Sorry for the questions but...

[Vabowman]

As I get back to shooting after the lay off I am reexamining many things...I remember going through different gloves and tabs and even shot bare fingers for a while.. what I found was tighter groups and a cleaner release with bare fingers...is that odd? and yesterday after many shots of frustration I took the glove off and instantly tightened my groups up and began touching arrows in the center of the vitals.. I remember a few years ago having the same thing happen but I also remember numb fingers for days on end...do any of you guys shoot bare fingers? If s, pros and cons.. your experiment with this?

[Orion]

I've shot a few arrows bare fingers out of necessity when I've misplaced or lost a glove or tab, but have never done it regularly. Regardless, I do not get a cleaner release shooting bare fingered vs a tab, and my accuracy's no better bare fingered.

Most folks find they get a cleaner release with a tab than with a glove.  I suspect it's because a tab enables one to get the fingertips/draw hand closer to the side of the face.  If you use a tab, you should trim it so your bare fingers touch the side of your face, or wherever your anchor point is.  If you haven't already tried this, you might give it a go.  Offers the feel of shooting bare fingers, with protection for your fingers at the same time. Might also look for a fairly soft/flexible leather tab for greater feel of the string.  Good luck.

[Vabowman]

I use a deep hook and for some reason it just feels like I have better control when I feel the string in my fingers...I don't know...it's strange I guess..the glove never feels natural and I tried the tab but that felt like I couldn't get a deep hook..I will have to get suggestions on tabs that are thin.

[McDave]

Do you grip split fingers or 3 under?

[Vabowman]

3 under

[Skates 2]

I've shot a few animals when I was 'gloveless' because I 'forgot' it.

But, continually shooting without a glove or tab can cause nerve damage.

I'm surprised no one mentioned that.

You have already stated 'days on end', might need to think about learning to shoot with a glove or tab before you cause irreplaceable damage.

[Vabowman]

I learned how to shoot with a glove and used that for most of time prior to the 2 year break from shooting. I was just curious to why I shoot better without anything. I thought it was odd

[McDave]

For 3 under, I recommend the Safarituff 3 under tab.  If you’ve never used a tab, or didn’t like the one you used, it was probably too big.  Be sure to buy a size where 1/4 to 1/2” of your fingers stick out above the tab when you hold your hand flat.  Make sure it is no wider than the three fingers held together that you will use.

[Vabowman]

I assume 3 rivers has them? thanks sir! I just got finished shooting and didn't do to bad out 13 yards. no glove again. I really like the idea of a tab but the one I did have was too big. I noticed today this was a lot of plucking. which caused some strange arrow flights at times. I did shoot one broad head along with practice points and they flew the same and when they didn't it was a form flaw because the field points didnt fly correct either!!

[RAU]

I can shoot a handful of arrows bare fingered if I have to but after 6-10 it’s starts to become very unpleasant. I definitely don’t shoot better bare fingers. As stated above I’d be afraid of nerve damage from doing it all the time.

[Todd Cook]

I suspect your glove or tab may be too big, not letting you anchor consistently. I make my tabs out of velcro and scrap leather and I've got big hands, but I do better with a smaller tab.

[Vabowman]

I think you are right. I may have to try a kids glove or tab

[Kelly]

Roger Rothhaar shot all his life with bare fingers but he triple served the bow string above and below the nock point for just a little added protection. He used a very deep hook too. Both his sons do the same as well as several others I know of. Some use the No Glove rubber things and back in the 60's they were really popular. It takes a while for your fingers to toughen up but after awhile you notice nothing.

[Vabowman]

I guess it's possible to get a clean release with bare fingers huh? Roger is one of the best so you can't argue with that

[pavan]

My three under shooting buddy tends to pull too hard with his ring finger with thicker tabs or shooting gloves.  Perhaps you are throwing the limbs out of time if your fingers are pulling all the same or ring finger heavy,  but possibly more index finger dominant without the tab or shooting glove.

[Vabowman]

pavan, I never thought of that. could be true for me

[Vabowman]

Also, if and when I hunt with this bow I have a question..imagine that I shot one deer with it and it was a high lung hit and it did pass thru. Unfortunately, I did not recover the deer.  my Great Northern Ghost is 50# at 28". Im pulling to 27" so i get roughly 47# ..my arrows tuned out to a weight of 470 gr. total. is this a good set up for deer? Forgive me, Im a compound guy and used to not really thinking about it much.

[Petrichor]

I have found difficulty with many gloves as it seems you have. I dont care for tabs and have had great success with bare fingers, but it becomes a problem especially when cold. My main bow is 56 pounds so I cant keep it up for long. However I found an inexpensive glove that is thin and has a great release. I use the bear paw black glove and runs about 15 bucks and has a super slick good release. Only negative that I have found with this glove is that the velcro on the wrist only lasts me about a year. Try as I might I cant find anything nearly as good especially for the price.

Oh and no apologies needed for asking questions. We love helping people.

[pavan]

If it can't be done on deer with a 47@27 Ghost, it can't be done.  Buck fever or the general anxiety of taking a hunting shots, can bring out some goofy stuff.  I tried three under with a 50" 49 pound Browning Cobra way back in the 70s.  What worked well for me out to 25 yards at a target, turned clumsy when shooting at a deer.  I had to put the nocking point about 3/8" higher than what the bow required when shooting split finger.  I am pretty certain that the two shots I took at deer with that bow, I strong fingered the shot, wild arrow flight and clean misses. I found out about adding the elevated arrow rest after I gave up shooting three under. Killed a deer later in the season with a BW metal riser takedown, shooting split.  Metal handled bows like that are finger freezing machines, but that particular bow was very quick and very accurate on still targets.  I think I get too much of an adrenaline buzz when i shoot at game, I tend over draw when shooting at game, so I use my broad head as a draw check, and yes i did pull an arrow off the string once with an 89 pound Hill longbow, it takes practice.

[Wudstix]

I hunt with a very lightweight nylon glove to camo my hands.  It I almost bare finger.  Will be trying a Rick Barbee tab this year.

-- Michael