I have a weakness for release aids. I collect them like some people collect artifacts or coins. In my shop is a crate of release aids that is shocking in its size. I would venture to say it is the most complete collection of its kind. I love their fine machining and their artistry, but most of all I love what the perfect release aid can do for my accuracy with a bow. In my experimenting, I believe I have helped keep several release companies in business.

It should not be surprising that I have gone through dozens of hunting releases over the years to see which ones I liked best. They all have something to offer and many have tempted me. But I always use the one that works best for my shooting style and my philosophy at full draw.

Every bowhunter must arrive at the choice of release aid that best fits his or her shooting style and hunting situation. But, there are certain qualities that all good hunting releases share. Keeping your choices within this framework will help you find the perfect release much quicker.

CHOOSING A HUNTING RELEASE

All of the many styles of releases on the market (hand-held thumb trigger, concho-style index trigger, wrist strap caliper, glove-style rotating tumbler and back tension) do the same thing; they unload the arrow consistently on every single shot. The style you choose depends upon what feels comfortable to you and how much control you want to have during the shot. It also depends on your ability to deal with target panic. Here are some things to consider when choosing a release style.

First, you must be able to load the release on the string quickly and securely. When you have a nice buck walking your way you may have to fight shaky hands when trying to get the release hooked up. This is the primary reason that bowhunters, as a rule, should shy away from the rope releases used by target shooters and why some bowhunters refuse to use bowstring nocking loops.

Archers who shoot regularly during the off-season and use nocking loops for all their shooting become very good at loading the release quickly. However, those that do not shoot regularly may find the loop to be a liability. For them, it slows the process of getting off the shot. Experiment with several specially designed nocking loop releases before you decide if the loop is right for you. You can do much of this experimenting at a good full-service pro shop.

Second, the hunting release should possess a head that turns freely so that you will not twist the string as you get your hand into a solid anchor position. Applying a twisting force on the string with the release aid may cause inconsistent arrow flight.

Find a release with an adjustable trigger so you can produce the perfect trigger tension for you. Generally, set your trigger for a hunting release a little heavier than for 3-D or target shooting so you can feel the trigger through heavy gloves. This assures that you will not trigger the release prematurely and that you will have a better feel for the timing of the shot – an important aspect of hunting accuracy.

Finally, all good hunting releases are simple and durable. It might make sense to experiment a little when target or 3-D shooting, but when the calendar flips to September, it is time to narrow it down to one that is bulletproof – one you can trust with the shot of a lifetime. In fact, as soon as you settle on a hunting release it’s a great idea to immediately buy a second one, set it up exactly the same and carry it in your fanny pack as a spare – just in case.

TRADING OFF THE STYLES

In this section, I’ve detailed several of the advantages and disadvantages of the various release styles on the market. I have also included my thoughts on the best way to shoot each style under hunting conditions.

Wrist strap caliper: These are the most basic, and probably the most widely used, of all release styles. Wrist strap caliper releases offer the advantage of simplicity. The mechanism that opens the jaws is very reliable and the index-finger trigger is intuitive for most hunters who started hunting with a gun. The wrist-strap helps you draw the string and hold it in a relaxed manner while you aim. With the wrist-strap, you’ll never have to worry about dropping the release during the moment of truth.

However, on the downside, it is easy to punch the trigger on most caliper releases making these the least accurate choice for archers with target panic.

How to use them: Caliper releases can be shot in a way that produces a surprise release if you make a key adjustment and then use the proper technique. First, shorten the release until the trigger hits your index finger at the joint rather than the finger tip. This will permit you to squeeze off the shot without the sensitivity of your fingertip helping you to anticipate the shot.

In other words, it is much easier for most bowhunters to squeeze off the shot when the trigger is not contacting the end of their finger. Pull through the shot with your back muscles as you increase tension with your trigger finger.

Thumb-triggered hand-held releases: Some bowhunters like thumb-triggered releases because they can snap the release onto the bowstring and leave it there until the time comes to draw the bow. This is primarily an advantage for stand hunters because the stalking hunter would quickly jar the trigger and loose the release. Thumb-triggered releases are harder to punch than index-triggered releases making them a better choice for archers who suffer from target panic. Some very good thumb-triggered releases permit ultra-fine trigger adjustment. You cock the release’s hammer and the primary trigger fires it to open the jaws. The primary trigger does not carry the weight of the draw so it does not load up and become stiff. You can set it very light.

Thumb-triggered releases have only one real downside: they can be lost more easily than wrist-strap styles. If they are not snapped onto the string they are floating around in a pocket or pack. They are not always right at hand as are the wrist-strap models.

How to use them: The best way to fire a thumb-trigger release is with your back. Invert your hand at full draw until your thumb points down and the back of your hand rests against your face. Apply the thumb to the release body so that the inside of the joint just contacts the trigger. From this position, squeeze through the shot with your back muscles as your hand naturally rotates backward and forces the trigger more firmly into your thumb. Some archers feel like they are making a fist in order to create this same effect. It is easiest to accomplish a surprise release with a thumb-triggered release if you set the trigger tension light to moderate.

Specialized releases for nocking loops: String nocking loops first gained popularity in target and 3-D circles and have now become widely accepted by bowhunters. Loops promote good arrow flight, positive peep sight rotation and long serving life. It is only natural that such benefits would be quickly embraced by bowhunters, as well. Hunters using string loops have specialized releases available to them.

Most releases for use with nocking loops are evolved index trigger releases that have a single jaw or hook that rolls out of the way on release. Some, however, are also handheld, thumb-triggered models. Most hunting models have an open design that makes it easy to load them on the loop quickly.

The only downside to release aids designed for nocking loops are those aspects of the design that are inherent to their category. For example, the index-triggered loop releases are just as easy to punch as index-triggered caliper models. The thumb-triggered loop models are slightly less natural or intuitive for archers who do not shoot regularly – just like those that attach directly to the string.

Back tension releases: Many target archers and top 3-D competitors rely heavily on back tension releases for the majority of their shooting because these models all but guarantee a surprise release. When you control the exact timing of the shot, you have a greater potential to ruin it. That is why I am always preaching about the importance of learning to make a surprise release for all your shooting. Not only do these releases produce the greatest consistency, they are also the best way I know of to beat target panic.

Most bowhunters who use back tension releases use them only during the off-season as training aids and switch back to their normal hunting models just before the season. However, some very accomplished bowhunters actually use back tension releases for hunting. There is definitely a big tradeoff here and I don’t recommend them for anyone but those bowhunters who have a hard time controlling target panic or have trouble making good shots on game.

With a back tension release, you cannot control the timing of the shot very well. That is their magic and why they work so well in eliminating target panic. But, this also makes it tough to make the shot when timing is important – which it sometimes is when hunting. Sometimes, timing is more important than hair-splitting accuracy and it is nice at these times to have a release aid you can command.

However, the bowhunters I have spoken with who favor back tension releases for hunting say that the ability to make a good shot outweighs the opportunities that get away because the shot takes too long. Once again, if you have severe case of target panic that keeps you from making good shots on game, a back tension release may be the only solution.

OTHER RELEASE STYLES

Two truly unique releases will help you conquer target panic without having to go to a pure back tension model. The Answer from Golden Key Futura features an ingenious design that will not allow the release to fire if you jerk the trigger. It locks up rather than firing. When you squeeze it slowly, however, the release works flawlessly. You can disable the anti-punch mechanism for hunting. The Can’t Punch from Bernie Pellerite (Robin Hood Videos) is a similar design with a solid, immovable dead trigger that is just in front of the moveable, live trigger. By placing your finger on the dead trigger and squeezing, you will activate the live trigger and fire the shot. Again, it is just another way to keep you from punching and ruining the shot.

Choosing a release aid is a personal matter that depends as much on the way you hunt as it does on your shooting style and how certain models feel in your hand. Take the time to experiment with various styles and then do your level best to learn to shoot the release properly. If you make a commitment to this goal, a lifetime of better shots at game will be your reward.

Sidebar: The author currently uses a Short and Sweet by TRU Ball. Here are his reasons: It is extremely well made and therefore reliable. It quickly attaches to the string loop even without looking. It has a very crisp firing mechanism that is adjustable down to a hair trigger. It is very small and doesn’t get in his way. The distance between the attachment point and the trigger is remarkably short so he can shoot a longer draw length bow. And the best reason of all is it is so fast to load that he can shoot it in the Great Outdoor Games which he competes in each year just before the hunting season so he competes with the same release aid he hunts with.

Sidebar: Tweak Your Release for Better Accuracy

The length of a wrist-strap release has a major affect on how well you shoot it. Set the release up so your finger contacts the trigger at the first joint. This single step will make a difference and will help you create an accurate surprise release.

The triggering mechanism of most releases relies upon a friction sear. The higher the draw weight (specifically the holding weight) the stiffer the trigger. In most cases, you can customize your release to the bow you shoot by simply turning an Allen wrench to increase or decrease the amount of trigger travel. Always start out with the release set too stiff and slowly turn the adjustment screw until you achieve the perfect tension. You want the release to fire easily, but not so easily that you can’t feel the trigger through your cold weather gloves before it goes off.

When comparing the trigger tension of a caliper release to that of a gun, strive for a feel that is similar to what you get with a shotgun – five pounds is realistic. Rifle-fine trigger tensions are not practical with the rough mechanisms found in most friction sear models. However, if you are using a release featuring a hammer that you cock before each shot, you can achieve a much lighter trigger tension without the fear of a misfire.

Sidebar: What is New on the Market

This table contains a short list of several of the newest releases on the market that I feel are good choices for hunting or for use as training aids.
Company Model Style Comments
TRU Ball
(800) 929-2800
www.truball.com
Short-N-Sweet Hook jaw nocking loop model or can be used with rope around the bowstring Short coupled release aid doesn’t force you to shorten your bow’s draw length, a benefit for loop shooters. It quickly attaches to the string loop without the archer looking. It has a very crisp trigger, finely adjustable. Small and svelte, doesn’t get in your way.

Scott Archery
(606) 663-2734
www.scottarchery.com New Rhino

Hook Jaw nocking loop model

Short coupled, smooth, roller sear release aid hooks up to a string loop quickly and reliably. Smooth crisp trigger pull. Minimizes draw length loss from the string loop.

Carter Enterprises
(208) 624-3467
www.releaseaid.com Two Shot

Hook jaw nocking loop model

Index finger triple sear for longevity and reliability—the first in the industry. Great versatility. Can be used with a string loop, directly off the string or with a release rope. Has built in thumb safety.

Robinhood Videos
(614) 933-0011
www.robinhoodvideos.com Can’t Punch Index trigger caliper Has a dead trigger that you pull against to keep from punching.

Tru-Fire Corp.
(920) 923-6866
www.trufire.com Hurricane HOT Index trigger caliper Stem can be set to rotate out of the way when not in use. The jaws open when you depress the trigger and close when you let up on the trigger.

Jim Fletcher Archery
(760) 379-2589
www.fletcherarchery.com .44 Caliper Interlocking jaw model Hardened trigger and roller design allows for smooth feel that is adjustable from hair trigger to heavy trigger pull.

Copper John
(315) 258-9269
www.coperjohn.com
Eagle Closed jaw nocking loop model Trigger the release with your middle finger rather than index finger, helps reduce punch tendency. Can be used like a back tension release while still giving the option of a quick release.