release or finger glove for 6 year old?

[loworange88]

Good Morning, I bought my son a used Mission Menace for his upcoming birthday next month. The bow is in good shape, but I'm going to have a new string put on it along with a matching one on my bow. Since my son is only turning 6, the bow will be set to its minimum poundage, and then we will set it to his draw length. My question is should I start him with a release? Or is it easier to start with a shooting glove? Mainly wondering so that I can get the nock point set with either extra serving or a D-loop. I want this to be the "easiest" transition for him. Just curious as to what other parents have done.

Thanks

[jjb4900]

I'm no expert, but if it's a short bow, it may have a lot of "finger pinch" and might be uncomfortable to shoot with fingers............I started my kids out with releases.

[dbHunterNY]

easiest would be cut down finger tab.  releases aren't too hard but a little more to deal with.

[dbHunterNY]

I'm no expert, but if it's a short bow, it may have a lot of "finger pinch" and might be uncomfortable to shoot with fingers............I started my kids out with releases.

 

good point.  at 6 yrs old the draw length might be pretty short to make up for a short axle to axle length.

[Vince1]

My six year old shoots with the one that stays on the string. Like long kisser button. Cant think of the name.

I like i better because its one less thing to remember he has

[coonhunter]

One thing to consider when a youngster is starting out is the fact that they could accidentally have their finger on the trigger while they are drawing the bow. This could result in an arrow striking someone, or something. Or, their hand and release could strike themselves in the face. Pretty easy to transition to a release later on. 

[grampy]

I've found when working with kids, to keep it as simple as you can at first. There will be time to add more to it as they advance and grow. Start with fingers first, and go from there.

[nyantler]

I think youngsters should learn the traditional way to shoot a bow first... learning the fundamentals without the gadgets helps them focus on the mechanics of shooting the bow with less else to concentrate on. Once they get well acquainted with the bow they will easily transition to a release.

[chiefbkt]

6 of one, half a dozen of the other. Releases are extremely simple and may make it easier for him to shoot. If it were a traditional style bow I would say fingers, but since it's a compound so I'd go with the release.

[Trial153]

Release for sure.

[Bowguy]

I teach many kids in many formats. They always use fingers first to learn the mechanics. I hope, before you bought the bow you checked his eye dominance.,

Obviously the draw length needs to be perfect to anchor properly, hand position correct to avoid torquing later on and string slapping the sensitive skin on his forearm.

Many things such as release, follow through, etc can be done indoors on say a rainy day shooting a string bow.

I know I'm giving more of an answer than you asked for but I'm only trying to help.

[Bowguy]

I'm no expert, but if it's a short bow, it may have a lot of "finger pinch" and might be uncomfortable to shoot with fingers............I started my kids out with releases.

A 6 year old will have a very short draw n tiny fingers., string pinch won't be a problem

[Doc]

Whether we want to admit it or not, a release is a kind of a crutch. We don't usually use a crutch before something is broken. Let the need for a release drive itself and be the child's choice when, and if, he decides he needs it. Actually using fingers is the most natural and intuitive way of loosing an arrow. It is the easiest to teach and quite impossible to accidentally misfire.

[nyantler]

Whether we want to admit it or not, a release is a kind of a crutch. We don't usually use a crutch before something is broken. Let the need for a release drive itself and be the child's choice when, and if, he decides he needs it. Actually using fingers is the most natural and intuitive way of loosing an arrow. It is the easiest to teach and quite impossible to accidentally misfire.

 

The accidental misfire is a very good reason to start a child with fingers first.

[DirtTime]

I would go fingers. The one thing other people forgot to mention about a release at that age is a misfire. Accidetally hit the trigger on a release and it's a trip to the shop to make sure the bow is still OK.

[ants]

Release ….Way more accurate. Train them right and they will be good to go..

[moog5050]

my daughter is learning on a child's long bow and uses fingers.  compound should be a breeze when she is ready.