The vast majority of bowhunters shoot with a wrist strap (index) mechanical release. I experimented briefly with a handheld (thumb) release, but it never felt as comfortable and intuitive as a wrist strap release.
[Sidebar: I was a finger shooter with compounds from the late 1970s until the early 2000s. I was finally forced to use a mechanical release when all the bow companies stopped making compounds measuring 40 inches and longer. Finger pinch becomes a real problem with short-axled compounds.]
In the 7-minute YouTube video below, professional shooter/instructor John Dudley from Nock On Archery explains how to properly anchor with a wrist strap release and a handheld one. He also teases that “You might be doing it wrong!”
And you know what? I am doing it wrong — and have been for 20-plus years!
As Dudley explains, many bowhunters using a wrist strap find a solid anchor by pressing their index knuckle to the base of their jaw bone. That’s how I was taught forever ago, and I’ve never considered changing it.
This topic is front and center for me because my youngest son, Luke, a junior in college, has expressed interest in bowhunting after he graduates. Due to his busy schedule as a college golfer (spring and fall competitions), Luke won’t have time to bowhunt until school is over and he starts his work career. That said, he wants to start shooting a compound during breaks from school — like now with his month-long Christmas/New Year’s break.
Luke shot a Mini Genesis bow in our basement when he was 7-ish, and he did so with fingers. Thankfully I had identified back then that he is left-eye dominant, so he started shooting left-handed. Because I shoot right-handed, Luke has been practicing with a left-handed Bowtech Core SS compound on loan from one of my hunting buddies. I gave him some tips on technique, and each day during the past week while I’ve been in my office working, he’s spent 30 minutes in our basement shooting my buddy’s bow.
Of course, one topic that came up immediately was where to anchor, and as I was searching for how-to videos from the experts (so Luke could study it) I found the one below. And while I certainly understood that my method — index knuckle to the base of the jaw bone — wasn’t the only way, I was surprised to learn there’s a better method.
And get this: Luke is the same size as my hunting buddy who loaned us a lefty bow, and right off the bat he began anchoring with his index knuckle at the base of his ear lobe — exactly as Dudley recommends. Luke did so because it allowed him to look through the peep.
Watch the video below and you’ll learn why anchoring higher on the face with a wrist strap is a better method. I’ll be setting up a new bow this winter for use in 2026, and now I have a decision to make: Should I modify my anchor position? I don’t think it would be that big of a change. Maybe it’s time?
Viewing tip: The entire video is worthwhile, but you can fast-forward to the 4:41 mark to get right to Dudley’s demonstration of proper anchor positioning with a wrist strap release.
