Thinking of going to thumb release..

[elk yinzer]

A fad? Just doesn’t sound like you put the time in it to see any benefit. For elk hunting I completely agree, I’d want a wrist strap.


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I would call it a fad to some degree, yes. Very in vogue among the popular youtubers, podcasters and instagrammers and their fans. Not that is necessarily a slight or a reason not to switch, just a light-hearted observation that its the cool thing to do these days.

I'll be the judge of the effort I put into it, thanks very much. Shot over 100 arrows with it and there just wasn't a discernible difference. I think I've been doing this long enough to evaluate how it worked out for me.

I think the main factor is I shoot a Winn Free Flight which isn't a true wrist release, it has a bar built into a glove so that the draw mechanics are very similar to a thumb release. I believe that mechanical benefit of an easier draw and anchor is where a lot of people improve their shooting going with a handheld release, not the trigger being activated via the thumb or hinge. That's where I was getting at saying wrist releases lead to poor form. I can't shoot for crap with true wrist strap releases.

 

[Bowtech12]

I made the switch this summer. Picked up a Stan thumb release off the classifieds. My groups immediately tightened up. As for hunting ... a bit tougher transition for me. I found myself forgetting to put it on the D loop Sometimes. Lol. W the wrist it’s just always on. But overall I’m glad I made the switch.


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Me too

I went back to a wrist release at least for hunting

Too many weird angles you get your body in when you shoot from a stand

I thought the transition would be easier but it wasn’t while hunting

 

[Jefferson10940]

Me too

I went back to a wrist release at least for hunting

Too many weird angles you get your body in when you shoot from a stand

I thought the transition would be easier but it wasn’t while hunting

I unfortunately did not get a chance to release an arrow this season ... yet!

 

[BCHunter]

I think the main factor is I shoot a Winn Free Flight which isn't a true wrist release, it has a bar built into a glove so that the draw mechanics are very similar to a thumb release. I believe that mechanical benefit of an easier draw and anchor is where a lot of people improve their shooting going with a handheld release, not the trigger being activated via the thumb or hinge. That's where I was getting at saying wrist releases lead to poor form. I can't shoot for crap with true wrist strap releases.

I grew up using that type of release, which is probably why I hated real wrist releases. The problem with it is that it sucks getting it in and out of my hand muff, putting on an extra layer, or really doing anything. It comes down to comfort in the stand and usability for how I hunt. I wouldn't think twice about using it for elk.

I wouldn't say my shooting got any better because of a thumb release, it actually suffered when I was using a caliper style. Once I switched to one that trips like a trigger, my shooting got back to where I was with the wrist release. Now my shooting is way better, but that's just because now I've researched and practice good form and bow tuning.

I always have 2 releases with me, but I think people who use a wrist release should do the same thing, you never know when you're going to leave it in the bow case or have an equipment malfunction a mile from the car. I don't see myself ever going back.

 

[elk yinzer]

I grew up using that type of release, which is probably why I hated real wrist releases. The problem with it is that it sucks getting it in and out of my hand muff, putting on an extra layer, or really doing anything. It comes down to comfort in the stand and usability for how I hunt. I wouldn't think twice about using it for elk.

I agree on that being a real pain in the nads and the main reason why I tried the thumb release. But I guess it's just something I've adapted to over the course of the 15 years I've used the Winn.

 

[flinginairos]

I would call it a fad to some degree, yes. Very in vogue among the popular youtubers, podcasters and instagrammers and their fans. Not that is necessarily a slight or a reason not to switch, just a light-hearted observation that its the cool thing to do these days.

I'll be the judge of the effort I put into it, thanks very much. Shot over 100 arrows with it and there just wasn't a discernible difference. I think I've been doing this long enough to evaluate how it worked out for me.

I think the main factor is I shoot a Winn Free Flight which isn't a true wrist release, it has a bar built into a glove so that the draw mechanics are very similar to a thumb release. I believe that mechanical benefit of an easier draw and anchor is where a lot of people improve their shooting going with a handheld release, not the trigger being activated via the thumb or hinge. That's where I was getting at saying wrist releases lead to poor form. I can't shoot for crap with true wrist strap releases.

Sorry, you just made it sound like you fired a few shots and said forget this without tweaking your setup for it and called it a "fad" lol. No offense meant. I know several guys that have tried the thumb trigger and hated it. Just like anything else in life, all personal preference. My main reason for switching was I got pretty sick of always having the wrist strap on and clanking on stuff as I was trying to film. I can shoot both styles with about the same accuracy. Prefer the thumb these days tho by a good bit!

 

[d_rek]

I gave a thumb release a fair shake but couldn't put in the time to practice enough to make it work. Definitely wanted to make it work and the advantages seemed pretty obvious to me.

You will likely have to tweak your setup - DL and anchor point are pretty common - and put in a fair amount of time practicing to make it work for hunting. Don't expect it to be a plug and play change.

 

[skell]

I believe that mechanical benefit of an easier draw and anchor

I would agree with this. After switching to the handheld I feel I have been much more consistent in my anchor.

My main reason for switching was I got pretty sick of always having the wrist strap on and clanking on stuff

X2. That and I went to always wearing light gloves and using a muff to keep my hands warm. Never liked using a muff with a wrist strap release. Seemed like something was always catching. Nice to just hang it from the D loop and grab when needed.

I'm in year 2 with a TruBall Fang 3 and I will not be going back to a wrist strap.

 

[flinginairos]

I would agree with this. After switching to the handheld I feel I have been much more consistent in my anchor.



X2. That and I went to always wearing light gloves and using a muff to keep my hands warm. Never liked using a muff with a wrist strap release. Seemed like something was always catching. Nice to just hang it from the D loop and grab when needed.

I'm in year 2 with a TruBall Fang 3 and I will not be going back to a wrist strap.

I had one of the Fang 3's when they first released. I think I got one of the very first ones. It had an issue where it would let go at half draw every 20 shots on so. About knocked myself out a few times before I figured it out! LOL TruBall was great tho and they fixed the issue for me.

 

[skell]

I had one of the Fang 3's when they first released. I think I got one of the very first ones. It had an issue where it would let go at half draw every 20 shots on so. About knocked myself out a few times before I figured it out! LOL TruBall was great tho and they fixed the issue for me.

I remember reading about that issue when I was first researching them. Saw a number of pictures of people with a black eye
I was pretty cautious when I started using it, but to date I have never had an issue that wasn't user error!

 

[flinginairos]

I remember reading about that issue when I was first researching them. Saw a number of pictures of people with a black eye
I was pretty cautious when I started using it, but to date I have never had an issue that wasn't user error!

They fixed the issue pretty quick. I was gun shy after that and sold the release lol. Getting punched in the mouth pulling 70lbs ain’t fun!


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[Gamover06]

I shoot a Stan SX3 and will never go back to a wrist rocket. I love not having something on my wrist and that my release is attached to my string and ready to go. I am more accurate as well. It takes some practice to get the surprise release down consistently but it really tightens up the groups. It takes most people months of shooting consistently to get the proper form of a handheld and truly see the results. Most people do see results quickly but to see the true potential that a thumb or hinge has cant be done in 100 arrows. A lot of people go back to a wrist because they don't have the time to make it work but putting in the work pays off more times then not. There is a reason target archers use handhelds over wrist and its because its consistently more accurate. When taking an animals life consistency needs to be higher for me personally then shooting a piece of paper

Like mentioned I always carry a back up since it is not attached to my wrist. My backup is my old wrist rocket which I do still practice with every know and then just incase I drop or loose my stan while hunting.

I don't find the Stan to be that loud. I think my bow sounds loud also but that is because its next to my ear. I have had my buddies shot my bow and its whisper quiet when I am standing 10 feet away from it while being shot.

 

[GBlevins92]

They fixed the issue pretty quick. I was gun shy after that and sold the release lol. Getting punched in the mouth pulling 70lbs ain’t fun!


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I’m not sure if it was the fang but a guy I know had this happen and literally knocked 3 of his own teeth out..... I didn’t realize it was specifically an issue with the fang I wasn’t thinking about picking one up I may rethink that lol


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[Dgruis91]

I think the biggest thing it’s helped with me from going to a thumb or tension release is at longer ranges my groups have tightened up. It helps me keep a more consistent anchor point and helps me stay in more check of my shooting habits. And if you do go to thumb release, id check out John Dudley’s shooting videos on nock on archery at YouTube they’ve actually helped me with my shooting.

 

[Mauk9800]

For me I have a love hate relationship with a wrist strap release. Things I like about it. It's strapped on so harder to lose. I think I shoot one just as well as a thumb or back tension. I relax my hand at anchor put pressure on the trigger and set it off with back tension. I have trouble getting my finger tension the same on a thumb. Which make the release fire faster or slower for me. But having a wrist strapped to your wrist is what I hate about it. I switch back and forth over the years. Still not made up my mind lol.

 

[Kurt]

I just changed to a thumb. It started with a change of draw length, so I had to change my anchor point, so then I had to readjust my peep and sight. I started using a thumb style resistance release through the spring and summer. That helped me get away from the forefinger trigger pull. In late summer early fall I got a Scott Pursuit thumb style to hunt with. It comes with a wrist strap which I don't use. The end game was I was shooting better groups. I use the four finger grip instead of the three and it feels like I could hunt with 80# if I wanted to. It was a long process, but I like to tinker,if it's going to improve me as a hunter. I think it's made me more accurate and our quarry, (what ever it is) deserves nothing less.

 

[Squirrels]

Release swaps are easier when you don't shoot with a peep, single best improvement in my accuracy was going peepless.

 

[Kurt]

I think the biggest thing it’s helped with me from going to a thumb or tension release is at longer ranges my groups have tightened up. It helps me keep a more consistent anchor point and helps me stay in more check of my shooting habits. And if you do go to thumb release, id check out John Dudley’s shooting videos on nock on archery at YouTube they’ve actually helped me with my shooting.

I saw that John Dudley vid. That and one from Levi Morgan showed me my draw length was to long.

 

[Kurt]

I do carry my old wrist style in the pack. and it still hits where i aim it.

 

[g2outdoors]

I've really struggled with an inconsistent anchor point due to the wrist strap. I recently switched to a thumb release and noticed an immediate improvement in accuracy. I'm convinced.