How can we keep a really exceptional product from vanishing from the hunting community? The product that I am speaking of is the Equalizer leveling tree stand as well as the BuckShot BigShot climbing tree stand from Buckshot Manufacturing. Just Google Equalizer or BuckShot tree stand or the company name to find their site. The Equalizer leveling tree stand is so much more than a climbing style tree stand. It is a climber that you can level in mid-climb safely. Just watch the video on their site or search for Equalizer on YouTube and you will see why I love mine so much. The BuckShot climbing tree stand has most of the same features with the one exception of the leveling option. Lots of folks I know have the same passion for this climbing tree stand. Many have sons now who are learning to hunt and they want another Equalizer or Buckshot or even just the parts to replace what has worn on their original tree stand. How many other tree stands can say they get passed down to another generation?!?! I spoke with Bill, the President of Buckshot Manufacturing, yesterday about the impending shutdown of their operation. When I saw the announcement on their website, I was really upset because it took nearly two years for the company to untangle themselves from a previous partnership which delayed the relaunch of the next generation of their tree stands here in America. However, during that delay I patiently waited because their products are THAT good! I know that Bill is searching for a new investor or other ways to better capitalize their business and I know how hard that is to do. I am also saddened at how hard the laws of our country make it for a small business to raise capital in what I always thought was a capitalist country. I always assumed you could simply promote your business by saying, "Hey - do you want to invest in my company?" Apparently in America, that is not the case today. I am searching for ways to help Bill raise the capital to keep the Equalizer and BuckShot tree stands alive because quite frankly, I want another one. But, beyond my own selfish motivation - I want to see this product survive and thrive for the benefit of all hunters who haven't yet experienced the Equalizer or BuckShot. I don't know what you can do to help, but please spread the word to others in the hunting community. Perhaps there is an Equalizer or Buckshot owner who is as passionate about it as I am and who would become an investor. Please pass along any ideas you may have to myself or to Bill. I have no stake in Buckshot Manufacturing at all. I am just another hunter who wishes to see a great product have the chance to succeed and I'm willing to spread the word.
Love my Equalizer. Can't imagine not having the leveling feature on a climber! Had mine for about 7-8 years, and still functions like new. Hope they find a way to survive.
Oh My ... I love my Equalizer !!!!! My husband liked my Equalizer so much he sold his Lone Wolf Climber and bought a Equalizer Climber. If I had the capital to invest I would, but alas I am just a working stiff I pray they can survive this tough time. I just took this buck a couple of days ago out of my Equalizer Climber
I have been working with a startup company in the outdoor industry and we have had to raise capital as well. Aside from traditional ways to raise capital (business plan, finding accredited investors, etc...), there are crowd funding sites like Kickstarter that could help with a capital infusion. Not sure how successful a hunting company would be though. Another suggestion is to try and seek out some of the original guys in the industry who are retired now and may have some money. At there very least they may be able to provide great insight. Much is dependent on how large of a capital infusion is needed. One of the biggest downfalls for companies is having a business plan that doesn't paint the right picture. Even if the product is great and the business model works, investors aren't going to be interested if the BP doesn't tell a compelling story that is backed up by realistic financials.
You must of not got the memo. America was capitalist in the proccess of changing. I hate to say it but they shoulda continued manf. In taiwan. American small biz cant survive here. Theres to many hands in your pocket and payroll taxes are crippling. Im sorry to hear it about buckshot mfg.
Doublelung1977 Thank you for the reply. Buckshot manufacturing isn't dead yet. They are searching for a new investor or another way to continue production competitively. I am hoping that if enough of us who have their products can generate enough interest about them that their potential backers will reinvigorate them. Like most owners of their products, I want another one and I'm going to do all I can to get the word out so that they survive even if it has to be off our shores to do it.
They were, but had to stop production. They initially were seeking 1,000 orders, either pre-paid or order requests with a small down payment to reach 1,000 units so that they could make a complete production run. Unfortunately, they did not get enough orders in their narrow production window in 2013 to get the full run funded. Therefore, they refunded all pre-paid orders and are seeking more capital or a new partner to help them produce their inventory without having to request orders be pre-paid. Go to their site and send a request email for more details. I don't want to provide inaccurate information beyond what I know since it is a highly fluid situation as they search for investment capital. I don't want to see them go away because I use the heck out of the stands that I already have from them. The following is the post I have been placing on every forum I can find to help generate enough interest that their backers take notice and revitalize their company... # # # # # How can we keep a really exceptional product from vanishing from the hunting community? The product that I am speaking of is the Equalizer leveling tree stand as well as the BuckShot climbing tree stand from Buckshot Manufacturing. Just Google Equalizer or BuckShot tree stand or Buckshot Manufacturing to find their site. The Equalizer leveling tree stand is so much more than a climbing style tree stand. It is a climber that you can level in mid-climb safely. Just watch the video on their site or search for Equalizer on YouTube and you will see why I love mine so much. The BuckShot climbing tree stand has most of the same features with the one exception of the leveling option. Many of us have sons now who are learning to hunt and we want another Equalizer or Buckshot or even just the parts to replace what has worn on our original tree stand. How many other tree stands can say they get passed down to another generation?!?! I spoke with Bill, the President of Buckshot Manufacturing, yesterday about the impending shutdown of their operation. When I saw the announcement on their website, I was really upset because it took nearly two years for the company to untangle themselves from a previous partnership which delayed the relaunch of the next generation of their tree stands here in America. However, during that delay I patiently waited because their products are THAT good! I know that Bill is searching for a new investor or other ways to better capitalize their business and I know how hard that is to do. I am also saddened at how hard the laws of our country make it for a small business to raise capital in what I always thought was a capitalist country. I always assumed you could simply promote your business by saying, "Hey - do you want to invest in my company?" Apparently in America, that is not the case today. I am searching for ways to help Bill raise the capital to keep the Equalizer and BuckShot tree stands alive because quite frankly, I want another one. But, beyond my own selfish motivation - I want to see this product survive and thrive for the benefit of all hunters who haven't yet experienced the Equalizer or BuckShot. I think we can generate enough discussion and buzz about these products to influence their backers to revitalize this company. Please spread the word to others in the hunting community. Perhaps there is an Equalizer or Buckshot owner who is as passionate about it as I am and who would become an investor. Please pass along any ideas you may have to Bill at Buckshot Manufacturing. I have no stake in Buckshot Manufacturing at all. I am just another hunter who wishes to see a great product have the chance to succeed and I'm willing to spread the word. # # # # #
I own a Buck Shot Big Shot I purchased a 20" Buck Shot Big Shot tree stand back in the 1990's. I still use it today. It is by far the safest and best tree stand I have ever used! (even though it badly needs parts now, but it is 20 years old, I still prefer it over other tree stands) I have been searching desperately for several years looking for parts. I am so excited to hear they are back on the market. I will make it my duty to spread the name for them. I ordered the critical parts that I need for mine, now I am just waiting on the seat and back cushion and my stand will be new again! I have also requested to be put on the list to purchase two more of them in the 24" size for my son and my brother. Every hunter that has ever used my stand has always asked where he could get one! Let Bill know that I will be talking to other hunters to send him some business. I agree that some things need to stay with us. Buck Shot tree stands is one of them! I wish them all the success in the world because I know their stands will keep us all safe and comfortable in the woods. Where else can you buy a deer stand and use it for 20 years and enjoy it and trust it just as much as the day you bought it. My son will have one of these. He is seven years old now, I am so happy to hear they are back in business!. I trust these stands more then any other stand on the market! "Time tested, safety proven!" "Ultra Quiet" Best of Luck to everyone! I hope to see them in stores again soon! I only wish I had the money to invest and help him!
They started selling their products again today! I could not order the stand (s) I wanted, they will not be available until early 2017. But it is well worth the wait! I did however order the parts I needed for my 20 year old Buck Shot Big Shot tree stand made by them! Woooooo Whoooooo! I am a happy hunter now and I do not even have the parts yet! Best of luck to you!
I hunt exclusively out of my Equalizer Climber and have done so for many years ... The best stand I have ever used !!!! Absolutly love this stand I got the new cables for it this year and they shipped super fast.
I think mine weighs around 20lbs, though I'm not 100% on that one. I'm 200lbs and can carry it no problem. Easy to set up, mine came ready to go when I got it.
The Equalizer has returned in 2016. Buckshot Manufacturing has begun limited production of the Equalizer again. I got one of the first run in November 2017. It is exactly the same as the original and weighs approximately 20 pounds with all the hardware attached. I added one of Third Hand Archery's bow holders to the stand to allow me to ascend and descend with my bow on the stand as I climb. http://www.thirdhandarchery.com/product.asp?PRODID=10 The one I received also includes the adjustable backrest bar. Can't wait to try it out for the 2017 season! Check out the updated website at http://www.buckshotmfg.com/.
