Is Horton still in business?

[lvt01]

Hey guys,
Just wondering if anyone else has heard anything about Horton still being in business or not? I have had a Horton Exporer TR175 for a few years and was thinking about trying out a recurve. I've liked my Horton so I was looking at one of their recurves online. I tried calling the tech support line to ask a few questions, but haven't had any luck getting a hold of a real person....which I had no trouble doing last year. I called one of the designated Horton dealers here in Minnesota and he said that I was the 3rd person that had called him this week wondering about it. I had heard earlier this year that they had moved their manufacturing to China last year. Then I was told they couldn't get it to fly over there and had moved back to South Carolina. It sounded as it wasn't going well for them there either. I read a blog from another guy on another outdoor forum that said he worked for a small company that did machining for Horton and that his company was stuck with $100k of Horton pieces and no place to get rid of them. So I was just wondering if anyone else had heard anything.

Thanks! Larry

[gunrac]

Being from Ohio, this is all new to me. They were an Ohio based company. I had a limb replaced a couple yrs. ago an the repair was done here in Ohio. I hang on a hunting site there an have heard nothing you mentioned. The only thing I know for sure, is they cut back and layed some off. Will start a thread there an see what I can find out.

[lvt01]

I'd really like to get the straight scoop on this. I like the look of the Legacy 225 and would prefer staying with Horton. I'm sure with the econmy the way it is that it wouldn't be unusual for them to cut back, but I'd hate to see them go out of business. They make a good crossbow IMHO, but that's the rumors from up this way. Thanks!

[lvt01]

Hey guys,
I just got good news from Horton. I sent an e-mail to Horton last week to see if they would answer this question. Well....I just got a reply back today from Ken Kendall at Horton. He said they are running full steam ahead and will be around for quite awhile. If I just would have relaxed and waited....I wouldn't have had to post the thread at all. Sorry for all the confusion guys. Sure glad to know they are still up and running!

Happy hunting!
Larry

[gunrac]

Well, there still here in Ohio running full tilt. Guess a couple more states opened up to X-bow's. The only thing goin on in China, is they do import some component's off of a single supplier.
Isn't it amazing how some rumor's take off an fly.

[lvt01]

Ain't that the truth! Pretty sad when one of your own dealers are helping to perpetuate the rumors too! I called the dealer in Faribault and told him that they were still around. He acted all surprised....must be not too worried about seeling any Horton crossbows! 

[RWK]

I beleive Greg Ritz was going to buy Horton.

[Zeeks]

Yes,  They are still in business..  I had to have a limb replaced. (1week old xbow), it only took 3 weeks.  Bad time of the year with hunting season just started 9/26 in Ohio.

[gunrac]

I beleive Greg Ritz was going to buy Horton.

  I don't know where he's at in the company, but remember reading somewhere he is affiliated.

  Also heard he has aquired some ground here in Ohio. If this is the case, he'll get more then a slap on the hands if he screws up like he did in Kentucky.

Ohio has put there foot down on poachin. They pretty much left it up to the DNR to estimate the value of the deer. Fine's are now based on class of deer. They popped some hilljack last year for takin a trophy buck. Jail time, community time, loss of license and a hefty $13,000.00 fine. OUCH! 

[lvt01]

Is he the guy that owns Knight muzzleloaders too? A Horton dealer in Tenneesee told me that guy that owns Knight bought Horton.

So fill me in...what did he do in Tenneesee? I can kinda guess by your comments, but those of us in Minnesota haven't heard that story....

[gunrac]

LOL............Well your close. He is affiliated with T/C an the incident happened in Ky. Google his name. He has been mentioned on about every outdoors site.

http://fw.ky.gov/newsrelease.asp?nid=513

[lvt01]

Its sad when people don't respect the outdoors! The laws are for everyone. I don't agree with 'em all, but I still try to follow them the best I can.

[T.R.]

Pennsylvania removed the crossbow restriction and made it available to all hunters during archery season.  The Keystone State has something like 1 million hunters and I'm certain Horton is selling many models within this new market.

Horton has a very helpful support staff.  For example, when I was looking at purchasing a used crossbow they shared years of production for that model and availability of new parts.  They also shared info about costs for upgrades including faster limbs and other items as well.

TR

[coyote170]

He does own Horton and he did own Thompsom  Center the new Vision175
is getting a lot of good reviews on the different forums,hope hes learned his lesson
poaching is a crime no matter who you are.

[ourway77]

I hunt in Delaware my home state, and maryland on a non resident license. In Maryland a licensed hunter can take 10 doe and 2 bucks for all three seasons. Archery, ML'er, and rifle. It really makes no sense to go and kill anything out of season with limits like this. I am also allowed 5 deer on my resident license. And for $10.00 each I can shoot all the does I pay for. I remember the days when you were allowed 1 deer and you were lucky to see one.Lou