In some areas of life, I am very happy being content, in others, it’s not the case at all. My archery tackle and shooting skills would be categorized in the latter.
I enjoy experimenting with a variety of new archery products in hopes of it taking my shooting game even a notch higher. This is what originally lead me to back tension and thumb trigger releases.
If you’re not familiar with the subject of back tension releases here is a quick background. Back tension releasing makes the shot process much more streamlined, by reducing the mental struggle between holding, aiming and releasing the arrow. It relies on muscle memorization, and when learned correctly, you only have to focus on aiming, rather than releasing. It helps eliminate “punching the trigger” and target panic by a surprise release.
It does sound a little frightening for hunting I know, why would I want my bow to just all of a sudden go off? It’s not exactly a complete surprise; you have all the control in the world when the moment comes.
The basic principle of back tension releases is 100% concentration on aiming, as your mind cannot focus on two things at once, the shot execution has to be purely based on muscle memory. You’re ultimately striving for a surprise release!
The vast majority of compound shooters use a wrist strap style release, and for great reason, they are easy to learn, abundant in the market place at a variety of price points and they flat out work! Target archers have been shooting tension releases since the release of the original in the early 1970’s by Mel Stanislawski. Stanislawski releases are still the one of the top release aids on the market today.
Tension releases are slowly catching on in the hunting arena, and more and more archers are realizing the benefits.
Late in 2008, I made the switch from a traditional strap release to a thumb trigger; I believe it was something similar to today’s TruBall Max 4 Pro. It was a slow introduction to my goal of shooting a true back tension style release. My first “handle” wasn’t a true tension release, and I didn’t try to use it like one.
I used my thumb exactly the same as I would use my pointer finger, and only saw nominal increases in accuracy.
It wasn’t until early 2013 when I ponied up and purchased a Stan 4-finger Shootoff. I worked closely with the techs at my local archery shop to learn the basics, and before you know it, I was ruining arrows left and right. The first arrows I ruined were from smacking them off of the concrete back wall but within the first week I was consistently getting a surprise release, and my groups were becoming scary tight.
To be honest the largest problem I’m facing is self-control. It is so easy to revert back to using my thumb to hit the trigger rather than allowing the release to perform the way it’s made to.
As a relative newbie in the field of tension releases, I’m building my experience with different brands and styles.
If you’re dealing with target panic, or simply want to find a way to shrink your groups, I suggest giving a tension style release a try. You don’t have to posses a degree in anatomy or physiology to learn the proper way to shoot, it’s much more simple than many believe. I will say it’s not a transformation, which will happen overnight, it’s a process learned with practice and time.
As to my next experiment with back tension releases, a Stan MoreX BlackPearl hinge style release will be in order. Unlike my Stan Shootoff, you can’t rely on a thumb trigger, it’s all about form, but I’ve heard when you finally get it mastered, you won’t want to put it down!
If you’re looking to get into a back tension style release here are a few good options (listed in no particular order):
T.R.U. Ball Sweet Spot II
Price: $149 – Outdoor Experience
Pros:
One of the most reliable bt releases with a safety.
Won’t fire until you’re settled in and the safety is off, then will fire like true bt release
Carter EVO+
Price: $190 – Lancaster Archery
The carter EVO is a pull through release, and doesn’t have a hinge to rotate. You simply have to pull a preset amount of poundage before it goes of.
Pros:
Allows for better technique right off the bat
Stan Shootoff!
Price: $204 – Lancaster Archery
Pros:
Crisp, clean break when releasing
Can be fired with thumb or BT
Highly adjustable
High end release
Excellent ergonomics
Scott Longhorn Hex Hunter
Price: $125 – Midway USA
Pros:
Available with or without “click”, an audible sound allowing shooter to know when it’s close to firing
Hinge style release, great for advanced shooters, may not be the right release for beginners
Highly Adjustable