No glove or tab?

[buckeyebowhunter]

I used to always hunt/shoot with either a glove or tab. Years ago I started with a tab and after I wore it out I switched and tried a glove and I liked it for a while and used gloves for a few years, then switched back to a tab and ultimately decided tabs were the best. One day over the summer after watching the masters of the barebow vol 1 and listening to Roger talk about triple serving his strings I decided to try this and actually hunted with one of my bows this way this year. I think i have come to the conclusion that using no tab or glove especially when hunting may be ideal for me. Other than a small callus on my index finger and the occasional sore fingers from shooting all day I have seen no negatives to shooting this way.  I like the fact that I dont have to worry about carrying a glove or tab and possibly forgetting it or losing it somehow on a hunt. Does anyone else prefer shooting/hunting without a tab or glove?

[iohkus]

I know this isn't the point of your question, but I plan on learning to use a thumb ring this summer.

[bowfanatik]

Frankly, I'd prefer to not have to be messing around with a glove or tab, but I'm afraid that I damaged the nerves in the fingertips. My bow is 60 pound on my draw length

[Alexander Traditional]

I'm doing this right now. I can only shoot for a limited time,but my shooting is a lot better. I think once I get more used to it I will be all right.

[Paul_R]

I can't get a decent release with gloves or tabs either. I use RPM Slicks.

   Slicks

They work like No-Glovs but better. Softer and no finger pinching preformed grooves. And being black they just look like fat serving. I have 'em on all my bows.

   

[Kris]

 

Does anyone else prefer shooting/hunting without a tab or glove?

I have always hunted this way.  Lots of reasons for it; here are a few, in no particular order:  

1 - I hunt a lot of late season in WI and simply pull my hand(s) from my fleece-lined leather mittens to shoot.  A glove or tab would hinder the efficiency of this process.  

2 - One less thing I have to carry, one less thing to forget, or lose, or be dependent upon.  

3 - I know exactly where the arrow knock is in relation to the string, better dexterity.

4 - I can obtain a very clean release.

5 - The reduction of gear and the simplicity of this practice is consistent with my traditional values.

I often practice w/o a glove (not always though) or tab as well, it conditions the fingers.

Kris

[fnshtr]

Just tried it this year when my glove got soaked in a driving rain. Love the "feel"... as stated above.

Only negative so far is that I can't shoot as many arrows during practice... yet.

[Wudstix]

Usually just hunt with a light weight camo glove on.

[swamper]

Never liked a glove or tab and have used the no gloves for as long as I can remember.  I have shot in cold weather with my regular light gloves on with no problems too.

[swamper]

like to add I always carry a string I have used prior and it's set up with the no gloves

[swamper]

like to add I always carry a string I have used prior and it's set up with the no gloves

[Bear Heart]

My bowyer shoots with duct tape on the serving.

[BUCKY]

Those Slicks are awesome! How many do you need to shoot 3 under?

[BUCKY]

Paul what bow is that?

[Stumpkiller]

My little office-worker piddies can't take it.  I have hunted and taken a deer with bare fingers - when I forgot a tab.  Which is OK because I'm good for about one shot without a glove or tab.      :eek:    

I now carry one on my hand, one in my day pack and always have a spare in my car.

[Paul_R]

Originally posted by BUCKY:
Paul what bow is that?

That's a Stalker Renegade. They're called Dingos now though.

[monterey]

My dad and I knew a fellow in his club who shot bare fingers.  Had pretty substantial calluses.  One day the string tore one of his callusses off!    

For cold weather, I find that I can leave the tab on my finger and slide the hand into the glove allowing the tab to push up into the palm.  Works ok, but I don't hunt in the kind of cold that some of you Eastern stump sitters and tree climbers do!!

[RAGHORN 3]

I have often thought about using a batters or golfers glove? Cut the thumb and pinkie off, it's not as thick as the bowhunter's gloves, but still offers some protection to my office desk hands...  

[dragonheart]

Ryan Rotthar I belief shoots with no glove or tab with serving built up.  Might PM him.

[maineac]

I used to put cloth athletic tape on my compound and shoot no glove or tab.  When I went trad I was worried the extra weight on the string would slow it down.  I find I get a bit smoother release with a tab because it keeps my middle and ring finger a single unit.  I used to find my ring finger sometimes lagged on the string on the release.

I just keep an extra tab or two in my pack, and one or two extra in the truck, I make my own so cost is not an issue.