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

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.

 

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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!    

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...  

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.