Bow Hunting slow release or pull the trigger?

[Swizel Chest]

While you are bow hunting are you more likely to have time to put slow pressure on the release until the arrow releases, or are you more apt to have to "pull the trigger"?

The reason I ask is I am having a difficult time being as consistant as I want, and I notice I shoot high and to the left when I "pull the trigger". I was debating wether I should sight my bow in for that, or if I should just leave it. The other problem I have is my arms getting tired when I am holding back the arrow for a longer period of time. I am thinking since I will most definately face situations where I will draw and hold the bow back, I will probably drop my poundage a bit. I am at 65 +/- lbs, and I am thinking I will go back to around 55lbs.

Any input you would have is appreciated.

Jason

[Ninja]

Slow pull of the trigger, just like a rifle or handgun, always, everytime.

[archerjustin]

Slow steady release. After you draw and reach your anchor point, settle in on your sight pin and slowly try to pull your bow apart, pushing forward on your riser and pulling back on yur string. This will give you better follow thorugh and help you avoid a trigger jerk.

[EYESON]

I adjust my release so that it feels just like my rifle trigger. Slow but not alot of pressure and it goes off, surprises you just like your rifle should.

[Michihunter]

One of the hardest things with a bow is getting the timing down between when the pin floats into the target and when the release goes off. You need to practice your shooting as often as possible to get the timing down where those two things are happening at the same time. ;)

[Skibum]

To me slow is the wrong word to use. There is very little time, gun or bow, between the time my brain says shoot and the projectile is on the way. The better description is steady squeeze. I don't subscribe to the being surprised theory either. That's a good method to use when teaching a novice to squeeze the trigger but once mastered I prefer my trigger to break exactly when I want it to.

[Swizel Chest]

Thanks for the input. I needed to make a decision on how to practice. I think going lighter on my draw weight will help some too.

Jason

[Corona]

My Scott Mongoose trigger is so crisp all I have to do is touch it and it releases. Not kidding!

[Joe Archer]

What you might want to do is get close to the target and just practice gently squeezing the release. Don't worry about aiming, just get used to gently squeezing the trigger. Relax and concentrate on your follow through. Don't flintch, jerk, or pull your head and wait at least 5 seconds after your arrow hits to drop your bow arm. Do this until the release and follow through are automatic.
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[sbooy42]

My Scott Mongoose trigger is so crisp all I have to do is touch it and it releases. Not kidding!


I agree I love my Scott Little Bitty Goose for hunting, hair trigger.... The release should always be a surprise.

[Rootsy]

drop that draw weight way down... shoot for a few weeks there...bring it up 2 or 3 lbs.... repeat... build your stamina and muscle memory up slowly and a lighter draw weight allows you to concentrate on your form, anchor points and follow thru instead of trying to hold onto a heavy draw weight while fatigued and shaky...

I also have my release set so that there is no creep, it breaks like glass and the pull weight is not excessive but consistant.... this point is more or less just like a rifle...

I always find that when I am not shooting repeatably I am not doing something consistantly, whether that is form, follow through, breathing, anchor points or release technique... my old Martin Cougar 2000 can out shoot me with ease most days... but when I'm on everything is going in the 10 ring...

[Chuck]

I love my little bitty goose release for the reasons above.

Joe Archer nailed it though. Get close to target and dont worry so much about aiming as triggering. Concentrate on trigger release. It sounds like you are punching the release and are starting to develope target panic. I have had this happen before and the only way around it for me was to go back to basics and, get close and concentrate on just the release. After that is pounded into your subconciouse brain then worry about aiming. For follow threw it cant be stressed enough, I actually count in my head to 5 after I see the arrow hit the target. More times than not a low right impact is from dropping your bow to fast.

After you devolope a good release then practice shooting both ways, while holding the bow for awhile and having to shoot quickly. Sometimes you dont have time to hold it for very long.

For me I dont touch my trigger until Im ready to shoot. I have the pull set very light so when I touch the trigger and just barely start to pull it goes off. I can rest my finger on it but any pulling and it goes off.

If you are over bowed (to much weight) that will result in poor form. So if you cant pull the bow back while holding it straight at the target and do it slowly your pulling way to much weight. Drawing your bow should be done in a fluid motion not a struggling wobbling motion. Alot of archers are way over bowed. So its commen.

Scott is also a good company that stands behind there products as I learned last year.

[GVDocHoliday]

You want a nice crisp release. Zero travel trigger with a heavy spring tension....set on your target and just start to squeeze. You won't feel any travel...it'll just go off when you don't expect it to. It's the closest thing to a surprise release with an index finger trigger release as I could find.

I actually have my tension set so heavy that I can pry some slack into the release strap while at full draw with just my forefinger on the trigger...I anchor and pull back while pushing to the target.