Curious to see how much (if any) of you guys on here shoot without a mechanical release. I actually feel more comfortable without using one so far on the target range.
I play around with it some, just cause I always like to simplify things as much as possible. Sometimes I just get overwhelmed with all the accessories everyone tends to use. Too much to worry about sometimes for my ocd! Actually my goal is to shoot like Guy Fitzgerald of team Fitzgerald. You can find some of their videos on YouTube if you're not familiar with him. He shoots compound bows totally instinctive with fingers! Would love to be able,etc to do that. I'll keep working on it.
I did for years. But with the shorter axle to axle bows I shoot now I have to use a release. And since I've made the switch I've been way more consistent. Sent from my SCH-I605 using Tapatalk 2
I did up until last year then I started using a release, it took me a while to get use to, but I like it now. But I started with a re curve about 1983-84, the re curve cracked after just a few months, then bought a very well used Bear compound. No one I knew used a release back then.
I've been told that some dual cam bows cannot be shot without a release because the torsion put on the strings from your fingers could pull the bowstring off the cams...is this true?
This is somewhat true with any compound, not really during the draw so much, but should you let down the bow instead of firing, it can and often will pop your string off the cams.
I tried the other day but didn't have the nerve to let the arrow fly. Not sure why it just didn't feel right at all. Wish I could. Tim wells shoots a compound instinctively as well.
I would say Im probably the last hold out, and I can say with confidence, I will never shoot a release. I have a horrible trigger flinch. Doesnt matter if its a bow release, high power rifle, or even an air rifle, if I pull a trigger, I flinch. which a bow, I flinch so bad I cant hit a car at 20 yards. Thus I shoot fingers, always have. Shorter axle to axle just made me start making my own shooting gloves out of stiff leather to overcome the pinch. I can shoot the short bows just fine and its just one less thing to worry about when Im looking at the deer, I can pick up the bow without having to look at it to put the release on it.
I shot with my fingers for a long time after releases got poular, have to say a release will be consistantly more accurate because it lets the string go exactly the same every time, when you shoot with fingers the string can roll off the finger tips & it makes the string wobble side to side just a little, but enuff that it affects accuracy,not to mention just make'n a bad release can be disasterous. But every time I pull my bow back with just my fingers it just feels rite, other than the finger pinch you get from the shorter bows I wouldnt have a problem with shoot'n with my fingers. Just whatever ya get used to.
I used to shoot an 80's model Bear Grizzly II and Bear Whitetail and I was actually a decent shot without a release or sights. When the old bow crapped out and I got a new bow, my consistency went south and it was just too uncomfortable to shoot with fingers with shorter bows. A few shots was fine but practicing just wasn't any fun. I'm still decent with a recurve but use a release with the compound.
I'm just going to add my $.02 Everyone should practice without a release just in case your release gets lost on the way to the stand or it malfunctions. Plan ahead and never miss an opportunity.
Like lots of guys have said, the shorter axle to axle bows make it almost impossible to finger shot. I've tried a cpl times goofing around but Ive completely missed my Block more than I've hit it lol.
