Setting a release for hunting can be a fairly simple process. There are so many different releases out there and so many different ways to set them, but it all comes down to comfort. Being comfortable with a release to hunt with is just like being comfortable with a release to compete with, or even just practice with in your back yard. I personally use a Scott Longhorn Hunter in the woods and I set it as close to my tournament release as possible. That way my shot process stays as close to what I do all year round for benefits on both ends.

Over the years I have shot all different styles of releases for hunting. A few years ago, I began shooting the Scott Longhorn Hex, and fell in love with it. I’ve had great success with all different types of hunting releases, but the Hex keeps me honest when the moment I’ve been waiting all fall for finally comes. I spend most of my time practicing and competing with a hinge style release or a “back tension” and the Hex gives me the same feel of a hinge. The Hex is a mixture of a hinge style and a wrist strap release and is designed with a wrist strap with a rope lanyard that attaches to a pivot point on the release. This pivot point allows the release to be drawn without the worry of a misfire. This is exactly the style of release that I was looking for.

I started shooting a bow at the age of 16, and just like everyone in my town, started with a wrist strap release, as we were limited to the inventory that the local dealer offered (there were no BassPro, Cabela’s, Walmarts) no options for us to even try to play with a different style of release. I shot my first ASA in Roanoke,VA 25 years ago and that was when I was able to pick up my first hand held release at one of the vendors there. Now 25 years later, you can go to any sporting goods and they are everywhere.

In an impressive conclusion to the Archery Shooters Association season in Cullman, Alabama, Scott Archery and Custom Bow Equipment shooters, Justin Hannah, Garrett Ayersman, Jacob Marlow, Chris Hacker, Jason Dickey and Emily McCarthy earned podium spots and Shooter of the Year titles. 

The World Cup in Berlin was a bittersweet event for me. Individually, I had a rough go but I got things in motion for the team round where Team USA brought home the silver medal! Fellow Scott Archery Pro Staffer Kris Schaff and I fought hard, along with teammate Steve Anderson, during the preliminary matches and found ourselves shooting for gold in the finals on Saturday. 

Photo via World Archery

In a hot, humid, and muddy ASA (Archery Shooters Association) weekend, Scott Archery and Custom Bow Equipment’s athletes prevailed to the top. Emily McCarthy finished second in the Women’s Pro class, followed shortly by Justin Hannah securing third in the Men’s Known Pro class.

Scott Archery and Custom Bow Equipment shooters Kris Schaff and Braden Gellenthein are no strangers to the world stage, and proved it over the week in Antalya, Turkey for Stage Two of the World Cup.

The final leg of the NFAA 3 Star Tour took place in Yankton, South Dakota over the weekend, and Scott Archery/Custom Bow Equipment's Braden Gellenthein and Kris Schaff each walked away with success.