Question for Prinitive Shooters

[carphunter100]

We have a good size shoot here in WV called ATAR. I no some of you have been to it and some have not. This shoot is over for this year. I was asked the other day if you could shoot a thumb ring in this class. I did not no how to answer it because this has never came up befor. What I am asking you Primitive Shooters would it be fair or unfair to let someone shoot a thumb in this class. I no nonething about this and need your help. Thanks and need you input.

[conedoggy]

i see no problem with it.........

[Pat B]

The thumb ring thousands of years old. I don't know why not. If anything the other trad shooters would complain before the primitive shooters would.   Pat

[sswv]

I would like to hear an explanation as too the benefits (or lack of) where the thumb ring is concerned. Is it truely an advantage on the 3-D range? Does using a thumb ring really make you shoot better, anywhere-anytime? I've never saw anyone use one or even seen one for that matter. So, would someone please fill us in on the 'thumb ring'?

[ozarkcherrybow1]

I'm with Pat and Danny. I see no problem with its use at a 3-d shoot and I would like to hear more about it....Terry

[Pat B]

With a thumb ring you get very little drag on the string like you do with a glove or tab. Your release will be cleaner also. I have shot one and it is very awkward to get used to. You shoot off the opposite side of the bow, too. Right side for right hand. That is the way your thumb opens(opposable) as compared to the fingers. Pat

[sswv]

well' I am even more curious now. would anyone have a video clip of a thumbring being used?

[Peachey]

I watched a guy at Hickory shooting one 2 years ago. Had a big silver ring right below the first joint on his thumb, and like  Pat said shot right handed with the arrow on the right side of the bow. Pretty interesting to watch but  looked awkward to me. He showed me how it worked, took the edge of the ring and hooked on string and just opened his thumb instead of his fingers. I did not see any advantage to it, just different.

[carphunter100]

Keep-em coming, I have learned more here about this in 5 min. then I have ever heard of in my 43 years of shooting a stick. So far it sounds like they would be a pain to shoot. DOES YOUR INDEX FINGER TOUCH THE STRING WHEN YOU SHOOT ONE. Our rules as of now reads your index finger must touch the nock of the arrow. I personly think the rules need tweeked in this class at our shoot. Thanks

[Pat B]

Peachy, That was James Parker at Hickory. He calls his sterling silver thumb ring his redneck bling-bling. James is who first showed me a thumb ring and how it worked.
  The thumb(with the thunb ring) goes around the string and the index finger hooks over the end of the thumb. As you draw the hand twists and locks the string and arrow together. To release all you do is lift the index finger and the arrow is gone. The original release aid.
   The thumb ring was used originally by horse archers I believe. Pat

[DarkeGreen]

I suppose you could use a finger ring that way too and shoot from the left side.

[LBR]

From my (limited) involvement in helping with tournaments, I don't think it's a good idea.  At best, add another class to see if there's enough interest to keep it going.

It is a help--like someone already said, it's the original release aid.  People used them for a reason.  IMO, you'll get a very few that learn how to use them properly, and if/when they start winning there's going to be a big stink raised about how it's not fair, etc.

My bet is there will be very few who use them, it will open the door to arguments about using  other "primitive" release aids (I have one made of leather), about what is fair in a class, etc. and generally be a lot more of a headache than it's worth for the folks running the shoot.

Chad

[Killdeer]

Perhaps a "horsebow" class, or "Asian bow" class would take care of this. I have never seen a thumbring used with what is typically regarded as a primitive bow.

Perhaps a review of the parameters of the current primitive classification is in order, for those of us who have not looked into shooting this class. A refresher, if you please.

Killdeer  

[LBR]

Killy, would that include having to bring/shoot from a horse?  :D  

The leather release aid I have (Colleen gave a bunch of them away at the TN Classic a few years ago) is as primitive as a thumb ring, and I'd bet if I took the time to learn to use it properly it would improve my score (my release is something I have to constantly work on), but it's more a novelty than anything else to me.

Break out the horn bows and mounted archers--maybe we have a new class to shoot in now?  I'll give it a whirl, but only if they'll let me ride a mule instead of a horse.  I get along with them a lot better.....my wife says she knows why, but won't tell me?    

Chad

[sswv]

curious again!   what are the IBO rules pertaining to traditional archery? and, is a thumbring allowed in the traditional class in an IBO santioned shoot?