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Adding to existing line of hunting solutions and lifestyle products
HUDSON, Wisconsin –– Hunting manufacturer and lifestyle brand Wicked North Gear (dba Wicked North) announced this week that they have completed the acquisition of leading DIY taxidermy manufacturer, Big 8 Products. This acquisition represents an exciting time for consumers and retailers who want to be part of the growing DIY taxidermy community.
"Big 8 has brought smart, clean and relevant designs into the hunting industry, so we were very interested when the opportunity for acquisition was presented to us," said Bobby Herda, Wicked North Founder and CEO. "Adding DIY Taxidermy to our lineup is a natural addition to our post-harvest solutions. The brand on the products will change, but the same product quality Big 8 customers have come to expect will be well-represented within the Wicked North brand.”
Big 8 Products launched in 2019 with the mission of providing quality and affordable DIY Taxidermy products to all hunters, so their trophies and memories can last a lifetime and beyond. Their debut, patent-pending product – the Change Up Antler Mount – launched in 2019, delivering an easy DIY, less-mess solution for skull mounts and for matching or single sheds for the shed hunter. The innovative, patent-pending Turkey Beard Hanger, was then added spring of 2021, providing a quick, epoxy-free turkey beard hanger solution to proudly and easily display beards. The most recent addition, the Hang Up European Mounting Bracket, launched last fall delivering a uniquely sturdy, flexible and affordable European mount hanging solution – not only for whitetail and mule deer skulls, but also bear, bobcat, coyote and more.
When Wicked North launched in 2020, the company hit the hunting scene with a memorable brand and a Turkey Field Dressing Kit – a single kit designed to meet the needs of any turkey hunter after the harvest. In a matter of 18 months, the Wicked North community was nearing 20k followers on Instagram delivering on authentic content and yielding impressive engagement and some serious brand enthusiasts. Based on demand for the brand, they quickly expanded their lifestyle offering with differentiated designs, always keeping a close eye on top-quality materials. “I’m a hoodie and hat guy, so our lifestyle product has to pass the test of being worn daily by me,” said Bobby. “If it doesn’t hold up, it’s not for us.”
“The brand and leadership of Bobby immediately got my attention,” said TJ Eads, Co-founder of Big 8 Products. “The Turkey Beard Hanger is a perfect complement to the Turkey Field Dressing Kit – and the antler displays, tags and Euro mount solutions are right in line with where Wicked North is headed. I couldn’t be more excited to see where this great brand goes.”
Glen Reich, Director of eCommerce, Kelly Brand Management added, "I knew right away that this acquisition would be a perfect fit when I compared each of the brands’ strengths. The robust community that Wicked North has developed over the years combined with the expanded assortment of quality taxidermy products Big 8 Products created, offers a massive opportunity for growth. Retailers and consumers alike should be very excited to see these products on store shelves this fall.”
The plan is to sell the current inventory of Big 8 branded products as they build their newly branded Wicked North SKUs.
For more information on Wicked North and its newly expanded line of products, visit WickedNorthGear.com.
About Wicked North Gear
Wicked North Gear® (dba Wicked North) launched in 2020 and since has built an amazing community of adrenaline-seeking enthusiasts who are passionate about the brand and gear. The company’s mission is steadfast: deliver the very best gear for a life well lived in the great outdoors. Featuring a growing lineup of design-forward hunting, outdoor and lifestyle product, Wicked North is committed to supporting the experiences and memories that can only be made one place – outside.
Media Contact: Glen Reich, Director of eCommerce, Kelly Brand Management