What is The Best Youth Bow Release?
It isn’t just adults that take part in archery, many young people and children enjoy shooting a bow and arrow too. However, since they are much smaller, they do require special equipment that is designed to work with their shorter frame.
One piece of equipment that comes in extremely handy is the bow release, and there are several excellent youth bow release options out there. A bow release is a small piece of equipment that is used to help the archer accurately fire the arrow with a more significant deal of control and comfort.
However, choosing the right one is vital for comfort and effectiveness. In this article, we are going to be looking at how to select the proper youth bow release as well as showing you some of our favourite products.
Read more:
- Best Youth Crossbow For Your Child
- The Best Youth Bow for Deer Hunting
- Best Youth Crossbow For Your Child
What To Look For In A Youth Bow Release
Shopping for a bow release for a child isn’t all that dissimilar to shopping for a bow release for yourself, although there are some things that you should think about since children are a lot smaller than we are. This is perfectly demonstrated when we look at the size of their hands compared to that of an adult.
| Length of hand (inches) | Width of hand (inches) | |
|---|---|---|
| Male adult | 7.6 | 3.5 |
| Female adult | 6.8 | 3.1 |
| Child, age 6 | 4.4 – 5.7 | 2.0 – 2.7 |
| Child, age 11 | 5.5 – 7.0 | 2.0 – 3.1 |
It isn’t difficult to see from this information that a bow release that was made for adult hands would be far too large for the small hands of a child. For this reason, it is extremely important that you source a bow release that has been specifically designed with younger archers in mind.
Hand Or Wrist Release?
There are two main types of bow release; the wrist and the hand release and the kind that you choose will depend on several factors. Of course, you can speak to your child and determine which they would find more straightforward to use; you might also let your child try out each kind to see what they are most comfortable with.
A wrist release attaches to the wrist and is the most commonly used, especially among beginners. This type of release uses the arm strength to draw the bow and for this reason, is often a lot easier to use for younger archers who may not have a great deal of strength in their fingers.
In contrast, a hand release uses the finger strength to draw the bow and is released using a thumb trigger. These tend to be used by more experienced archers and can be a little more tricky to get the hang of. They are also perfect for those who are competing in archery tournaments.
Experience Level
Like many other things in archery, the type of bow release you purchase for a youth archer will depend on their level of experience. Of course, the most important thing is that they are comfortable using the release.
For children who have not used a bow release before, you may find that it takes a while for them to get used to it, particularly if they have been drawing their bow manually up until now. However, it is worth persevering since a bow release does have a lot of advantages.
In the main, a wrist release is going to be far easier to use for children who are new to this type of equipment. But it is worth keeping in mind that there is a potential for them to develop target panic when using a wrist release owing to the fact that their squeeze control may be lacking.
The alternative is using a less common hinge release which will allow them to get used to working with a bow release; however, these can be slightly more expensive.
If the young archer has had a little more practice and is at an advanced or intermediate level, then a wrist release might not be suitable for them. Fortunately, there are some other options.
Generally speaking, a hand release is better for those with more experience, but a lot of it comes down to what the individual archer feels more comfortable with. Alternatively, a hinge release can step up the child’s archery game, and despite popular belief, these are not just suited to those with target panic.
Once your child has gotten used to their bow release, you might want to upgrade them to a more sophisticated piece of equipment, and the good news is that there are many options to choose from.
Many of the more high-end releases have more adjustability options, and this can go a long way in giving your child the most accurate shot.
Why Is A Bow Release Important?
Unless you are familiar with archery, you may not have been aware that a bow release was necessary, and in truth, it isn’t. There is no reason why you cannot fire your bow in the traditional manner, just using your fingers. In fact, some people prefer this method of firing, and that is entirely acceptable.
However, a lot of archers prefer to use a bow release for its many benefits. Primarily, a bow release, sometimes called a release aid, is used to improve accuracy, which as we know, is essential in archery. For kids, especially those who are new to the sport, getting a good aim is not always easy, but using a bow release can help them to develop a greater level of accuracy. Not only this, but using a release will also ensure consistency. In competitive archery, there is nothing more important than remaining consistent.
The Best Youth Bow Release
Best Overall Choice – Scott Archery Youth Hero Bow Release
This is a great choice for a young archer since it boasts so many incredible features. For example, this bow release boasts a knurled trigger which means that the child will obtain a superior grip, making the entire experience far more comfortable.
Furthermore, this is a versatile release aid that is very easy to use. It features a velcro strap which is far easier for the child to take on and off themselves, but it is also super-easy to adjust. The nylon strap connector means that it can be infinitely adjusted and is specifically designed for smaller hands. What’s even more impressive is that both right and left-handed archers can use this release.
Scott Archery has been in the business for more than 30 years so you can feel confident that their products are a cut above the rest.
Best Alternative – TruBall Archery Youth Shooter Release
If you are unable to purchase the cream of the crop, then you needn’t look far to find an excellent alternative. The TruBall Archery bow release has been designed specifically for youths and has a range of features that make it superior.
Primarily, you will notice that this is a hook and loop system that is incredibly easy to use. Furthermore, the quick-lock connection system means that adjusting the strap is exceptionally straightforward and can be done by the child without assistance.
The rope-style connection means that torque is drastically reduced and this results in far greater accuracy with every shot.
The velcro strap is ideal for younger archers, and the release easily tucks into the sleeve when it is not being used so it will not get in the way.
Best Budget Youth Bow Release – Allen Compact Thumb Youth Release
Not all archery equipment has to cost the earth, and that is where this incredible budget-friendly bow release comes into play. At just $7.95, you would be hard-pushed to find anything quite as effective for such a competitive price.
The release is perfect for both children and adult archers who have smaller hands and can be used by both left and right-handed people.
It features a crisp thumb release that delivers much-improved accuracy and is easy to use. The grooved design makes this extremely comfortable to hold, not to mention that this is an exceptionally durable piece of equipment.
It will automatically lock onto the bowstring and can handle up to 75lbs of draw weight which is more than enough for a child.
Conclusion
A bow release is a common piece of equipment used in both target archery and in bowhunting but is far more common in target archery where precision and accuracy are imperative.
However, it isn’t only adults that take part in this exciting sport, and there are many children who love archery but using equipment that has been designed for adults simply isn’t a viable option. Using an adult bow release would make shooting very difficult for a child, but the good news is that there are plenty of bow releases that have been designed specifically for children.
It is important to take certain things into consideration when choosing a bow release for a youth, including their level of experience and what is most comfortable for them.
