Hey GMMAT You might want to read this! http://www.hayesoutdoors.com/hayes/h...rgetPanic.html As soon as i get a thumb or back tension release i will do what the website says!!

When you've done your blank bale and all that stuff... When you shoot at 40 yards, start using a bigger spot. I'd say 1" of target diameter per 10 yards of distance and adding a couple inches more wouldn't hurt. You want it big enough that your float is inside the spot. You do not want to be in the situation where you are floating all around a small spot because then you're going to try and start punching the release when you pass through the spot. No 'drive by' shooting allowed!

Matt I'm stating what I did based on my 3D shooting, last Saturday. I just got back from shooting 3 rounds of 20....and it's the same. I'm NOT shooting at longer distances.....except on Saturday 3D.

It could be a lot of things. Heck....I haven't shot a lot in a while. Admittedly, during hunting season, I didn't shoot NEARLY as much as I do, now. Maybe I'm just out of practice.

I HAVE changed arrows. I've sighted them in at 20.....they're sighted in at 30....and I guess they HAVE to be at 40. I've even shot them from 50 and they seem OK. But I'm just not as consistant. Maybe it has NOTHING to do witht he release....and I'm just out of practice. I suppose time will tell.

Matt....I'll shoot some 10 yd shots.....

We'll see what happens from week to week. My rounds did get better each go around (3D)....but they're (with the exception of the last round) still a ways off of where I used to be, regularly.

No panic, here. I've got nothing to prove and nothing but time.

Thanks for all your help.

I had the same thing Jeff I went away from the thumb releaseand it took me a bit but I got it now.
The reason I went away from the thumb release was the D Loop I am using and it just wouldnt work right.

Great read thank you.

I have and still do shoot three different releases.

Winns-freeflight - hunting with heavier poundages.

Wrist caliper - Hunting

Carter Fat boy - Thumb trigger -Target shooting, shot with back tension (my favorite).

Stanislawski two-finger - Indoor target shooting - great pure back tension release.

I shoot all releases with BT, except the Winns because you can't. Once you train yourself to shoot with BT your accuracy at all distances will improve.

With BT, if you're too strong with your bow arm (push), you'll shoot to the left. If you're too weak with you're bow arm you'll shoot to the right.

You're bow arm and you're release arm should be a consistant push/pull in a straight line towards and away from your target.

How do you shoot the wrist release with BT?

I use the hook and pull method.

Adjust your release strap and such so that you can hook your finger deep over the trigger, between the 1st and 2nd knuckle. While aiming, push steady tension with the bow hand toward the target and pull backward, in a straight line with your release hand.

Your release hand/finger is just a solid hook. To pull backward, point your elbow backward and use your back and shoulder blade muscles to cause the pull.

This is very hard to explain, but you must keep your push and pull in the same plane. Try it while standing real close to a blank bale until the shot goes off and surprises the daylights out of you......... that's what you want.

Get a routine......... place your feet...... nock an arrow............ get your grip......... point your bow at the target and draw smoothly back and anchor. Then you hook your finger..........start aiming and pulling simultaneously. The shot should go off unexpectedly while aiming within 4 - 7 seconds. If it does not, let down and start over. Try pulling a little stronger and/or hook your finger deeper. You'll have to experiment.

The whole idea is to be totally just aiming and have the shot go off. It prevents anticipation and punching the trigger.

How well do the new arrows spine and how do the bad shots FEEL?

If the shots feel strong and the arrow doesn't hit behind the pin,it could be an arrow or setup issue.

I'm not sure I understand the question (and I mean that on ME)? I "hope" the arrows are spined correctly. I got them from someone who shoots a similar setup (#-age, bow, close on draw, etc...) and I trust their judgement. That's all I can tell you. At 20yds....I'm shooting pretty good, but the bad arrows still FEEL good. I hope I'm understanding correctly....because I really value your input on this.

I haven't changed my setup since I brought the bow home on day one. My arrows (and I promise you it's a stroke of genius and luck on the initial setup) have changed several times.....but I have only made a sight adjustment on these new fatter arrow. I've gone from target to hunting setups 3-4 times, now....and never moved anything.

I changed my #-age down to 63, recently.......but I don't know if that makes a hill of beans difference (or if it does!?????).

It could VERY WELL be just ME out of practice. I guess we'll see in the next few weeks.

I KNOW in golf.....the firs tthing that goes when you haven't played in a while is your short game. I don't know about target archery. I'm a novice. When you haven't shot past 30 yds for quite a while....I can imagine it's NOT like riding a bike.

I'm not talking about missing targets here, either, guys. I'm talking about occasionally missing a 10 ring. I hope I haven't painted the wrong picture. My last round of 20 targets, today, was 194. My last target is a standing jake at 42yds. I also shot a fox at 28....and a beaver at 27. It's not like I'm flailing them.....but it's not where I used to be, either.

Lst bit of info....just for clarity. its not terrible....but nowhere near where I want to be (or where I was). A few months ago....I was averaging 10 points a target.