The Evo is in fact a true back tension release. It is not however, a hinge release. The evo is resistance activated. Meaning you hold down the safety during the draw and once you get to full draw you release the peg and pull through the shot with back tension. After X pounds of pressure (changed by springs) or will Fire. There is no trigger to push to fire it and the only way is to pull through it. I will agree though BT releases are very hard to get used to. I worked very hard with mine and got to a place where it increased by shooting greatly. Can't imagine shooting another style of release. Totally changed my shot process. I purchased a scott exxus to use for hunting as it is the same platform as my hinge. After dedicated shooting of the hinge I couldn't even shoot the thumb. Not having the pressure on my thumb felt too weird to draw. So OP, if you are really dedicated to fixing this, try the back tension release. It's a ton of work but when you get to the other side you will be better. I will suck at first and be hard but do not quit. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Well said, I agree with you. I guess I am a little different story since I had already made the switch to t-handle a couple years ago, it was a TRU Ball Max Pro 4 Hunter. Still experiencing target panic with that release, I switched to the BT about a year and a half ago. That was to the Evo, and it was the best decision I had made for my shooting. I have several BT's as well as thumb style for hunting that I use now. It worked great for me, I guess that is why I was so quick to say go to BT. One thing I am confused on is your comment on the Evolution. How does it have a trigger, it has a safety. IMO 2 totally different things. Once the safety is disengaged at full draw back tension sets it off. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
I just wanted to thank all of you and let you know that thanks to all the input I was able to actually overcome my target panic very quickly. Im not 100% cured yet but I am shooting so much better than I was, here is my group at 30 yards today thank you guys again.
Excellent advice from Crabclaw. Shoot from close range (about 5 yards) at a blank target. It is all about form and getting over the target panic. Once you feel you are doing good, go to shooting at a target at that close range. As you get over your panic, move back to 10 yards and do the same. Repeat this until you are over the panic and feel comfortable out to your max distance. Good luck! My over and over hang up is punching.. my mind screams "SHOOT!" when the pin right is on the target bullseye. I have to mentally force myself to focus on squeezing the release for a good shot. It happens on live animal shots as well. There are times when I have to close my eyes for a second to force myself to concentrate before aiming and making the best shot I can.
Thanks for the correction guys. I'm not totally familiar with that release and assumed it was another thumb trigger style. Another thing that I don't believe anyone has mentioned is trigger weight itself. Most triggers on hunting releases, in my opinion are far too light. A lot of them I can't see having anymore than a few ounces of pressure to set them off. Last spring, I switched from an old Tru Ball Copperhead that I had set to have a lot of travel because the trigger was light. I went to a Scott Rhino XT with the heaviest spring available. Its light years ahead of where I was and I love having a heavy, no travel trigger.
Listen to the latest Sharpsticks podcast, episode 4 Part 2. They talk with Joel Turner who talks a lot about target panic and spends time focusing on the mental aspect of shooting, which I think is often overlooked as we assume issues are all form related.
I had target panic really bad at one time. What I did to fix it was to get a release like the Rhino XT and put the heaviest spring in it. I then proceeded to bail shot at close range. The heavy trigger make it hard for you to much the trigger and will help you notice flinch and anything else. If you PM me your address I will send you the Scott Rhino XT release I used. The only thing I ask is that you don't just turn around and sell it. I just want to help and this is what worked for me. Good luck.
It also helps when you are shooting at deer from the stand to double check and make sure you are bending at the waist properly.
STOP AIMING! if you can find it, there is an article by a world champion & US champion compound shooter, his name eludes at this time, about that very topic and how to increase your accuracy. I applied everything he recommended and it all came through. Much better shooter now. I also went to my pro shop owner and got some improvement lessons from him and his ideas also helped me narrow it down. The aiming thing is to first learn to hold the bow steady, and I mean dead steady. Look at your level, if you have one, until it stops absolutely moving. Then bring your pin to the target and hold again till the level is perfectly still then release. You have to practice this over and over and over. Also my guy says to purposefully concentrate on squeezing your trigger until it goes off unexpectedly. this takes away any twist in your hand. You will hear it in the way the bow goes off. It should be very quiet. any noise, means your jerking the trigger. you'll know when it goes off the right way. go to your local proshop and ask them for lessons. My guy is great and told me right away where I needed improving. and I've been hunting/shooting since the mid 1970s.
Target panic isn't something you can just blind bail and get over. It's not something that any one release can fix. It's something you have to mentally overcome and fully commit to beating or else you should get use to hammering the trigger. I've been struggling with it for years now. I've been shooting a hinge for years also. I've been shooting it completely wrong until the first of this year. I started working with a coach that has helped me use my back tension to overcome my panic. I tried blank bailing and blind bailing and some times I would get it right. Or I would start getting it right and move to a target. The minute I started shooting at a spot, bam it was back. Long story short, I had to mentally consciously, 100% commit to making a conscious effort to not set my release off until I was holding dead on the spot before I started my release. With back tension it's squeezing your back and relaxing your wrist along with other things. It's hard to explain through text. The best way I know to explain it is make sure you hold on target before you even think about setting that release off. If that means you draw hold and let down, do it. Hold on that spot and don't release. Once you can do that, hold on target then apply pressure very slowly until the release goes off. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
somebody tell me the name of the guy from Illinois that was both a US champion and World champion bow shooter. I can't for the life of me remember his name. The other point I forgot to make that this guy was talking about was aiming. He stated when you attempt to "hold" your pin on the bullseye your hand will naturally move around. Raise your bow like your going to shoot at your target and watch the pin move around the bullseye. You'll see it move around because your not concentrating on holding the bow still but trying to hold the pin still. One more thing. Have someone stand next to you as your at full draw and watch your index finger as you pull the trigger. If done right your finger should "bleach out" at the knuckle as pressure is put on it from the trigger. It should do this just before you follow through with the shot. I'll try to find that article read and foward it to you. It helped me out a ton.
I have found that when I'm shooting badly, it's best to shoot for fun. I put on a set of earphones and turn my iPod up a bit and just "fling" arrows. Now mind you, I don't get sloppy with my form, but I stop obsessing over the "bullseye". This helps me shake off whatever issues I'm having that day. Just throwing an idea out there... I'd listen to some of these other folks who've experienced TP, or know how to go about easing or fixing it. A little rip roaring heavy metal never hurt anyone's day though
