Over the summer I've tried several tabs, none of which I can really remember the names of. I've shot with plain leather or deerskin tabs, some with some really smooth polished leather, and some with artificial surfaces. Try and try as I might, I could never get consistent with them. I had days I shot real well with them, and days I couldn't hit my hind end with my own back quiver.
I feel I gave the tab a fair shake, but the other night I finally tossed it aside for good, and went back to my good old Damascus glove. I like the thinner fingers,thick enough to protect my fingers, but still a good feel of the string.
My anchor feels right. My arrows are now going back to where they belong.
I can't say for sure why I even tried the tab, other than to say i did it, but inconsistency has no place in the hunting woods.
Funny thing is, my youngest son also tried a tab, and he tossed his glove aside, and is shooting great with the calfskin tab he got at the GLLI. Good for him.
I ended up the same way as you. I went through about 8 different tabs one year. I never could get consistent enough with one. For some reason, I would develop a "claw" draw when using the tabs. I really wanted to use one so I could wear a light glove when hunting.
Quitter!! I'm just the opposite, started with a glove switched to a tab and never looked back. Use whatever works.
I never liked them either.I've tried and tried with them but they're just too darn akward.
Never could figure out consistent shooting with one. I'll stick to my glove!
I'm with Mike. I tried a glove a few times; it feels awkward and I can't feel my face.
I love tabs...want my mailing address?
I go back and forth,,can't seem to find a good or bad thing about either,except a glove won't fall off.
I can't shoot them either and have tried. I am sticking with my glove, a Blackwidow PDQ.
Well I switched this year to a tab. What I found is I had to change my anchor because without the glove's extra material I couldn't get to my mouth without hitting my lip or something with the string. After that I found I needed to get them short so they only got to my first joint with an open hand or end of my tips with a deep hook. That took out a lot of the left shooting I was getting at first. I shoot split finger. Now I am playing with 3 under, and I think I may try a glove with that because my tab anchor puts the nock at my eye with 3 under. I don't care for that.
I have used a super achery mitt(tab) and they are awesome. Course been using the same one for 22 years now! Got a new one not long ago and started to break it in with pitch blend and usage BUT I just cant retire the old tab as he is battle hardened!!
Work for some not for others?
J
Different strokes...
I found a glove was in my way all the time doing the 1001 other things you do besides drawing a bow while in the woods. I've been using a simple one hole target tab for 15 years or so.
QuoteOriginally posted by Three Arrows:
I ended up the same way as you. I went through about 8 different tabs one year. I never could get consistent enough with one. For some reason, I would develop a "claw" draw when using the tabs. I really wanted to use one so I could wear a light glove when hunting.
Ditto for me....it's just all about finding what is comfortable for you. Went through the same experience with quivers (a much more expensive experimentation period :rolleyes: ).
I think most tabs have too much junk on them, making them difficult for some to shoot comfortably. A simple one-hole, single layer codovan leather tab, no finger spacer, works fine for me, and is way better than a glove for me, as I get a much better feel for my anchor, and can get the string in close to the corner of my mouth; I was never able to do that with a glove.
I use a light cordavon leather tab with my Damascus glove. Yea...I know its wierd but between the two I can feel the string and with the tab I get a smoother release. Find what works for you and stick with it. Sometimes you already have the best thing going for you and just don't know it...till you try something else. I think that is what makes all of this fun.
The last few PA archery seasons have gotten pretty cold by the end. With a shooting glove I really couldn't wear a glove on my right hand because I didn't like the release I had on the string with a hunting glove over my shooting glove. I am not a fan of keeping my hands in my pockets when hunting, don't ask me why. This year I tried a Cavalier tab and wish I would have switched years ago. My release is smoother (my "plucking" problem on release is gone), I am no longer spinning the arrow when drawing, it has just really improved my shooting. Might just be mental, but it worked. Plus with the elastic cord I can use my hunting gloves, both light and heavy, and it doesn't change my shooting. I tried already to be sure.
I think of all the tabs I tried, the ones Icut out of a piece of tanned deer hide worked the best. But I shot today with a deerskin work glove on while I was working on ground blinds, and shot really good.
Maybe next year I'll tinker with.... carbon shafts. LOL
tried tabs also but went back to a glove. old habits die hard lol
Shoot with what you are happy with as long as you shoot well. I shoot better with a tab, but I started with one in 1965.
I shoot with a cordovan tab and trimmed it down a bit. Once trimmed to fit my fingers better my groups improved another 10%
I only soot with a tab,hate losing them and having to break in a new one...PR
Tab here also - basic piece of cordavan well trimmed. With over 55#, I will add another thin layer. Never could get used to a glove.
Steve