Big John knew he could do more for bowhunters' success rates than anybody else back then, and I suspect the folks at Summit still feel the same way. That's what ultimately led to his first climber design, and he hasn't slowed down since. "I just loved the challenge of getting close to whitetail deer," he confided. Sons John Jr., who now runs PRADCO Ron, who continues to pioneer stand design and son-in-law David South, who is now General Manager of Summit, all have offices on the same hall, but I have to say that Big John's office is still the best…Īn outstanding shot with a firearm or bow (he'd competed with firearms for the Marine Corps and took several state archery championships), Big John became obsessed with pointblank whitetail hunting back in the early '70s. (Big John now has the chance to apply his skills across the broad spectrum of PRADCO brands, and K&H Game Calls' popular Pack Rack is just one of his recent inspirations.) He is always looking for better ways to do things. still makes the daily trip into the office, and more than a few of his product designs still make their way into CAD files. Open-front ladder stand that provides a commanding 17 ft. We don't know when or if this item will be back in stock. After a personal factory tour with Summit's Jason Gordon and a little business with his fellow PRADCO brand manager Beth Lauderdale, the icing on the cake was sitting down once more with Big John. Summit Treestands Steel One-Person Ladder Tree Stand, Model Number: SU82116 Visit the Summit Treestands Store 3.1 5 ratings Delivery & Support Select to learn more Customer Support Currently unavailable. I'd joined Intermedia Outdoors' National Sales Manager Jim McConville during his visit with the PRADCO team (Summit is now part of one of the leading conglomerates in the hunting industry - PRADCO also owns Moultrie, Code Blue, and Knight & Hale Game Calls, just to name a few). And few stand designers, if any, have contributed as much over the years to treestand development as Summit Treestand's John Woller, Sr.Ī couple of months ago, I had the good fortune to visit once more with "Big John" at Summit's manufacturing facilities in Decatur, Alabama (outside of Huntsville). ![]() While there is a long list of gear that contributed to bowhunting's evolution, from aluminum and carbon arrows to camo, compound bows, and replaceable-blade broadheads, few if any advances contributed as much to increasing success rates as portable treestands, especially climbers. ![]() Hawk Hunting Climbing Tree Stand Folding Portable Helium 4 Steps. I've often heard the question, "Where would bowhunters be without treestands?" As Bowhunter Magazine celebrates its 40th year in business, it's clear that the magazine would not be the same without the increase in hunter numbers that seemed to coincide with the rise in deer populations and the introduction of new game-changing hunting products. Summit Viper Classic climbing stand-Real tree hardwood pattern. Without a doubt, the portable treestand was one of the key drivers behind bowhunting's amazing growth over the past several decades.
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