About

When some people look at the above image they see mostly trees in the background, while others see the forest, and some see all the possibilities waiting within that forest.

At Creative Outdoor Products we never lose sight of how our products can shape a kid’s perception as to whether they someday see the trees, a forest or the outdoor adventure waiting there. The foundation of our company and our products is built around the premise that today’s kids, more than ever before, need to get inspired in their imaginations and actions about what the outdoors can bring to their lives. It’s a fact that they need it for their mental and physical health. And, we all need to help guide them outdoors.

Just as some people see the entire forest, we see a world of outdoor possibilities beyond the face value of our Hunter Dan Action Figures, Youth Archery Equipment, Toy Guns, Deer-Hide Camo and even our Books. Because really, they are all designed primarily for the same thing – to inspire kids about getting outdoors and discovering the wonders of God’s beautiful creation.

So, next time you look at our products, it’s okay to see some plastic and the different parts. But, we also hope that you share our greater vision in seeing how we can all make a difference in the future or our children and their relationship with the natural world. We take pride in doing that every day here.  And, we’re delighted if you join us in that vision.

Hunter Dan’s Beginnings…

Hunter Dan® was created by Dave Ranard of Crawfordsville, Indianain the mid 1990’s.  Dave had gotten the idea for a hunting action figure after finding a box of his old childhood toys in his parent’s barn.  The box contained some action figures that he and his brother played with when they were young – General Custer and Geronimo.  Dave was impressed with the detail in the accessories of the old action figures and knew if he could design an action figure with modern hunting equipment he might just be onto something.

Ranard, an avid sportsman and father of two, kicked the idea around for a couple of years before deciding to make his dream become reality in 1996.  His inspiration finally came in the form of a comment made by a lady that Ranard does not know even to this day.  Dave was eating lunch at a Pizza Hut restaurant and was sharing his idea of making a hunting themed action figure with good friend, Todd Farris.  The lady, who was eavesdropping on their conversation, leaned over and told Dave that he had a great idea and that her husband would definitely want to buy one if they ever became available to the public.  That was all Dave needed to hear to help make his decision to dive head first into the hunting/toy industry.  Ironically, several years later Farris became Dave’s business partner and is currently the Executive Vice-President and Chief Operating Officer for Creative Outdoor Products, the home of Hunter Dan®.

Hunter Dan® was first offered for sale in the 1997 Cabela’s Christmas Catalog.  Cabela’s continues to be one of Hunter Dan’s® largest customers today.

About Dave…

Dave grew up the youngest of three children in a middle-class family in rural Indiana.  Dave’s father, Jim, was a Baptist minister and as a result the family moved several times throughout the state of Indiana, including one stint in West Virginia for a couple of years. Jim wasn’t a big game hunter, but he did have a love for the outdoors and took his boys on a very memorable squirrel hunt in southernIndianawhen they were very young.  It was that event that would instill a love for hunting in Dave that would change his life forever.

Dave attended Crawfordsville High School where he participated in football, basketball and track.  Although Dave’s early years revolved primarily around athletics he actually decided not to play basketball his senior year because he couldn’t stand the thought of not being able to bow hunt after school during archery season.  It was that kind of love for hunting that would later become his inspiration to try to turn his passion into a profession.

Dave graduated from Franklin College in 1986 with a degree in Psychology.  He was very active on campus and was also a member of the football team.  After graduation Dave returned to Crawfordsville to begin his career.  He spent a couple of years in the banking industry and a couple years working as the Human Resources Manager for a small plastic injection molding facility.  It was during this time that Dave became familiar with a local company called Work Force – a temporary employment agency.   In 1991 Dave purchased Work Force which was very instrumental in the creation of Hunter Dan®.

Dave changed the name of Work Force to Workforce Plus and later went on to open 3 more offices throughout west central Indiana.   It was the success of Workforce Plus that paved the way for the creation of Hunter Dan®.  Workforce Plus provided Dave the financial resources and flexible schedule necessary to pursue his dream.

Dave’s family is his greatest joy. He married the love of his life, Kimberli, in 1987.  They now have two grown children – a married daughter, Bailey, and a son, Brennan, who is currently serving in the United States Marine Corps Reserves.  Bailey and her husband, Austin, and Brennan all enjoy deer hunting.  Dave enjoys almost every type of hunting, but considers bow hunting for elk and whitetails his favorites.  When he isn’t hunting, Dave also enjoys playing basketball and announcing high school sports.  The Ranard’s attend Rockpoint Baptist Church.