Calf Hair Tab- Numb Finger

[USN_Sam1385]

Well, this is rather odd, but I switched over to a calf hair tab for about 3 days. My groups improved greatly but I felt my ring finger becoming numb during the shooting session. Well, I stopped using the tab 2 weeks ago and my right ring finger is still completely numb and tingly. Kind of wierd. Hopefully no minor nerve damage or anything.

[wv lungbuster]

You must be torquing the sting, its not the tab probably in your form.

[USN_Sam1385]

Hmmmm. I noticed that when I taped my ring and middle fingers together it eliminated the problem. However, I still switched backed to the leather, and my finger is still numb.

[Raging Water]

I would agree. Sometimes, I just draw back oddly and I can tell I am twisting the string. I should just re-set, but I don't.

If I torque the string, and let the arrow fly, my ring finger knows it. Instant numbness.

Also, whe I torque the string, my shot is off compared to others.

Matt

[wv lungbuster]

Whats the specs on your bow.

[2fletch]

That's odd. I use calf hair tabs (We make both calf hair and cordovan.) and they actually seem kinder to the fingers than a thicker cordovan tab. I believe that it's because the calf hair is slicker.

[Running Buck]

Try curling your middle finger in a little more to carry more of the string weight. This helps take pressure off your ring finger. I get a better ralease too.

[Roy Steele]

LIkely it was'nt the tab. Pinched a nerve or carble tunnel starting. I'm sure 1000's of people use calf hair with no problem. I've used calf hair before when I used tabs.
  Try useing power with you leather tab or any tab or fingers for that matter. This also improves your release. Try releaseing with your bottom finger first your other 2 fingers can't help but to follow. No more just snapping your fingers open. This way you can't get a bad release.

[LongStick64]

The hair tabs are softer and therefore you are able to get your finger in more contact with the string.

[USN_Sam1385]

I must be torquing the string, and probably do the same thing with the thicker leather cordovan tab but just don't notice it. What's odd is that my finger is still numb 2 weeks later.

[wv lungbuster]

I would go see the Doc

[USN_Sam1385]

My 'doc' is the VA hospital, and it is quite a hike into the city. I will give it another week. :-)

And knowing military doc's they will give me some motrin and a slap on the butt. ahah

[Montanawidower]

One other thought.  I had this problem when I first started shooting as a teenager.  I was shooting a compound with fingers (shows my age).  It turned out that I was holding the string in the third joint rather than a deep hook.  The shallow "finger" grip puts the pressure in the bony joint area and compresses the superficial nerve. I was  doing some damage.  The beauty of nerves is their ability to heal peripherally.  Do a search on the deep hook, and I think it will solve your problem.  The tab was probably secondary to a more serious form issue.

[Killdeer]

"And knowing military doc's they will give me some motrin and a slap on the butt. ahah"

We owe so much to the good doctors in military hospitals all over the globe. How can you state such a blatant mistruth? Motrin indeed! You know darn well that they would give you a tube of Bacitracin!   :D  

Killdeer
Oh yeah, I have had the same problem with the finger. Torquing the string. I use a cordovan tab now, but have also used calf and sealskin.
Still happens when I don't pay attention to my form.  

[Huntschool]

What Montana and Roy said..

I did the same thing when trying to master a very heavy # bow in my stupid youth.  It took a good bit of time to come back but it did.  Go to the "deep hook" with either tab or glove.  "grease" your glove fingers or your tab with baby powder.  You can get an unscented type.  Get ready cause the next time ya draw... that string could jump away from you...

When I shot IBO wheel stuff I shot fingers and had an Olympic archery coach whom I knew ask my whay I wasnt "powdering." I started carrying my powder "bag" and using it.  Made a difference.. The release is soooooo slick.  Last time I tried it(tab, cordovan) with a recurve I shot 10 shots through a crony and the speed never changed... thats what it can do for your release

[The Whittler]

Don't know if it's been mentioned but you may have your elbow of your string hand too high. This will cause the string to rub the side of your ring finger.

[no nothing]

I think that is what happened to me!!!! my hand has been numb for 5 five now. thanks whittler

[Missouri CK]

Had the same problem after trying something stupid as a newbie about 10 years ago.  Decided I would shoot without a glove for a week.            
My ring finger started going numb and it also had some sharp stabbing pains. Finally, I quit it but it took about a year for it to go away.
I would seriously doubt its carpal tunnel especially if it's in your ring finger as that is not the typical finger to be involved.  What you are getting is a peripheral nerve palsy due to excessive compression on the finger. All the doctor is going to tell you is to stop doing what your doing that caused it to come on in the first place.
I was tilting/torquing my hand forward/wrist down in such a way that my ring finger was doing 90% of the pulling.  Video tape yourself and I'll bet you see a flaw in what your doing. Like the guy above said if you elbow is really high that puts more pressure on your ring finger.  Focus on making your middle finger do most of the work during the drawing.
I had to put something over my ring finger to pad it up during the drawing process. What I found worked the best is called coband or vet wrap.  Its a self adherent bandage material that has a waffle-like texture.  It great for wounds and in this case padding up your injured finger.  
I would say the calf hair tab just made you change how you were drawing.  So the tabs not why your finger went numb but it did change something about your draw which is causing your finger to go numb. I'm afraid it will take a while for this to completely go away but it should as long as you correct the form.  In the mean time you will have to find some way to reduce the pressure on your finger while it heals. Nerves take anywhere from a few weeks to a couple of years to completely heal depending on how bad the damage.
Chris

[Jim Wright]

It is possible that your problem could be from an excessively high elbow at anchor/release.