Can You Shoot A Compound Bow Without A Release?

About the Author: Austin Murphy is a skilled hunter with a passion for archery. With 17+ years of experience, he possesses extensive knowledge of various archery equipment, including the compound bow, recurve bow, and crossbow. His expertise in these accessories allows him to pursue his love for archery while honing his hunting skills with precision and finesse. As participant in NFAA and ASA competitions, Austin own around 8 Recurve Bows, 6 Compound Bows, and 2 Crossbows.

With advancements in compound bows, the technology is moving from the old-style finger bows to the latest Release mechanism bows. But the question arises, “Can You Shoot a Compound Bow Without a Release?”

In this Informative blog, I have explained the mechanism of a release in a compound bow, shooting a compound bow without a release, the importance of a bow release, is a release more accurate, tips for shooting with your fingers, and have answered your different questions in the FAQs section.

Yes, there is a possibility to shoot a compound bow without a release. However, with the latest compound bow designs, it can be uncomfortable, requiring more practice. Some Archers still consider shooting with their fingers, without using any release aids to feel the classic feeling of a bowstring, while some can’t spend more money on the release accessory.

Can You Shoot A Compound Bow Without A Release

Yes, you can easily shoot a compound bow without a release. Actually, there is a personal preference whether can you shoot a compound bow without a release, or you are advancing with the latest compound bows and consider using Release accessories for shooting.

Below are a few main points when shooting a compound bow without a Release;

Choose the Proper Equipment

To properly shoot with your fingers, without a release, you need the proper equipment. As all the bows that are available for users are marked with different specifications, features, and designs. A bow with a greater axle-to-axle length is considered as much more efficient for finger shooting than others, providing comfortable usage without a release.

Grip the String Right

Most of the Expert finger shooters that do not rely on a release have the best practice on their grip. Gripping the string in the right manner helps a lot to maintain accuracy and consistency. Tightly grip the arrow with the bowstring, draw the bowstring, and align your arms with the arrow without any Torque to get maximum accuracy. Adjust the finger pressure accordingly and practice the draw for secure and consistent shooting.

Master the Release

When it comes to finger shooting with compound bows, you have to master the release. There are different ways to draw and shoot with your fingers, and all of them require the involvement of your whole body structure. Practice consistently with your fingers to shoot, and work on your back tension to aim and shoot. With proper technique, you would be able to learn the skill with your subconscious Mind, and with time you will master the release.

Find the right compound bow

As mentioned earlier, modern and latest compound bows are not efficient for finger shooting due to their advanced design and specification. Not all archers are aware of the fact that some compound bow companies still manufacture bows for finger shooters. You should visit your local stores to find the right one, or you can search online for vintage compound bows from the 80s that didn’t require the use of release aid.

Consider wearing a finger tab or glove

If you can’t manage to find a compound bow for finger shooters, then you can consider a simple compound bow, and shoot it with complete security and technique. Consider wearing a finger tab or glove for shooting, as they help finger shooters in a secure and flexible draw, resulting in controlled bow shooting without harming or injuring your fingers.

Can you Shoot Modern compound bows without Release?

With the advancement in compound bows, the bows are designed with the latest cam systems and other structures that require to be drawn by using a release. The Modern compound bows are not ideal for finger shooting, as the bow strings are hard with more tension, and the advanced cam technologies require a proper draw using a release Aid.

Is a Bow release Important?

Using a bow release is not completely necessary but it is a preference. Although, using a bow release can increase accuracy, prevent target panic, and keep you safe while shooting. Most archers use it nowadays because bow release can give you many advantages but it is not necessary and you can join a competition or event without it.

Increase accuracy

Bow releases are now used as performance-enhancing items and are used by professional archers in competitions for better accuracy. According to a study, the accuracy of people who use bow release as compared to people who use their fingers to shoot is far higher. Bow release provides consistency and a minimal drawback at the string.

Prevent target panic

Target panic is a great challenge for almost every archer because they can not perfectly pin their sight and arrows on the target. A bow release can help a lot in this problem because it helps to maintain control and hold the bow steadily moreover, it can help to significantly reduce shaking, fidgeting, and moving so you can hit your target more accurately.

Easier to shoot

Using bow release makes it significantly easier to shoot especially with a compound bow. Using fingers to shoot a compound bow is not very manageable and you have to fully get used to the adjustments while using a bow release makes shooting a compound bow more manageable, accessible, and easier for the user.

Keep you safe

You have to be very careful when using a compound bow with your fingers because unlike recurve bows the cams of a compound bow can derail causing serious injuries. Furthermore, you have to be more careful and know how to pull the strings of a compound bow with fingers but bow release can highly reduce the chances of any injuries.

Is a Release More Accurate?

Yes, bow release is far more accurate than shooting by using your fingers. Why? Well you can watch this video

Furthermore, bow release provides more consistency and sturdiness when releasing a bow which increases accuracy. On the other hand, shooting with fingers can cause accuracy problems due to non-consistency, movement, and shaking. Bow release is used as a performance-enhancing item and is used by professional archers in competitions.

Tips for Shooting with your Fingers (For those who Don’t want to use Release Aid)

Shooting the latest compound bows with your finger and without any release aid is uncomfortable and hard, but with more practice, one can master the skill. Belo are a few Tips for shooting without fingers;

Proper Finger Placement

For a proper finger shooter, proper finger placement is necessary, and no matter how consistent and accurate you are with release aids, shooting with your fingers requires proper technique and finger placement to attain better results.

Use Finger Tabs or Shooting Gloves

Some bows are hard to draw, and some compound bows are only designed to be drawn with release aids, but bow lovers that enjoy shooting with their fingers should use finger tabs or shooting gloves to not only gain more efficiency but also save themselves from finger injuries.

Consistent Grip Pressure

Just like finger placement, consistent grip pressure while shooting a compound bow with your finger is also essential. As the bows are used in different wilderness terrains and different hunting situations, requiring consistent grip pressure for stable, controlled, and accurate shooting.

Focus on Back Tension

If you have a nice compound bow that is great for finger shooting, and you have the right technique then you should focus on back tension. The compound bows are equipped with high-tension bow strings that require more energy when drawing, so focusing on back tension can result in accurate, and secure shooting.

Release Technique

With all the training and all the skills mastered, one can never be a great finger shooter without practicing a proper release technique. While shooting a bow with your fingers, releasing the arrow or bowstring with the right amount of back tension, the right finger alignment, and the release technique can lead to accurate, consistent, and controlled archery.

Seek Professional Guidance

If you think you have the right piece of equipment, the proper finger placement, the right shooting technique, and consistent grip pressure, and you are still shooting off-target then you should seek professional guidance. The expert archers are well aware of any bow issue and shooting issues and can fix your archery problems.

FAQs

Does a compound bow need a peep sight?

Peep Sight is an attachment that can increase the field of view and narrow your accuracy. You can definitely shoot a compound bow without a peep sight because it is used to narrow your vision on the target and increase field view.

Can you shoot a bow with just your fingers?

Yes, you can shoot a bow using only your fingers but you have to know how to pull a string accurately and carefully. Shooting a bow with fingers can cause injuries and can make you shoot inaccurately, but if you practice and master it you can use fingers to shoot a bow.

Do you need a quick release for a compound bow?

It is not like you can not shoot a compound bow without a release aid, but nowadays it is used by the majority of archers and professionals because it can hold the string and you can release it precisely and more accurately.

Is it easier to draw with a thumb release?

Yes, it takes less force to draw a bow with a thumb release as compared to using fingers. It can also be used to attach it to the bow and draw back your compound bow already and let the thumb release hanging on it. This is a great feature for hunting.

What happens if you don’t loosen your bow?

Not losing your bow can seriously damage the strings. It can cause damage to the body of the bow as time passes by. It can reduce the lifespan of the bow, because of the tension and pressure applied on the strings which will affect the whole body.

Why use a release for a bow?

Using a release bow has many advantages as compared to using your fingers. Bow release provides consistency, accuracy, and safety. A bow release can greatly reduce target panicking and shaking while releasing the arrow.

Does rain affect arrows?

Arrows that are made with Carbon or Aluminum should not be affected by rain. Arrows that are made with wood can be affected but if they are sealed then there is nothing to worry about. Although, feather fletching is highly affected in arrows by rain.

Ending Note

There are different kinds of Archers, some like to move with the technology and use the latest tools like release aids to shoot their compound bows, while others like to feel the bowstrings with their fingers and shoot without any release aid.

Before the invention of these release aids, the Archers used to shoot their bows with fingers, and they had mastered the skill.

Nowadays, compound bows are marked with the latest designs requiring proper tools and aid to shoot, and the question arises, Can you shoot a compound bow without a release?

To Conclude this informative article, I would suggest the readers or compound bow users go through the above discussion about shooting your bow without a release, is a release more important, is a release more accurate, and some tips for shooting with your fingers.

All of these points would answer your questions and clear your points, making you an experienced Archer.

Can You Shoot A Compound Bow Without A Release?