Back tension for hunting?
- Grizzlyadam
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Back tension for hunting?
Anyone use a back tension release for deer hunting? I'm due for a new bow set up this year and thinking of trying a back tension release. I've battled target panic and trigger punching for far too long, I'm ready to try something different. Anyone with experience, pros and cons? Also what specific back tension release would you recommend for a deer hunting application?
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Re: Back tension for hunting?
I battled target panic for a long time with a thumb release but still shot well. Just wasn’t correct and it bothered me. Shot a bunch of indoor and 3d before I decided I needed to do something. Shot a carter evolution for awhile till I was cured. Forces you to pull through shots. Took some getting used to but worked. Even hunted with it for a few years with success now it is a spare in my pack.
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Re: Back tension for hunting?
Here is an interesting article i found that really made sense to me.
Especially when the article gets near the end and they talk about trigger pull.
http://www.lancasterarchery.com/blog/mi ... t-archery/
I changed the way I shoot last year before I ran across this article. Even though my release trigger is cranked tight I still can't achieve as heavy a trigger pull as i would like so with my release I actually start the shot process by applying pressure with my trigger finger to the body of the release just ahead of the actual trigger. My finger eventually migrates back to the trigger and the shot goes off, unexpected, and while the pin is held rock solid on the target. Actually works pretty good.
I still would like to find a different release that would give me about a 3-6lb pull range, preferably with a longer trigger travel too.
3 more days to go for me and it's the off season, good time to start looking.
Especially when the article gets near the end and they talk about trigger pull.
http://www.lancasterarchery.com/blog/mi ... t-archery/
I changed the way I shoot last year before I ran across this article. Even though my release trigger is cranked tight I still can't achieve as heavy a trigger pull as i would like so with my release I actually start the shot process by applying pressure with my trigger finger to the body of the release just ahead of the actual trigger. My finger eventually migrates back to the trigger and the shot goes off, unexpected, and while the pin is held rock solid on the target. Actually works pretty good.
I still would like to find a different release that would give me about a 3-6lb pull range, preferably with a longer trigger travel too.
3 more days to go for me and it's the off season, good time to start looking.
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Re: Back tension for hunting?
You can and people do. I just made the commitment to go to back tension after some trigger punching and anticipation. I am now in the first week of no sight on the bow blank bale shooting with back tension. I am shooting a silver back (2 finger Carter evolution).
My hope is to be able to shoot a thumb trigger in the future for hunting but if not I will use the back tension release until I can. I'm following John Dudley's advice on how to get rid of target panic and trigger punching.
I can definitely notice when my shots aren't good and my form breaks down with this release. When it isn't going off right your form is wrong. I also now know what a true surprise shot feels like.
My hope is to be able to shoot a thumb trigger in the future for hunting but if not I will use the back tension release until I can. I'm following John Dudley's advice on how to get rid of target panic and trigger punching.
I can definitely notice when my shots aren't good and my form breaks down with this release. When it isn't going off right your form is wrong. I also now know what a true surprise shot feels like.
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Re: Back tension for hunting?
X3 on the Carter evolution. I struggled baddddddd . This release changed everything for me. I hunt with it and it has worked great. Your not going to take those moving shots with it though so be ok going in that you may have to pass up a shot or two. Shouldn't be shooting on a moving animal anyway.
John 6:47: "I'm telling you the most solemn and sober truth now: Whoever believes in me has real life, eternal life. I am the Bread of life.
- ghoasthunter
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Re: Back tension for hunting?
i went too scott longhorn hinge release 2 years ago for target panic after shooting every day all summer i was proficient with it. i shot 4 deer with it that season without a problem. once you get used too it it really does help. this year im cured and i went back too a carter quickie release. i now have full control of my shots and can even shoot spots with my wrist rocket. your going the right direction buy admitting you have target panic and you are not alone. i went too a big bow shoot buy me last year and was surprised how many people have target panic. most people are too stubborn or hard headed too admit they have some form of target panic. i recommend you check out knock on archery and follow along with john threw his you tube program. https://www.youtube.com/user/nockonarchery after watching his content ive become totally proficient at shooting. i no longer shoot surprised now i shoot with full control of my shot process. this season im 3 for 3 on heart shot deer with the bow. whats nice with his program is its broken down into segments so if you find yourself struggling with a certain part you can go back and review. target panic is different for everybody so being able to understand and break down on certain points and identify whats going on is the most important part. one problem can cause a chain reaction in your shot. shooting just back tension blank bale is not a cure all its a process that will make you a better shooter once i figured that out i was fixed in a month.
THE MOST IMPORTANT TOOL A HUNTER HAS IS BETWEEN HIS SHOULDERS
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Re: Back tension for hunting?
I hate target panic, it crept up on me slowly over the years. I switched from a wrist strap to a thumb this year and found that target panic with a thumb release is worse. When I anticipate the shot with the thumb release I have missed the target completely where using a wrist strap I wouldn't hit may mark, but I'd stay on the target at least. A big contributor was I was afraid the release would fire if I was wearing thick gloves or brushed against a collared hunting coat, so I tightened up the trigger resistance right before season....not good.
To clarify, since I am new to back tension releases, are you looking to switch to a true back tension (resistance activated) or a hinge activated release? Does any one hunt with either style? Is there a difference of opinion when considering a hunting application for each style?
To clarify, since I am new to back tension releases, are you looking to switch to a true back tension (resistance activated) or a hinge activated release? Does any one hunt with either style? Is there a difference of opinion when considering a hunting application for each style?
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Re: Back tension for hunting?
ghoasthunter wrote:. i recommend you check out knock on archery and follow along with john threw his you tube program. https://www.youtube.com/user/nockonarchery after watching his content ive become totally proficient at shooting. i no longer shoot surprised now i shoot with full control of my shot process. this season im 3 for 3 on heart shot deer with the bow. whats nice with his program is its broken down into segments so if you find yourself struggling with a certain part you can go back and review. target panic is different for everybody so being able to understand and break down on certain points and identify whats going on is the most important part. one problem can cause a chain reaction in your shot. shooting just back tension blank bale is not a cure all its a process that will make you a better shooter once i figured that out i was fixed in a month.
Ghosthunter I agree, John Dudley and Nock On has helped me tons in understanding correct shot process. I've listed to over 150 hours of his podcasts and watched all his videos. I'm on his cure target panic program to become a better archer.
I do disagree though that you say you no longer shoot surprised. That's directly against what Dudley preaches. He wants a surprise shot every time. When you start to anticipate is when the panic has a chance to start. Once you start thinking this shot is gonna go off right "now" it leads down a bad road. I'm not saying you shouldn't have control of the shot process and repeatable timing, just that it should be a surprise shot as opposed to this release is going to go off right "now".
But I suggest everyone to watch "John Dudley mastering the release aid" on youtube and make your own opinions.
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Re: Back tension for hunting?
Food for thought.....
https://youtu.be/mE4HyOEyMIA
Dudley how to beat target panic-- good watch.
http://www.bowhuntingmag.com/editorial/ ... aid/309711
Dudley - "perfectly unanticipated, surprise shot"
I'm a big fan of what Dudley does for teaching the archery world and trying to help everyone become a better archer. He's what Dan is to the beast hunting world - just trying to help everyone by sharing the knowledge gained through lots of years of experience.
https://youtu.be/mE4HyOEyMIA
Dudley how to beat target panic-- good watch.
http://www.bowhuntingmag.com/editorial/ ... aid/309711
Dudley - "perfectly unanticipated, surprise shot"
I'm a big fan of what Dudley does for teaching the archery world and trying to help everyone become a better archer. He's what Dan is to the beast hunting world - just trying to help everyone by sharing the knowledge gained through lots of years of experience.
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Re: Back tension for hunting?
I had target panic bad and now for the last 2 years been using a Whalen hooker release and love it. Harvested 7 whitetail and 1 pig last year and 3 deer and 2 pigs this year.
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Re: Back tension for hunting?
How does a true back tension release work in many hunting situations where you only have a set moment where you 'have' to let that arrow go? Just start pulling really hard?? Do you just accept that fact that you are going to lose out on some shot opportunities?
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Re: Back tension for hunting?
I usually stop the animal before I start shot process. It only takes about 3 seconds for my shot to happen. It awesome being able to hold pin on animal and aim, something I could never do in the past
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Re: Back tension for hunting?
Best move I ever made, i wounded several animals due to my target panic issue that I didn’t know how to control, so it was either stop hunting or shoot pure backtension release. BEST Decision I ever made with going backtension release
- Grizzlyadam
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Re: Back tension for hunting?
I have control of my target panic and have learned how to shoot without any problem, but I constantly have to stay conditioned to maintain or it can easily creep back up on me. It takes a lot of the fun out of archery and makes it more of a chore to stay sharp before and during hunting season. I shoot a LOT! I'm the kind of person that figures out what works for me and I tend to stick with it for a long time. I just want to be sure that back tension style release for hunting will not be creating any unforeseen new problems before I dive into making the switch.
- ThePreBanMan
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Re: Back tension for hunting?
I don't care for the style - personal preference. I wish I could remember the name of the video, but there's a vid on YouTube of a guy showing you "how to use a back tension release" and he accidentally fires his bow not once, not twice, but 3 times during the initial process of drawing back. I thought the guy was just an idiot until I saw someone do the same at an archery shop that has a range in the back... I was trying out a bow I was considering and he was on the line next to me...
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