Private investment firm Bregal Partners formed Arcus Hunting to serve as an acquisition and organic growth platform in the bowhunting and archery accessories category. Arcus Hunting completed its first investment through the acquisition of Dead Down Wind.

Harris Williams acted as financial advisor to Bregal Partners and Arcus Hunting in the transaction, and Sidley Austin served as their legal advisor. Terms of the deal were not disclosed.

“Consistent with our broader focus on enthusiast consumer brands, we have been developing for the better part of a year a targeted microtheme to build a leading branded player in the fragmented and growing bowhunting and archery consumables and accessories industry. We are thrilled to announce the formation of Arcus Hunting and to take the first step in our aggressive growth plan through the acquisition of Dead Down Wind, said Scott Perekslis, managing partner and co-founder of Bregal Partners. “We believe the enthusiast nature of the category, the strong brand loyalty, and the growth of bowhunting and archery make this industry especially attractive. Through our investment in Dead Down Wind, we gain a compelling entry point into a fragmented, enthusiast space. Scent elimination is used by more than 70% of bowhunters and is a key element of a successful hunt. DDW offers the most effective products in the category and exemplifies the product leadership, innovation, and compelling consumer value proposition that we are seeking in Arcus Hunting. We are actively engaged in the pursuit of additional investment opportunities, with particular focus on complementary brands in scents and lures, food attractants, targets, decoys, and related categories.

Gary Reed, president of Dead Down Wind, noted “This is an extremely exciting time for Dead Down Wind. We had our choice of partners and it was important for me to find someone who was knowledgeable, had a passion for the industry, and a reputation for shooting straight and doing what they said they would do. My team and I look forward to the partnership with Bregal and to building on DDW’s heritage as Arcus executes its strategy of assembling a portfolio of complementary leading brands that enhance a hunter’s experience in the field.

Dead Down Wind is a scent control brand, with products specifically formulated to reduce odor signatures to the lowest possible level.

Arcus Hunting is an acquisition and organic growth platform.