I am new to bowhunting and have been shooting both with release and bare hands. It seems that I am more accurate with bare hands then with release! What do you guys think? What should I do?

Thanks
croc

I think for shooting a compound you should stick to a release and string loop. In the long run the average guy will perform better with a release. On the other hand, Guy Fitzgerald uses no sights and I believe shoots fingers. From looking at his show it works very well for him so you will have to make the choice thats right for you.

Stick with the release. It will pay off with improved accuracy. Install a d-loop and this will help to reduce torque.

like these guys said, and with a modern compound, it really hurts to use fingers IMO. i tried it with my youth bow and set it at like 30 lbs and it hurt. i couldnt imagine doing it at 70 like with my release. but if you shoot fingers fine then go ahead! but i think anything over 20 yards you will have an advantage with a release

Try to focus more on holding the bow at full draw, rather than focusing on releasing! You WILL sometimes need to hold the bow drawn for a bit waiting for a shot! Strap on your release. Next, draw the bow and settle in for 20 seconds. Now try that with fingers. Which one is more comfortable? If you start shaking then you either need to practice more or have your draw weight lowered. Deer will see you shaking. Seeing deer will make you shake more. Being cold in the stand will make you shake more. Remember, the first shot at a deer is the only one that counts and it can happen quick. Make it count. I usually loose 10-12 arrows daily. Good luck! Keep practicing.

Your better with your fingers than a release begs the question, how good are you with fingers?

Love to be good with fingers, just don't see it happening. If your good with fingers go with it.

I have used a compound with finger release with decent results, but a release is much more consistent and my fingers would get pretty sore (65lb. draw weight)!

all said and done, release is the way to go , it will be more accurate good luc

Shoot what your comfortable with and gives you the accuracy your looking at. There are some finger shooters that do shoot very consistently as good as release shooters. The shorter the bow the greater the pinch your going to get shooting with fingers. The longer bows will be more forgiving. If you've shot with fingers than you may be more accurate that way, but may find your accuracy improves as you practice with the release.

I would go with a release. Have you checked to make sure your draw length is right with the release?