The Horn Holder Story

As a kid, my trauma wasn't holding the flashlight for my dad- it was holding deer in just the right position for hunting photos. 

My father has been a hunting guide for over 30 years, and I often became his test subject for new photo setups with clients.  Even as a young boy I remember the struggle to make each trophy shot look perfect, but it always meant keeping a heavy deer head steady for what felt like forever.  

One day after yet another outdoor photo shoot, my dad looked at me and asked if there might be a better way than him paying me to become a deer stand.  We tried everything we could think of, suspending the deer with strings and stakes, but carrying all that extra gear on our hunts was too much.  Instead, we propped the deer up on nearby rocks and fallen sticks.  It helped sometimes, but usually it took too long or just wasn't stable enough to get a good photo.

Years later, that old problem still in the back of my mind, I discovered a passion for 3D modeling and printing.  It felt like a piece of that puzzle I'd been chewing on for so long.  Around that time, my dad brought up the photography challenge again and asked if I could design something like a football tee to hold deer up.  

The first thing I made was pretty funny looking and wasn't very effective-imagine a plastic football tee trying to lift a deer head.  But it sparked an idea that wouldn't let me go.  I dove head first into solving this problem.  I built prototype after prototype, experimenting with shapes and angles.  I even asked some friends for help when I realized my modeling skills needed refinement. 

After many late-night design sessions and test runs in the field, I finally arrived at what we needed, a simple cradle that lays on the ground, supports the deer's head, and lock it into the prefect angle for a photo.  It is lightweight, easy to carry, and just works.

  The photos looked professional and everyone was impressed. That moment cemented the idea that this was more than a gadget, it was a game-changer . 

Our product does exactly what we set out to do.  It cradles the deer's head from below, prevents it from tipping and holds it at a killer angle for photos.  It is straightforward and exactly what hunters need.

Today, this story drives our brand.  It reflects the determination and ingenuity passed down from my father's decades of guiding experience and my own 3D design experimentation.  And while we started with deer, we're already adapting the design for other big game animals. 

The mission is the same, give hunters an easy, reliable way to showcase their trophies with pride.

Easton & Dan harvest game through the years...