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.

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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.

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

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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:

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

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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:

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.

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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?