Bass Pro Shops was founded in 1972 by Johnny Morris — literally from the back of his father's liquor store in Springfield, Missouri. Morris, an avid angler frustrated by limited tackle selection, started selling specialized bass fishing lures from an eight-foot section of Brown Derby Liquor Store.

:::callout
From 8 feet of shelf space to 170+ stores and a $5.5 billion acquisition of Cabela's — Bass Pro Shops became the world's largest outdoor retailer by turning stores into destinations, not just places to buy gear.
:::

Key milestones:

• 1972 — Founded in Springfield, MO (fishing tackle only)
• 1974 — First standalone retail location
• 1980s — Expanded into hunting, camping, apparel; became full outdoor retailer
• 1995 — Flagship Outdoor World opened in Springfield (500,000+ sq ft)
• 2017 — Acquired Cabela's for $5.5 billion; combined 170+ locations
• Present — Largest outdoor retailer in North America; stores across US and Canada

Bass Pro pioneered the concept of destination outdoor retail — massive stores with aquariums, wildlife displays, restaurants, and shooting ranges that draw families as much as shoppers.

Shopping Guide

Bass Pro Shops stores are big-box destinations, typically 150,000-300,000 square feet combining retail with entertainment. Here's what to expect:

Department breakdown:

Pricing strategy:

• Competitive on high-volume items (ammo, popular firearms, mainstream gear)
• Less competitive on specialty/low-volume products
• Regular sales and seasonal promotions
• Bass Pro Club membership for additional discounts (modest benefits)

:::callout
Best deals at Bass Pro: Ammunition during normal supply periods, seasonal clearance on hunting clothing, and their house brand products (RedHead, World Wide Sportsman) which offer good quality at 20-30% below comparable national brands.
:::

Customer service reality:

• Fishing departments — generally excellent, staffed by experienced anglers
• Firearms departments — highly variable (see below)
• Busy weekends — expect crowds and understaffing relative to customer volume
• Phone service — notoriously difficult; plan on in-person visits for firearms questions

Firearms Department

Bass Pro's firearms department is a significant revenue center, but the experience is polarizing among gun buyers.

What they stock:

The good:

• Extensive inventory you can handle before buying
• Competitive pricing on common firearms
• One-stop shopping (gun + optic + ammo + case)
• Online ordering with in-store pickup
• Shooting ranges at select locations

The bad:

• Long wait times at the gun counter (30 min to 2+ hours during peaks)
• Staff knowledge varies wildly between locations and employees
• Overly cautious interpretation of regulations — some customers report denials that exceed legal requirements
• Phone inquiries to firearms department are nearly impossible
• Transfer process for online purchases can be slow and inconsistent

:::callout
Experienced gun buyers' consensus: Bass Pro is great for browsing, handling firearms, and buying ammunition. For the actual purchase transaction, many prefer local gun shops for faster service and more knowledgeable staff — then return to Bass Pro for ammo and accessories.
:::

Ammunition strategy:

• Popular calibers (9mm, .223/5.56, .308, 12ga) usually well-stocked in normal times
• Purchase limits during shortage periods (enforcement varies by location)
• Bulk packs available for range shooters
• Pricing competitive with online retailers when factoring shipping

Store Locations

Bass Pro Shops operates 170+ locations (including Cabela's branded stores) across the United States and Canada.

Notable flagship stores:

Regional inventory specialization:

• Western stores — Big game hunting gear, magnum rifles, elk/mule deer focus
• Southern stores — Bass fishing dominance, deer hunting, dove/quail
• Gulf Coast — Saltwater fishing, waterfowl, inshore marine
• Northern stores — Waterfowl, ice fishing, cold-weather hunting gear
• Coastal stores — Offshore fishing tackle, marine electronics, boat accessories

Store features (varies by location):

• Indoor shooting ranges (select locations)
• Firearms training and concealed carry classes
• Archery ranges and bow tuning services
• Restaurant/deli
• Wildlife displays and aquariums
• Boat sales showroom

Hours: Most locations open early morning to late evening, 7 days/week. Extended hours during hunting season and major sales. Firearms department hours may be more restricted than general store hours.

References

• Bass Pro Shops official site: basspro.com
• Company history and Johnny Morris biography
• Store locator and firearms purchase guidelines
• Consumer reviews: Reddit, Yelp, AR15.com forums

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

Join the Discussion

Do you prefer shopping for gear at the big box retailers like Bass Pro, or do you find the local shops have better knowledge and selection for specific stuff you're after?