For those of you who shoot tabs.

[buckeye_hunter]

Gentlemen,

I currently shoot with a damascus glove, but I have decided to try and convert to a tab.  I met an archery coach that insisted on it.

So....I ordered a Cavalier Elite cordovan tab from 3 Rivers.  Any suggestions on the transition or any tips to make this tab fit better.

Thanks,
Charlie

[deermaster1]

best tab you can get, imo.  it will feel differant at first but like every thing else, you get used to it

[Bonebuster]

The more you shoot with it, the better it gets.
Just like a baseball glove.  

[longstick]

Ive been shooting my cavalier for 2 yrs now and it just dont get any better than that! I have a spare for a just in case too...plus a few spare parts!

[buckeye_hunter]

Good to hear!  I have heard that some people us a glove under it? Any reason as to why?

-Charlie

[Diamond Paul]

Most of the time, you will have to trim the tab a bit to make it fit your fingers properly.  You don't want a bunch of material hanging over the end of your fingers when you take your hook on the string; just enough to cover the tips of your fingers is about right. Shoot it a bit to determine where the string comes off the tab before trimming.  Trim just a little at a time; you can't put material back on!  LOL! Typically, you need to take a very deep hook with a tab, deeper than you might take with a glove, in order to keep your fingers/hand relaxed and allow your back to do the pulling.  Good luck, Paul.

[Homebru]

I bought a Cavalier Tab and did not like it.  It is possible that I needed a different size.  I have shot the "cordovan" tab that has the rubber pacer for years and really like that.  To each his own.
Regards,
homebru

[Curveman]

I kept the spacer but did not use the other junk. If you put a little baby powder on it then shott it some you will see where exactly the string is leaving the tab. Trim a "V" so that the tab is not squishing the string. I also like the Black Widow tabs-maybe even a little better-I am still back and forth a little bit.

[myshootinstinks]

I shot w/ a glove for years until I spent some time w/ a couple of serious target shooters. Guys that never really hunted, just 3d and indoor stuff. To me, a tab felt very clumsy at first but the more I used it the more I liked it. Wouldn't go back to a glove now. I use the Angel tab, made in Japan, not cheap but very well made, it has the spacer which is beneficial.
   One thing about a tab is that they last so much longer due to the thicker, harder leathers used in them.  I was going through a glove every 4-6 months but I've had the same two tabs over a year now and they are still in good shape.
   I definately get a cleaner, more consistant release.

[LBR]

I tried going back to a tab a few times but never could make it work, until a friend gave me one of his extra Calvalier Elite tabs.  Took a little work, but I'm liking it (swapped this spring).  My release has never been so good.

I removed the finger spacer (got in the way of a deep hook) and the adjuster thing on the finger cord (replaced it with a knot).

So far, so good.

Chad

[Night Wing]

I started with a glove, but after some time, the deep finger grooves made my shots..... not fly like darts anymore because I couldn't make a clean release. I now use a calf hair tab. No grooves and my arrows fly like darts from a clean release.

[hickstick]

interesting read.  I've shot with a glove from day one, 20 years ago.  since many say they get a better release with a tab I picked one up....but I seem to be getting MUCH more 'left-right' as the string rolls off the tab (over the finger tips).   should I trim the 'excess' off at the finger end???

[scriv]

Just shoot with it and it will become part of you.  

[Diamond Paul]

hickstick: yes, you need to trim it to fit.  Also, IMHO, the tab will show release problems more clearly than a glove will.  Normally, if I don't pull straight through the shot, I will shoot left (right handed).

[Bjorn]

I don't know why your instructor would 'insist' on a tab-more trads use a glove; and some of them shoot pretty good too! LOL!!.
Personally, I prefer a tab but would never tell someone which to use, nor would I go back to a glove just because someone said so.

[buckeye_hunter]

This is going to drive me crazy waiting on the tab to arrive so I can practice with it.