Time for a new bow
 

I will be looking for a new bow this year. Here is the challenge I have. I have been shooting a compound bow for 25 years. Bought my last new one 24 years ago, it has been a faithful companion on many a hunt. I am still a dinosaur when it comes to how I shoot. I prefer to use my fingers rather than a release. Does anyone make a bow with a long enough axle to axle length that it can comfortably be shot with fingers? Do any of you guys have any suggestions?

Martin did have a model still with the longer axle to axle. Could check APA as well, they may. You may have to do some looking, but I am sure other companies have models as well

OK here goes. Like you Iam shall we say advanced in age. I also shot older bows with fingers. Thought it was the best thing since sliced bread. Then one of the youngin's let me use his 10 year old compound with a 65% let off and a string loop and release. Man what a difference all that has made. Since then Iam on my second bow with all the latest and greatest. Currently shooting a Matthews Drenalin.

Since upgrading my shoot has improved 100%. Now understand I do not claim to be a great shot but man its awesome to shoot 2" groups and 20 yds and even 4" groups at 40 yds. I actually shoot my bow better than a handgun. For me I would never go back to fingers. Its like going from Iron Sites to a Scope.

Thats not to say your wrong with finger shooting and if that what you want go for it. Bowhunting is hard enough and I need every edge I can get.

The biggest issue with getting a new bow is the volume of options. There are several options in the longer axle-to-axle lengths that work well for finger shooters. In no particular order, here goes...

Hoyt - Vantage line, Contender line
Elite - Tour (very smooth draw, good valley & wall)
Mathews - Conquest line
Bowtech - Specialist
Darton - DS4500
Martin - Scepter V Pro

I'm sure there are a bunch that I've missed, but these would be a good place to start. Find one that feels good to you, and shoot as many as possible before making up your mind.

Buckhunter- I have tried different types of releases and did not find them to improve my shooting much at all. When I go to shoot I use a very small target- typically a pop bottle lid. My groups tend to be very tight as it is. You are not the first to make such a statement to me though. I may need to execise more patience in shooting a release and learning how to properly use it.

Scalerman, I know when I went from fingers to a release my 3D scores went up over 50 points on average a round. Like you I used a small target to practice with.

Nothing wrong with fingers, but finger shooters are getting fewer. Oyr clubs shoot this past weekend did not have a finger shooter that I saw, unless they were shooting a traditional bow.

It would be great to be able to shoot a bow with a release in order to see if I really do want to go that way. As I mentioned earlier I have tried using a release but found it to be less than desirable for me. I would hate to buy a bow and then find out I hate shooting with a release for real and be stuck with it.

scalerman,

I'm a release shooter. I switched a long time ago. Guess I just got used to squeezing a trigger to shoot (excessive amount of trigger time with firearms and crossbows). If you're a finger shooter with a lot of experience in bow shooting, there's no sense in changing a good thing. Less mechanical devices to depend on. If something works, there's not much need to change. JMHO

A few extra words of advice that are probably not necessary but worth saying: look for as long of a bow as possible (40" or better would be ideal - sorry to say recent trends have made bows that long nearly obsolete as most archers are shooting releases). A close friend recently purchased a Bowtech specialist and loves it. He shoots with a release, but the longer axle-to-axle length makes it finger-shooter friendly.

Keep doing what you're doing, and find equipment suitable for your style. Good luck!

My bow hunting partner who does use a release told me- so far Phil you have never forgotten your fingers back at camp. LOL.

Well I have a new bow. My new girlfriend got it for me. I do shoot it with a release and am able to hit what I am shooting at most of the time. I do need to do lots of work to make sure I am more consistent with it.

any quality bow shop should have something you can shoot to try a release, the string loop makes me think "how did i ever live without this? not to mention this will give you the option to shoot a smaller bow if you so desire

Well, I persevered and got proficient with the release and managed to put a deer on the ground with it. Headed out tomorrow for a weeks' worth of bowhunting for moose, deer and elk. I was wakened at 2:30 this morning by a bugling bull elk. Kinda sorta excited to get out there. Loading up the truck tonight.

Went to newer compound twenty some years ago. Have never been without at least a deer every year since. One pal says, "Sh*t, one deer a year ain't nothing" I agree, but went w/o any for years before I switched.

Took down a bull moose with my bow on my hunting trip. I will try to figure out how get a picture on here for you guys to see. Been a great year so far.