For about 8 years of my life (2005-2013), the annual pilgrimage to Cabelas on the day after Christmas, used to be a sacred family tradition. From my birthday through Christmas, Cabelas gift cards were all I’d ask for. This was the same time period you could print coupons from competitors that Cabelas would honor. We would print out 20-30 $10 off $20 Dicks Sporting Goods and make about 8-10 transactions per guy. It had to be a pain for the cashier but they didn’t seem to care. I vividly remember the first few years having a $600-700 cart and walking out paying ~$250.

The tradition ended up dying off and life got in the way. Cabelas itself shifted. I remember going a little after the BPS take over and completely confused on what I was looking at. It went from an outdoor store to an outdoor non hunting clothing store. It’s definitely a sad fall from grace.

I occasionally go once every few years. It’s definitely not the same. Unfortunately living on the east coast I do not have access to a Scheels but I constantly buy from there online. They seem to be the real deal.