Who We Are

The Deadfall Design Story

Born in the Backcountry

Deadfall Design wasn't started in a boardroom; it was born in the mountains of Idaho, raised in the wilds of the Western United States, and forged in the backcountry of Alaska.

Our founder, Dioni Amuchastegui, has been a lifelong hunter since he was old enough to carry a BB gun and a child's bow in the Sawtooth Mountains. Growing up here, he developed a reputation for finding creative solutions where none existed—starting with hodgepodge camo outfits and homemade traps made from his mother's knitting yarn before he was ten years old. That same relentless DIY spirit followed him through decades of hunting elk, deer, bear, and cougar; competing in archery; and pushing his physical limits in "Death Hikes" across some of the most rugged terrain in the West.

The Problem

The idea for The Guardian Chest Plate came while planning a trip to Alaska. After looking at the available options, Dioni realized nothing on the market quite worked. Anyone who has hunted the backcountry knows the "gear fatigue" that sets in when every ounce matters and every piece of equipment must be functional.

Dioni found himself struggling with a full pack, chest-high waders, and a binocular harness, but no workable place for his handgun. He needed his sidearm secure and accessible, but the market only offered bulky holsters that bounced with every step or "spaghetti-strap" setups that added unnecessary webbing and friction to an already heavy load. He didn't need more straps; he needed a way to make his existing gear work harder.

The Solution

Returning home to Idaho, Dioni began engineering the solution. He traded his rifle for a computer and a 3D printer, teaching himself CAD design to bring his vision to life. After months in a cycle of prototyping, field testing, and trial-and-error, the result was The Guardian Chest Plate: a minimalist, universal mounting system that integrates seamlessly with the binocular harness you already own. It's built to be lightweight and rock-solid, allowing for a quick, unimpeded draw when seconds count.

A Family Pursuit

While the designs are Dioni's, Deadfall Design is a family and community pursuit. This company was built in the late hours in a Idaho garage, fueled by the support of those who believe in the mission. Dioni's friends and hunting partners have acted as "Alpha Testers," pushing every prototype to its breaking point in the field to ensure the final product is bombproof.

None of this would be possible without Dioni's wife, who has supported the long nights of design and the even longer trips into the mountains. From his parents—who still help babysit so the work can get done—to his brother (the nerd handling the "computer stuff" and building this site), we are a locally owned, family-run business through and through.

Our Commitment

At the end of the day, Deadfall Design is driven by years on the trail and a deep respect for the wild. We are advocates for game management, land preservation, and the hunting lifestyle. We don't outsource our standards. The Guardian is Made in the USA right here in Idaho, using high-quality hardware and proven in the wilds, woods, and mountains we are blessed to have in America.

We build innovative solutions for hunters because we are hunters.

Have a question about our gear or just want to talk shop? We'd love to hear from you. Contact us here or reach out at deadfalldesign@gmail.com.

Thank you for your interest in Deadfall Design. We'll see you on the trail.