Using a release or just using your fingers?
 

Hi, ima new bowhunter and am currently practicing for my first season which would be next year. Im wondering if I should buy a release or not (my dad says they are nice but he found that they kinda got in the way, especially if your exited if a deer is in front of you) any advice? does this happen to you guys too or no?

RE: Using a release or just using your fingers?
 

Weather or not you use a release will 1) depend on your bow set-up. Either set your bow up to use a release or not to use a release, mostly depends on type of rest that is on the bow. 2) once your bow is set-up, practice with it a lot during summer into fall, and when a deer is in front of you, every thing will happen automatically. If you use a release and practice with it, using it will become natural, and shouldn't cause any problems in the "heat of the moment"

RE: Using a release or just using your fingers?
 

I don't much care for releases. Just one more thing to have to spend money on (you can buy a whole pocketfull of finger tabs for the price of one decent release), one more thing that could malfunction during the hunt, one more thing to drop or lose, one more thing that can clank around and make noise, one more thing that can absorb human scent... Andyour Dad is telling you straight when he saysthat a release is never as quick into action as fingers.

Shooting fingers requires a bit more personal involvement from you, as in learning how to make a clean release and practicing it... although it doesn't require hours and hours of your time asmost release shooters seem to think.It's not that big of a deal.With just slightly more practice than you'd need with a release, you can get hunting accuracy just as good as you'd have with a release, for all practical purposes.

Fingers releasealso limits how short you can go in bow length. It IS possible to shoot a short bow with fingers, but it's more difficult than it would be with a longer bow and requires a bit different technique. For someone with a 28" draw, I think 36"-38" axle to axle bows are about as short as they can go before running into some problems. Most finger shooters, especially those with draws30" and longer,like bows longer than 40" axle to axle.

Release shooters can go as short as they like on bow length. Releases give a tiny edge in accuracy, though not so much better to make a whit of difference when putting the arrow into an area the size of a soccer ball, like the heart/lung area of a deer's chest cavity. They allow for a few more fps of arrow speed.Releases let you use really fancy, expensivearrow rests, soyou can have something extra to brag about whendescribing your hunting rig.;)

It basically comes down to you. You're the one who is going to be shooting the bow. Not your dad, not me, but YOU. If you want to be like 99.9% of all folks shooting compounds these days, shoot a release. If you have a bit of maverick in your personality and like to do something a bit different than everybody else, then then shoot fingers.

RE: Using a release or just using your fingers?
 

I shoot fingers...started about 1971...I also don't use a peep...Don't use a stabilizer, and only one pin...Guess I like to keep it simple and the string on my fingers...Still shoot aluminum arrows, 125 Thunderheads and 5 inch feathers...I did upgrade to a Whisker Biscuit a few years back....Who says I don't like change???:)

RE: Using a release or just using your fingers?
 

I enjoy shooting finger style. Shooting fingers requires a bit more practice, but I think it's worth the effort. A release will normally give you a more consistant release of the string and a bit more accuracy.

RE: Using a release or just using your fingers?
 

I use a release.. I can shoot alot better with it. With my bow being short (around 32 inches ata) its harder to shoot with fingers.

RE: Using a release or just using your fingers?
 

From what i gather from your responses I think its a personal choice, and that i cant go wrong either way. I think I'll practice with both for a while and see what feels better. Thanks for all the expertise, its well appreciated!

RE: Using a release or just using your fingers?
 

What type of rest is currently on the bow?

RE: Using a release or just using your fingers?
 

Just a basic shoot-through rest

RE: Using a release or just using your fingers?
 

You say shoot thru. Are you talking about a 2 prong type rest with the cock feather down? You dont really want to ahoot fingers with one of those. Fingers you need a rest that allows side to side flexing of the arrow. I shoot both ways with different bows. My finger bow I can tune to shoot with a release but not the other way round. Just dont work right.

As far as which is better I dont rightly know. I know it was easier to get the hang of a release than fingers but theres more to it than that as mentioned above. I like to shoot my bows so a longer learning curve isn't an issue. If your a guy who just wants to get his bow on the money as fast as possible I think a release is easier but you have till next year so there really isn't any rush. Spend the year shooting it & youll find what works for you.