Went to Cabelas last week

sunshinefisherman · 07-24-2008, 02:12 PM

Been ordering from them for years but had never been to a store. I took the Harley up there last Wednesday; it was worth it.
It is in Lacy at exit 111 off I-5.

The place is similar in construction to Sportsman's Warehouse in that it has a main floor with a second floor gallery; that is where the similarity ends. The place is 10 times the size of Sportsman's. In the middle of the main floor, there is a hill decorated with every North American mount you can think of, Elk, deer, badger, fox, sea lion, etc, etc, etc. It was amazing!

Upstairs there is a gun library, gun store, fly shop, video hunting area, restaurant, archery range, African animal area and on and on.
Downstairs there is a general store, clothing, marine etc.

I bought hats and shirts for the family and a range finder for myself. The range finder is a Cabelas http://www.cabelas.com/cabelas/en/te...&redirect=true made by Bushnell that has an inclinometer that gives you the true ballistic range to 99 yards. It was on sale but I got the display model for an additional 5% off, sweet.

Prices were reasonable and I thoroughly enjoyed myself. I highly recommend this road trip! Lots of stuff for the wife to do to.

I will be going back for the new hunting clothes. The new stuff is so quiet I can hardly keep my wallet in my pocket.

A funny story: I was upstairs looking at reloading stuff and I kept hearing what sounded like a poorly done elk call. Eventually I wandered back over to archery where the sounds were coming from only to discover that it was a little blond haired toddler in a cart making that inhuman sound. Her parents saw me laughing and I told them I thought she was an elk call. Her dad thought that was funny but the mom who was already at her wits end was not amused.

spottedhawk36 · 07-24-2008, 02:55 PM

i just stopped in at cabelas for the second time in lacy last saturday on my way home from the mariners game, the place is awesome, lots of hunting clothes as well as other stuff i agree you should go check it out, i heard a rumor from a friend of mine about a year ago that cabelas was looking at a spot to build out by airport way anyone else heard this?

Eagleclaw · 07-24-2008, 04:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by spottedhawk36

i just stopped in at cabelas for the second time in lacy last saturday on my way home from the mariners game, the place is awesome, lots of hunting clothes as well as other stuff i agree you should go check it out, i heard a rumor from a friend of mine about a year ago that cabelas was looking at a spot to build out by airport way anyone else heard this?

no they are building one in Madras...

I only wish... i'm not going to drive that far to go to Cabela's when i have a Sportsman's Warehouse in Bend...

Mossyhorn · 07-24-2008, 04:27 PM

I went up several weeks ago and actually was not impressed by the selection. It's a big store with lot's of cool mounts but I actually went across the highway to the sportsmans warehouse afterwards and actually bought some things.

The camo selection at Cabelas was weak, although they had racks and racks of clothes I found almost nothing suited for me as a bowhunter. Everything looked the same pattern wise and there were racks and racks of the same thing. Not much variety. THey had no rivers west, no sitka gear, no predator clothing. I wanted to check out the eberlestock packs and they had none.

We checked out their fishing gear, not much of a selection for steelhead fishing. We went to the sportsman afterwards and found all kinds of stuff. They had stuff I actually wanted to buy, cheaper prices too. Even though the sportsman was smaller, I felt they had a better selection of quality gear suited for the northwest hunter/fisher/camper.

That's just my take on it.

elkthumper · 07-24-2008, 04:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mossyhorn

I went up several weeks ago and actually was not impressed by the selection. It's a big store with lot's of cool mounts but I actually went across the highway to the sportsmans warehouse afterwards and actually bought some things.

The camo selection at Cabelas was weak, although they had racks and racks of clothes I found almost nothing suited for me as a bowhunter. Everything looked the same pattern wise and there were racks and racks of the same thing. Not much variety. THey had no rivers west, no sitka gear, no predator clothing. I wanted to check out the eberlestock packs and they had none.

We checked out their fishing gear, not much of a selection for steelhead fishing. We went to the sportsman afterwards and found all kinds of stuff. They had stuff I actually wanted to buy, cheaper prices too. Even though the sportsman was smaller, I felt they had a better selection of quality gear suited for the northwest hunter/fisher/camper.

That's just my take on it.

yep

Jedcraft · 07-24-2008, 05:44 PM

Have been to Cabelas in Mitchell SD, another in MN(can't remeber the town) and Post Falls, ID. The ones back east are LARGE. The ones out here are great but Sportsman actually beat them on price on treestands and a few other archery items. Cool store though. Gotta love that Bargain Cave.

jmg · 07-24-2008, 10:09 PM

Stopped in on Tuesday on the way to the Mariner game. Bought a shirt and a pair of jeans. Couldn't justify the $12,000 tag for a scattergun!! It's similar to a Sportsmans but on steroids IMO. The mounts are cool to look at.

Got One! · 07-25-2008, 07:29 AM

Yup beautiful stores (though granted I havent been to one since I lived on Nebraska ummm... good Lord 30 years ago) Even back then I couldnt afford to buy anything in the stores, but the mounts and high priced custom guns were things to behold. Back in those days, the things in catalogs were super inexpensive! Now they really are a retail store...meaning MSRP, or more. Cool place to walk through back then, and I'm sure they are the same now.

Legend21 · 07-25-2008, 07:45 AM

I just recently went to the one in Post Falls, ID last week on a trip visiting some family up that way. First time ever in a Cabelas and I gotta say it was like I had died and gone to heaven baby!

You have to love north Idaho...I mean a Sportsmans and Cabelas just about 15min away from each other. How great is that?

We have a great Sportsmans here in Salem, but Cabelas was truly an experience. The kids loved the shooting gallery and the aquarium filled with salmon and various local trout. Dad loved the giant mountain in the center of the store with about 30 different mounts on it. I'd agree with Jedcraft and ElkThumper a bit here, that Sportsmans tends to have a little better pricing on a lot of items and a slightly better camo selection in my opinion. We were there for over 2hrs but I could have spent all day in that place.

Can't wait to go back next year on the annual family trip and see the rest of the store.

nakoa · 07-25-2008, 08:05 AM

i hate thate store, i couldn't make up my mind what to buy. it was an outdoorsmans overload.

Jeremy · 07-25-2008, 08:52 AM

I have been there 3 consecutive times without finding anything i had to have, good place to walk around if you arent spending any money though.

QH's Paw · 07-25-2008, 09:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jedcraft

Have been to Cabelas in Mitchell SD, another in MN(can't remeber the town) and Post Falls, ID. The ones back east are LARGE. The ones out here are great but Sportsman actually beat them on price on treestands and a few other archery items.

I've been to several others and, also Bass Pro Shops in other parts of the US. It is the smallest I've been to. They do have a nice mount display but Bass Pro way out does them in my opinion.
I wasn't happy to find my dog wasn't allowed in the store(after driving there with him). The point of our trip was to get the dog a new hunting vest. You know "try before you buy".
All the other Cabelas I've been to allow the dogs. They said it is because they built their restuarant in the store.

TheRutt · 07-25-2008, 03:23 PM

I have never been but my dad lives up there and said that it's okay but he rather shop at sportsmans cheaper on most things that he is looking for.

5 Salt · 07-29-2008, 07:57 PM

Cabelas is fun couple of hours to be sure but you have to visit their big stores to get the full experience.

Lacey store needs some work yet on the NW local need but they will figure it out in time.

SImudBogger · 07-30-2008, 10:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by QH's Paw

I've been to several others and, also Bass Pro Shops in other parts of the US. It is the smallest I've been to. They do have a nice mount display but Bass Pro way out does them in my opinion.
I wasn't happy to find my dog wasn't allowed in the store(after driving there with him). The point of our trip was to get the dog a new hunting vest. You know "try before you buy".
All the other Cabelas I've been to allow the dogs. They said it is because they built their restuarant in the store.

I prefer Bass Pro Shops also. They don't have as much in there catalogs as cabelas, but what they do have is usually cheaper. I like the red head brand stuff, lower price, high quality.

Big Unit · 07-30-2008, 10:44 AM

The Bass Pro Shop in Mesa, Arizona, KILLED the Lacey Cabelas. I enjoy the two stores for their museum affect.

BU

dlgobeavs · 07-30-2008, 11:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by spottedhawk36

i just stopped in at cabelas for the second time in lacy last saturday on my way home from the mariners game, the place is awesome, lots of hunting clothes as well as other stuff i agree you should go check it out, i heard a rumor from a friend of mine about a year ago that cabelas was looking at a spot to build out by airport way anyone else heard this?

I'll stir the pot. Rumor has it they are in negotiations with the City of Troutdale... for the outlet store spot.

Half fast Toyn · 07-30-2008, 11:24 AM

I went the second week they were opened(what took you so long?) and took a gander at what they had. Ive been to a much bigger one in Nebraska so the store in Lacy wasnt that impressive.
I like looking at the mounts and some of the Cabelas knock off stuff you can purchase cheaper than the original named brands. A good example is Scotty rod holders. Cabala's has the exact same thing except it says "Cabela's" on it for much cheaper.
The one thing about the store that I didnt like is they dont allow you bring your dog in. I take my dog into Sportsmans and GI Joes quite often.

Dan360 · 07-30-2008, 06:13 PM

I base my favoritism towards Sportsman's Warehouse on two things:

1. Sportsman's is built the way I like a store. No nonsense, you go to the section you need to, pick up your stuff, get out and use it. No glitz or glamour, just a simple place where I know where EVERYTHING is.

2. No round-a-bouts to drive through. Those things are plain un-American. I live down the street from Cabelas and have to pray for my life every time I drive through those things.

SuperVee23 · 07-30-2008, 08:37 PM

We stopped in for the first time on Sunday to look around on the way back from the Ted Nugent concert. It's the second Cabelas I've been in and it was nicer than the one in Grand Forks, ND, but I didn't walk out with anything.
Dan360, did you see Uncle Ted on Saturday?

gitmeouttahere · 08-02-2008, 11:42 PM

Was there last week on my way to Sea-Tac. Yep, nice place to visit and spend a couple of hours, but my wife didn't understand why I left empty-handed. I told her it was more about the experience than what you left with.

If you wanted to buy a dog shock collar, good set up

Dan360- I'll take those roundabouts over those darn stoplights that only 3-4 cars get through anyday.

Yeti · 08-03-2008, 06:48 AM

I stopped by on our way North Friday. I also walked out empty handed. But, I am going back Monday to fill the trunk! Well maybe not that much.

I found that the reloading supplies I need, 223 brass and bullets, are priced 20% less than Sportsmans. I will also be picking up some Black Hills ammo and perhaps load up on 22lr. Thier gun selection is excellent. I need a new rifle and they had some clearance guns at a good price. Even if I am not going to buy a gun I like to see what is on clearance when ever I am shopping. I may buy a 17 hmr I saw on sale....

I like the store. The camo selection needs more variety but the rest of the selection is excellent.

nakoa · 08-03-2008, 08:32 AM

the only thing that i could decide was what to eat for lunch there.

HntnFsh · 08-03-2008, 09:00 AM

If you buy a gun there check around for other prices.They do Match prices.

Big Unit · 08-03-2008, 07:43 PM

Walked around the store for a couple hours today. Listened to a fella talk about basic stuff. Enjoyed the scenery.

Bought a silk undershirt for $12 and a traveller mug for $3.99. I compared prices on Carhartt double fronts and The Cube type archery targets. GI Joes killed them in both...in fact, Cabelas didn't have the denim ones!!!

Like I said before, don't go to find great prices. Our local stores are doing just fine in that department!

BU

dpdub · 08-03-2008, 10:23 PM

Last summer I went and helped a friend with an archery hunt in Colorado and before we left he took us to the Bass Pro in Denver and I was amazed. After I found out about the Cabelas in Lacey I couldn't wait to get up there because their website is so much better than bass pro I thought the store would be equally better. It wasn't and I was really dissapointed. The mounts were cool, but if you get a chance to visit a Bass Pro do so because it is like comparing a mom and pop sporting goods store to a sportsmans. It was ureal and I spent most of the afternoon just looking around at all the mounts and scenes of wolves and anything else you could think of stalking/killing deer and elk. The fish tank was full of just about any fish that will survive in fresh water and they had a big feeding deal while I was there. Didn't even look at the prices just spent the day looking at everything else they had that wasn't for sale.