How many of you shoot without an aid (glove or tab)? I have always liked the feel of shooting without an aid, but it kills my fingers after a few shots. If you shoot bare handed, how did you overcome the initial pain?

I stopped the pain by going to a tab or glove,you will also get a much cleaner release. Just my opinion!!

I think Roger Rothhaar shoots without a glove or tab. On masters of the bare bow 1 he said he triple serves his string where he puts his fingers. I have always used a tab, but definitely see the advantages of shooting without one if you can do it comfortably.

My Dad shoots without a tab or glove, but then again he is 60 years old and worked hard his whole life.  He could probable strip the thorns from a saw brier bare handed...

Cody, I would think that if someone triple serves his string, there would be enough additional weight on the string to reduce arrow speed.  Similar, but opposite, to the effect of going to a skinny string.  What do you think?

I have tried to shoot without anything but it kills my fingers.

I do know and older guy who never used anything. Even when he had back surgery and started using compound bows, he still used bare fingers, He had some serious calluses on the tips of his fingers.

QuoteCody, I would think that if someone triple serves his string, there would be enough additional weight on the string to reduce arrow speed. Similar, but opposite, to the effect of going to a skinny string. What do you think?

I was thinking the same thing, but I'm not sure how much of the string Roger puts the extra serving on, but judging by his success, I would say it works for him.  He might just do an inch or two above and below the nock where his fingers grip the string.

McDave:  I don't think Roger cares about a few fps.  He kills em with know how.  

I do shoot some bare finger just to make sure I shoot the same. When I hunt I don't use any thing. If it is cold out I wear leather gloves. I don't know if my fingers will ajust but not yet.

Not sure why you would shoot without one.  But if you want to your gonna have to be a tough guy to shoot much.

I don't like having anything on my hands. Might need a chew.

I shot bare for yrs. but not when it got real cold out. thats when it stings!

I do from all my bows which are46# to  52#.

I was told that if one shoots a bow without fingers they face the strong possibility of stretching and disconnecting the ligaments of the fingers that do the shooting. Don't know if this is true just thought I'd put it out there.

Ken

I would think the forces on the ligaments of the fingers would be about the same whether you're shooting bare, glove, or tab.  It seems like the main damage would be nerve damage, if your fingers get numb and stay numb.  I really don't know either, though.

Cannot see much upside in shooting with just fingers.  Sure it reduces the need for the glove or tab, but it strikes me that long-term it could be creating problems in the fingers.

Frankly, I am not sure, but risk vs. reward seems too high to mess with it.

Wow,
I didn't know there were even people who shoot hunting weight bows without protection. I have to wear gloves to pick my nose or I'd get a blister!

A tab or a glove distributes the pressure on your fingers and shooting adult poundages a lot without one could lead to problems in certain people.

Ask a neurologist.

I have friends who have done hard "finger work" for years on the job and their fingers get cold much more easily now.

I have noticed in pictures that JK Chastain of Waipiti bows has a no-glove on his longbows.  I have always liked the feel I get shooting without a tab or glove but cannot maintain shooting that way.  I think the build up serving might work.

Bare fingers here! I can't stand a glove or tab.
I worked in landscape construction for 15 yrs and accumulated many callouses working with brick and block.
The only way to overcome that blister is to keep shooting.   :D