PROS: Easy to use and set up, great aid for breaking bad habits and target panic

CONS: Clasp takes some getting used to, release is much larger than standard release aids causing a shift in anchor point

MSRP: $189.99

They say practice makes perfect, but in archery only perfect practice makes perfect. Shooting your bow can be as simple or as difficult as you make it out to be. In reality there's not much to it, but break down the shot into different segments and start analyzing each part of the shot and you can turn a simple thing into something that's not so simple.

I think I've always had a slight case of target panic, although I'd never seem to admit it, but it wasn't until I bought my new bow that I really started to notice it. I would punch the trigger or flinch at the shot if I thought the bow was going to go off and it didn't. It was actually quite scary and I could only imagine what would happen in the field. I was also rushing my shots and couldn't seem to slow down enough to just pick a spot.

I started researching back tension releases, but was a little hesitant after reading stories of people punching themselves in the face. I knew I wanted a release without a trigger so there was no way I could pull anything. Initially the Scott Longhorn Hex, a T-handle release with a hinge trigger that's attached to a wrist strap by a roller so it can fire as you draw seemed like a good place to start. However, I also knew that I wanted to hunt with my TruBall Beast release so I should probably get a more standard looking wrist release so the transition from one to the other would be minimal. This led me to the Carter Squeeze-me release.

What I really like about this release is that it has a trigger on it, but when you depress the trigger it doesn't fire the release it simply disengages the safety so you can now fire the release with back tension. What's great about this approach is that it gets you used to putting your finger on a trigger and helps you really concentrate on picking a spot and focusing on that spot. Once you press the trigger all you can do is keep pulling until the release fires.

The first time I pushed the trigger down on this release I instantly started shaking left and right as I was anticipating the bow firing and confirmed just how bad of a case of target panic I had. It took a little bit to get used to firing a release by pulling, but with nothing to do but aim I started to see my groups shrink.

After about an hour of shooting I went back to my hunting release, a TruBall Beast II. The first thing I instantly noticed was how small the TruBall release was compared to the Carter Squeeze-me release. I came to full draw with my TruBall release and wrapped my finger over the trigger and then began pulling through the shot while continuing to aim at the orange dot on my target. When the release went off I was completely surprised - I was off to a great start!

I continued shooting the Carter Squeeze-me for several days and watched as I was able to develop the muscles in my back and learn to how to fire the release the proper way. With my hunting release I only had to make one minor change - I swapped out the 3 ounce trigger spring for the 11 ounce trigger spring to I could focus on really using my back muscles to fire the shot.

Carter hit a home run with the Squeeze-me and it's a great way to break your bad habits and learn how to shoot properly. By taking away my target panic, I can now be confident when I'm in the field that I can pick a spot on an animal and hit it. All you can do with the Sqeeze-me is aim and when it comes to archery that's all you should be doing - the shot should take you by surprise.

DEC has completed summary evaluations of the pilot antler restriction program in the southern Catskills. DEC assessed impacts of the antler restriction by monitoring changes evident in the deer harvest and by monitoring hunter attitudes through a series of surveys conducted with the Human Dimensions Research Unit at Cornell University.

Final reports are available at www.dec.ny.gov/outdoor/27663.html and include DEC's evaluation (A Summary of New York's Pilot Antler Restriction Program) and Cornell's report (Hunters’ Experiences with and Attitudes about Antler Restrictions in Wildlife Management Units 3C, 3J, 3H, and 3K during the 2010 Hunting Season).

Key Findings:

• The pilot antler restriction (AR) program substantially reduced the proportion of yearling (1.5 year old) bucks in the harvest and shifted harvest composition to older bucks.
• The number of 2.5+ year old bucks in the harvest increased since implementation of ARs. However, the increase did not fully compensate for the reduction in yearling harvest, and total buck take has generally remained >20% below pre-AR levels. WMU 3H was the only unit where buck take returned to the level immediately prior to AR.
• A shift in sex ratios of deer observed in the pilot AR units was apparent, though a similar shift was observed in neighboring units without ARs.
• ARs had no effect on hunter participation for the majority of hunters, but overall participation by non-local hunters appeared to decline because of AR.
• The impact of ARs on hunter satisfaction was mixed. Satisfaction with buck-hunting was generally higher in the pilot AR units than the surrounding region, but similar increases in buck-hunting satisfaction were observed in the surrounding region as occurred within the pilot area. More hunters reported being satisfied than dissatisfied with the level of protection afforded to young bucks and with the level of safety they felt in the pilot area. However, a majority of hunters reported being dissatisfied with (1) the number of antlered bucks compared to antlerless deer seen, (2) the number of older, larger-antlered bucks seen, (3) their opportunity to shoot larger-antlered bucks, and (4) the number of older bucks compared to the number of young bucks seen.
• Hunter expectations for the pilot AR program were largely unmet.
• A majority of hunters in the pilot AR units prefer that the program continue. It appears that participants’ belief that the AR program will eventually result in their desired outcomes has stronger influence than unmet expectations and mixed satisfaction levels on their willingness to have the program continue.
• Deer management population indices were compromised by ARs. DEC must develop additional methods for monitoring deer populations to manage effectively with ARs.
• For related surveys on hunter attitudes about antler restrictions in New York, see www.dec.ny.gov/outdoor/74971.html

Additionally, DEC's draft deer management plan (www.dec.ny.gov/animals/7211.html#DeerPlan) addresses antler restrictions in Goal 2 and Appendix 3.

To submit your comments regarding the pilot antler restriction program or the draft deer plan send your comments on the draft deer plan to DEC Deer Management Plan, NYSDEC, 625 Broadway, Albany, NY 12233-4754 or by email to deerplan@gw.dec.state.ny.us using “Deer plan” in the subject line.

The NYS DEC has released a draft deer management plan available for review and comment. The proposed 5-year plan is available at http://www.dec.ny.gov/animals/7211.html and the DEC will be accepting public comment on the draft through Thursday, July 28.

The draft plan describes six primary goals that encompass the current priorities for deer management and the values and issues expressed by the public:

1. Manage deer populations at levels that are appropriate for human and ecological concerns;
2. Promote and enhance deer hunting as an important recreational activity, tradition, and population management tool in New York;
3. Reduce negative impacts caused by deer;
4. Foster public understanding and communication about deer ecology, deer management, economic aspects and recreational opportunities;
5. Manage deer to promote healthy and sustainable forests and enhance habitat conservation efforts to benefit deer and other species; and
6. Ensure that the necessary resources are available to support sound management of white-tailed deer in New York.

Comments may be submitted in writing through July 28 to DEC Deer Management Plan, NYSDEC, 625 Broadway, Albany, NY 12233-4754 or by email to deerplan@gw.dec.state.ny.us using “Deer plan” in the subject line.

NAPA, CA. Sitka Gear, introduces the new Contrail Shirt. When you are traversing a ridge top where the wind chill is a whipping 10 degrees Fahrenheit you don’t want to be lugging a bulky jacket for wind protection. The Contrail Shirt incorporates stitch-less/welded seams with an extremely breathable 4-Way stretch fabric, to make it lightweight enough you will not even know you have it on, while still being 100% windproof and durable.


In addition to the aggressive design, Sitka Gear’s top-quality products feature the most scientifically advanced visual concealment pattern ever to hit the market – GORE® OPTIFADE® Concealment, the first-ever concealment based on the science of animal vision.

Contrail Shirt Features
• GORE® OPTIFADE® Concealment Open Country pattern
• Stitchless/Welded Seams
• 4-Way Stretch Fabric
• 100% Windproof
• Available in sizes ranging from Medium to 3XL
• Suggested Retail Price $199

About Sitka Gear, Inc.
Sitka Gear is the leading manufacturer of high-performance hunting apparel that utilizes cutting-edge technology to keep hunters warm, dry and comfortable in any condition. For more information about Sitka visit www.sitkagear.com or call 877.SITKA-MG.

About W.L. Gore & Associates (www.gore-tex.com)
Perhaps best known for its consumer products like GORE-TEX® fabric and ELIXIR® guitar strings, Gore is a leading manufacturer of thousands of advanced technology products for the electronics, industrial, fabrics and medical markets. The company is headquartered in Newark, Delaware, posts sales of approximately $2.6 billion, and employs 9000 associates at 30 locations throughout the world.

This week we have guest blogger Tracy Breen with some gift ideas for dad this father's day:

Is your Dad a Mathews Archery fan? Is getting your Dad a Father’s Day gift difficult for you because he already has everything? Below are a few new items that are officially licensed products of Mathews Archery and/or Lost Camo, the official camouflage of Mathews Archery. Get your Dad a perfect gift for Father’s Day that he will never forget. Get him a licensed Mathews product.


Are you looking for a great bow sight for Father’s Day? Consider the unique Shaffer Performance Archery Opposition 4 or 6 pin sight. Most sights have the pins on one side of the sight housing. The result is a limited field of view. The Opposition sight has 3 pins on each side of the housing, resulting in a better field of view. The sight can be purchased with a light for low light hunting conditions. It is available in Mathews Archery Lost Camo or black and comes with a pivot lock mount which allows the sight to be removed from the bow in seconds when transporting the bow and put in back on quickly without adjusting the pins each time.

If you are looking for a unique Father’s day gift for the Mathews fan in your life, you’ll be pleased with the Mathews Archery Lost Camo Leather belt or tri-fold wallet. Does your Dad wear a belt when shooting in archery tournaments? The Mathews leather belt will let everyone know he is a Mathews fan, thanks to the large Mathews belt buckle. The Mathews leather products can be purchased from a local Mathews retailer or directly from American Leather Classics.

Norway Industries has teamed up with Mathews Archery to offer a Fusion Mathews vane that displays the Mathews logo on every vane. Put the Fusion Vane on an arrow and see how tight the arrows will group.


Hot Shot Manufacturing has an innovative new release called the Infinity. On the outside, it may look like another release but the internal workings are completely different. The Infinity features a “Lever-Link” trigger that replaces traditional roller bearings, creating a crisp shot and less trigger creep, resulting in tighter arrow groups. The extra tough actuating mechanism features less friction than roller bearings so the release will work flawlessly for years without getting stiff or difficult to pull from harsh weather or dirt from hours in the woods. My favorite feature is the fact that the release was made with a unique alloy that is essentially “self-lubricating.” The Infinity is available with a black wrist strap or in Mathews Lost Camo.


The Doinker Mini Dish hunter looks like a stabilizer with a large dish or plate on the front of it. The 3-hole hub on the front of the stabilizer reduces noise and vibration and can be placed on the opposing side of the sight, quiver and rest, balancing the bow out for a more accurate shot. Customize the stabilizer by adding small weights to the Dish to eliminate vibration. The Mini Dish is available in Mathews Lost Camo.

Master Target is offering a Mathews face target. Master Targets are made of paper thin plastic that are waterproof and ultraviolet (UV) resistant. Each face target comes with a photo of an animal on it and reveals the vitals of that animal. Each Master Target face can be taped, stapled or pinned to a block style target and can withstand over 400 shots from a field point tipped arrow.

About the Author

Tracy Breen is a full time freelance writer and consultant in the outdoor industry. Mathews is one of his clients.

Bill from Ballston Lake recently came across NYBowhunter.com and sent in some photos of the deer he arrowed during the 2010 season. Bill started hunting in Saratoga County just two years ago and was able to take his first deer with a bow this past fall.


The pic above is of Bill and a doe he took right before Halloween weekend. This is Bill's first deer with a bow.


A few weeks later Bill took a second doe and then about 20 minutes later he was able to take a spike that had been following the doe. It was the first time Bill took two deer in one day.

Extreme Archery will be hosting a bowhunter safety course on Sunday, June 12th at 8:00 a.m. EST. The bowhunter safety course is 8 hours long and allows anyone interested in hunting with archery gear to become certified to bowhunt by the State of New York. Upon comleting the bowhunter safety course, which consists of a classroom session and passing the multiple choice exam, participants will be able to bowhunt for both big and small game during the upcoming 2011 Fall Hunting Season.

To register for the Bowhunter Safety Course please contact Extreme Archery:

Extreme Archery
801 East Boston Post Rd.
Mamaroneck, NY 10543
(914) 777-7500

As I was going through the mail today I opened up one of the envelopes and inside I found my 2011 Kansas Whitetail Archery tag!

I knew I had successfully drawn a tag, but actually holding it in my hand made me wish it was November. I'll be headed down to Kansas during the second week of November for two and a half weeks of bowhunting on public land.

After hunting with Verdigris Valley Outfitters in Kansas last year, I was very impressed with the caliber of deer that I saw, but a DIY public land hunt is going to be a whole new ball game. I'm looking forward to getting to Kansas and scouting the property, hanging stands and seeing what decides to walk out of the woods, it might just be a buck of a lifetime...

After nearly 20 years of bowhunters fighting for a reduction in the junior archery age, it finally happened this year as Governor Andrew Cuomo signed into law new legislation lowering the minimum age for bowhunters from 14 to 12.

Just weeks before bill S177A was approved by the state Assembly and organizations such as New York Bowhunters, Inc. were urging members and supporters to contact their legislators to urge their support for the bill. Earlier this year the state Senate approved the move to a 12 year minimum age for bowhunters by a 133-8 victory.

This is another major victory for bowhunters across the State of New York and comes just three years after lawmakers decreased the minimum hunting age for big game with a firearm from 16 to 14 (see previous article: Junior Hunting Bill Passes!).

New York has historically been one of the most restrictive states when it comes to youth hunting and only in recent years has it become more in-line with the rest of the country. The new law hopes to attract more people to participate in bowhunting and promote hunting safety to junior archers at an earlier age.

The law goes into effect for the 2011-12 license year, just in time for junior archery to participate in the upcoming fall hunting seasons.

A special thank you to the legislators and organizations around New York State, such as New York Bowhunters, Inc., that helped push this bill through.

NAPA, CA. Sitka Gear, has introduced its latest line of high performance gear for the serious hunter, its Merino line. The benefits of Merino Wool have long been appreciated and used in high performance athletic wear and used in activities such as, running, hiking, skiing and cycling.

Since this material is naturally odor resistant, it is an ideal fit for hunting. Merino is also excellent at regulating body temperature, especially worn directly against the skin. The wool provides some warmth, without overheating the wearer and also wicks moisture making it comfortable against the skin.

The Merino line will have the following features:

● Wicks moisture away from skin
● High heat to weight ratio
● Naturally odor resistant
● 100% Merino Wool
● Available in GORE® OPTIFADE® Concealment Open Country, Forest pattern, and Charcoal
● Available in sizes small to 3XL for Open Country or Forest and medium to 2XL for Charcoal

Items in the Merino line will include the Core Zip T, Core Bottom, Beanie and Liner Glove.

Suggested Retail Prices
● Core Zip T: $119 (Charcoal) $129 (Open Country or Forest)
● Core Bottom: $119 (Charcoal)
● Beanie: $29
● Liner Glove: $35 (medium to XL)

Sitka Gear’s top-quality products feature the most scientifically advanced visual concealment pattern ever to hit the market – GORE® OPTIFADE® Concealment, the first-ever concealment based on the science of animal vision. The unique micro-pattern considers the way a deer or other ungulate perceives color, the ratio of positive to negative space and other visual elements to create an effect that allows the hunter to blend with the animal’s perception of the environment. The macro-pattern breaks up the symmetry of the human body so that if a hunter is detected, the animal will not be able to identify the hunter as a predator.

About Sitka Gear, Inc.
Sitka Gear is the leading manufacturer of high-performance hunting apparel that utilizes cutting-edge technology to keep hunters warm, dry and comfortable in any condition. For more information about Sitka visit www.sitkagear.com or call 877.SITKA-MG.

About W.L. Gore & Associates (www.gore-tex.com)
Perhaps best known for its consumer products like GORE-TEX® fabric and ELIXIR® guitar strings, Gore is a leading manufacturer of thousands of advanced technology products for the electronics, industrial, fabrics and medical markets. The company is headquartered in Newark, Delaware, posts sales of approximately $2.6 billion, and employs 9000 associates at 30 locations throughout the world.