Hunting release
Contributors to this thread:Equipment
From: Thumper-tx
04-Dec-24
I’m finally switching from fingers and want a release for hunting only. I’m curious if for hunting if I should go with a thumb release, a wrist strap caliper, open hook, closed hook…. It’s all hard to figure for a newcomer.
From: drycreek
04-Dec-24
I always used a caliper with a wrist strap. I tried a thumb release and didn’t like it. If you’re like most, you will go through two or three until you find one you really like and that gives you the best accuracy. Good luck !
From: WV Mountaineer
04-Dec-24
Try several. It’s a personal thing.
From: Grunt-N-Gobble
04-Dec-24
I shot a wrist strap Carter for a long, long time. And then I had the opportunity to try some thumb button releases and settled on the UV- Button. And frankly, my shooting has never been better and I drilled the 2 deer I shot with it this year.
From: longsprings
05-Dec-24
Might want to consider a wynn rekease , has wrist style but it is a relax release . You dont pull a trigger you release it Helped me switching from fingers to a mechanical release
From: Charlie Rehor
05-Dec-24
I switched from fingers to an index finger release in the 1990’s. Never was very good with the index finger. Finally Switched to the thumb release two years ago and it was a “game changer” for me. After 43 years of bow hunting I am finally becoming proficient.
From: Rgiesey
05-Dec-24
I read where Randy Ulner used a tru ball short and sweet for a hunting release and went with that 20 years ago and have been happy with that.
From: tm
05-Dec-24
A hint I picked up years ago is to start with a thumb release that has a finger hole so you don't release the release when you shoot. Had several guys that dinged their equipment with their release.
From: Bob H in NH
05-Dec-24
I've shot both index and thumb. When shooting good, no difference, when shooting bad the bad shots weren't as bad with the thumb. I went with finger and wrist strap to hunt cause I can't loose it when strapped to my hand.
I may explore other options again
From: craigmcalvey
05-Dec-24
Like has been said, try several, and once you find one you like buy a spare. I prefer a thumb style but there’s no wrong choice here. Use what you are comfortable with.
From: Will
05-Dec-24
I think WV nailed it. I don't like thumb releases at all, but I love SHORT reach calipers. Other folks love thumbs or longer reach calipers. Shoot a few.
From: PopeYoung400
05-Dec-24
The options for a good release are probably as many as arrows. In my opinion you get what you pay for. Sure you can get one for 40-50 bucks or you can spend 300 plus. In my opinion a wrist strap/index finger release is probably the easiest place to start for beginners. I shot several for years but then after battling flinching issues I switched to a thumb activated release and I’ve never looked back. The Ultraview button is my baby now and I don’t know how a release could get any better. Incredible adjustability allows you to personalize it to your preferences. It cost about half as much a good bow but well worth it in my opinion. A release is a piece of equipment that has a major role in shooting accuracy/consistency.
From: Shaft2Long
05-Dec-24
I think wrist strap trigger finger release is the best, if you can avoid target panic.
From: TonyBear
05-Dec-24
Mongoose, Minni Goose With Buckle Strap.
When cold or wet I keep in in the hand-muff so it doesn't freeze up. Punched myself in the nose with other brands due to premature release on the draw or had some that froze completely didn't release.
You didn't mention if you are attaching directly to string or using D loop. I would recommend the D loop as it is more forgiving on torque and such.
From: Bowaddict
05-Dec-24
As said, try many and spend as much as you can afford. The higher end releases generally are worth the $$ in the long term!! I’m opposite of what some have mentioned, if I’m shooting well both are great. If I have a bad shot with an index release it’s still pretty good. Poor execution with a thumb for me and it’s really bad! I’m shooting the Scott s2 now and like mike 2 for backup.
From: PECO2
06-Dec-24
I had the same experience as bowaddict said. Poor execution with thumb release and shot goes really bad. I am still using the first release I bought in 2008, a Truefire. I've tried others, keep going back to my original.
From: KSflatlander
06-Dec-24
I have to hedge against myself so I use a wrist strap index finger release. It is always 1 of 2 places, on my wrist or strapped to my bow. I’ve got in the stand before and forget my release. Turns you into a PO’ed spectator instantly for as long as you sit there.
I like a buckle over Velcro due to noise. I’d also recommend one with an adjustable trigger pressure so you can set it where you want. Some of the cheaper releases require too much pressure and it leads to trigger punch IMO.
From: Will
06-Dec-24
Some above mentioned quality - buy the best you can afford. Agreed - I've had the same release for about 20 years and it's in great shape (super simple design / function - Fletcher Flat Head). I've replaced the leather wrist strap / buckle a few times as it has worn or started to crack. But the release itself - bombproof and for ME, great.
KS I agree with that sentiment. One augment: if the bow is out of the case, the release is on the wrist. If it's in the case, the release is strapped to the riser! Make that a vital life rule!
From: ILbowhntr
06-Dec-24
Pretty much like Charlie. Went from fingers to a Pro Injector then a Scott. Shot a Mongoose for 20+ years. Switched to a Wise Choice three years ago and shoot better than I ever have. Makes me concentrate on execution.
From: Dale06
06-Dec-24
Try several of each style and decide what’s best for you. I’ve used both.
From: Corax_latrans
06-Dec-24
Silly me, I liked the old-school glove-like release, though the local shop talked me into converting it to a hook for use with a D-loop.
The only limitation I had with that was range estimation. I l’m sure that design has fallen by the wayside, but it was just so natural/intuitive for me, coming from Fingers, that it was a super-easy transition…
From: Potro
07-Dec-24
I had use the Scott Little Goose Works great
From: AaronShort
07-Dec-24
Went from fingers to several cheap index brands then a Scott. Shot a Mongoose for 20+ years. After shooting a Mathews EZ7 for 13+ years I got the new Lift for Christmas last year. I have some shoulder issues and the new bow felt "jumpy" and I found myself punching the trigger. I did some research and the thumb button seemed like an option to solve the problem. I went to some shops and tried several and settled on the UV. Yes, they are pricey but I felt like it was money ahead not buying two or three cheaper brands first. I'm shooting better than ever. A pulled shot might be 3" off vs. 12" with the index. Just my two cents. Nothing wrong with either as long as it fits you. My wife ended up taking my Mongoose to replace her old release.
From: nchunter
07-Dec-24
Whatever you get practice till its second nature. I started with a release that had two ball bearings which captured the string. I bet I killed more deer with that thing then any thing I have had since. Switched to a scott mongoose which is a great index release and reliable aas could be. Bought a Carter like mike 2 just to try something different and its my perfect release for my style of shooting. If you are going to hunt with it then practice from a treestand and on the ground till you are comfortable.
From: Pat Lefemine
07-Dec-24
I'm way more accurate with the thumb release. But for hunting I tend to like the caliper/index finger release. I go back and forth. My biggest problem with the thumb release is I hunt in super cold weather with gloves and I it was more cumbersome than the index finger. I will switch back and forth a hundred times I suspect.
