While most recurve archers don’t use a release aid when they shoot their bows, there are some archers who prefer using releases even with recurve bows. Recurves were designed to be shot with the fingers, but there are many different reasons that some people may still use a release instead of shooting with the fingers.
Different archers will use release aids for their own individual reasons. From injuries to personal preference, a release might just feel more comfortable to some archers.
Before we even get started, if you’re new to archery, you need to pick up one of these before you even shoot your first arrow. Trust me, you’ll thank me later – I speak from personal experience.
And if you’re looking into use a release because of an injury – go for it! To anyone who criticizes you shooting a recurve with a release, you could remind them that it’s actually a bit more difficult to shoot this way. As I already mentioned, recurve bows were made to be shot using the fingers.
Whatever the reason you’re interested in shooting your recurve with a release, the tips below should get you on the right path.
Modern releases were designed to be used when shooting modern style compound bows. The compound bows made years ago were designed to be shot with the fingers, until more recently when modern releases showed an improvement in accuracy for compound archers.
Because they were designed with compound bows in mind, most release aids are made to hold the decreased draw weight of a compound bow at full draw. When you pull a recurve bow back to full draw, you’re holding back the full draw weight for that bow.
For Example: With a 100 pound compound bow pulled back at full draw, you may only have to hold back 10 pounds of draw weight because of the cams and the pulley system of a compound bow.
But when you pull back a 50 pound recurve bow to full draw you’ll have to hold back the full 50 pounds, that’s not easy to do for very long.
Holding a recurve bow at full draw for as long as it takes to line up the perfect shot would put a lot of stress on your draw muscles. When shooting recurves with heavier draw weights, you could risk injury if you overdo it.
Also, as most modern releases were designed for compound bows, they’re not intended to hold back larger draw weights for very long. You will want to keep this in mind when you’re shopping for a release. Releases made for higher draw weights will help with this, but it’s still a good idea not to spend too long lining up your shots.
WARNING: You need to always keep in mind that releases that aren’t intended for shooting heavier draw weights could cause an unintended release. That means the arrow being shot accidentally.
Never aim any bow at another person, not even for a second. Safety is always priority number one in archery!
Releases When Shooting in Competitions
If you’re thinking about using your release when competing in any tournaments, there will be some issues with competition rules. Some may not let you compete with a release, or you might end up shooting in a different class.
For example, in both USAA and NFAA tournaments, if using a release you would have to shoot in either the freestyle or bowhunter classes. The problem with that is that instead of competing against other recurve archers – you’d have to compete against mostly compound archers.
They’ll also be using bow sights, stabilizers and all of the high tech modern gear used in target archery. That would put you at a disadvantage if you wanted to use a release in those competitions.
This is almost the same in IBO rules as well. Their rules state that you are only allowed to use a tab, shooting glove or just your fingers if you want to compete in the traditional class. Again, using a release aid would mean that you would have to compete in the compound class.
So shooting recurve bows with release aids in most tournaments and competitions would put you at a disadvantage. If you’re using a release aid because of an injury, this may not apply to you.
There are different classes that may still allow you to compete against other recurve and longbow archers, even if you are using a release. Check the rules of any competitive shoots or tournaments that you’re thinking of competing in before you register.
Releases Alter the Archers’ Paradox
When you release an arrow by shooting with your fingers, the arrows quickly bends back and forth horizontally – from side to side. This makes it possible for the fletchings of the arrow to leave the bow without touching the bow very much.
If you were to use a release aid to shoot the bow, the arrow will bend up and down vertically, instead of side to side. This will mean that the fletchings of the arrow will make a lot more contact with the shelf of the bow. This normally means a lot less accuracy in your shots.
You will need to change your shooting style in order to compensate for this.
One way to lessen the contact of the fletchings with the bow is to use an elevated rest on the shelf of your bow. By twisting the nock on the arrow slightly, the arrow should then be able to leave the bow with less contact.
Another thing that will help you improve accuracy when shooting a recurve with a release is to tune your bow differently. You’ll want to tune your recurve bow as much like a compound bow as possible. Your local archery shop should be able to help you with that, just explain that you want to use a release to shoot your bow.
Also, be sure to pick up one of these to keep your bow tuned up correctly – without having to keep going back to your archery shop all the time.
You probably need to change the arrows that you’re shooting with, too. The arrows that are made for shooting with a recurve bow won’t usually shoot well when using a release.
You may find that you need to shoot heavier arrows when shooting with a release aid. Again, your local archery store should be able to help you figure that out.
Maybe this article has seemed negative when it comes to shooting your recurve with a release, that’s not the idea though. I simply want you to have all of the information before you go out a buy an expensive release that you may not end up using.
The good news is that once most archers get used to shooting their recurve with a release – they get more accurate. They tend to find that their groups get far tighter and that they have more control over where the arrow lands.
You’d be best off to start by using a trigger style release (this one is pretty cheap if you just want to pick one up to try them out). One of the things you’ll probably face is that it’s difficult to find a good anchor point, especially if you’ve been shooting your recurve with your fingers.
You’ll also have to deal with the intense shock of the bowstring slapping back when you release the arrow. Release aids release the string much faster than if you were to use your fingers. Even though it may not seem like much of a difference to you, those milliseconds make a big difference.
This can cause a lot of shock to hit your bow hand with each arrow. Depending on the bow, this could be anywhere from minimal and subtle – to completely aggravating.
The bow will also be much louder due to the extra quick release. Installing some string silencers on your bowstring may help to improve the loud sound, but it could still be pretty loud. Again, this will depend on the specific bow you’re shooting.
Ancient Releases
If you find that a modern release just doesn’t seem to working for you, you do still have some other options for using a release.
Years ago, before compound bows had even been invented, there were lots of archers that used releases. While you may be able to get a hold of a 1950’s or 1960’s type of release, they can be pretty hard to find these days.
You could also try some of the ancient releases that were used by archers hundreds of years ago. There were leather strap style releases, where a leather strap wraps across the bowstring, one end of the strap is attached to a band around your wrist.
You simply hold the leather strap between your thumb and index finger, draw back the bow and let go of the strap to release the arrow. You may be able to buy these online, and there should be some information online if you’re looking to make one on your own.
In Asia, the horse archer’s centuries ago used thumb ring style releases to shoot their horse bows. They are still known today for how accurate they were. The thumb ring was just that, a ring worn around the thumb with a large flat area sticking out from the side.
A loop is tied on to the bowstring at a chosen nocking point. The large flat area of the thumb ring goes through the loop on the bowstring and is pulled back to draw the bow.
To release the arrow, the thumb is simply pulled back and out from the loop on the bowstring.
Just use caution with these other types of releases. Again, safety first in archery at all times.
Either of these types of release aids will allow you to use a release aid – without it releasing the string as fast a modern compound bow release. This should significantly cut down on all of the various issues there are when using modern releases with recurve bows.
The Mechanics
Many archers say that they can easily shoot any arrow using a modern release with a riser that’s cut past center. It’s said that when using a bow that’s not cut to center, you’ll have to shoot weak arrows.
Again this is because of how the archers’ paradox is thrown out of whack when using a modern release. I haven’t tested this myself, so I can’t say for sure if that’s the case.
If you’re used to shooting using your fingers (either split finger or three under), it’s a good idea to attach the release to the bowstring around an inch and a half below the nock of the arrow.
This allows you to get the same (or very similar) sight picture that you would have had when shooting with your fingers.
Be sure to keep your trigger finger behind the trigger. His helps to insure that you don’t accidentally hit the trigger and release the arrow before you’re ready. Once you’ve aimed and are ready to release the arrow, slowly put your trigger finger over the trigger and fire the arrow.
Keep in mind to bring the bowstring back to a full draw, take a breath and lock in on your aiming point. When you’re ready, release the arrow.
Getting a good shot sequence memorized so well that it becomes second nature is important for becoming consistently accurate in archery, whether you’re using a release aid or not.
I hope that this guide has given you enough information to at least get started shooting with a release aid, whether it’s a modern one, a vintage one from the 50’s or one of the ancient releases that have been used throughout history.
Since most release aids weren’t meant for use with recurve bows, there’s a lot of trial and error when it comes to figuring it all out for each individual bow. There are so few recurve archers out there using releases that there’s a lack of enough good information on the subject.
While things like arrow lengths and weights will vary from bow to bow, so will which bowstrings are best to use with release. There are so many factors that can alter how the bow shoots, a little change can make a large difference in your shot.
The long and short answer is that you’re just going to have to test out a lot of things for yourself before you find out exactly what works best for you. Good luck in your quest and as always, get out there and get shooting!