Thumb Release Help

[donofan]

Loving saddle hunting. Have the Kestrel (my tank for offseason work), the Flex (super comfy for long sits) and Mantis (very lightweight for run/gun) I also have a Stan Perfex heavy metal thumb release. Really like it although I must say using in the field thus far reveals I haven't spent enough time in the offseason with it. Missed a nice buck and just yesterday had two arrows go flying off before even coming to full draw. The issue is when trying to make 11 - 3 o'clock shots my thumb release is getting triggered when the thumb barrel hits the bridge. Maybe my bridge is too long, I have about 2" on the tag end of my Flex adjustable webbing. Do you know of a release that has a safety on it that would only fire after I'm at full draw and gotten out clear of bumping against anything?

 

[Buckshot1822]

You may need to lean out a little to clear the bridge or something. I shoot a hinge out of the saddle just fine.

One trick would be to put your thumb behind the trigger and apply forward pressure on the trigger until you come to full draw, then wrap your thumb over the barrel.

I'm pretty sure both carter and trufire make a thumb release with some kind of safety.

 

[gumby]

Have not shot a thumb release, does it help with what I would call the kick factor? After shooting a shotgun a lot I have a habit of expecting a kick when using a trigger finger release. Tried a tension release not a big fan of it.

 

[Murph4028]

Have not shot a thumb release, does it help with what I would call the kick factor? After shooting a shotgun a lot I have a habit of expecting a kick when using a trigger finger release. Tried a tension release not a big fan of it.

I am a firearm instructor. The problem your having is you, not your equipment. You are anticipating recoil and that is a very common mistake when shooting guns and will carry over into bows. I assume you are dipping the bow forward and down in the anticipation of a recoil? If so the only way to defeat this with a gun is to do what we call dry fire drills and reinforce the fundamentals of marksmanship. Since you cannot dry fire a bow, you will have to shoot a lot of arrows while mentally reinforcing fundamentals. Using key words while going through the shot motions helps a lot. Like when your at full draw and aiming think "steady" and when you are about to fire think "smooth" or something along those lines. Whatever words remind you to do that micro portion of the process correctly. It will take a lot of arrows to break old habits depending on how long you have had them but that is how it's done.

 

[Murph4028]

Loving saddle hunting. Have the Kestrel (my tank for offseason work), the Flex (super comfy for long sits) and Mantis (very lightweight for run/gun) I also have a Stan Perfex heavy metal thumb release. Really like it although I must say using in the field thus far reveals I haven't spent enough time in the offseason with it. Missed a nice buck and just yesterday had two arrows go flying off before even coming to full draw. The issue is View attachment 18806when trying to make 11 - 3 o'clock shots my thumb release is getting triggered when the thumb barrel hits the bridge. Maybe my bridge is too long, I have about 2" on the tag end of my Flex adjustable webbing. Do you know of a release that has a safety on it that would only fire after I'm at full draw and gotten out clear of bumping against anything?

Stupid question, are you drawing underneath your bridge? I have never heard of this happening. What release are you using?

 

[Buckhole75]

Not aware of a thumb triggered release with a safety..There are some hinges that have safety’s.I have a Carter backtension release with a safety.Dont care to hunt with a hinge but i do hunt with a Carter Chocolate Addiction.As far as setting it off on your bridge I guess you would have to lean out a little or Maybe shorten your bridge.

 

[SomthingOriginal]

Try lowering your tether height.

 

[donofan]

Stupid question, are you drawing underneath your bridge? I have never heard of this happening. What release are you using?

I replayed the situation in my backyard this afternoon. It's not the bridge but my chest that hit the thumb release. When in a seated position drawing against my body on the left side, the force to draw back 70lbs is a bit much. If i draw back the bow above the bridge about the height of my throat that seems to avoid the problem.

 

[donofan]

Have not shot a thumb release, does it help with what I would call the kick factor? After shooting a shotgun a lot I have a habit of expecting a kick when using a trigger finger release. Tried a tension release not a big fan of it.

The hand held releases are supposed to help with target panic. Not sure that a thumb one really does though. Was considering a back tension release as it's supposed to force perfect follow through. I kinda think now that all I have to do is put my thumb behind the trigger to prevent it from going off.

 

[Kowi Anukasha]

I hunt with the Carter Chocolate Addiction as well and I had this happen some years ago to me. I just took the thumb barel off and just move my thumb on top of the bar to activate the release. No problem since. I don't know if your thumb bar is removable but you mite try.

 

[Exhumis]

I shoot a Tru ball Maxx pro 4 and altho I haven't had this issue I could see how it could happen. I found if I rotate my firth hitch to my right and bit and lower it a bit I can be a bit further away from the tree as well as being just a bit to the left of my bridge which gives me the clearance I need.

 

[Red Beard]

"put your thumb behind the trigger and apply forward pressure on the trigger until you come to full draw, then wrap your thumb over the barrel."

Buckshot got it right here. Place your thumb behind the barrel on the draw.

 

[ThebigD]

Loving saddle hunting. Have the Kestrel (my tank for offseason work), the Flex (super comfy for long sits) and Mantis (very lightweight for run/gun) I also have a Stan Perfex heavy metal thumb release. Really like it although I must say using in the field thus far reveals I haven't spent enough time in the offseason with it. Missed a nice buck and just yesterday had two arrows go flying off before even coming to full draw. The issue is View attachment 18806when trying to make 11 - 3 o'clock shots my thumb release is getting triggered when the thumb barrel hits the bridge. Maybe my bridge is too long, I have about 2" on the tag end of my Flex adjustable webbing. Do you know of a release that has a safety on it that would only fire after I'm at full draw and gotten out clear of bumping against anything?

I shoot a carter wise choice but cater also makes an evolution which is what they call a resistance activated release. You hold the trigger down through the draw cycle and release it at full draw. Aim pull through your shot and it will fire. Great choice for target panic and acts as a saftey in a way.

 

[MathewsShooter7]

I am a firearm instructor. The problem your having is you, not your equipment. You are anticipating recoil and that is a very common mistake when shooting guns and will carry over into bows. I assume you are dipping the bow forward and down in the anticipation of a recoil? If so the only way to defeat this with a gun is to do what we call dry fire drills and reinforce the fundamentals of marksmanship. Since you cannot dry fire a bow, you will have to shoot a lot of arrows while mentally reinforcing fundamentals. Using key words while going through the shot motions helps a lot. Like when your at full draw and aiming think "steady" and when you are about to fire think "smooth" or something along those lines. Whatever words remind you to do that micro portion of the process correctly. It will take a lot of arrows to break old habits depending on how long you have had them but that is how it's done.

This was good video i remembered watching a while back. i have not tried it but would be a solid way to drill on your release sequence. Thought i would share!

 

[Mike K]

Just from your picture, try shortening your bridge and lowering your tether height. Doing that will give you more room to work with.