• The SH Membership has gone live. Only SH Members have access to post in the classifieds. All members can view the classifieds. Starting in 2020 only SH Members will be admitted to the annual hunting contest. Current members will need to follow these steps to upgrade: 1. Click on your username 2. Click on Account upgrades 3. Choose SH Member and purchase.
  • We've been working hard the past few weeks to come up with some big changes to our vendor policies to meet the changing needs of our community. Please see the new vendor rules here: Vendor Access Area Rules

How many times did you punch yourself

Dope on a Rope

Well-Known Member
SH Member
Jan 21, 2023
677
1,200
93
38
…switching to thumb release? I’ve been resisting what seemed like a fad, but just decided to try a spot Hogg thumb release and punched myself in the mouth twice in 10 draws. Wants to open up on pullback even with some pressure holding it closed with my thumb- I have to REALLY push, so needs adjustment.
Anyway, I’m a lousy archer but hit bullseye at 20 7 out of 8 times(subtracting the two hits to the face) which is great for me so I think I need to give this some more effort.
 
  • Like
Reactions: woodsdog2

Irishman

Member
Nov 22, 2021
59
82
18
48
Portage Mi
So far I have been lucky not punching myself in the face with my thumb release (Not that I don't think about it every time I pull back LOL). I just started using one last September and have fallen in love with it. They do take some tuning and adjusting to get them setup to your hand and finger placement. Did you get the whipper snapper? If so, you may want to play with the tension adjustment and move the thumb barrel around to find a place that helps you pull back without touching it during the draw.
Either way keep practicing with it. Going from a wrist to thumb release will take some time, but well worth the effort. I know I will never go back, love to have it just locked on my D-loop and ready to go while in the tree.
 

Dope on a Rope

Well-Known Member
SH Member
Jan 21, 2023
677
1,200
93
38
So far I have been lucky not punching myself in the face with my thumb release (Not that I don't think about it every time I pull back LOL). I just started using one last September and have fallen in love with it. They do take some tuning and adjusting to get them setup to your hand and finger placement. Did you get the whipper snapper? If so, you may want to play with the tension adjustment and move the thumb barrel around to find a place that helps you pull back without touching it during the draw.
Either way keep practicing with it. Going from a wrist to thumb release will take some time, but well worth the effort. I know I will never go back, love to have it just locked on my D-loop and ready to go while in the tree.
Yeah whipper snapper. Been a while since I punched myself, then twice yesterday had to laugh at myself. Thumb barrel is too low so I know I need to adjust that, and the tension adjustment behind I think I need to adjust, but afraid the very light setting is why I’m getting such good shots. That or the adrenaline from street fighting myself is improving my focus.
 

woodsdog2

Well-Known Member
SH Member
Jun 28, 2019
8,170
10,409
113
Get a shot trainer to start out with or even just a loop of string tied to your draw length to focus on the technique and get it down cold first. Then move to the bow once you’re confident with using the right back tension to pull through the shot. It’s still different once you move to the bow but your focus on your hand remains the same which is critical.
 

Dope on a Rope

Well-Known Member
SH Member
Jan 21, 2023
677
1,200
93
38
Sounds like someone is wrong with it. You shouldn’t need to keep your thumb on it at all while drawing. I keep my thumb off it till I start to settle in at full draw.
I definitely felt it pulling while I had my thumb behind/pushing on it after my first more minor slip. Not sure if that’s normal or not but I did read somewhere I might have to increase the tension adjustment to prevent that?
 
  • Like
Reactions: Bigterp

HunterBob

Active Member
Sep 26, 2019
189
175
43
42
I definitely felt it pulling while I had my thumb behind/pushing on it after my first more minor slip. Not sure if that’s normal or not but I did read somewhere I might have to increase the tension adjustment to prevent that?
I have the same exact thumb release and have liked it, except for the time when the spring on the jaws wore out and I did punch myself pretty good. Sent it to them and they fixed it and sent it back to me, so I am still using it. I'm thinking something is off with yours and I would consider sending it to them for inspection.

I've also adopted a bit of a different drawback cycle now to try and prevent more self inflicted shots to the face...
 

Jimdude

Well-Known Member
Jan 9, 2021
692
969
93
47
New Jersey
LOCATION
Sussex county, NJ
I have the same exact thumb release and have liked it, except for the time when the spring on the jaws wore out and I did punch myself pretty good. Sent it to them and they fixed it and sent it back to me, so I am still using it. I'm thinking something is off with yours and I would consider sending it to them for inspection.

I've also adopted a bit of a different drawback cycle now to try and prevent more self inflicted shots to the face...
Agreed. I also draw in a way that if it should let loos my hand will just pass by my face
 
  • Like
Reactions: Dope on a Rope

Dope on a Rope

Well-Known Member
SH Member
Jan 21, 2023
677
1,200
93
38
I’ll try adjusting the tension first and see if it helps, if not I’ll reach out to spot hogg.

Edit: well, the tension adjustment is small… both 1.5mm and 1/16” are too big so I guess I’ll have to order some tiny Allen keys or take it to the bow shop next time I’m in.
 
Last edited:

Tim0712

Well-Known Member
SH Member
Jan 18, 2021
781
1,086
93
29
I’ve shot a Scott pursuit since it came out basically. Had it malfunction once after thousands of shots and Scott sent me a brand new one in its place free of charge. The option of switching from 3-4 finger is a selling point of it. It’s far from being a Carter but it’s half the price. I’ve found out letting people try releases it’s always best to start them 4 finger so they feel they have more control but 3 finger will improve accuracy once you put it all together.
 

Dope on a Rope

Well-Known Member
SH Member
Jan 21, 2023
677
1,200
93
38
I’ve shot a Scott pursuit since it came out basically. Had it malfunction once after thousands of shots and Scott sent me a brand new one in its place free of charge. The option of switching from 3-4 finger is a selling point of it. It’s far from being a Carter but it’s half the price. I’ve found out letting people try releases it’s always best to start them 4 finger so they feel they have more control but 3 finger will improve accuracy once you put it all together.
I’ve been using a Scott Wildcat and it’s been a great release
 

Andrew920

Well-Known Member
SH Member
Sep 26, 2022
397
996
93
Michigan
I have the Carter Wise Choice (3finger) and the Nock On (2finger). The Carter malfunctioned in the middle of last season and the jaw wouldn't close over the dloop, so I panicked and bought the No On. Carter fixed their release for free and its a great release, but I prefer the Nock On one now. The Carter has become my back up.
 

Tim0712

Well-Known Member
SH Member
Jan 18, 2021
781
1,086
93
29
I’ve been using a Scott Wildcat and it’s been a great release
Scott is very underrated for what it is in my personal opinion. I shoot a Carter wise choice on my target bow and it’s a very nice release but hunting stand point I’d never venture away from the pursuit
 
  • Like
Reactions: Dope on a Rope

Camelcluch

Well-Known Member
SH Member
Oct 2, 2020
1,604
2,413
113
48
The SH should not be firing early. It’s either set way too light or something is wrong. I don’t love SH releases but they make quality stuff that is meant to take some abuse.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Dope on a Rope

weekender21

Well-Known Member
SH Member
Aug 19, 2018
1,556
1,607
113
45
Hawaii and North Carolina
…switching to thumb release? I’ve been resisting what seemed like a fad, but just decided to try a spot Hogg thumb release and punched myself in the mouth twice in 10 draws. Wants to open up on pullback even with some pressure holding it closed with my thumb- I have to REALLY push, so needs adjustment.
Anyway, I’m a lousy archer but hit bullseye at 20 7 out of 8 times(subtracting the two hits to the face) which is great for me so I think I need to give this some more effort.

Once 16 years ago but it was a good one! Still shooting the same thumb release (Carter Ember) although I picked up a hinge for 3D this year.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
  • Like
Reactions: Dope on a Rope

raisins

Well-Known Member
SH Member
Jan 17, 2019
6,284
8,115
113
47
I punched myself once with a hinge, but never with a handheld with an actual thumb trigger. If you're punching yourself with a thumb release, then there's something wrong with the release or you need to keep you hand far away from the trigger. I never touch the thumb release trigger. Granted, I no longer shoot one, but I did for a few years and never had an issue.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Dope on a Rope

raisins

Well-Known Member
SH Member
Jan 17, 2019
6,284
8,115
113
47
I'd put the release on a loop of paracord you're standing on and pull harder than your bow's max poundage. With some triggers, if you set them too light or if they have a poundage and travel adjustment and one is off, then it will let go just from too much pressure. If you pull with all you got and it doesn't let go, then you can at least rule that out.