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Which release - hinge/thumb/index finger?

Gladiator

Gladiator

PMA Member
In the past, I've always shot an index finger release and done OK, but would sometimes get just a little ancy and pull too soon (aka - minor case of target panic).

My buddy recommended a "hinge" release (no trigger, strictly back tension) and gave me a DVD called "Straight from the Pros" and I watched the best shooters in the world basically start me over from scratch by using back tension.

Long story short is after practicing with the 'hinge' for a year, I absolutely love it and my 3-D scores have gone up dramatically. I now use a back tension thumb release that allows me to get a "surprise" release.

One thing that seems to pose a problem is that guys want to control the release in a hunting situation...you can do more of that with an index, but you would have to speed up your "push/pull/squeeze" with the back tension to accelerate the release...

3 things I was curious about...

What kind of release you use and why you use it for hunting? Advantages/disadvantages of using the kind you do?

If anyone else has been trained with a hinge release to improve form and back tension??

Also, what kind of advice can we give hunters on here about releases to use, not to ever buy again, and techniques that make you successful with your release?

Thanks in advance
 
caliper releases are not good for shooters who suffer from target panic..... me

back tension are not good for hunting, and i would not recommend it. the main reason is you have to have make a perfect release for the release to work. i dont want to be "surprised" when my release goes off in the woods. but you are absolutely right about 3D scores going up, they are great for competition /forum/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/cool.gif

i have and use a thumb release for hunting. It is a T.R.U. Ball, Diamond Diamond Release

I love it!! i can leave it on my D-loop and not have it bang around on the stand when i climb in, and it doesnt get in the way when i rattle either.... which is another story for another day.....

the down side is you can drop it.... i have two with me at all times just in case.

and in every hunting/competition situation, you should practice the Push, Pull, Sqeeze technique, for all types of releases.

anyhow, that is what id recommend!
 
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: THA4</div><div class="ubbcode-body">i dont want to be "surprised" when my release goes off in the woods. but you are absolutely right about 3D scores going up, they are great for competition /forum/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/cool.gif</div></div>

But if you can get the surprise release in 3 seconds or less, wouldn't it be ideal? Just asking this question here, no accusations when I ask this, Thomas /forum/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/smile.gif but have you ever had a hunting situation where you absolutely had to release the arrow in a split second?? Most times aren't we going to have a small window in which that deer will be milling or when we stop him, he'll sit there for a good 5 seconds?? Again, just curious...

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: THA4</div><div class="ubbcode-body">i have and use a thumb release for hunting.</div></div>

I use a Carter target 3, which is thumb triggered and I do the same - just hook it up and let it sit /forum/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/cool.gif Haven't dropped it yet, but I'm still waiting for that day... /forum/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/wink.gif
 
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Gladiator</div><div class="ubbcode-body">But if you can get the surprise release in 3 seconds or less, wouldn't it be ideal? </div></div>

actually i think a back tension is the opposite of what you want, and it is not ideal for a hunting situation. you dont want to push/rush your BT release

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Quote:</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Just asking this question here, no accusations when I ask this, Thomas /forum/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/smile.gif but have you ever had a hunting situation where you absolutely had to release the arrow in a split second?? </div></div>

/forum/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/grin.gif i could write a book on having to make quick releases and fowling it up because i rushed it, so yes, its happened to me. a back tension is designed to force you to take your time and focus on your form...... id rather make the decision to shoot than having to go through the motions to make the release actually "release". i think a "split second shot" is the worst situation for a back tension.

Up till this summer, i shot LOTS of 3D, and know the value of a BT release! but in my opinion, it would lead to more errant shots while in the field...... again, JMO

example- im not pulling this out of my butt, i actually have video footage. i used to hunt with a guy who thought since he shot so good on the 3D course with a BT release, he tried hunting with it, he missed 2 times and made a poor shot (IN THE SAME DAY) and wounded a deer because he wasnt through his "motions" when he forced the shot and pulled it.

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Quote:</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Most times aren't we going to have a small window in which that deer will be milling or when we stop him, he'll sit there for a good 5 seconds?? </div></div>

well, in a perfect situation, yes i could see it working, but dont most BT releases have a "warning click" before it goes off? that might alarm a motionless deer.... i dunno

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Quote:</div><div class="ubbcode-body"> I use a Carter target 3 </div></div>

great choice! that is a solid release!

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Quote:</div><div class="ubbcode-body"> Haven't dropped it yet, but I'm still waiting for that day... /forum/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/wink.gif </div></div>

its coming /forum/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/grin.gif
/forum/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/cool.gif
 
OK..just to get terminology on the same page, isn't a thumb release considered a 'back tension' release? And the 'hinge' is a 'true-back tension' with no manual release?

One of the things they talked about in the video is that when target shooting, you focus the pin, burn a hole in the target with that pin and then start "push-pulling." When in a hunting situation, they mentioned to speed up the "push-pull". For example, I had a doe walk by last year. I had plenty of time to set up and draw and when she got into the shooting lane, I settled my pin and bleated and she stood there and I push-pulled, but at an accelerated rate and got a surprise release and she went 25 yards and toppled. So, I do shoot the thumb/back tension, but not the hinge while hunting...just a little more control as you mentioned (but not too much :)) You're right, the last thing you want is a punched trigger, but I believe its OK to accelerate your push-pull.

I think if I would have manually punched the thumb, I would have botched the shot...

I am a little concerned that during the rut, a buck is going to come flying by and I won't be able to release the way I like to...

Thanks for the input Thomas...great stuff. This is one of the areas of bowhunting I love...bouncing ideas off each other and seeing what makes each of us unique, different, and equally respectable! /forum/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/cool.gif
 
a true back tension has no relese button.... so the hinge type BT is what i, personally would stay away from for hunting.

I'm sure there are guys who successfully hunt with a BT, but for me, it doesnt work.

with my "thumb" release, i put my thumb over my forefinger, and squeeze to make it pop, rather than "pushing" the trigger. so it is very similar to the BT system, but still has a 'trigger'.

I am not going to tell you what is right or wrong here as there is no right or wrong way to approach it if it works for you.

but in my experience, and from what i have witnessed.... a true back tension releaes is not ideal for hunting as it seems to me too many factors have to be in line and perfect, as we both know, rarely, do perfect conditions present themselves in a true hunting situation.

/forum/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/cool.gif

Good Luck!
 
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Rudd</div><div class="ubbcode-body">you can still shoot a caliper release using back tension. </div></div>

absolutely...

although I have trouble and had to switch - something about baseball players, we're so mental!! /forum/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/smile.gif

Thomas...I think we are on the same page, just different terminology - when I say push-pull, I mean push with the bow arm and pull with your back on the release arm...I never meant pushing the trigger. /forum/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/wink.gif Sorry about that.

thanks for the input - stuff like this always refines me and makes me a better hunter /forum/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/cool.gif
 
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Gladiator</div><div class="ubbcode-body">.....when I say push-pull, I mean push with the bow arm and pull with your back on the release arm..... </div></div>

thats what i was say too.....


i guess we are saying the same thing, and after re-reading this post, i guess there was a tiny bit of misunderstanding..... which prlly means i need to read slower.... /forum/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/grin.gif
 
thomas, you can get a wrist strap for your tru-ball. you won't be able to leave it on the string, but even you would find it almost impossible to drop it
 
i have seen those. but i like leaving it on the string...

but ill prlly drop it at some point and wish i had listened to you...

/forum/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/grin.gif
 
I will throw my 2cents in here, even though it might not even be worth that much /forum/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/crazy.gif

If you feel like you have curbed your target panic with a "back tension" release then you should try a index release with no trigger travel, I prefer a carter 2 shot. It has no travel and has the crisp trigger that is the key to an index release. The key is to get away from using the tip of your finger to execute the shot and actually wrap your finger around the trigger and use your back tension style of shooting.

I know of ALOT of people that shoot with a thumb trigger release and I also know of some that use a hinge release as well.

It's all in what you would feel comfortable with while in the tree. Is the diffrent angles of shooting out of the stand going to effect your hinge release?? In my expierence yes it will.

If you are around the pella area stop by Buck Hollow and ask Boyd to play with some of the diffrent releases he has and see what you would like to use in the stand.
 
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