2011 ATA Show Day 2 – More Bowhunting Gear

LAST UPDATED: May 8th, 2015

Halfway through Day 2 of the 2011 ATA Show and I’m seeing a bunch of cool new bowhunting products that are coming out for this year.

The Bowhunting.com staff working hard updating blogs, videos, and articles from the hotel this morning.

Two companies are now producing treestands with cast aluminum platforms; Gorilla and Leverage (River’s Edge).  For many years Lone Wolf held the patent on the cast aluminum platform but with that running out recently we’re starting to see some of these new products hit the market.

Both stands are nice, but lack the refinement and adjustability of the Lone WOlf.  The Gorilla stands have no side to side adjustments or platform leveling, which is slightly disappointing.  The Leverage stand is very well made and the platform casting looks amazing.  The platform is only 3/4″ thick and the entire stand weighs in at just 14 lbs, but also lacks the side to side adjustments that I’d like to see.  The seat leveling system also leaves some to be desired.  Both stands will retail around $199, but for that price I’d like to see some extra functionality added to them.

The new cast aluminum stand from Leverage.

Cast aluminum treestand from Gorilla.

New from Mountain Mike’s reproductions is their turkey mounting kit called the Beard Collector.  This kit is very well made and looks great.  The plaque comes with a fan mount, an option for mounting the spurs, and hanging up to 5 beards.  The beards are mounted via a very simple and effective screw system with shotgun shell covers.  This is a killer new product for you turkey hunters looking for a classier way to display your trophies.

Trophy Taker has come out with a new line of field points that include a small o-ring for a secure fit.  These points screw in nice and tight and won’t come loose after every shot.  I’m sure you all know what I’m talking about with how annoying it can be to re-tighten your field points every time you pull them out of the target.  A very simple, yet effective new product.

As usual the stars are out signing autographs at various booths around the show. 

And as promised, here’s a better photo of the Tree Spider harness from Robinson Outdoors.  SO far this product has been the talk of the show.  Light, easy, fast, and safe.

I’m grabbing some lunch now and will update with another blog after the show ends tonight.

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Justin Zarr

General Manager at Bowhunting.com

Justin has been bowhunting for more than 30 years and co-hosting the popular bowhunting show Bowhunt or Die since 2010.  He lives in the NW suburbs of Chicago with his wife, 3 children, and semi-smelly dog.