Brian Vandergraff Received Product Inspiration From Hunting

Morganton, NC—Who would have ever guessed that time spent sitting in a tree can change your life? But believe it or not, that is how one Western Piedmont Community College (WPCC) graduate experienced a fortuitous flash of inspiration. For Brian Vandergraff, that afternoon just seemed like a great opportunity to go hunting.

At that time in 2013, Vandergraff was about halfway through his Associate in Applied Science degree at WPCC. He was pursuing his Mechanical Engineering Technology (MET) degree and closing in on the time when he would be creating a project before completing his degree the next Spring. Perched in the tree on public game land that afternoon, he began to contemplate a recurring dilemma experienced by many hunters. After bagging a big animal on public property, a hunter must move the animal to his or her mode of transportation on foot since mechanized vehicles are not permitted there. Vandergraff stopped looking for deer and fixed his gaze on his climbing treestand—for a couple hours. “There must be a way to use the treestand to help move an animal,” he thought. When he left the woods that day, he carried out something much more valuable than a trophy animal: he had the vision for a new and different product geared to helping hunters like himself move their prey.

With project time approaching, Vandergraff knew the time was right for him to take his idea from the forest to the lab. He set to work in his garage and created a means of transporting large game from rough terrain by combining a climbing tree stand (which, incidentally, is the most popular form of tree stand) with two wheels with rubber tires and custom angled pieces of metal. When he displayed his Sherpa Game Cart project in Spring 2013, Sherpa Hunting was born.

“This product is unique in that it combines with another piece of hunting equipment you will have with you—your climbing treestand,” explained the inventor and creator. “The Sherpa Game Cart weighs just 10 pounds and yet is tested for moving a load of up to 250 pounds. Besides moving your game much more quickly and easily, the Sherpa Game Cart takes the physical stress and strain off of the hunter.”

“Brian is a top student and serves as an example of what a WPCC education, hard work and determination can produce,” said Michael Daniels, WPCC Dean of Science, Engineering and Mathematics (SEM). “He undertook a huge challenge in taking his concept, then creating a design and successfully producing his envisioned product. WPCC’s SEM faculty members were pleased to be involved in his product design process. We feel he is on his way to success!”

Vandergraff received his MET degree from Western Piedmont in May and is completing his bachelor of science degree from Western Carolina University in December 2014. He also received a bachelor of science degree from the University of South Florida in 2000. A Marine veteran, he has a background in marketing which has served him well with the creation of the Sherpa Game Cart.

“From the product design, development and production to marketing materials including product packaging and web and social media design, I’ve created almost all aspects of this product and the Sherpa Hunting brand,” Vandergraff shared. In addition, the game cart has a patent pending. “And even though I’ve only been selling my product for a few weeks, I already have several others in mind. I see Sherpa Hunting expanding!”

To learn more about Sherpa Hunting, visit www.sherpahunting.com.

Western Piedmont Community College’s Associate in Applied Science degree in Mechanical Engineering Technology program prepares graduates for employment as technicians in the diversified mechanical and manufacturing engineering fields. Mechanical Engineering technicians assist in design, development, testing, process design and improvement, and troubleshooting and repair of engineered systems. Graduates will find employment opportunities in the manufacturing or service sectors of engineering technology. Engineering technicians may obtain professional certification by application to organizations such as ASQC, SME, and NICET.

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Western Piedmont Community College is situated in the picturesque rolling foothills of Morganton, North Carolina and has served the citizens of Burke County since 1964.  Each year, more than 10,700 students pursue personal enrichment, new skills for a job or career, high school diplomas, college degrees, and transfer pathways. Apply online or visit the Western Piedmont Campus to apply in person.