Abstract: An archery bowstring release includes a body mounting a bowstring retainer hook member and a hook release lever releasably engaging the hook member and movable in the release direction by the resilient pressure of a spring interposed between the body and the hook release lever. In one embodiment the hook release lever is held in hook retaining position by thumb pressure of an archer's hand. In another embodiment the hook release lever is controlled by a trigger lever movable between a cocked position in which the hook release lever is held in hook retaining position and a triggered position in which the hook release member is disengaged from the trigger lever for movement to release the hook member. In still another embodiment a whisk hammer and fulcrum lever are interposed between the trigger lever and hook release lever, and an adjustable spring tension may be applied to the whisk hammer to vary the resistive pressure applied by the whisk hammer to the trigger lever.