What are the pros and cons of wrist releases vs. hand releases? I am new to the sport, and I will be hunting and starting to enter 3D shoots. Is this just a personal preference thing, or are their specifics to each style that makes it preferable for a given use?

I am assuming you mean by hand releases, a thumb trigger? MOST hunters and everyday shooters will prefer a wrist strap because of it's simplicity. However, target shooters will use a thumb trigger or a straight backtension release. Personally, I am using a Scott wrist strap release right now, but I'm wanting to get a quality thumb trigger soon. know quiet a few people who use thumb triggers for hunting andI probably would aswell if I had one. As a beginner, I would recommend starting out with a basic caliper wrist strap, they are easy to use. If you want anymore info feel free to pm me. I can try to help you as much as I can.

Thats Matt, I took you up on PM'ing you with further questions.

Sorry Matt, that should have read "Thanks Matt".

I just repied back at ya. Glad I could attempt to help you out.

Hand releases usually will give you a little more draw length and also permit you to pull more weight easier. You will also find, because of less give a more consistent anchor point. I forgot to mention that using your trigger finger on wrist releases adds to potential target panic....

I have and use both, when I swap over to my wrist release for hunting I have to shorten up the draw length 1/2 inch on my bow.

Things I noticed:

- thumb trigger is less likely to have target panic, but it doens't remove it.
- if you shoot a thumb trigger properly its easier to be more consistent (its also easier to shoot it properly than a wrist release)
- I had fewer "bad" shots, or rather my "fliers" weren't as bad.

I hunt with my wrist release however because I just hook it onto my wrist before I leave the house and there is stays. My wife hunts with her thumb release and just hooks it onto the string loop while sitting in the treestand and leaves it hanging there.

My thumb release makes a fairly loud click when shot, which is one reason i don't hunt with it.

The wrist release is not as forgiving as the thumb release. More room for mistakes. It feels more natural for me to push with my thumb than pull with my index or middle finger.That being said I can pull back more weight with the wrist instead of the thumb release. Good luck hope this helps.

Thanks for all the feedback. Kind of sounds like, at least so far, that the thumb style release is a good way to go. I will definately give one a try, now just a matter of which one. Is their a significant difference in the amount of weight one can pull with the thumb release, or like everything else, you just have to grow into it??

I agree with Geronimo. However I consistanly use the wrist release.