We published a list earlier in the year of some of the archery sights employees of Lancaster Archery Supply use on their personal setups. There was a wide range of brand, style, and opinion in that article, and it was cool to see the reasoning behind other's sight preferences.
Much like with sights - and archery setups in general - our employees use a very wide range of release, too. With the market absolutely full of every style, fit, and feel of release one could ask for, it's no wonder so many different choices appear within the greater archery community. Old styles, new releases, individually customized creations... you'll find it all in rotation in the woods during hunting season.
You'll see a lot of index releases out there in the wilderness, accompanied by a very respectable amount of thumb buttons, too - the rarer eccentric archery hunter might even be shooting a hinge. Whatever release type, brand, or settings you prefer, let our employees try and convince you why their choice is better than what you're running.
Dan and His High-Pressure Disco Longhorn
"I shoot a discontinued Scott Longhorn Hunter release but it is similar to the B3 Ranger V2.
At a young age I started competing at a high level around the same time my bowhunting journey began. Competitive archery brought an intensity of nerves that with practice one could work through to compete and find success. I excelled quickly on the competitive side and thrived under pressure but as a bowhunter I was finding the pressure was different and at times overwhelming.
As a result I struggled to hold technique in high pressure situations and, for someone that enjoyed shooting under pressure, this drove me to constantly try to improve as a bowhunter. I tried a number of releases and styles but found a back tension "hinge release" was the answer to my problems.
I prefer this style of release because I can hold form, timing, and technique in high pressure situations and execute shots just like I am practicing at home on a target. This gives me a great amount of confidence to perform in high pressure situations and has lead to much success year after year."
Sam and His Large, Funky Friend
"I use the T.R.U. Ball Centerline Release.
I like the large trigger for my hand, especially when I'm wearing gloves. The ability to micro-adjust the trigger for however I'm feeling is great. I have always preferred an open hook design as I find it easier to hook up without looking down at my string. That is a huge bonus when in the heat of the moment in the woods. While it looks kind of funky, it is one of the most comfortable wrist strap releases I have ever used."
Conner and the Fraternal Twins
"Well sadly my release is discontinued but the features are still relevant I suppose (the new version is the STAN SX4).
I hunt with a 4-finger Stan SX3. I even have a medium for when I'm bare-handed and a large for when I am wearing gloves. The feature that I enjoy most while sitting in a tree is the ability to clip my release on the D-loop and leave it hanging there for the duration of my hunt.
Having to get your release out and hook the release up after spotting a deer adds an extra step to an already stressful situation. I like the simplicity of having it clipped up and ready to go.
I also like the precision feel and crisp break of the release. I prefer a release with very little travel and a medium-to-light tension setting. The Stan SX3 gives me the ability to adjust these exactly to my liking while its other features fit my hunting needs."
Adam's Reliable Comfort Release
"My go to is the T.R.U. Ball HT 3-Finger hinge release. It is discontinued now, a modern equivalent would be the Honey Badger Claw, but the simplicity, ease of use, shot control, and accuracy is better than anything else I've tried.
I have bounced back and forth for years of pre-season trying different releases, and every time I end up going back to this release. I feel more comfortable shooting with this release. I shoot better groups with this release. The release is a 'set and forget' and I know it will always be in the same position every time i pick it up to shoot.
The lanyard feature has been updated in newer models, but I really like how I can get the release to hang off my wrist in the perfect position for me to wrap my fingers around it and I'm ready to go."
Eric's BFF (Best Firing Facet?)
"I am using the STAN OnneX Clicker Thumb Button Release.
Over the last two years I have tinkered with the two thumb barrels that came with it and I have tried different angles on where I lock the thumb barrel in place. I finally got it to where it is set perfectly.
The safety pin is perfect for testing my draw without worrying about a potential dry-fire, and the clicker comes in handy with a slow squeeze on the release to let you know it is about to fire.
Using a B3 Hawk wrist release to start my archery journey was an easy approach, but I was very happy when I made the switch. I shouldn't need another release for a long time."
Tre's Great Wingless Bird
My current hunting release is the B3 Hawk Pro with the swivel connector. It does come in a flex connection but the 'floppy' nature of those have always bothered me - I prefer just spinning it back into my sleeve and leaving it at that.
As far as the actual use of the release is concerned, it is a no-fuss, incredibly consistent break every time. Sure, the ability to interchange trigger styles is nice, but my main focus is on the smooth, crisp, and small open hook (or beak, you know, cause of how it looks like a Hawk). The range of adjustment is also perfectly suitable for someone who doesn't stray too far towards heavy or light - not that I couldn't run it either of those ways if it wanted.
One of the more overlooked aspects, though, is that is has the most comfortable wrist strap I've ever tried on. There are no stitching issues, no hot spots, no uncomfortable pulling. It is an evenly padded dream of a buckle strap.
Every time I try a new release, regardless of how much I like or dislike it, I always fall back to my trusty Hawk Pro."
Jasmynn's Extinction Level Event
"I have been shooting the STAN Xtinction 2 since I started hunting in 2020 - the next closest thing right now is STAN's SoleX.
I have the post connection and enjoy its easiness to adjust and I can tuck it in my sleeve when walking or climbing. The hook auto resets after firing, so I do not have to worry about resetting the hook before firing another arrow. Have played around with other handheld releases, but always end up using the tried and trued Xtinction!"
Dawne's Best Yet
"I shoot the STAN Onnex.
I don't know what to say, I'm not a release expert. I have been shooting archery for decades though and it is the best one I've ever shot. It fits my hand, clips easily on the string loop, and closes again so it can hang there when I need it to. I don't know what else to say about it. It's crisp and comfortable and pretty. Lol."
