Public Service Announcement: Bow Release

[yycyak]

I'm a new bowhunter, and yesterday I made the biggest mistake that a guy can: I took off my bow release while I was still in the mountains. I'm now publicly shaming myself so that this lesson sticks.

I was out for a day-hunt for mule deer, trialing some new gear that I want to use on an upcoming elk hunt. It was mid-morning, and I was hiking to a glassing spot when it started to warm up. I was about to climb a hill when I decided to stop and take off my fleece pull-over.

Oh wait, I have this damn metal thing attached to my wrist. Better take it off to get this fleece off. So I unstrap the Tru Fire, and set it down next to my gear. Oh wait, while I'm stopped, I may as well take a pee while all my gear is off. Oh and while I'm here, I may as well take a gulp of water. Oh and should probably grab some jerky and trail mix. And gaze off at scenery for a bit too.

Ok, all squared away. I throw my gear back on, and start hiking again.

But I forgot my bow release.

Didn't realise it til about 3 hours later (I found I didn't pay much attention to "bow" stuff while glassing), and at that point I had covered about 4km from where I stopped earlier. It was 3pm, just when I'm supposed to be getting ready for the evening, and instead my hunt is over. I had to do the walk of shame back to the truck during prime evening hours.

So remember kids, if you're in the woods, don't ever take off your bow release until you're done hunting for the day. I'm just glad it happened during a trial run, and not during an important hunt.

 

[P Carter]

Bummer. I'm totally paranoid about that. I literally put my release on when I get in the truck in the morning and don't take it off until I get out of the truck at camp. Never know when you're going to see a deer or elk near the road! Backpacking it's on until I get in my sleeping bag. Lesson learned!

 

[sneaky]

That's why you always carry a backup release, easier than backtracking trying to find the one you left laying.

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[LightFoot]

Backup release in bino harness.

I have yet to make that mistake, but I have forgotten to load my gun, which cost me a giant buck.

These are the best lessons learned.

Spend your money on experience before you spend it on fancy gear.

 

[Blacktail_Packer]

Don’t beat yourself up too much, as you say at least this wasn’t your elk hunt or you didn’t see a buck. Some of the things I know with the most certainty are things that leave scars weather they be real scars or just a mental reminder you’ll never forget.

As said (and I’m reminding myself here too) carry an extra release on you. And since it sounds like you might be a bit of a squirrel also (no insult intended hoping to offer help from personal experience) if you do have to remove your release to layer/unlayer, you know whatever it is you need to do, strap it to your pack.

 

[TJ]

Been there done that! Fortunately I did find it. I now carry a spare.

 

[Ridge Ghost]

Bummer!

I have a hard rule that I never allow myself to break: The release is always either strapped to my wrist or to the bow so it's accounted for at all times. When changing layers, take it off and immediately buckle it to the bow before you do anything else (because that's the rule). If it's a thumb release, it goes right in my pocket if it's not in my hand (that's the rule).

 

[backcountrymuzzy]

Sunday morning I left camp without my bow and walked a couple hundred yards before realizing, walked back to get it. Then walked about a quarter mile and realized I didn't have my release. It was rage inducing to say the least, my brain doesn't work that early

 

[SWOHTR]

We’ve all done things like that. No need to proclaim it to the world. Learn and move on!

 

[Kilboars]

Easy to do but thanks for the heads up. I try to always attach my release around my bino harness.

I have that issue also with taking off my glasses and then not seeing them:-/

 

[Mike Islander]

You, Sir, are a candidate for a checklist. We pilots use them for a reason.

 

[shader112]

Took mine off last year to handle some business and set it next to my pack. When I was finished I sat down a few feet away and decided to relax and listen for bugles. 20 min later I hear a twig snap and a bull pops up about 8 yards away. Quartering away, huge shooting lane, he had no idea I was there. Go to draw my bow and realise my release is 6 feet behind me where I left it. He was so unaware I was able to crawl back and grab it before he made it 15 yards. Undid the velcro under by shirt as quiet as possible but he picked me off and bolted. Never again!

 

[Trial153]

I dropped a 200 handheld while taking dump in unit 37 last year. That was an expensive shit. Lucky I had a spare

 

[sneaky]

Took mine off last year to handle some business and set it next to my pack. When I was finished I sat down a few feet away and decided to relax and listen for bugles. 20 min later I hear a twig snap and a bull pops up about 8 yards away. Quartering away, huge shooting lane, he had no idea I was there. Go to draw my bow and realise my release is 6 feet behind me where I left it. He was so unaware I was able to crawl back and grab it before he made it 15 yards. Undid the velcro under by shirt as quiet as possible but he picked me off and bolted. Never again!

At 8 yards you shoot him with fingers

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[Rob5589]

Bummer! When mine comes off, it goes straight into a pocket or I strap it to the bow. And I always have a back up in my pack. Good part is, you won't likely be doing that again

 

[PNW bow hunter]

My release is either strapped to my wrist or my bow. Never anywhere else. Did the same thing as you 15 years ago.
I also always put stuff right back where I got it out of my pack when done with it.

Haven’t lost anything since I became ocd about putting stuff where it CANT get lost when hunting and backpacking.

 

[NYyotekiller]

One reason I always carry a backup release in my pack.

I carry one Nock2it in my hand, and one in my pack. Never needed the backup but I’d rather be safe than sorry.

 

[shader112]

Hind sight being what it is....fingers would have been fine. It never crossed my mind until after the fact

 

[realunlucky]

Hind sight being what it is....fingers would have been fine. It never crossed my mind until after the fact

Go shoot fingers at 20 yards. Everything changes from release to fingers it's not an option except possibly danger close with some luck.

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[BroodBuster]

Careful back at camp too.

My buddy would hang his bow from a tree and then his release off the stabilizer. Been doing this for 20 plus years. Last year wakes up and no release. He was wallowing around camp thinking WTF trying to decide what to do. About a 100 yards out on my way to my pooping log I see a reflection in my head lamp and lo and behold it's his release. Apparently a squirrel had run off with it and left it in the brush. Probably never find it if the sun was up. Saved him a three hour out and back trip to town.

I now sleep with my release in the tent