Options are plentiful in the realm of compound bow accessories, even for parts that don’t go on the bow itself.
Mechanical bow releases, the all-important coupling between the shooter and the string, come in many styles.
Given the role of a release, finding the right one is essential.
Two types of releases marketed for bow hunting are wrist strap and handheld releases. Within each style there exist many options to create an ergonomic fit.
As the name implies, wrist strap releases attach to the shooter’s wrist, taking pressure off the fingers and minimizing muscular tension in the hand.
Extending from the strap on the palm side is a chord, metal stem or nylon strap that positions the trigger near the index finger.
Handheld releases must be grasped by the fingers of the shooting hand and therefore finger joint strength comes into play during the draw. Hunting-style handheld releases are actuated by a trigger positioned at the shooters thumb.
For wrist strap styles the first consideration is how it attaches to the wrist, which is typically by a buckle or Velcro.
Velcro offers precision snugness, but archers may struggle to find consistency, whereas a buckle will lock in at the same place time and time again. Arguably Velcro may not hold up like a high-quality leather buckle, but it can require less material, which is a plus. Hunters also will want to consider the sound of Velcro.
Handheld releases can utilize two, three or four fingers to draw the bow back and afford the shooter an opportunity to anchor his or her shooting hand with the jaw bone. How many fingers to use is normally based on comfort.
For both styles, adjustability usually impacts price, but it can be critical as no archer’s hand, face or bow is exactly the same.
For wrist strap releases, it is important to consider adjustability in the length from the palm to the trigger, rotation of components and trigger sensitivity.
Adjustability in handheld releases is important in the areas of how the trigger nestles into the thumb joint and how heavy or light the actuation is.
When adjusting triggers, it is always best to begin at the heaviest setting, making only the slightest changes until settled on the preferred pull.
The components of the release that attach to the string or D-loop are usually a caliper or hook design.
Hook styles can be very quick, as the trigger simply moves a gear that lets the hook loose to be pulled away by the string tension.
Caliper styles operate with one or both sides moving to release their hold on the string. Hunters should assess whether the claws are spring loaded or must be clicked into place with a forward sweep of the trigger.
Archers may notice slight differences in points of impact between these styles; this is due to the interaction with the string at the time of release.
Which style release to use is a matter of preference based mostly on trigger activation, anchor point and comfort, but it is not uncommon for archers to use different styles based on their situation.
“I prefer the trigger mechanism on wrist style releases for hunting; it’s what I first started archery hunting with and I have not been able to change since,” said Justin DeLong, a bow hunter and staff shooter for Weaknecht Archery. “For competition I use a thumb-activated release because it allows me to have less trigger punch and focus more on the target.”
Determining which release is best may require experimentation with a few models. Pro shops and public archery shoots are great for gaining exposure and gathering opinions on the many mechanical releases out there. Find one that instills confidence and stick with it.
Thomas Ham is an archery consultant at Woody’s Sporting Goods in Wernersville.
Contact Thomas Ham: 610-371-5060 or sports@readingeagle.com.
