Can You Shoot A Compound Bow With Your Fingers?

Fact checked by Steven Lines, lifelong Hunter and Outdoorsman.

People often want to know if they can shoot their compound bows with their fingers. Many bows come with a release, which improves accuracy by working as a trigger, but some still prefer to shoot their arrows with their fingers.

You can shoot a compound bow with your fingers, but you might consider using gloves or other protective gear on your fingers. Shooting with the fingers is becoming less popular because compound bows are becoming shorter, making it more difficult to fire an accurate shot. However, you can shoot it with your fingers as long as your bow allows it.

This article will cover whether you can shoot compound bows with your fingers, as well as how to shoot your bow and what kind of protection you need for your fingers. Continue reading to learn all about shooting a compound bow.

How to Shoot a Compound Bow Without a Release

It is very common to find compound bows with a release today because it helps people make a more accurate shot. If you plan to shoot the bow without a release, you should make sure that it has an appropriate angle. You want a more gradual angle at full draw to make it easier to shoot with your fingers.

It would help if you tried to grip the string the same way each time to develop consistency. Keep your fingers relaxed as you draw the arrow and pull back to full draw. Once you have it at full draw, you should find the ideal pressure for you, and it should be one that allows you to shoot consistently. Different people have a different ideal pressure, so you will want to practice until you find the best one for you.

It would help if you practiced releasing the bowstring so that you can master it. There are two different ways that you can release it. Many people draw the arrow, hold it steady for a few seconds, and then gently let it slip away as they relax their fingers.

The second method is to draw and sight in on your target. Then, when you have it in sight, you can tense your muscles and pull your arm back. Increase the tension until it is too much, and the bowstring will break free. This method takes practice, but you will find that you develop instincts to draw and shoot.

How Many Fingers Do You Need to Draw a Bow?

Under normal circumstances, you will use three fingers to draw the bow. You will draw the bowstring back using the first three fingers of your right hand. You take the arrow notch, place it between your first two fingers, and then draw it back until the index finger is anchored.

Once you draw it back, you can use a bow sight to aim at the target. Now it is at full draw until you sight in on your target. Your three draw fingers will be relaxed so that you can release the bowstring smoothly. You will want to release the bowstring the same way each time to build up consistency. It is important to remember that you need to keep your bow hand and your string hand in the same place until your arrow reaches your target. This is how you will become an accurate shooter.

Is it Hard to Shoot a Compound Bow?

It is not hard to shoot a compound bow, but it takes practice to become accurate. As you practice, you will build up strength where you need it to shoot more accurately. They aren’t too hard to pull back because you only have to pull the bow’s full weight for a few minutes. How hard it depends on the weight of the bow you are shooting.

The bow’s draw weight is measured in pounds, but it uses a pulley system to pull back the bowstring. This makes it a bit easier because the pulleys only allow the bowstring to come back a certain length. Some people think that the compound bow is easier than others because they don’t rely on you to be strong enough to reach the max draw length.

You have to choose the weight when you choose a compound bow, and you should choose one that is easy for you. The best way to find out is to hold the bow straight and keep your arms up. If you can do this without struggling, then you have chosen a good weight. If your bow has too much draw weight, you might find it challenging to pull it back, and your arms might shake.

Should I Use Finger Tabs When I Shoot My Compound Bow?

 If you want to have a smooth release when you shoot your compound bow, it is important to protect your fingers. Some people like to use a glove, while others use a finger tab. A finger tab separates your fingers on your draw hand from the bowstring. It is a piece of leather, and there are several different types.

Sometimes the finger tab has an additional piece of leather backing to give you more cushion. You can also get one with a spacer that sits between your first two fingers, and it can protect your fingers from getting pinched by the nock.

Your finger tab might also have elastic to make sure that it doesn’t slip off your fingers. There are finger tabs specifically designed for archers of different levels, so you should choose one that works for your level.

What Is a Release on a Compound Bow?

Today, it is widespread for compound bows to be designed to use a release. The release helps people shoot more accurately, and it helps to keep the bow steady once it is drawn. It can be easier to shoot your bow more accurately when you use a release.

There are several different types of release aids that people choose. An index finger release has a trigger, and you pull this trigger when you want to release the arrow. Another type of release is one that is a handheld thumb trigger. You hold this release, and then you pull the trigger with your thumb. Some people find this type of release to be the simplest because it is easy to use.

There is another type of release called a hinge-style release, and it is handheld, but it doesn’t have a trigger. You rotate this release, and it makes a hook open so that the arrow will be released. It is not difficult to use once you get used to it.

Another type of release is called a tension release, and it is similar to a hinge release, but it has a safety that prevents it from firing until you want it to. You can choose one of these releases, or you can use your fingers.

The release helps you to shoot more accurately, and it is prevalent for this reason. However, some people want to feel the bowstring with their fingers and draw it back and release it without a release.

Final Words

When you use a compound bow, you can use your fingers, but you need to choose a bow with the right angle and draw weight.

Steven Lines is a hunter and outdoorsman from Safford, Arizona, USA. He has been hunting and fishing since a child and has over 20 years of experience in the outdoors. Steven works as a hunting guide in Arizona during his spare time and runs a Youtube channel dedicated to sharing his outdoor adventures with others.