I used to always hunt/shoot with either a glove or tab. Years ago I started with a tab and after I wore it out I switched and tried a glove and I liked it for a while and used gloves for a few years, then switched back to a tab and ultimately decided tabs were the best. One day over the summer after watching the masters of the barebow vol 1 and listening to Roger talk about triple serving his strings I decided to try this and actually hunted with one of my bows this way this year. I think i have come to the conclusion that using no tab or glove especially when hunting may be ideal for me. Other than a small callus on my index finger and the occasional sore fingers from shooting all day I have seen no negatives to shooting this way. I like the fact that I dont have to worry about carrying a glove or tab and possibly forgetting it or losing it somehow on a hunt. Does anyone else prefer shooting/hunting without a tab or glove?
I know this isn't the point of your question, but I plan on learning to use a thumb ring this summer.
Frankly, I'd prefer to not have to be messing around with a glove or tab, but I'm afraid that I damaged the nerves in the fingertips. My bow is 60 pound on my draw length
I'm doing this right now. I can only shoot for a limited time,but my shooting is a lot better. I think once I get more used to it I will be all right.
I can't get a decent release with gloves or tabs either. I use RPM Slicks.
Slicks (http://www.rpmbowfishing.com/slicks/)
They work like No-Glovs but better. Softer and no finger pinching preformed grooves. And being black they just look like fat serving. I have 'em on all my bows.
(http://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h312/pjriss/20131227_114440.jpg)
Quote
Does anyone else prefer shooting/hunting without a tab or glove? I have always hunted this way. Lots of reasons for it; here are a few, in no particular order:
1 - I hunt a lot of late season in WI and simply pull my hand(s) from my fleece-lined leather mittens to shoot. A glove or tab would hinder the efficiency of this process.
2 - One less thing I have to carry, one less thing to forget, or lose, or be dependent upon.
3 - I know exactly where the arrow knock is in relation to the string, better dexterity.
4 - I can obtain a very clean release.
5 - The reduction of gear and the simplicity of this practice is consistent with my traditional values.
I often practice w/o a glove (not always though) or tab as well, it conditions the fingers.
Kris
Just tried it this year when my glove got soaked in a driving rain. Love the "feel"... as stated above.
Only negative so far is that I can't shoot as many arrows during practice... yet.
Usually just hunt with a light weight camo glove on.
Never liked a glove or tab and have used the no gloves for as long as I can remember. I have shot in cold weather with my regular light gloves on with no problems too.
like to add I always carry a string I have used prior and it's set up with the no gloves
like to add I always carry a string I have used prior and it's set up with the no gloves
My bowyer shoots with duct tape on the serving.
Those Slicks are awesome! How many do you need to shoot 3 under?
Paul what bow is that?
My little office-worker piddies can't take it. I have hunted and taken a deer with bare fingers - when I forgot a tab. Which is OK because I'm good for about one shot without a glove or tab. :eek:
I now carry one on my hand, one in my day pack and always have a spare in my car.
QuoteOriginally posted by BUCKY:
Paul what bow is that?
That's a Stalker Renegade. They're called Dingos now though.
My dad and I knew a fellow in his club who shot bare fingers. Had pretty substantial calluses. One day the string tore one of his callusses off! :scared:
For cold weather, I find that I can leave the tab on my finger and slide the hand into the glove allowing the tab to push up into the palm. Works ok, but I don't hunt in the kind of cold that some of you Eastern stump sitters and tree climbers do!!
I have often thought about using a batters or golfers glove? Cut the thumb and pinkie off, it's not as thick as the bowhunter's gloves, but still offers some protection to my office desk hands... :dunno:
Ryan Rotthar I belief shoots with no glove or tab with serving built up. Might PM him.
I used to put cloth athletic tape on my compound and shoot no glove or tab. When I went trad I was worried the extra weight on the string would slow it down. I find I get a bit smoother release with a tab because it keeps my middle and ring finger a single unit. I used to find my ring finger sometimes lagged on the string on the release.
I just keep an extra tab or two in my pack, and one or two extra in the truck, I make my own so cost is not an issue.
I gave up the glove a few years ago...shoot only with fingertips now.
It seems quieter too.......have you noticed that?
QuoteOriginally posted by Russ Clagett:
I gave up the glove a few years ago...shoot only with fingertips now.
It seems quieter too.......have you noticed that?
How much pound have your bow ?
QuoteSeems quieter . . .
I couldn't tell as my girlish screaming drowned out the bow's noise.
QuoteOriginally posted by Stumpkiller:
QuoteSeems quieter . . .
I couldn't tell as my girlish screaming drowned out the bow's noise. [/b]
me to........
QuoteOriginally posted by Paul_R:
I can't get a decent release with gloves or tabs either. I use RPM Slicks.
Slicks (http://www.rpmbowfishing.com/slicks/)
They work like No-Glovs but better. Softer and no finger pinching preformed grooves. And being black they just look like fat serving. I have 'em on all my bows.
(http://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h312/pjriss/20131227_114440.jpg)
I am curious about the slicks. I tried the triple serving, but my pointer finger rubs the top of the arrow nock.
Are the slicks soft, spongy?
Stumpkiller, I'm with you. I wouldn't hesitate to take a shot if a deer caught me barehanded and could do a decent job of it too. One, or at most 2 shots, though and the fingers definitely get tender and I just don't think I get quite as clean a release shooting bare-fingered.
I admire the guys tough enough to use bare fingers. I have only tried it a few times, but after 6 or 7 arrows, my fingers hurt too bad to continue. Perhaps in a hunting situation I could make the shot bare fingered as only one or two arrows would be needed.
On my horn bow I can shoot bare thumb for a while, but with my heavier hybrid war bow I can only get a shot or two. I keep trying, but Marfan sufferers don't get calluses.
QuoteOriginally posted by dragonheart:
Quote
Are the slicks soft, spongy? [/b]
Yes and unlike no-gloves they're not slippery when wet. They stay put and also serve as a bottom nocking point. Though I've taken to stacking a kisser on top of the slick nowadays.
My brother shoots bare fingers, with nothing more on the string than serving...Tougher than I but it works for him.
For those who use "slicks". they appear to be sold for split finger, if I shoot 3 under can I put them together or will just the bottom piece be big enough....
They work great for 3 under.
QuoteOriginally posted by Paul_R:
QuoteOriginally posted by dragonheart:
Quote
Are the slicks soft, spongy? [/b]
Yes and unlike no-gloves they're not slippery when wet. They stay put and also serve as a bottom nocking point. Though I've taken to stacking a kisser on top of the slick nowadays. [/b]
Why the kisser button? Is that to give some protection from the top finger against the nock? that just gave me an idea!
The kisser is there for the same reason anybody uses one, finding my anchor faster and more consistent. The finger pinch protection is a side bonus that hasn't gone unnoticed especially on bows as short as 43". I shoot 2 under but with heavier bows I'll draw with 3 and remove the ring finger prior to release. Having the kisser there really helps reestablish the anchor when I'm fiddle fingering around like that.
do you have a photo by any chance of the kisser-slick combo?
I practice with and without my Damascus Glove just in case of a rainy wet day.
QuoteOriginally posted by dragonheart:
do you have a photo by any chance of the kisser-slick combo?
I do now. The kisser is actually the top of a Fin Finder hydro-shot that I cut off.
Hydro-Shot (http://www.rebelbowfishing.com/omp-fin-finder-hydro-shot-finger-savers-for-bowfishing/)
Hydro-Shots are the same as No glove's, hard rubber with molded finger grooves.
The kisser will slide and is held in place by the arrow. I keep it against the nock and tight against the nock with heavy fishing arrows.
Can't speak for everybody but this setup works really good for me. I'll still use a thin two finger tab in an extended (as in hours) shooting session, sissy that I am....
(http://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h312/pjriss/20140724_170434.jpg) (http://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h312/pjriss/20140724_170447.jpg)
QuoteOriginally posted by Paul_R:
I can't get a decent release with gloves or tabs either. I use RPM Slicks.
Slicks (http://www.rpmbowfishing.com/slicks/)
They work like No-Glovs but better. Softer and no finger pinching preformed grooves. And being black they just look like fat serving. I have 'em on all my bows.
(http://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h312/pjriss/20131227_114440.jpg)
Paul got me started on these. I've got them on my bow, backup string and backup bow. I'm still getting used to them. Plenty of feel, just different than the DuraGlove I'm used to shooting.
It appears to me that the "long" piece should be long enough for 3-under.
I shoot a 56# at 28" bow that I draw to 29".....just as much as I would with a glove.
homebru
homebru
hmmm...interesting. I have been using a glove but finding that if it isn't pulled on tight to my fingertips that the string can hang-up in a fold of leather. Are all you guys saying avoid the moulded ones http://www.archerydirect.co.nz/image/cache/data/AMS/String%20Things-500x500.jpg
I have seen photos of JK Chastain of Wapiti bows with critters and a "no glove" on his bowstring, a molded rubber one with grooves. The hydroshot is very similar to the idea I had from your post. Now I am thinking about something different in material.
Thank you for all the info!
I use a black Nike Cabretta (goat skin) golf glove. They don't last a long time,about 1 season, but the feel is very sensitive without tearing the skin off your finger tips. It's about as bare handed as you can get.
Do these things steal any arrow speed by slowing down your bowstring?
Daddymonster,
With all due respect, I don't shoot a trad bow for speed. I suspect that there is some loss of speed. Not enough to make me worry about it.
Speed vs convenience and shootability is a decision you have to make. I don't own a chronograph.
homebru
Those of you who shoot bare fingered with just serving, could you elaborate on what you have going on in terms of diameter and number of wraps? Very interested as it seems the shots I take bare fingered are always good though I try to make my serving as thin as possible which doesn't make my fingers happy.
I love my Damascus glove. I always get a smooth crisp release. With no break-in.
No gloves and bare handed seem to be somewhat inconsistent to me when I have tried them.
Machino,
Ryan Rothhaar sent me a PM about serving. I have seen wear he posted how they do it before on another thread but I cannot find it. Here is what he said they have done for many years.
"We've always used the regular nylon serving - I don't know anything about newer materials. The idea is to use a double nocking point, we generally use the brass nock sets. Then starting 2-3 inches above the top one you serve down to it, then back up over that serving back to the starting point and serve the end under to give 3 layers with no start/stop against the nocking point. For the bottom, shooting split finger, I start 3-4 inches below the nocking point. I usually leave the brass nock sets on, but have removed them and served 2 string nocksets to replace them. For a tab I just cut one out of a piece of deer leather or similar thickness leather, the simple one you stick the middle finger through the hole to hold it on. You will build up pretty rough callouses over time, but I've been shooting this way for 35 years or so and have no nerve damage or anything. Shoot around 65 lbs normally, when I went up to mid 70's one time for a special hunt I needed the tab more, as I recall I even hunted with it then. I use a tab for carp shooting as my hand gets torn up more when it is wet, for sure.
The triple serve and double brass nock point costs 3-4 FPS vs a single brass nock point, for what that is worth, but shooting a tab vs bare finger probably costs that much, so probably a wash.
I like the feel of the string as well as having one less thing to think about. I have known guys to go home to get a glove/tab when finding out they forgot it when in the woods...I can't imagine that...!"
Hope that helps.
Jeff
I can shoot bare fingered for quite a while if the string is dacron. If it's fast flight, my fingers get sore pretty quickly. I use a batting glove now for my shooting and can feel the string well, yet never get sore fingers.
My son shoots a 58# Black Widow bare fingered all the time. He just can't get used to anything between his fingers and the string.
My wild guess (and playing with gloves at a big box store today) suggests that the batting gloves and golf gloves would be a bit "sticky". No problems with that?
homebru
Homebru,
I haven't had an issue getting rid of the string using a batting glove, unless of course when I flinch. On a flinch, it doesn't matter what glove is on my hand.
I'm on my second summer with this batting glove and there's a lot of life left in it.
I've had no problems with a sticky release using a goatskin golf glove. No experience with any of the synthetics so I can't speak to those. The goatskin is very thin and transfers an incredible amount of feel. At least to me.
other comments I have read is that they affect accuracy and might require a different spine weight? I am not trying to be an argumentative jerk, I just want people's opinions on these factors before I risk splashing out a whole $5
My fingertips are pretty hardy from a lot of guitar pickin', but all the same, I prefer shooting with a glove. It has to be broken in, of course, and I'll fling arrows into a foam block w/o aiming as such to accomplish that.
I just got tired of gloves wearing out, getting hard, developing grooves, etc...
Started shooting one day with just my fingers and immediately noticed how much cleaner the release was and how much quieter it is.
Over time my fingers toughened up and it wasn't a bother at all really.
I shoot a 59 pound Firefly and an 81 pound hill style Dave Johnson longbow. The hill style is kinda tough on fingers, I will admit, but the Firefly is a joy to shoot with no glove...
I do tie on my nock point or use tape though...I would not want a metal nock point dragging through my fingers while shooting bare...
I shoot bare fingers all of the time up to 57#s now and nothing to show for it but callouses.
I didn't realize there were people who shot hunting equipment without finger protection. I wouldn't even try it.
I always have a spare finger tab with me. If I forget a tab (or my bow) I go back to the house.
I wouldn't even consider taking a shot at an animal that was unpracticed. If I forgot the tab that would be an unpracticed shot and I wouldn't take it. I don't like to miss, I hate wounding, and I despise most of all spending the better part of a day stinking up my hunting area blind -searching for a poorly hit deer.
I have actually gone back to the house both for forgetting a tab before I carried a spare. In the days of hunting with a compound I also forgot my release aid once -- hunt over.
Can't go back to the house if you're sleeping on the ground 6 miles off the nearest road.
homebru
Excellent point Homebru....leave nothing to chance. I practice all the time and agree with Bowwild...I don't take unpracticed shots either...if its outside my practiced ranges I find a way to get closer or just enjoy the encounter...
But I practice all the time with bare fingers and shoot much better that way.
Lemme tell ya, after dropping my tab 1000 times from my treestand, and not willing to climb back down....I have learned to shoot without a tab.
I agree with Bowwild, so I learned to shoot without. I still use them time to time, but try my damndest to use nothing but fingers. My fingertips are thick now and I will shoot clean fingers till I no longer am able.
Have shot fingers up to 70#. No damage.
Nothing against those who do, I just don't like climbing down at pink light for a stupid mistake on my part. Adapt and overcome.
Ok how :dunno: about using the rubber tubing wheel bow hunters use to a line their peep sights. Might work and is cheep easy to get.
I've worked construction for 35 years, my fingers are like leather, and I wouldn't even think of shooting a hunting-weight bow without protection. In my opinion, you're just asking for nerve damage down the road. Skin toughness has nothing to do with it. While we're on this subject, I've been shooting for over 40 years and have just never understood this need to "feel the string". To me, the cleanest release comes from a thick, slick tab that allows the three fingers to function as one unit.