Hunting Washington Forum

Big Game Hunting => Bow Hunting => Topic started by: bobcat on September 15, 2013, 01:01:55 PM

Title: Handheld releases
Post by: bobcat on September 15, 2013, 01:01:55 PM: So im wondering what are the advantages of a handheld release, over the wrist strap style? If anyone uses one for hunting I'd be interested in hearing how you like it. I've never used one, or even tried any other release than the one I own. It's a Tru Ball wrist strap style, with Velcro.

I'm getting tired of always having this thing dangling from my wrist. Ive read that people like having the wrist strap for hunting because then you can't lose it, or drop it at the wrong time. But is that the only advantage?
Title: Re: Handheld releases
Post by: turkeyfeather on September 15, 2013, 01:14:48 PM: I loved my scott handheld. I could leave it clamped on my d-loop and have both hands free to get into pockets without the release in the way. Sadly after having elbow surgery two years ago I dont feel as comfortable using it.
Title: Re: Handheld releases
Post by: Timberstalker on September 15, 2013, 05:50:29 PM: I have hunted exclusively with a back tension release. That is what I learned to shoot with and I wasn't about to switch to a strap style release. It has worked well for me. It goes in my front pocket. Maybe not the popular style but it has worked well for me.
Title: Re: Handheld releases
Post by: grousetracker on September 15, 2013, 06:28:17 PM: ive used a tru-ball pro diamond and like everything except loosing 1, i fixed that by using a lanyard cord around my neck and put the release in my front shirt pocket.
Title: Re: Handheld releases
Post by: demontang on September 15, 2013, 09:40:53 PM: Im using the spot hog whipper snapper and ive had great luck with it. I almost lost it one evening because I clipped it on my dloop and took a few steps but fixed that with the wrist strap it comes with or by throwing it in my pocket :tup: lesson learned on that one, I harvested a buck using it this year and to me its a more natural way to shoot over the trigger release :twocents:
Title: Re: Handheld releases
Post by: BABackcountryBwhntr on October 11, 2013, 02:02:50 PM: I shoot alot of competitions and use a back tension mostly, but sometimes I use my spott hogg thumb release... I have hunted with it for the last 6 years.... I never have to change anchor points on my bows ( a trigger anchor is much diff then a thumb release over 2 in diff for me) and it is what I am used to shooting year round... IMO they are smoother as well........ the only disadvantage is they can come off! we busted a huge herd of elk this year and I was running to get closer and had a nice bull within range.. looked down to see no release on my string!!! that was a first... I do alot of stand/blind hunting and I just clip it on my d loop.
Title: Re: Handheld releases
Post by: sakoshooter on October 11, 2013, 07:38:40 PM: I shoot with a wrist strap - Spot Hogg Wise Guy. It folds back. Great feature, period. Truefire Hardcore series has a foldback feature also. Something you might look into. It allows me to do most chores and/or drive with it on.
Title: Re: Handheld releases
Post by: JJB11B on October 11, 2013, 08:34:44 PM: My release folds back and has a belt buckle style strap. I hate velcro. It is the first release I bought when I got into archery and I have been using it since. I cant remember if it is a tru-ball or true fire. I would have to look. It has a yellow triangle on the end of the strap if that helps determine the make.
Title: Re: Handheld releases
Post by: Smossy on October 11, 2013, 08:55:03 PM: Mines also a belt buckle fold back style. Not sure the brand. It has a screw style adjustable length and a hex screw adjustable trigger sensativity. Works great for me. Specially if I decide to shoot gloved instead of bare handed. I can just add length to it if i have gloves on.
Title: Re: Handheld releases
Post by: JJB11B on October 11, 2013, 09:10:01 PM: Quote from: Smossy on October 11, 2013, 08:55:03 PM
Mines also a belt buckle fold back style. Not sure the brand. It has a screw style adjustable length and a hex screw adjustable trigger sensativity. Works great for me. Specially if I decide to shoot gloved instead of bare handed. I can just add length to it if i have gloves on.
sounds just like mine
Title: Re: Handheld releases
Post by: sakoshooter on October 13, 2013, 10:48:17 AM: Quote from: JJB11B on October 11, 2013, 08:34:44 PM
My release folds back and has a belt buckle style strap. I hate velcro. It is the first release I bought when I got into archery and I have been using it since. I cant remember if it is a tru-ball or true fire. I would have to look. It has a yellow triangle on the end of the strap if that helps determine the make.
It would be a Truefire.
Title: Re: Handheld releases
Post by: Vo2max on October 20, 2013, 09:31:20 PM: Quote from: bobcat on September 15, 2013, 01:01:55 PM
So im wondering what are the advantages of a handheld release, over the wrist strap style? If anyone uses one for hunting I'd be interested in hearing how you like it. I've never used one, or even tried any other release than the one I own. It's a Tru Ball wrist strap style, with Velcro.

I'm getting tired of always having this thing dangling from my wrist. Ive read that people like having the wrist strap for hunting because then you can't lose it, or drop it at the wrong time. But is that the only advantage?

I've been archery hunting for 25yrs and learned to shoot with fingers first then my first release was a back tension/handheld thumb release. For some reason I moved on to a wrist strap release... Developed rather bad target panic and suffered with it for years. Bought a new Tru-Fire back tension release last week and have been shooting 50-100 arrows a day since. At first, it took a bit to get accustomed to but today it "clicked" and I'm feeling rather confident with it. Very tight groups, no panic, smooth, easy to alter anchor a bit and I'm stoked. I'd suggest it especially for anyone who has suffered target panic like I have.
Title: Re: Handheld releases
Post by: BABackcountryBwhntr on October 25, 2013, 10:30:00 AM: back tension is the only way to fix target panic
Title: Re: Handheld releases
Post by: Timberstalker on October 25, 2013, 01:13:35 PM: Quote from: BABackcountryBwhntr on October 25, 2013, 10:30:00 AM
back tension is the only way to fix target panic

100% correct. :tup: