correct me if i' m wrong but i thought you had to shoot a release to get target panic?

Back when I shot fingers I didn' t have the problem but it developed a year or so into shooting with a release. I tried to shoot a friends bow with fingers a couple weeks ago and I had the panic on that as well. I think anyone can get it but the habit may develop more frequently in release shooters especially thoes that use an index finger trigger type release.

You are definately wrong my friend. I wish you weren' t!!!! About the only people that don' t get it, are traditional archers that don' t use sights. Even they can get mild forms of it.

I believe that' s only because there are more release shooters than finger shooters.

Also, though I believe anybody can get it, it' s more prevelant in dot target shooters.

I definitely get it shooting dots. I' m rock solid on 3D and live game though. I guess I have " dot panic" as well.

Mahly, you seem to be pretty knowledgeable. I' m looking for a quality thumb fired or back tension release w/a trigger that also has a wrist strap. Do you have any suggestions? The closest thing I have found is the Copper John Eagle line of releases, even though they are fired with the middle finger.

Mike.
I have the TruBall Extreme thumb release that you can get a wrist strap for.
I started to use it at the begining of the year for 3d and have hunted with it as well.
Tho I dont have the wrist strap when hunting I just lock it onto the loop till I am ready to use it.

I just switched to a release this year because I had target panic so bad with fingers. At first, the release was a blessing because it was just like shooting a gun to me, but I have " taught" myself now to PUNCH THE TRIGGER [:' (]---a problem I' m trying to overcome. I believe that target panic is more prevalent in finger shooters--at least the percentage is higher.

I used the Stanislawski X-calibur Back tension release...then after I got it (target panic) under control, for hunting I went to a TRU Ball Chappy Boss. I make sure to fire the chappy with back tension (NOT by squeezing the trigger....put the trigger ahead of your first knuckle, then just pull a little more)
IMNSHO, if you shoot a solo cam bow, or a dual with a HARD back wall, you might be better off starting with the chappy or other thumb trigger release that has VERY little if any trigger travel.
Another back tension release that I really like the concept behind is the TRU ball sweet spot.
BTW...for those just trying out back tension....don' t read TOO much into the name BACK TENSION. You don' t just flex your back, and fire the bow. The idea is that you don' t know WHEN you will fire the bow....basically, when at full draw, you can imagine trying to touch a wall behind you with your release elbow. How ever you do it....stick with it for a little while....whithout a coach there, it can be a little tough...you' ll do it though!

So you guys that switched to BT releases, did you start out shooting at targets or just a blank bale? Sights or no sights to start with?

Mike from Texas...I shoot a Scott Mongoose,but,I tried out the 3-D Thumb Pull from T.R.U.Ball.Very nice release,but I' am used to a wrist strap.So,I found a wrist strap for the Tru-balls,it' s called a Jackie-Strap.It' s made to fit all the new Tru-balls.Got it at Lancaster Archery in PA.for about 30.00 bucks,and they have a web site.Hope this helps.By the way,I' m still shooting the Mongoose,old habits are hard to break...Bob