This may be a stupid question but is it harder to draw the same weight with a thumb release? With looking at switching to a thumb release am I going to need to dial it down at first in order to get use to drawing differently?
It felt easier to draw with a thumb release to me...which is why I went that direction. it takes a little bit to get used to, but I feel that I'm more consistent with my anchor with the thumb release than the wrist straps. I'd recommend getting a caliper one, tho... from what I understand, the back tension ones are a bit more difficult to learn to shoot. And I also like the fact that you can leave the caliper ones hanging on your loop. Just one less thing to worry about when the moment arrives. OH... and something I learned over the weekend... watch where you have your thumb when drawing back. It's a natural thing to clench your hand a bit when pulling like that, and it's easy to hit the trigger mid-draw. I had the fat & bloody lip to prove it on Saturday nite.
Yes Slick, you are the only one that still shoots a Martin! JK! Are you guys planning on using the thumb release for hunting? I hear they are quite loud and might spook the animal, any feedback on this noise? Is it ok to shoot a string release with a string loop??
I don't notice any more noise from using it... but I can't say for sure. All I know is that it feels better to me to use than any wrist strap that I've had on. I do know of a few professional hunters that use the thumb releases. I doubt that they'd use them if there was a chance that their release might cost them an animal...but then again, they have a lot more time to hunt than most of us do... As far as the string release with a string loop goes... are you talking the back tension (hook) releases? I don't know if you can or not. My thumb release has a caliper jaw, just the same as the wrist strap releases. Like I said, one thing I love about it is that you can leave it attached to your loop. I also feel like I can draw more weight and be more consistent with my anchor this way. My guess is that like a lot of stuff, it's up to personal preference more than anything.
I hunt with mine, and I have no issues. I do notice an audible "creek" from the trigger mechanism as I apply tension during the shot with my ST-3. I'm not worried about a deer hearing it, as it's RIGHT under my ear, and I can barely hear it.
