Parker Bows ceased operations Dec. 17 after 34 years in business, citing the "difficult decision" after exploring all options to remain in business.

The Virginia-based archery company offered a line of compound bows and crossbows. It also offered crossbow accessories under the Red Hot brand.

According to the Parker site's "About Us" page, the original company was founded in 1984 by the late Robert “Bob” Errett, who remained Parker’s CEO from 1984-2016. Bob is a West Virginia native who began his archery career in 1975 with Bear Archery Company in Grayling, Michigan. During this period, Bob Errett was both an employee and friend of the legendary Fred Bear. For 10 years that relationship included an annual week at Fred Bear’s hunting camp in northern Michigan. It is obvious that Fred Bear was a huge influence on Bob Errett and Parker’s attention to quality and customer satisfaction.

In 1984, Errett created Nationwide Archery, the forerunner of Parker. For 17 years Nationwide was major archery supplier and arrow manufacturer serving hundreds of archery dealers. In 1996 it turned its primary focus to compound bows and in 2002 added crossbows to its lineup. The site said more than retail outlets sell Parker Bows.

This is the announcement Parker made Dec. 17 about closing:

Parker Bows has made the difficult decision to cease operations. We have explored what we believe to be all possible options to continue operations in one form or another but to no avail. It has truly been an honor to have been a part of your hunting seasons for over two decades. And it is hard to put into words what your loyalty and support has meant to us.

Effective as of the date of this post (December 17, 2018), all Parker and Red Hot branded products sold will be without a warranty regardless of statements on the packaging or in owner’s manuals. We will make every effort to honor existing warranty claims for items received at our Staunton, Virginia headquarters on or before December 31, 2018. Before returning any item for warranty service, please call 540-337-5426 to speak with a customer service representative and obtain a Return Authorization Number. Items received after December 31, 2018 will be refused.

As we wind down our operations, please check our website, social media pages, future emails and with your local dealer for special offers and announcements.