Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Bowhunting Who shoots a thumb release?

Help out a newbie here...

After researching 'punching' I came across several articles detailing back tension shooting. Seems to be the universal method among professional teachers and competitors. I gave it a quick try last night and couldn't get it. Seemed like I was just cranking back against my wall and introducing more tension and torque into the shot.

I got a Cheapo intro release with my bow package and didn't like it right off the bat...even with no xperience. Like my rifles, I expect and need a crisp pull. Went and bought an upgraded model which was an immediate, noticeable improvement. The other day when shooting at 40 yds it was easy to keep three arrows in well under the size of the vital area. And this from a newbie who is just relearning. Granted, there were no obstacles and no buck fever but I figured that's what practice is for...to build muscle memory.

My question is how important is learning how to BT shoot if I'm only hunting and shooting for fun (and maybe some 3D shoots)? I thought (and practice) like a rifle rather than a shotgun. That is, I concemtrate totally on keeping tight on the back wall and where my sight pin is as I gently 'squeeze' the trigger. If my sight wanders, I suspend my squeeze just like a rifle. I just concentrate on the sight till the bow fires as opposed to to quickly and smoothly pulling the trigger as my sights are on the bullseye (like a shotgun).

So far, at the ranges I can expect to shoot (can't imagine the deer not jumping the sound of my arrow at much more than 40 yds) does it matter? Accuracy seems to be more than sufficient even as I strive to always improve.

BTW, as far as hunting goes I don't think tree stands will be much of an option out here so I'm thinking I'll mostly S&S, SH or ground blind them. I'm thinking that lends itself more to a wrist strap finger release style. Yes or no?

Thanks for the help. I'm enjoying learning!

Just because you hold it in your hand and trigger it with your thumb does not mean that you can not punch it. I suggest you find a hinge type release (Scott Longhorn or similar) and learn to shoot it. Once you actually learn to shoot with back tension you'll likely be much more calm aiming and holding in the middle. It is not something that you can do overnight - more like a month of fairly extensive shooting. It is worth the effort and even if you don't hunt with it, it will make you a better shot with a trigger type release.