Types of Archery Releases

Archery is the art of skillfully shooting arrows at a specific target. Throughout history, people have engaged in archery for recreation, in competition or for hunting. The application of modern release aids is one of the most significant advancements in the sport. Modern release aids result in more accurate shooting and faster arrow speeds, but a beginning archer can be overwhelmed with the different types of archery releases available today.

Wrist Strap Release
The wrist strap release is the most common archery release for bowhunters. It attaches to the wrist with either a fabric fastener or buckle strap. The index finger operates the trigger or release mechanism. Features of the wrist strap release include length adjustment to fit different-sized hands, rotating head to minimize torque, and trigger tension adjustments to fit individual shooting style. Overall, the wrist strap release is very simple to use and allows the hand and fingers to remain relaxed at full draw.

Handheld Release
Handheld releases—also referred to as a finger release—are popular throughout the world of competitive archery. This type of release allows for a great deal of sensitivity during the release. It's typically triggered with back-tension, thumb or little finger and takes a significant amount of time to master. More and more bowhunters are using a handheld release because it gives them the freedom to use both hands during calling or rattling since the release is already attached to the bow string.

Automatic Release
The automatic release is the most recent advancement in release aids. There is no trigger to initiate arrow flight; it's controlled through an automatic timer that has been pre-set from zero to six seconds. The timer activates as you reach full draw, and then automatically shoots at the given time. An optional safety feature allows the shooter to stop the arrow from firing if needed. Competitive shooters primarily use the automatic release aid; it is not recommended for beginners.