Thumb release vs wrist release?

[270hunter]

I’ve only ever used a wrist release. I’m curious which do you prefer for target shooting and which for hunting. I know people swear by the accuracy and consistency of a thumb release but Ive never used a thumb release. I just like the feeling of the release always on me when I’m walking in the woods instead of having to grab it. Let me know what you prefer.

[501s]

I’ve been where you are. After a few years of a wrist release and watching a lot of John Dudley videos I decided to try a thumb release. I started with a $60 Amazon wolf. It’s was ok. I liked the feeling of it. Then I ordered an Nock2it. Much better release and I few to really like it. I felt like I was improving. Then hunting season rolled around and I realized after the first could days that I do NOT like walking around with that release in my hand and I didn’t like leaving it hanging on the D loop.

At this point I thought, maybe I should try my wrist release again. So I did and to my surprise I was shooting better then with the Nock2it. That was September last year and I’m back on my wrist release 100% of the time since.

As cool as the thumb releases were I just preferred the wrist release for a lot of reasons.

Good luck. It’s a fun journey.

[270hunter]

Thanks for your reply. Whenever I go to 3D shoots it seems like most have them but that’s not to say you can’t shoot well with wrist releases I guess. You confirmed my thinking that their not practical. I would hate to miss out on a great opportunity in the attempt to gain a tad more consistency in my accuracy. Thanks again

[501s]

No worries. I still enjoy shooting my Nock2it, but I didn’t like hunting with it. Also, they are quite cold because they are all metal. Not a big deal early season, but in cold temps I didn’t like it.


One thing that made me change back was seeing guys like Remy Warren, Mark Kenyon and Cam Hanes. If a wrist release was good enough for Pro’s like them to shoot 400+ Bull Elk and Big Horn Sheep, it’s surely good enough for me to shoot a 100” whitetail lol.

[270hunter]

Good point about the metal. Just watched a video of Joe Rohan and cam Hanes shooting at 110 yards no problem with a wrist release. They make it look so easy!

[338Bluff]

Originally Posted by 270hunter

Thanks for your reply. Whenever I go to 3D shoots it seems like most have them but that’s not to say you can’t shoot well with wrist releases I guess. You confirmed my thinking that their not practical. I would hate to miss out on a great opportunity in the attempt to gain a tad more consistency in my accuracy. Thanks again

Most of those are actually hinge (back tension) releases, not thumb releases. I prefer the thumb and with a bit of practice and adjustment you can use it like a hinge.

If I was only going to hunt from a ground blind or tree stand I might be tempted to use a thumb or hinge release. The main reason I don't is I've yet to lose a release that's buckled to my wrist.

For pure accuracy the hinges will usually
be better.

[270hunter]

Interesting, I didn’t realize they were. Have you ever had a unintentional shot during your draw?

[DirtShooter]

Originally Posted by 270hunter

Interesting, I didn’t realize they were. Have you ever had a unintentional shot during your draw?

I have, twice with my Nock2It, ****ed me off so bad thought about selling the thing after. Both though were times I clipped it to the bow in anticipation of being ready when a deer shows itself and saving those 2 seconds cost me 2 deer. So now I will never clip it to my bow and wait because I forget to prop my thumb behind it while drawing and a premature release happens.