Louisiana Legend, Joe Amaker Dies at 77

Joe Amaker of Rayville passed away yesterday at 77. He held more patents on deer stands than anyone else (23). His company was so successful, it spawned two other stand companies, API and StrongBuilt. At one time well over 50% of all deer stands purchased in the country were made within 50 miles of each other.

The summer I was 15 I worked and saved up my money. I then bought an Amaker Deer Thief climber. That thing must have weighed 50 pounds but I packed it all over Franklin and Tensas parishes an learned to bow hunt out of it.

God bless Mr. Joe and thanks for your vision.