Changing release

[kuzinva]

I recently purchased a B3 Omega Pro, I'm practicing and deciding if I'll switch. My draw length could be bumped up a small bit, like a 1/4", or maybe a longer d-loop? The one thing I did notice is with a thumb I have more confidence knowing my anchor is correct. I'm shooting the Omega in a two finger configuration and the space created between the index and middle finger fits perfectly along my jaw line.

 

[brydan]

Are you guys who’ve made the switch finding it easier to draw with the thumb release?

I don't notice any difference between the two, the arm motion is the same, but have friend who said he tried a thumb but didn't have the hand strength for it. It doesn't seem to require a noticeable amount of hand strength but it might for some.

 

[Gator]

Are you guys who’ve made the switch finding it easier to draw with the thumb release?

I find it slightly easier to draw with a wrist style but it’s not something where it made me want to reduce draw weight or anything


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[Plebe]

Thanks for the feedback gents.

I’ve been under the impression that the thumb style releases rely on stronger muscles throughout the draw, thereby decreasing draw effort. This is from some videos I had seen.

Maybe it’s just less stress on a rotator.

I was going to steer some hunters, who have developed issues effecting their draw, towards trying them. I guess maybe not.

 

[brydan]

Thanks for the feedback gents.

I’ve been under the impression that the thumb style releases rely on stronger muscles throughout the draw, thereby decreasing draw effort. This is from some videos I had seen.

Maybe it’s just less stress on a rotator.

I was going to steer some hunters, who have developed issues effecting their draw, towards trying them. I guess maybe not.

Maybe it is, I didn't notice a difference but I'd be interested to see the video. Do you have a link to it?

Honestly when I first started bow hunting I immediately ignored the technique I was shown of keeping the elbow low during the draw, that just felt like a shoulder injury waiting to happen. I watched some competitive archers drawing with a little higher elbow and that change of using larger muscle groups made a world of difference in how much effort it took to draw the bow. But you've piqued my curiosity, next time out I'll dust off my wrist release and try them back to back to see if there's a noticeable difference between the two.

 

[raisins]

I have shot a 12ga shotgun a lot in the past and still have a habit of expecting a kick when I pull a trigger on anything that shoots with a trigger. I have shot a bow for many years but still expect a kick sometimes when I shoot. I shoot a Carter RX1 wrist release which is a great release that shoots with the trigger finger. Does anyone know if a thumb release would solve the expecting kick problem?.

I've read that mentally and physically bracing/anticipating a reaction (very natural) is at the heart of archery target panic which can take several forms. The trick is to have a setup where you have a surprise release, which in comparison a wrist strap is usually fired as a command release (you know when it is going off). I have a thumb release and only shoot it using back tension to make it a surprise release. There are many guides online on how to do this, but basically, you don't move your thumb but instead pull with the back and/or change your hand position to fire the shot. To do this, it helps to have a 2 stage trigger that cocks like a revolver. These are spendy though (look up the Stan Shootoff, which is what I have...the Carters are also 2 stage...they are all over 100 bucks). The cocked hammer is controlled by your trigger and can be set for near zero travel and to break like a glass rod...even with heavier weight trigger set up.....1 stage triggers almost always significantly increase travel as you increase trigger weight. That hammer then fires and causes the release jaws to open, decoupling your thumb from the weight of the bow string. It needs zero travel because if you have travel then you will know when it is about to fire, so it is no longer a surprise.

I shoot several releases and switch to a wrist strap to hunt. This year, I will likely buy a Nockon Back Strap when available which is a surprise release that is a wrist strap. Then when I hunt I might switch back to a normal wrist strap. The common releases that are "surprise" are thumb trigger, hinge/back tension, and resistance activated (what the Back Strap is). You can shoot a regular index release as a surprise with back tension, but it helps to have a spendy one that can be set to zero travel (like several Carters). I've tried it with a normal Scott, and it doesn't work for me.

 

[Plebe]

Maybe it is, I didn't notice a difference but I'd be interested to see the video. Do you have a link to it?

Honestly when I first started bow hunting I immediately ignored the technique I was shown of keeping the elbow low during the draw, that just felt like a shoulder injury waiting to happen. I watched some competitive archers drawing with a little higher elbow and that change of using larger muscle groups made a world of difference in how much effort it took to draw the bow. But you've piqued my curiosity, next time out I'll dust off my wrist release and try them back to back to see if there's a noticeable difference between the two.

I can’t remember them all but found this one:

Don’t know anything about the guy in the video, or his credentials. Also, I don’t draw low like he shows (suggesting the movement of wrist release shooters), nor high like he does lifting the bow. So I can’t suggest comparative experience. I just draw straight (in-line) if that makes sense, and haven’t had an issue.

But, mimicking his “proper” draw, I do get a sense of less stress, and consider the thumb release a primary factor in arm orientation and specific movements of this draw motion. Thought thumb release might, therefor, benefit some who struggle for various reasons.

 

[raisins]

Maybe it is, I didn't notice a difference but I'd be interested to see the video. Do you have a link to it?

Honestly when I first started bow hunting I immediately ignored the technique I was shown of keeping the elbow low during the draw, that just felt like a shoulder injury waiting to happen. I watched some competitive archers drawing with a little higher elbow and that change of using larger muscle groups made a world of difference in how much effort it took to draw the bow. But you've piqued my curiosity, next time out I'll dust off my wrist release and try them back to back to see if there's a noticeable difference between the two.

Many bow shops and local "experts" will actively show you bad technique and call it the way, like the insistence of shooting with a significantly bent elbow which is not only not repeatable but tires you out and will cause injuries in that elbow over time to the tricep and tendons.

 

[raisins]

I can’t remember them all but found this one:

Don’t know anything about the guy in the video, or his credentials. Also, I don’t draw low like he shows (suggesting the movement of wrist release shooters), nor high like he does lifting the bow. So I can’t suggest comparative experience. I just draw straight (in-line) if that makes sense, and haven’t had an issue.

But, mimicking his “proper” draw, I do get a sense of less stress, and consider the thumb release a primary factor in arm orientation and specific movements of this draw motion. Thought thumb release might, therefor, benefit some who struggle for various reasons.

Chris Bee is one of the best bow shots in the world and is a pro shooter sponsored by Hoyt and then Mathews (no need for a day job). He's very credible with regards to shooting.

The only time I don't draw as he advocates is when on an animal and then I point the bow right at them and draw straight back in order to minimize movement, but that's only a few shots a year (except on downward angled deer from a stand, where I draw parallel to ground but with a low elbow and no rise in the bow then bend at waist to get on target). The rest of the time, I draw just as he advocates.

 

[brydan]

I don’t draw low like he shows (suggesting the movement of wrist release shooters), nor high like he does lifting the bow. So I can’t suggest comparative experience. I just draw straight (in-line) if that makes sense, and haven’t had an issue.

We're probably about the same, I don't draw with quite as high an elbow as he's showing either, more like John Dudley if you've seen him shoot but that's the idea. Virtually 100% of the people I see shoot around here draw in some way similar to the poor technique he's showing in the video. I don't get it. I knew nothing about archery when I started and immediately recognized that just doesn't feel right and started looking for more info. Monkey see monkey do I guess.