index
>finger along my cheek bone
>and my thumb under my
>jaw, giving me a great
>anchor point, the other is
>the fact that your middle
>finger is "dumb" making it
>less likely to punch.
>
>Just my $0.02
>Coon

Very true. I had a good friend who shot his Scott like that and it worked very well for him. He also prefered the anchor as well.

i would still recommend a BT release to learn proper form, then transition back to whatever release feels the most natural.

EROCK1313 · Feb 29, 2008

LAST EDITED ON Feb-29-08 AT 12:33PM (MST)[p]Good suggestion on switching fingers. I have actually considered that route, but have never tried it.

I was thinking back to this past year's Archery Hunt in Utah; a good family friend had this hand release that you hold a safety down with your thumb as you draw back and your index is firmly pressed on the trigger and instead of pushing the trigger, you lift your thumb up for the surprise release. Are any of the release mentioned above, similar to that or has anyone really heard of that kind? I couldn't really tell from reading about the Carter releases on their sight. I can't remember what type it was, but it seemed real effective at getting rid of trigger punch.

With regards to the back tension releases and form....Wouldn't the release still "release" even with bad form since you are just pulling back a couple more pounds of pressure to cause the release to go off? Just curious.