Hunting with a thumb ring?

[Pumphouse Flanders]

Very cool!

[sagebrush]

Great idea Mudd.

[joekeith]

That Mudd,    whatta stud.      

[AZ_Shooter]

Here is a three part series on the use of the thumb ring:

  The Archer\\'s Thumb Ring - Part 1

  The Archer\\'s Thumb Ring - Part 2

  The Archer\\'s Thumb Ring - Part 3

I personally don't like the idea of my thumb joint holding that much weight, but it does look like you can achieve a very smooth release.

[Capt]

Mudd that release is pretty cool.

As far as the thumb ring:  the arrow is shot from the draw hand side of the riser because the thumb draw locks the arrow against the riser.  This allowed the archer to hold the arrow while ridng a horse, running, jumping etc...  There are Mongol archers today who shoot with the arrow on the bow hand side in the "conventional" manner but this requires no pressure from the index finger of the draw hand.

I hunt with a thumb ring and find no noise difference-actually it is quieter if my release is good because the arrow makes very little if any contact with the arrow pass because of the follow through.  

If you are considering switching to a thumb draw there will be a learning curve and a "strength" curve as you will want to build up to hunting weight.  I started with a 30# bow and over time shoot (at my 30" draw) about 50#.  I don't think I want or need to go higher than that.

Form is even more critical with the thumb compared to fingers because the sight picture is so different and the release and follow through if not done right will have your arrows flying everywhere.  There are a couple of web sites and "Kay's Thumb Ring Book" from 3 Rivers that give a real good intro to the thumb draw.  If you like feel free to PM me-I am by no means an expert but I can help with the basics.

[KEG]

We had a Korean gentleman join our group at a 3D shoot and shot with a thumb ring. If I remember, it did not make any additional noise. The bow he used was a Korean composite bow and he had a fairly deep draw. His arrows appeared to be fast and they flew great.

[joevan125]

I shot a round with a guy at the Howard Hill Shoot that was using exactly what you are using and he was a great shot.

He was having finger problems and it helped him to be able to keep shooting stickbows.

[TheFatboy]

Originally posted by AZ_Shooter:
I personally don't like the idea of my thumb joint holding that much weight, but it does look like you can achieve a very smooth release.

Actually, your thumb is - by far - the strongest of your fingers. You are less likely to get arthritis, if you pull bows with your thumb. There are many advantages to the thumb draw.

[**DONOTDELETE**]

Originally posted by TheFatboy:
 There are many advantages to the thumb draw.

Like??????

[TheFatboy]

Originally posted by mysticguido:
 

Originally posted by TheFatboy:
 There are many advantages to the thumb draw.

Like?????? [/b]

1. Longer draw length, stronger draw
2. Easy and clean release
3. Forces you to shoot more instinctively (as you can't really aim down the arrow)
4. Is cool!

[Capt]

Another thing is you can shoot on the "move" as the arrow is locked to the riser.  This is great for wing shooting and other types of quick draw situations.  

The release is much cleaner because there is no torque on the string.  this coupled with the longer draw length adds to a quicker arrow.

[Mudd]

Here's one of my own making.






It's hard to buy one to fit my large fat thumb. This one turned out a little big for me but I wrapped tape around it and it fits just fine.

I have a strap of leather that's adjustable attached to it for insurance. I once saw a man shooting with one at the MoBoJam and his thumb ring tried to follow his arrow..lol I don't think they ever found it out on that hay field. According to him he had just purchased it the week before and it weren't cheap!

Thanks for looking!
God bless,Mudd

[Capt]

I make mine out of PVC pipe union I can get about six out of a union.  Just need to make sure the inside is smooth otherwise you can slice the thumb pretty good.

[TheFatboy]

Looks good Mudd!

[Mojostick]

Also drop Ol Buff a line. He makes tabs for me, but he says he shoots a ring and just uses a long string loop. He says it takes a while to get used to, but after a while they shoot better than using any fingers. I don't know if he sells rings or not.
http://www.kansas.net/~barchery/ol\\'ebuff.html/leatherproducts.htm