Compound WITHOUT release

[highmuley]

So I bought the woman a new bow. Good bow, in my opinion, to get her going (Bear cruzer G2). It came fully outfitted and ready to go. The deal is, she doesn't want to use a release. I've tried to talk her into it without success. Truth is, she shoots great without one. But I want to remove the release loop for her. Any suggestions on adding a "finger roll" to the string? Or generally outfitting a modern compound to not use a release? Its a long shot question and sort of strange. Any input helps. Thank you in advance

[Mtnwalker]

The guy who does Relentless Pursuit on tv shoots a compound instinctively, no release no sights. He is an amazing shot. I don't know if he has any training info out there but might be worth a look.

[highmuley]

I can check it out. But like I said,  she really is awesome without a release...just was curious about outfitting one for it.

[branches]

If she wants to shoot without a release that is good for her. Just shoot a glove or a tab just like with a recurve. I shot a compound bow for 10 years without sights and just a glove. The people that can shoot a compound without a release can shoot just about as good as anybody else with practice. Just remember that you shoot the way YOU feel comfortable with and do not worry about how everybody wants you to shoot.

[Old Dog]

There's more to shooting without a release than just taking the D loop off.  The bow needs to be tuned to that style.  Tiller needs to be shorter on the bottom limb, and the rest will most likely need to be positioned just outside of center shot.  There is also the problem of finger pinch with today's shorter bows.  If she has a short draw length that may not be a problem though.

There is a really good reason the release aid is so popular...they just flat work better, and today's modern bows are designed to use them.   

[Katmai Guy]

I have shot fingers with a compound bow for the last 25 years. I shoot 3 fingers under the arrow , not with the arrow between my index and middle finger. Shooting this way, there is no finger pinch on the arrow which also helps eliminate side to side influence on the arrow.  Shooting this way, you can set up the bow as if you were using a release. Have her try a tab without a spacer attached to it and also without the slot for the arrow. Sorry, tough explaining this by text.

[Calvin Rayborn]

Fred bear shot a compound with fingers from his own company and apparently hated it!

[Calvin Rayborn]

Course he was a diehard StickBow man

[branches]

Old dog is spot on. I will say that when I shot fingers I shot a glove and shot One finger above and one finger below the nock.

[Katmai Guy]

When shooting with a release, it is easier to get good faster.

[branches]

If this person is dialed in shooting fingers and she is happy hitting the 10X that is great for her. Just remember that when you are confident in shooting and hitting at what you are aiming at is what archery is all about. I would set up the bow for her to shoot fingers and if she has a hard time with it she can always go to a release. 

[Come Get Some]

It is hard to compare the guy from relentless pursuit to most archers. There are always those few guys that are extremely great instinctively. Not so much for most people. I shot fingers for 25 years. I drew with 3 and dropped the top finger when at full draw. Part of the purpose of a release is less contact and torque on the string and the arrow. All bows should be set up with the top limb a little faster than the bottom limb. It gives you a little cleaner release even with a release aid. If your wife would like to try different releases I have a Genesis bow with a safe draw and many releases on hand to try.It allows you to draw and fire multiple times without feeling like you have to be careful with a loaded bow and it is only 25 lbs. It is a great learning tool. I would be glad to help in any way I can. I sell Carter releases here at my home. I can get any type very fast. I have shot competitive archery in the Pro division for many years all over the US. If she is a good shot with out a release aid and is most comfortable there that is probably where she should stay. Like I said very few people are that consistent with fingers and it is a game of consistency. There are a lot of variables to consider, Winter weather being one of them. My wife was one of the best finger shooters I had seen for years. She dominated the men's freestyle group with fingers. She became MUCH better with a release Aid... Just saying.

[MR5x5]

I've been told that above 260fps things go downhill pretty quickly. Aerodynamics associated with modern high speed compounds simply do not support finger shooting for the most part. Think about how a modern high speed bow is tuned to "bullet holes" - the goal is to get perfectly axial loads into the arrow via the release.   The act of the string "running around" your fingertips imparts a wobble in the arrow that is hard to overcome. You can get away with it with target points, but broad heads will be a different deal.   I shot a Reflex Caribou for years with fingers at 230fps and it is certainly doable, but the appeal of modern speed finally won me over...

[DOUBLELUNG]

I shot a compound with a glove for years.  One recommendation I heard repeatedly was minimum 34" ATA.  Good luck to her, if she is enjoying what she's doing let her keep doing it.

[luckyman]

That bow is only 30" ata. My last try at shooting a short ata modern compound with fingers resulted in  a de- railed  bow sitting in a pile at my feet.