If you’ve seen a Cabela’s sign come down in your town, or read something online about the company shutting down, you’re not alone. But the full story is more complicated than a simple yes or no — and most of what’s spreading online is either outdated, exaggerated, or just wrong.
This article covers what’s actually happened to Cabela’s, why some stores are disappearing or changing names, and what it means for your gift cards, rewards points, and shopping habits.
Cabela’s Is Not Going Out of Business — But It Has Changed Significantly
Let’s start with the direct answer: Cabela’s has not filed for bankruptcy and has not announced a company-wide shutdown. As of April 2025, there are still 49 stores operating under the Cabela’s name.
What did happen is that Cabela’s was acquired by Bass Pro Shops in 2017. It now operates as a subsidiary — meaning it’s owned by Bass Pro, but the brand still exists. That’s a very different thing from going out of business.
The confusion comes from a real place. Some stores have closed. Others have had Cabela’s signage replaced with Bass Pro branding. If your local Cabela’s disappeared, it’s easy to assume the whole company collapsed. But that’s not what the data shows.
How Bass Pro Shops Bought Cabela’s — and Why It Mattered
Cabela’s has a long history. Richard and Jim Cabela started it in 1961 as a mail-order fishing supply business out of Chappell, Nebraska. Over the decades, it grew into a major destination retailer known for massive stores, wildlife displays, and a wide range of hunting, fishing, and camping gear.
By the time Bass Pro came calling, Cabela’s was a publicly traded company on the New York Stock Exchange under the ticker CAB.
In 2016, Bass Pro Shops announced it would acquire Cabela’s in a $5.5 billion deal — $65.50 per share. The deal closed in 2017. After that, Cabela’s became a wholly owned subsidiary of Bass Pro, which is headquartered in Springfield, Missouri.
The stated goal was to build the leading outdoor and conservation retailer in North America by combining the strengths of both brands. Cabela’s corporate headquarters in Sidney, Nebraska was effectively shut down as operations merged into Bass Pro’s base.
That move alone — closing the original headquarters — was enough to fuel early rumors that Cabela’s was finished. But a company can move operations without ceasing to exist.
Why Some Cabela’s Stores Are Closing or Losing Their Name
When two large retailers merge, they almost always end up with overlapping locations. It doesn’t make business sense to run a Cabela’s and a Bass Pro in the same city, so some stores get consolidated or converted.
In some cases, the Cabela’s sign comes down and a Bass Pro sign goes up — but the store keeps operating. Same building, same products, different logo. One user on a gun owner’s forum reported exactly this: “They took down the Cabela’s sign to replace it with the Bass Pro sign,” with the understanding that only the branding was changing, not the store itself.
Think of it like a restaurant chain. If one Chili’s location closes in your city, you wouldn’t say Chili’s is going out of business. Cabela’s works the same way. A store closing or rebranding at the local level doesn’t mean the parent company is folding.
It’s also worth noting that closing stores to cut costs or tighten a footprint is standard retail strategy — not a sign of collapse. Orvis, another longtime outdoor retailer, closed 36 stores without filing for bankruptcy, specifically to keep the rest of the business sustainable. Cutting locations can actually be a sign that management is trying to keep the company alive, not kill it.
What Has Actually Changed Since Bass Pro Took Over
Here’s where things get genuinely complicated — and where some of the frustration from longtime Cabela’s customers is completely valid.
The shopping experience at Cabela’s has changed since 2017. Product selection has shifted toward more Bass Pro house-brand items. Some of the premium, specialty, or niche products that made Cabela’s stand out are harder to find. Pricing structures and promotions have changed too.
Forum discussions and Reddit threads from 2023 to 2025 are full of complaints. On one outdoor hunting forum, users described Cabela’s as going from “10/10 to about 2 or 3/10” in terms of quality and selection. Another thread on Reddit’s hunting community pointed to rising prices alongside a shift toward lower-quality house-brand products.
These complaints are real, and they reflect a genuine shift in how the brand operates under Bass Pro ownership. But it’s important to be clear: unhappy customers and a declining in-store experience are not the same thing as a company going out of business. People can dislike what a store has become while that store still continues to operate.
Present these opinions for what they are — anecdotal, subjective, and widespread among longtime fans — but not verified performance data that confirms Cabela’s is collapsing.
What About Gift Cards, Rewards, and Warranties?
This is a practical concern for a lot of customers, and the short answer is: continuity has generally been maintained under the combined company.
Bass Pro and Cabela’s have integrated their loyalty programs, online platforms, and customer accounts. The official messaging from the combined company frames the acquisition as “joining forces” — not a shutdown — and emphasizes that customer benefits carry over.
That said, specific policies on returns, price matching, and warranty claims may have changed since the acquisition. Don’t assume your old experience still applies. Check the current policies directly on the Cabela’s or Bass Pro website before making a purchase or attempting a return. If you have a specific question about a warranty or gift card balance, calling the store directly is faster than guessing.
How to Tell What’s Actually Happening at Your Local Store
If you’re worried about a specific Cabela’s location, here’s a straightforward way to find out what’s going on:
- Use the store locator on the Cabela’s or Bass Pro Shops website to check if your location is still listed.
- Call the store and ask directly — staff can tell you if a closure or rebranding is planned.
- Look for official press releases or announcements from Bass Pro, not Facebook posts or forum rumors.
This matters because a lot of what circulates online isn’t sourced. One Facebook group post claimed that “around this time next year Cabela’s will cease to exist” — but there was no press release, no corporate announcement, and no mainstream business coverage backing that up. That’s a rumor, not a fact. Treat it accordingly.
What Alternatives Exist If You’re Done with Cabela’s
If the post-acquisition version of Cabela’s no longer works for you, there are real alternatives depending on what you’re shopping for.
- REI — Strong for camping, hiking, and outdoor apparel. Member-owned cooperative with a good return policy.
- Academy Sports + Outdoors — Solid for hunting and fishing gear, often with competitive pricing.
- Local specialty gun shops and fly fishing stores — Often carry the niche, high-quality products that Cabela’s used to stock but no longer prioritizes.
- Direct from manufacturers — Brands like Sitka, Mystery Ranch, or Leupold sell directly online, cutting out the middleman entirely.
The outdoor retail market has options. If Cabela’s no longer meets your needs, you’re not stuck.
The Bottom Line
Cabela’s is not going out of business. It was bought by Bass Pro Shops in 2017, restructured, and continues to operate under its own name across dozens of locations. The brand has changed — product selection is different, some stores have closed, and others have been converted to Bass Pro branding — but none of that equals a corporate shutdown.
The confusion is understandable. When your local store closes or changes its name, it feels like the end. But what’s happening with Cabela’s is a long-term business consolidation, not a collapse.
If you’re making decisions about where to shop, check the current store locator, verify your rewards and gift card status directly with the company, and don’t rely on social media posts as your source of record. For more coverage on how businesses evolve through acquisitions and market shifts, visit Start Business Media.
The Cabela’s you remember from 2010 may not exist anymore — but the company itself is still standing.
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