If you're like me and own a Horton crossbow, and if perchance it breaks, there may be a problem getting parts for it. Why?

"TenPoint Crossbow Technologies recently purchased selected assets of Horton since Horton's ability to operate deteriorate," said Rick Bednar, Chairman, President and CEO of Hunter's Manufacturing who does business as TenPoint.

"The company released most of its employees in April 2013 and its primary (secured) creditor finally took possession of all Horton's assets, and closed its doors. We have purchased machinery, equipment and other selected assets including trademarks, licenses and the rights to the Horton name. It is important to understand that we did not purchase the Horton Archery LLC operation. That operation no longer exists, and TenPoint WILL NOT continue making or servicing any of Horton's current or past bow models," Bednar added.

Horton was the oldest crossbow manufacturing company in the country. The Tallmadge, Ohio based manufacturer was also the first to introduce a reverse limb crossbow. And Ottie Snyder Jr., Horton's media relations manager at the time, was instrumental in encouraging and promoting the use of crossbows for hunting in a number of states, Pennsylvania included. He attended several Pennsylvania Game Commission meetings to speak on crossbows and encourage the PGC to allow them for hunting, not just for handicapped hunters, but for all hunters. And he did this at several other state game commission agencies.

When Horton developed financial difficulty, Greg Ritz, a TV host of Hunt Masters, bought the ailing company but couldn't turn it around. Hence the foreclosure and Horton's demise.

Ironically, Bednar was one of the four investors who created the original Horton USA brand in 1985. He served as COO from its inception until 1991 when he sold his stock and left the organization. In 1994, Bednar formed Hunter's Manufacturing Company and named his bows after the company. Horton, however, sued for the resemblance of that name to theirs, so Bednar changed the name to TenPoint.

As for getting Horton bows fixed if something breaks, Rick Weaknecht of Weaknecht Archery in Kutztown, who was one of Horton's largest dealers, said that he has some parts in stock for Horton crossbows but once they're gone, he has no access to more.

Weaknecht said he surmises from what his TenPoint rep tells him, is that Bednar will reintroduce only Horton's reverse limb crossbow, perhaps under a different name as they've done with sub-branded and less expensive Wicked Ridge crossbows.

LEASER LAKE LEAKING

After the multi-million dollar repair job to fix Leaser Lake's leaking problem, the dam is once again seeping water, evidently from an underground spring.

According to George White, Chairman of the Leaser Lake Heritage Foundation, seepage was found around the outlet pipe at Leaser's dam. The PFBC, says White, has stopped re-filling the lake until they have stabilized the area around the seepage.

"The seepage at the pipe is not water from the lake, but a spring outcrop that has been triggered by the head pressure created by re-filling the lake," White explained in a press release.

White goes on to say that the PFBC has known about the problem and are working on correcting it, which will not require emptying the lake, nor will it be complicated or expensive although it will cost $80-$100,000 to fix. Herein lies the biggest hurdle. Classified as an emergency repair, monies were requested through DEP's Department of General Services and that might take some time. White believes repairs are not likely to begin until spring of 2014. In the mean time, fish stocking will continue.