Ok so I finally visited the newly opened local Cabelas... its 5 miles from my house.

I had tried to visit it a couple times in the past couple weeks but always too many people to even get a parking spot. Anyway I loaded up the family sunday afternoon and we took a trip over. It was still pretty darn busy as they are still doing the "Grand Opening" thing, they had the PSE semi-truck with pros there and alot of boat action going on.

Inside I was impressed at the size of it... but man too many people. We took immediate right coming in the main doors and it happened to lead us through the 50,000 gal aquarium. In retrospect I would say this was the more interesting thing I saw there. They had a couple MONSTER german brown trout... nothing approaching record book levels but still they were probably in the 18lb range. My boy really enjoyed all the different fish types.

From there we swung through the fishing section where I finally found my favorite fishing line that for some reason, local stores quit carrying (Stren 8lb HIVIS), obviously I wasnt the only one who likes it as out of all the line they carried, they had the least amount of this kind... in fact I took the last one! Several million items in stock my butt... I even razzed a salesman about it.

From there we moved through the atv / truck equiptment... then down into the mule deer exhibit. Some impressive animals but some were obviously sporting reproduction antlers. Some very unique racks. Next to it they had Elk and finally some dog... err I mean Whitetails

From there we took a swing through the gun section then decided we'd come back later. I got out of there spending a mere $7 but I saw people with *several" rifles and shotguns in a shopping cart along with cases of ammo

Overall I would say it was pretty neat... but also it was hyped up so much locally I also felt a bit underwhelmed. Pricewise its a bit more than several other local stores (we have a similar chain called Sportsmans Warehouse carrying alot of what cabelas had)... I think Cabelas will be great for that rare or obscure item you might need, but general occasional shopping I dont see a need to fight the crowds just to get a reciept with Cabelas logo on it.

But they did have my finishing line! woot!


-DallanC

Howdy. The Cabelas in Pa i go to had a african game section of taxidermy did that one?. I make a few trips a year there, i try and make a list of the things i can only find there. My daughter loves it there she always gets me for about $10.00 of tokens for the lazer shooting gallery. Its a nice trip for us about a two hour drive we make a day of it
Joe

Yea it had an african section.... and a huge mountain in the middle of the store with more stuff on it. I forgot to mention the african one ... I've always wanted to hunt Africa, Kudo expecifically there and they had some really nice mounts of those. My wife knows enough of my dream that she recognized them and actually said "wow nice Kudo" lol!

Its a nice store, lots of stuff... lots of people though. Do the eastern stores stay as crowded after they are open a while or will it die off? I imagine post October where nearly all the hunting seasons are done, things will become pretty quiet there... but then again with Christmas right around the corner maybe not


-DallanC

The store in Pa sounds like it's layed out the same as the one there. The store here died down quite a bit, the last time i went was pa's opening day of archery and it wasn't crowded at all. Its not near as bad as when it first opened yours will probably die down to. I don't like crowded stores . Pa always has a outdoor show in Harrisburg every year i love goin but the crowds are so bad i quit goin about 4 years ago Hope yours gets better.
Joe

Dallan: I went on my Birthday, Sept. 2.

I WAS impressed! Not excessive people. The displays were great! The prices are competitive, and I found a LOADBOOK for my 257 Roberts! Nobody in the civilized world has stocked one of those that I could find. They also carry ammo for the .257! Didja see that custom rifle in the Gun Library that had the $54,000 price tag?

I also bought a knife. Not exactly sure why, but I liked it and I had a gift certificate. I showed the young man behind the counter and a customer the proper way to use a knife sharpener. The customer had a small, what looked to be a copy Buck folder. From dull dull dull to shaving sharp, and they were impressed, they were!

Altogether a good experience, and Cabela's clothing seems to be better quality than some of the other "famous" brands.. They also have boots that fit my size 15 feets.

The Wee Hen is taking me back tonight, and I have yet another gift certificate. LIFE IS GOOD!

I think its hit or miss with the crowds. My dads been in there several times where he said it was a ghost town... course he is retired and can visit during the day when everyone else is working.

No I didnt see the expensive rifle... I did see a couple in the "used" rack with over 1k price tags though, good grief!

If the crowds die off to reasonable levels I'll probably shop there more out of convienence due to it being so close, however I still like to support some of the other smaller stores trying to make a living off hunting stuff like Gunnies, Cal Ranch etc etc.


-DallanC

Dallan,
We have a Cabela's in Kansas City, KS, about a 4 1/2 hr. drive from my home. It is a treat to visit, and right now is KC's biggest tourist attraction. They estimated 1.5 million visitors were through the store in '04. The stores are definately impressive! I have even thinking about buying their stock, they went public last year, and right now it's a good buy at $19.30 per share. I figured if I was spending money with them, might as well get some residual benefit!
Tim

I have not had a chance to go to Cabela's in KC but my daughter went and told me it would be a scary place for me to go.

I have visited the Cabelas in Hamburg, PA which is about a half hour drive from where I work. I only go there to shop the sales. The crowds are not a problem and mostly non-existent. I bought a Hasting shotgun barrel for the 870 at a decent price.

Cabelas has used guns, but their prices are very high. The local gun shops were concerned about a super store coming to the area. I can tell you that the local gun shops are doing very well. All the best...
Gil

Welcome to the site OkieHunter.


-DallanC

Hey Dallan, if you ever do get to go hunting Kudu in Africa - don't forget to bring the hide back. You may have enough to have a pair of boots made for Sniper's size 15's - those Kudu are pretty big suckers! Take a lot of gun when you go!

I have to make the choice , Sportmans Wharehouse or Cabelas. Both are about 3 hours away.

But the SW is in Sioux Falls and that allows the boss to go shopping at the big mall. Where as Cabela's being in Mitchell is much more limited in other shopping opportunities.

Long live Sportmans Wharehouse!

longwalker

I don't get much of a chance to hit up a Cabelas, the only one I normally get to is the one in Owatonna, MN when I am able to head hom to see my Dad and Sister. It is a must stop going and coming along with the inbetween. Sometimes you can find great deals but others I feel that they are a bit on the high side for pricing. Then again with the sheer size and decoration of all their stores I can see why.

I have to admit that the bargin cave is my favorite searching spot and the venison, elk & bison brats make a great lunch when combined with the chili. The boss doesn't like the after effects in the car a few hours later!

I also like to hit the Bass Pro Shop north of me in Hampton, VA, their prices are a bit lower in some respects dependent on the item.

Actually I got one of the Cabelas grand opening books for that new store in utah. I live in Idaho and was thinking of visiting that store next trip up there.

Side Note. It's good to become a member here

Welcome aboard Gunloads good to have ya, sit and stay a while.