Choosing the Right Release

If you are new to archery, or a seasoned finger shooter ready to join ranks of other archers worldwide who use releases, finding and using the right release can be painstaking work. The rewards you will reap when you find the one that is just right for you are many. Using the wrong one though, and the downfalls are plentiful.

There are many choices out there. Back tension or Caliper? Two, three, or four finger? Caliper Jaws or rope? Brand? Fit? Decisions, decisions, decisions! Who ever thought that so much thought would go into this piece of equipment. Honestly, this piece of equipment should be considered one of the most important you own. It will make or break your shot. Your release will determine if you hit that X-ring or bag that big elk or deer you have been chasing for so long.

There are many types of releases out there, but they can be actually broken down into two major categories, Caliper-Trigger and Back Tension releases. Caliper-Trigger style releases are probably the most popular release sold today. They are "fired" by pulling a trigger mechanism with your forefinger, causing a rope or a set of jaws to open and release the string on your bow. Most hunters prefer this type of release. They are easy to use and generally quiet in the field. Most come with an adjustable wrist strap made of nylon or leather. It is best to choose one that is comfortable on your skin and fully adjustable, so when you gain or shed clothing you are comfortable shooting it. Most come with Velcro or a buckle. Make sure it has a good latching mechanism, for safety as well as reliability. When buying a trigger style release, ask the salesperson to show you how to adjust it.

Good releases come with an adjustment for "travel" for the trigger. This will determine how touchy or quick the release is. A good style trigger release will also have a rotating head, so there is no torque placed on the string at full draw. This is a must for a good release. The next style of release is the one preferred by most top level target archers. It is a back tension style release. As the name implies, it is how you "fire" this release. Back-Tension releases are hand-held and are fired by using your back muscles to put pressure on the pinky and ring finger, pulling back on the release till it fires off. Properly shooting the release should be a surprise when it goes off.

Some archers are very afraid to use this style of release, for they feel they have no control over the shot being executed. Using this type of release has many benefits though. Properly shot, this style of release will greatly reduce the dreaded target panic. It is also much harder to "punch" a back tension style release when used properly. Personally, I feel that finding the correct back-tension release takes more effort. You need to find the one that fits your hand the best.

There are various models out there, in configurations of two, three, and four finger styles. Some now have a D-Loop style head to fit a string loop attached to your bowstring. If at all possible, it is better to try many different ones till you find one you are comfortable with. Most important though, and this can not be stressed enough, GET INSTRUCTION!

A word of caution too- DON"T pull your bow back directly towards your face the first time you pull with this style release. This is a must until you learn the proper way to pull the release. Get some instruction or your dentist or plastic surgeon is really going to like you. With proper instruction, using this release will greatly improve your form. Many competition shooters have gained many points at the tournaments by learning to use this style of release. There are also back-tension style release that use a thumb or pinky trigger to help activate the release.

Carter Enterprises and TRU-Ball are two examples of companies that make these. They are considered the best of both worlds by many archers. They are adjusted the same way as the caliper style releases. Adjusting a true back-tension release such as a Carter Revenger or Stanslawski Sahara, (Stanslawski makes many different models) requires you to adjust the half-moon key in the release to set how much travel the release will have. Most models from the various companies have a "clicker" option that you can set to tell you the release is about to fire. Whether you are new to archery or a seasoned vet, finding the right release will take a little work. Once you do however, bagging that big buck or the 12-ring will get just that much more fun! Your groups will tighten and your X count will improve. Just do your best to find the one that best fits you needs.

Article courtesy of Jim Austin

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