Your Favorite Release for Hunting

[CurlyTail]

Well - I ordered a bow last weekend. Hoyt Nitrum 34. 55-65lbs. Going to be for Elk Hunting and target shooting in the back yard. No competitions in sight for me. Now shopping for accessiories. New bow will not be in for a couple of weeks. Lets start with releases. Interested in opinions in what type of release you favor and why? I have a ten year old wrist release that needs upgrading. My brother recently switched to a Thumb release and really likes it. I would love to be able to clip my release onto my D loop and carry it on the bow rather than on my wrist all the time, but perhaps not if it is noisy and flops around all day, and maybe falls off on occasion. What works best for you?

[Toby]

I might clip a release on my bow in a tree stand, but not when chasing elk, I'm afraid it would be gone at the moment of truth I tried a thumb release and just can't get used to them although many say that their shooting improved a lot when they switched to one.

I just bought a Carter RX1 today. I also shot a Carter Like Mike. Carters have the absolutely best trigger on the market. I have shot Scott wrist straps which are also very good and the Trufire Hardcore Max. But, none of them compared with the Carters. They come with the Scott's Leather buckle strap which is great. I shot the two Carters for about an hour today, and to,be truthful,I've never shot so well. I just couldn't make up my mind, I finally walked out with the RX1, but would have been just as happy with the Like Mike. The head of the RX1 is very small and, unlike metal barreled releases, it is attached to an NCS strap so you can fine tune it to your exact anchor. You hardly know you have it on.

To me, other than your broadhead, I think the release is the next most important piece of equipment. Go to some shops and shoot as many as you can, just make sure you try a Carter.

Good luck in your search.

[chipick]

Spot Hogg wise guy release for me and I love it. My hunting partner and some coworkers recommended it to me, and it has a lifetime warranty just need to pay shipping.

[Freebird134]

Treestand hunting you can use a hand held release, but not if you are moving. I'm 100% sold on wrist straps, and open hook releases (it's sooooo easy to clip onto a d loop)

I shot a scott silver horn for a long time, and it's a great release. The spring that resets the trigger broke (I think) after 4 years and it is currently at Scott for repair. I might go back to this release.

Always tinkering, I bought a Carter Like Mike this year and have been shooting it for months. I killed a turkey with it last week, but I'm done with it. It's just not a practical hunting release for me. You have to "cock" it.... it clicks. The hook doesn't automatically reset. Yes, it's a crisp trigger, but I shot my Scott just as good.

I got a Spot Hogg Wise Guy on clearance at Cabelas for $35. I knew I wouldn't like it, but couldn't resist for the price. It has a SUPER lightweight trigger, which I don't like. Also, you have to manually push the hook back each time. I wasn't a fan.

I picked up a Tru Ball Fang release last week. Shot it today, and I like it. Yes, the carter is a better engineered release than most, but for me a hunting release needs to do the following:

1. Be affordable enough I can have 2 of them.
2. open hook design
3. med-heavy trigger so it doesn't accidentally go off.

Not required, but I do like a trigger forward design. besides a litter more draw length (which does increase speed slightly, but more importantly increases sighting distance), I just find it really comfortable for quickly loading onto the d-loop.

Releases are personal. One man's favorite will be hated by another.

[otcWill]

Carter Lucky or Hamskea Droptine

[Fridaythe13th]

I have the tru fire "edge" For running and gunning elk I need a wrist strap. and it also flip out of the way so I don't hit the tree pegs when climbing into me tree stand WT hunting. I am looking for a backup or new don't know if I should try a new style or stick with the same

[ishy]

I use a tru ball short and sweet. It's been more than reliable for 6 or 7 years now.

[Ridge Ghost]

I have been using a Carter Quickie for years and I really like it.

[CurlyTail]

I am researching all these suggestions. Thanks for the input.

[sasquatch]

always liked scott, but have a carter also, just haven't got to the point im ready to hunt with it. It has a diff feel

[Toby]

One with adjustable trigger tension(heavy) and trigger travel(0), can help you shoot by pulling through the shot rather than punching the trigger. I already mentioned the Like Mike, spendy but highly adjustable. Don't worry about the click, I have mine already cocked when I am hunting. If you look in the classifieds on AT, you can find great deals on used ones. Or, order several different ones from LAS, try them and return the ones you don't want, just costs return shipping, $6-7.

[CurlyTail]

Never tried an open hook release. Any issues with those releasing the string unexpectedly? I can see how easy it would be to hook onto the D loop. Also, do you just get used to the wrist strap on your hand all day or any tricks to minimize the annoyance of something obstructing your hand. For instance, I like to hike with trekking poles - and I can see the wrist strap being in the way for sure. Interested how you guys handle that issue.

[Ridge Ghost]

Never tried an open hook release. Any issues with those releasing the string unexpectedly? I can see how easy it would be to hook onto the D loop. Also, do you just get used to the wrist strap on your hand all day or any tricks to minimize the annoyance of something obstructing your hand. For instance, I like to hike with trekking poles - and I can see the wrist strap being in the way for sure. Interested how you guys handle that issue.

I much prefer the open hook style. It's much easier to hook onto the D-loop, and the hook is curved enough that I've never had it slip off. Once you start giving it tension to draw back, the pressure will make it stay put.

As far as the wrist strap, I leave mine on all day and don't give it a second thought. I do use trekking poles, but not when I'm actively hunting. Packing in though, yes, and my release will still be on.

[Toby]

No worry about the hook coming off, it can't. I would worry more about getting my caliper hooked up when I was a little nervous.

I believe the Hardcore Max release has a fold back buckle strap that keeps the release folded back agains your wrist. Other brands may also.

I will also be hunting with trekking poles this year and my Carter doesn't have the fold back feature, but you can stick the end of the release up your shirt sleeve. Or, spin it around so it is on top of your wrist when hiking.

[bowpackerrob]

Spot Hogg wise guy for elk, Scott exxus for deer. I think the wise guy is one of the most durable and tough releases made in my opinion.

[Heartwood]

Carter Quickie for hunting. Buckle type wrist strap. Carter three finger with thumb trigger for target work. I would loose any release in the field without a strap.

[bowhunter04]

I use a Scott Little Goose. It's worked great for about 6 years.

[pointysticks]

i think it's one of those situations where you just stick with the one you start with.. forever.

i use a Truball tornado, which is kinda old school now.

i tried the HardCore, but it really messed with my groups. next time i get a new bow, i'll try a new release as well. clean slate.

so lesson learned? buy two of them.

[elkaholic]

Currently I have the Scott Little Bitty Goose NCS and really like it. I am looking at the Carter RX2 as I like an open hook design and the swept back trigger.

There are lots of good releases out there. You just have to find the one that fits YOU.

[vertical limit]

I shoot the Scott Little BItty Goose with the wrist strap that has a closure much like a belt. Not the velcro one. It's too noisy and the velcro wears out. I have been using this release for 3 years. I've never had a failure and it is very easy to adjust. Great release for all conditions. And it's QUIET.