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Finger Shooters

Looks like we are in the minority. I am a three under shooter. I have been practicing instinctive the last two years. I broke down and put a pin back on for this past bow season though. My confidence level was not where it should be. I feel like this year I will be able to pull it off.
 
I shoot my recurves with three under, I shoot my compounds split fingered and with sights. I believe that three under aligns the arrow better under your eye. At least it does for me. Lung punch with me being a forgetful and someone who misplaces everything I could never keep up with a release.
 
I shot fingews for 30 yeaws with all mannew of bors fwom twaditional to high-tech, ner-age compounds. Rouldn't shoot any othew ray.

Nor I shoot a scope sight, a twiggew welease and a solid rest.

Both shouldews are comparable to egg shells that have been hit rith hammers. My wight wrist is three times the size of my left and the middle finger on my wight hand is locked in a bent position. I blame it all on awtificilay inseminating bwown beaws in Araska. Oh...my jaw is also locked with pmj due to biting my tongue to stifle the pain.

Seriously, I also shot both with a single sight pin and instinctively. In all those years, I never once saw the need to shoot a release. That elimintaed one more thing to worry about or lose or have malfunction.
 
many archers have the wrong idea about finger shooting. It isnot something that must be left behind when you shoot a compound. It is not something that must be left behind when you get a short axle-axle bow. I have shotbows as tiny as a toy with no problem. It is not some primitive form that has been vastly improved upon.

What it is, is simply one way of holding a bow string. Nothing more, nothing less.

For the hunter, not the taerget or tournament archer, it may well be the best way to hold a bow string because it eliminates possible problems. You don't leave your fingers in camp, drop them from the tree, have them fail to close or open at the desired time or cause you to lie awake at night worrying if you bought the best model. For hunting, fingers are absolutely as accurate as a release. Consider: I know of not one exhibition shooter, one who shoots aprin or lifesavers etc., who shoots a release. In hunting, you are not tryingf to hit a poker chip. You target is the size of a football.

For the target or tournament archer when an eighth of an inch counts, that may not be true. If you are shooting a group of arrows at a golf ball size dot, a release may be better. It may be possible to shoot more consecutive arrows with a release. I'm not sure. Many days I shot in excess of 100 arrows consecutively with my fingers. However, I also had large callouses on my three shooting fingers. They come with time.

So for those in a quandry, quit worrying. Try fingers, give it time to condition your fingers. If you like it, there you are. if you don't, get a release. Just because your bow is the latest, high-tech machine, you don't have to give up a tried and true method of shooting.
 
I started bowhunting in 1981 with a 40 lb Martin compound using fingers. I have always used three under and a single sight pin set at 25 yds. I did spend one miserable year using the old Pro Injector release (wonder how many on here remember those?). I never felt comfortable with the release. I do not like anything between me and the bow string. I have become very interested in shooting instinctive because I don't want to have to think about distance and it is a new challenge also. We will see this coming season. :cool:
 
Hogbear said:
Usually get a better finger release if you set up your rest so the arrow tip is a little left of center (for right handers).
Click to expand...

That is the rule of thumb, but dead center works better for me. I guess its that smooooooothe release!! :grin:
 
You know, people think I shoot with my fingers because it is harder. The real reason is it is easier. I can concentrate on the vitals and all the other things that go on when a shot presents itself. Of all the things I've left in the truck while going hunting, fingers have never been one of them. I will say to those who are curious to try it should look at their arrow spine and it should be near what the charts suggest. Arrow spine is slightly more critical than a release.
 
I just feel more comfortable using fingers. Reliability and simplicity are an added bonus. Practicing instinctive has really helped me focus on my release and form. It has also helped me to learn the flight of my arrow.
 
I shoot fingers with a longer ata bow, but finger pinch is an issue with today's shorter ata bows below 36" . I shoot two under , one over when I shoot fingers , but these days I opt for a release for any bow under 36", or with an extreme string angle at full draw .
 
Radar said:
I shoot fingers with a longer ata bow, but finger pinch is an issue with today's shorter ata bows below 36" . I shoot two under , one over when I shoot fingers , but these days I opt for a release for any bow under 36", or with an extreme string angle at full draw .
Click to expand...

Finger pinch has not been a problem for me using 3 under, but I do have problems with it shooting split finger. My fingers are not very thick which also helps. I try to keep a very light touch on the arrow with my index finger. If you jam it up under the arrow it creates torque on the arrow. I also grip the string with the tips of my fingers rather than letting the string rest in the crease of your fingers.
 

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