How do you release the arrow?

[5MilesBack]

Understood, but I would contest that many people that answer number one are doing drive by shooting. I have seen some guys shoot 60X with this method, but give them 1 week off and it goes to crap.

Well, some of us aren't trying to shoot perfect Vegas scores when we shoot. We just want to hit the bullseye, it doesn't have to be the 3/4" center bullseye every time. In fact, I shoot better from 40 than 20 many times. The incorrect way for me would be a surprise release.........I HATE surprises. I'm a control freak. I pull the trigger, arrow releases. Perfect for me. I'm the same way with guns, and I have my so-called "expert" military shooting medals that say I'm at least OK at it.

 

[squeekieslayer]

Well, some of us aren't trying to shoot perfect Vegas scores when we shoot. We just want to hit the bullseye, it doesn't have to be the 3/4" center bullseye every time. In fact, I shoot better from 40 than 20 many times. The incorrect way for me would be a surprise release.........I HATE surprises. I'm a control freak. I pull the trigger, arrow releases. Perfect for me. I'm the same way with guns, and I have my so-called "expert" military shooting medals that say I'm at least OK at it.

That's fine, like I said different strokes for different folks... but I bet you were "squeezing" and not "punching" that trigger on your rifle. To me hunting accuracy is as much or more important than target... if I miss a target, I am mad at myself, if I miss a shot on a deer, I may have a hurt or wounded animal. Hunting situations require you to shoot when tired, cold, rusty, funny angles, around brush.... consistency is the key, your mind has to be take out of the equation... under pressure, that drive by slam of the trigger may be enough to mean a poor shot.

I am not trying to criticize anyone, I am simply saying that if you are drive by punching a trigger you are doing a disservice to yourself and the animal you are shooting. A controlled squeeze is perfect for hunting, very different than punching.

Joe

 

[squeekieslayer]

Yea, admittedly, punching isn't going to end well for most. The Hammer can throw a pretty good fit too ......
I remember those 4 bars. I have a 24" back bar with 2oz I'm messing with. Pain in the ass but it does what it's supposed to do without all the weight. Most guys are now running 14-16" and 17oz. Just too heavy for me.

Don't put too much angle on it or you'll need to wear a cup haha

Joe

 

[5MilesBack]

That's fine, like I said different strokes for different folks... but I bet you were "squeezing" and not "punching" that trigger on your rifle.

Naaa.......I'm pretty much a puncher, and for whatever reason I shoot better with a rifle that way. If I set the rifle in a lead sled and "squeeze" the trigger.....it never turns out as well for me. Frustrating for me, because that should be more accurate.

As for archery.........everything I do is for hunting purposes. I even shoot for 2" gaps between posts at 60 yards to ensure my "punching" gets the job done.

 

[squeekieslayer]

Naaa.......I'm pretty much a puncher, and for whatever reason I shoot better with a rifle that way. If I set the rifle in a lead sled and "squeeze" the trigger.....it never turns out as well for me. Frustrating for me, because that should be more accurate.

As for archery.........everything I do is for hunting purposes. I even shoot for 2" gaps between posts at 60 yards to ensure my "punching" gets the job done.

Like I said, ive seen guys shoot 60X with a trigger pull like they are shooting ducks with a 12ga. With practice you can become consistent enough.

JOe

 

[vcb]

Well said wapiti! Oh and 5 mile....LOl!

anyway, I use both different times of the year. Back tension teaches you patience, great form, pulling into the back wall, accepting the float and just burning a hole in the bullseye with your eyes....the pin takes care of itself...

however when hunting mule deer on the Colorado plains for example....I consciously hit my stan thumb. You pray for a good stiff wind to stalk mule deer and trying to shoot a surprise release in gusting 25 mph wind is tough.

The name of the game is to hit the 10 ring or shoot a lethal arrow....however you accomplish that is individual preference IMHO

 

[vcb]

This is an interesting you tube of an archery competition in the wind. Canadian guy punches other guy shoots back tension. http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=liVFvL24scw&desktop_uri=/watch?v=liVFvL24scw

 

[squeekieslayer]

That video sure does show that whatever type of shooting you are doing, being able to snap a shot off in the wind is vital haha. Wouldnt want that release up here on the plains of MT thats for sure. I think that when he won vegas in 2010 he was shooting a tru ball short n' sweet. That is what I hunt with.

one thing people need to keep in mind is that back tension and a back tension release are 2 different things, one is a verb, the other a noun. I have seen some of the worst punching ever with a BT release.

Joe

 

[OR Archer]

If people would spend more time talking to the guys with silver bowls and big cardboard checks, the "right way" turns out to be whatever works for you. Which is why winners don't post on AT anymore. They tend to get tired of hacks that shoot a 530 field round or a 295 Vegas telling them they're doing it all wrong.
As Levi told a friend recently, "there is no way in hell that thing is going off if it's not in the dot"; Jesse relaxes his hand, a friend of mine who just won nationals is now a puller (he used to rotate and aim), and both Gillingham and Crowe have made over 100K/year pulling the trigger when they're in the dot. In 40 years of target shooting with some who were/are the best in the world, none come to full draw then start squeezing their shoulder blades together. Never ever heard that one except on AT.
The biggest factor in being able to shoot well, repeatedly, is having a brain that gets out of the way. Type 1 guys are at a big disadvantage.

Well said Bob

 

[MOcluck]

I punch the trigger more often then not, I also suffer from target panic. Its something I need to work on but it woorks for me in the feild cause when a shot presents itself I go into autopilot and don't think about the shot like I do when shooting targets not the best method but I've harvested oover 40 sum whitetails and only lost one and that was due to a poor shot angle not a thrown shot.

 

[Aron Snyder]

I practice with a back tension release, but that's just to strengthen my aim when I punch the trigger. Its actually a controlled squeeze when in tournaments and practice, but its a full on punch when an animal is in front of me

 

[Jon Boy]

I punch the trigger more often then not, I also suffer from target panic. Its something I need to work on but it woorks for me in the feild cause when a shot presents itself I go into autopilot and don't think about the shot like I do when shooting targets not the best method but I've harvested oover 40 sum whitetails and only lost one and that was due to a poor shot angle not a thrown shot.

Literally just explained my shooting style to a T.
When an animal steps out, its autopilot and I'm completely focused and calm.

 

[joehunter8301]

I semi squeeze/punch as I rarely have that full on "surprise" release. Scares the chit outta me if I'm not ready. But I have developed a method that works for me and I can shoot pretty well. Have won a few "average joe" tourneys. I can't get used to back tension I shoot the Scott wildcat (caliper) release and when I am hunting I need to be able to command my shot if needed. I watch most guys their finger isn't even touching their release trigger and then WHAM they punch. Hurts just to watch that as I battled target panic for a couple years and now that it's cured I understand the mental part to prevent the attack of TP again. I got so sick of tellin ppl to not punch I just watch em and keep to myself lol

 

[5MilesBack]

Its actually a controlled squeeze when in tournaments and practice, but its a full on punch when an animal is in front of me

I tend to practice all year the same way it's going down for hunting.......but for hunting it's all cruise control at that point. Hopefully my bad habits and punching all year will be consistent on cruise control as well. Even indoor Vegas or 5-spot shooting you'll see me shooting with my camo hunting gloves on........keeps everything consistent for hunting.

 

[Tilzbow]

I absolutely positively don't think about it. I go through my sequence, grip, draw, anchor, establish back tension, rest my finger on the trigger, focus on the spot, get the pin there, maintain back tension, and let the shot happen. If I start thinking about squeezing the trigger it all goes to hell. Same sequence with my trad bows and fingers but I leave out the parts about the trigger and pin. If I think about relaxing my fingers I almost always pluck. So I'd guess you'd say I shoot a surprise, drive by release while maintaining back tension.

I really don't believe you can set a shot off with only back tension either. Squeezing your shoulder blades together isn't going to shorten the distance between your wrist (where the strap is) and the trigger. With hinge releases you've got to rotate your fingers and/or wrist to get it to go off. A surprise release is the result but it's not back tension on its own that's setting it off and they're easy enough to shoot without maintaining true back tension.