Non-mech. Release Aids

[Doug Treat]

[Doug Treat]

I have had issues with my shoulders when I shoot and found that turning my string hand horizontally eliminates impingement in that shoulder so...I started doing some research and found that this kind of release helped with my shoulder pain.

[Doug Treat]

It took quite a bit of practice to figure out the new motion for releasing with this thing. Basically, when releasing, you relax your index finger and tighten your ring finger, rotating the release and causing the string to slip out of the groove. It kind of forces you to use back tension (at least, it seems to release much cleaner with back tension).

[Doug Treat]

I also found evidence on line that non-mechanical release aids have been used historically by many archers in various places around the world so it makes me feel like I’m still shooting traditional (as opposed to using a mechanical release).

[Doug Treat]

When I use this, it’s a little bit louder than with fingers but I used slow motion video and found that, compared to shooting with fingers, my arrows fly with almost no oscillating in flight. I had to lower my nock height as well. 
Maybe this will help someone else with the same shoulder problems.

[Doug Treat]

Oh, and I made mine out of 2 layers of ABS pipe plastic glued together but I think it would also work to use a hardwood like hickory.

[McDave]

Very interesting concept.  Is this your own design, or did you base it on something already being used?

Joel Turner, of target panic fame, has done a lot of experimenting with similar releases, including the Asian thumb ring release.  If you ever run across each other, I’m sure he would be interested in comparing notes.  I’m not sure why he moved away from fingers, whether because of some physical problem or just curiosity.

[Doug Treat]

Dave, I found similar designs on YouTube and copied them. My first few didn’t work well but this one seems to like me. It takes some getting used to. I’ve shot fingers for 35+ years but this could keep me in the game a bit longer.

[monterey]

Interesting.  I have been having nerve problems in my index finger and this may be a solution. 

[Doug Treat]

Interesting.  I have been having nerve problems in my index finger and this may be a solution.

If you want to make one, there are several YouTube videos showing how to but I would suggest backyard bowyer. He does a good job explaining.

[Doug Treat]

Here’s a video of me using it (slo-mo). I’m not sure what the strange noise is on this video.

[fnshtr]

Whatever it takes to stay in the game Doug!

Good to see you are still at it.

[Doug Treat]

Thanks, Wayne. Still playing. Probably gonna chase some bears around the mountains again this year.

[Doug Treat]

Here's something similar that I found for sale:
https://www.amazon.com/Archery-Release-Mechanical-Raven-Trigger/dp/B01KOE8IHI

[monterey]

Interesting.  I have been having nerve problems in my index finger and this may be a solution.

If you want to make one, there are several YouTube videos showing how to but I would suggest backyard bowyer. He does a good job explaining.

I looked that up.  It really is a simple concept.  I'm going to concentrate on getting the finger back in play before making changes in my methods.   So far a light bow is helping.

[Matt Fowler]

That's pretty cool. Ever have it slip off before you get to anchor?

[Wolftrail]

I made a couple of those and other release aids.  Nothing seems to work better than my natural fingers.

[knuklhed]

That's pretty cool. Ever have it slip off before you get to anchor?

I made one recently, just to see how I liked it. I put a 7.5* angle back from the leading edge to help retain the string. While drawing, it is solid, as long as I keep even tension on all fingers. When I lighten the index finger, and increase pressure on the two outer fingers, it rotates around the middle one, and pops crisply. I was pretty surprised the first couple of times how little the change in tension had to be in order to fire. I don't know if I'll stick with it long term, but I had the urge to give it a shot to see.

[Doug Treat]

That's pretty cool. Ever have it slip off before you get to anchor?

Yes! I’ve found I need to make sure my grip is good before I start to draw. Can’t be too lax with this thing 😲