Cabela's

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Heritage & History

Cabela's is a major American outdoor recreation retailer operating 80+ large-format stores across the United States and Canada. Founded in 1961 and headquartered in Sidney, Nebraska, the company was acquired by Bass Pro Shops in 2017 for $5.5 billion but continues operating under its own brand identity.

:::callout
Dick Cabela started the company in 1961 with a $45 classified ad offering hand-tied fishing flies for 25 cents each. From his kitchen table in Chappell, Nebraska, that ad grew into one of the most recognizable outdoor retail brands in North America — and a $5.5 billion acquisition target.
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Key milestones:

1961 — Dick Cabela starts mail-order fishing flies from his kitchen table
1960s-70s — Catalog expands to comprehensive hunting and fishing equipment
1980s — Catalog reaches millions; Cabela's becomes household name among hunters
1987 — First retail store opens in Sidney, Nebraska
1990s-2000s — Destination stores open nationwide; massive taxidermy displays, gun libraries
2004 — IPO on NYSE (ticker: CAB)
2017 — Acquired by Bass Pro Shops for $5.5 billion; retains brand identity

Cabela's built its identity on the catalog business — which was legendary among hunters and anglers for decades before the stores existed. The retail expansion replicated the catalog experience in physical form: massive stores with museum-quality wildlife displays and comprehensive firearms departments.

Shopping Guide

Cabela's stores are destination retail — large-format locations (80,000-200,000+ sq ft) designed as much for browsing as buying. Post-Bass Pro acquisition, inventory and operations have been increasingly standardized across both brands.

Aspect	What to Expect
Store size	80,000 - 200,000+ sq ft
Firearms dept	Extensive; dedicated "Gun Library" at many locations
Staff knowledge	Better than average big-box; specialized departments
Pricing	Competitive on volume items; premium on exclusive/house brands
Experience	Wildlife displays, aquariums, restaurant at select locations
Online	cabelas.com; buy online, pick up in store for firearms

What Cabela's does well:

Gun Library — Unique offering: consignment and used firearms section with curated collectibles, vintage rifles, and premium pre-owned guns
Taxidermy displays — Museum-quality wildlife mounts create a destination atmosphere
Hunting expertise — Staff in hunting departments tend to be hunters themselves
House brands — Herter's ammunition, Cabela's brand gear offer good value
Rewards program — CLUB card earns points on all purchases

:::callout
The Cabela's Gun Library is unique in big-box retail. It's a curated consignment section where customers can sell or trade firearms, and buyers can find used guns, collectibles, and premium pre-owned items. No other major retailer offers anything comparable.
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Post-acquisition reality:

Cabela's and Bass Pro have been slowly consolidating operations
Some customers report Cabela's stores have become "more Bass Pro-like" (less specialty, more mainstream)
Cabela's branded products still available but house brand lineup has shifted
CLUB card program integrated with Bass Pro's loyalty system
Inventory overlap between Cabela's and Bass Pro locations has increased

Firearms Department

Cabela's firearms departments are among the best in big-box retail, with dedicated space, specialized staff, and the unique Gun Library feature.

New firearms inventory:

Category	Brands	Depth	Notes
Bolt-action rifles	Browning, Winchester, Savage, Tikka, Bergara	Deep	Strong hunting focus
Semi-auto rifles	S&W, Ruger, Springfield, Sig	Good	AR-15 and modern sporting rifles
Shotguns	Beretta, Benelli, Browning, Mossberg, Winchester	Very deep	Hunting + clay sports
Handguns	Glock, Sig, S&W, Springfield, Ruger, CZ	Deep	CCW, duty, and full-size
Lever-action	Henry, Marlin, Winchester	Good	Strong traditional hunting segment
Muzzleloaders	CVA, Traditions	Moderate	Seasonal focus

Gun Library (consignment/used):

Curated pre-owned firearms on consignment
Collectible and vintage firearms
Premium used guns (often well-maintained sporting arms)
Pricing varies: some deals, some premium for condition/rarity
Sell or trade your firearms through the program

Ammunition:

Common calibers well-stocked (9mm, .223/5.56, .308, 12ga, .22 LR)
Herter's house brand ammunition — often the best value in store
Bulk options available
Premium match and hunting loads from Federal, Hornady, Nosler
Purchase limits during shortage periods (enforcement varies)

Accessories and optics:

Better selection than most big-box (especially optics)
Leupold, Vortex, Bushnell, Nikon well-represented
Reloading supplies at select locations
Archery pro shop with bow tuning services at most stores

:::callout
Herter's ammunition (Cabela's house brand) offers competitive pricing on common calibers. It's manufactured by established companies (often Federal or CCI) under the Herter's label. Quality is solid — it's effectively name-brand ammo at store-brand prices.
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Store Locations

Cabela's operates 80+ stores across the United States and Canada. After the Bass Pro acquisition, some planned locations were converted to Bass Pro Shops, but existing Cabela's stores have largely retained their branding.

Geographic distribution:

Stores located across most of the continental US
Strongest presence in the Midwest, Plains states, and Mountain West
Select locations in the South and East Coast
Canadian locations in Ontario, Alberta, British Columbia, and other provinces

Notable flagship stores:

Location	Feature	Notes
Sidney, NE	Original store; regional pilgrimage	Where it all started
Hamburg, PA	One of the largest East Coast locations	250,000+ sq ft
Dundee, MI	Major Great Lakes destination	Extensive aquarium
Boise, ID	Mountain West hub	Strong hunting/fishing focus

Store features (varies by location):

Gun Library (consignment/used firearms)
Archery pro shop with indoor range
Wildlife and taxidermy displays
Restaurant/deli
Bargain Cave (clearance section — check for deals)
Fudge shop (yes, really — it's a Cabela's tradition)

Hours: Most locations open early morning to late evening, 7 days/week. Firearms department hours may be more restricted.

:::callout
Cabela's Bargain Cave is the clearance section found in most stores. It's worth checking every visit — discontinued firearms, marked-down optics, and clearance gear rotate regularly. Best selection after major seasonal transitions (post-hunting season, post-holiday).
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References

Cabela's official site: cabelas.com
Company history and Dick Cabela biography
Bass Pro Shops / Cabela's merger documentation (2017)
Consumer reviews: Reddit, Yelp, outdoor forums

Read the original article in The Handbook | By Boise Gun Club Editorial Team

Join the Discussion

If you've shopped at the Cabela's here in Boise, how's their firearms selection and staff knowledge compared to your local gun shops?

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