Shooting a bow requires concentration and discipline to achieve accuracy. Over time, archery has seen a number of technological advancements that aid in the ability to shoot. One of these advancements came in 1970, when release aids were introduced at the U.S. national archery competition. Today, there are several different types of bow releases.
Finger Release
Finger bow releases--sometimes called handheld releases--are popular among competitive archers and growing in popularity among bowhunters. Bowhunters can attach the finger release to the bow string while they call or handle equipment and wait for the game to present a shot. This release type has a high level of sensitivity that aids in accurate shooting. The trigger system on the release is activated with back-tension or a thumb trigger. Shooting a bow with a finger release requires dedicated time and practice to master.
Caliper Release
Caliper releases--sometimes called wrist strap releases--are identified by the wrist strap that wraps around the archer's wrist. The strap is fastened using velcro, fabric fastener or buckle strap. From the strap, the release extends out to one or two calipers that attach to the bow string or loop. On the side of the calipers will be a trigger that is activated with the index finger. The caliper release is popular among bowhunters because it can be adjusted easily to fit your shooting style. The release can rotate freely to minimize shooting torque when shooting from various hunting positions, such as tree stands or extreme angles. Since the release is strapped to the wrist, additional torque is reduced because it allows the hands and fingers to stay relaxed at full draw and during the shot.
Hydraulic Release
Hydraulic and automatic releases are the newest addition to types of bow releases. These releases don't use a trigger to launch the arrow; but use an automatic timer set by the archer. The timer must be pre-set and can be adjusted from zero to 6 seconds after reaching full draw. For example, if the release is set for 3 seconds, once you are at full draw, the release will automatically launch the arrow after 3 seconds. For safety reasons, there is an optional safety to prevent an arrow from flying. The automatic release isn't recommended for beginners and is most common among competitive shooters.
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