Archery Business: Jul/Aug 2010
16 archeryBUSINESS July/August 2010 AmeristepNEW & NOTEWORTHY GEARProduct Pro\037 leThe reasons for this leading innovator's success? Some "blind ambition"and a whole lot more. Some 12 years ago, as most of us were attempting to \037 gure out yet another way to ambush big whitetails while hanging in trees, veteran archery gear innovator Amer- istep was taking another tack. It was then the forward-thinking Michigan-based company de- cided to go against the grain of popular hunt- ing wisdom by introducing its curious, ultralight, "Outhouse" spring-steel-operated ground blind. By the time many of us realized the easily pack- able blind's many advantages for turkey hunt- ing, a blind-hunting revolution of sortswhich would soon include all types of big game, as well as the ability to effectively involve youngsters like never beforewas in full swing. Twelve years later, Ameristep remains on the cutting edge of ground blind technology. Good examples for 2010 include the company's unique new Crossbones Crossbow blind, designed to take advantage of the current "crossbow craze" that has followed the weapon's recent legal- ization in many popular bowhunting states. It seems more new opportunities are popping up every few months. "You talk to the major retailers, and they're saying anything that has to do with crossbows is up in the hundreds of percent," said Ameristep President Bob Ransom, who explained there are several major "crossbow speci\037 c" bene\037 ts that set the 11-window, 71-inch-wide by 62-inch-tall Crossbones ($199) apart. For one, a series of adjustable \037 berglass rods inside the blind windows offer a nice solid rest for front-heavy crossbows, for increased accuracy. You'll also \037 nd a crossbow carrying feature on the blind's included backpack, and also included is a neat free-standing crossbow holder that effectively balances a cumbersome "cocked-and-loaded" crossbow and keeps it at the ready. The 16-pound blind's large windows offer many more shooting optionsand the long, vertical options make shooting at downward angles a snap. These versatile windows make pairing the blind with Ameristep's Vantage Point Quad Pod ($299)a lightweight-but-rock-solid steel platform that gets your blind 6 feet off the grounda natural, deadly combo. Another bo- nus pro shops will appreciate? Ameristep engi- neers were able to design the Quad Pod so that the disassembled unit \037 ts in a standard shipping boxno "oversized" shipping rates required. Another neat new model is The Choice Hy-brid blinda unique "half-and-half" system that combines a 3-D mesh "ghillie suit" camo concept with solid-fabric 2-D walls of ultra-soft, synthetic micro-\037 ber NS3 camo fabric. The ver- satile designbuilt with valuable input from pro hunters Ralph and Vicki Cianciarulo of Archer's Choice fameallows plenty of welcome ventila- tion that's especially handy for Southern turkey and Western pronghorn hunters, and nearly un- matched viewing and shooting capabilities. "I think it's important to know the design and concept came directly from Ralph and Vicki and their 'posse,'" Ransom explained. "They were very involved; it's not just a product we built and put their name on." Still another useful feature is the new Spider Hub, a stamped-steel, patent-pending hub de- sign that is virtually indestructible. "Cast hubs can be affected by extreme heat and cold, and become brittle and fail," Ransom explained. "The Spider Hub is a clean, simple de- sign that's head and shoulders above anything we've tested. So much so that it's now being offered as a rolling change in all of our blind de- signs, from our opening price point of $99 on up to $349." Looking for even more blind technology? Hold on. As you may or may not know, Ameristep is the exclusive marketer of the fairly recent "chair blind" concept that has taken the gun-hunting market (both turkeys and waterfowl) by storm. Even better, the company is currently working on a compact, packable chair blind suitable for bowhunters, which it plans to unveil for 2011. In the meantime, the company certainly hasn't forgotten treestand lovers, with its wide range of ladder, climber, and hang-on standsand smart accessories that include the unique, patented Rapid Rails climbing system. Available in both lightweight aluminum ($99; 12 pounds) and steel, the four-section Rapid Rails offer a space-saving "nesting" design that packs easily and lets you climb to 18 to 22 feetwith more security than you'll \037 nd in many other climbing systems. The reasons? A heavy-duty "self-locking" nylon strap system (one strap per four steps)and a deep, "boot-friendly" step design that moves the steps out away from the tree so you can climb on the balls of your feet rather on your toes. And for those who desire even more room and security including the ability to \037 t both feet on the same stepthe company recently introduced its XW (Extra Wide) Rapid Rails. (810) 686-4035; www.ameristep.com Some "blind ambition"and a whole lot more. Some "blind ambition"and a whole lot more. Some "blind ambition"and a whole lot more. Some "blind ambition"and a whole lot more. Some "blind ambition"and a whole lot more. AMERISTEP Crossbones Blind AMERISTEP Choice Hybrid Blind AMERISTEP Two-Person Chair Blind AMERISTEP Rapid Rails Climbing System AMERISTEP Two-Person Chair Blind Rapid Rails Climbing System 016_AB10JUL_Profile.indd 16 6/8/10 10:10:17 AM
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