In the run of a year I receive approximately 100 different outdoor catalogs. That’s roughly two a week from only about 15 to 20 well known companies, and instead of the old style all-in-one merchandise catalogs, now every other one is a specialty book. There’s clothing, marine equipment, black powder supplies, archery gear, turkey hunting, waterfowling, fly fishing, reloading equipment, fly tying material and on and on. What with all the printing and postage costs I’m beginning to understand why products are so expensive, and I’m amazed we have any forests left with the constant demand for paper stock.
Don’t get me wrong, this steady supply of wish books gets me through many a cold winter night, and even the occasional warm weather day when I’m thunderstorm-stranded inside. I just can’t wait from one season to the next to peruse the colorful pages of gear and see what’s brand new, what’s improved, and which items are reinvented to guarantee better results. And regardless of how extensive my current supply of outdoor products is, darned if I can’t find one or two more items I just can’t live without. Unfortunately, I experienced an event earlier this month that may have ruined me for catalog shopping forever!
I was in Louisville, KY on a four-day business trip when this life-changing event took place. After checking in at the hotel’s front desk I was hauling my luggage and making my way to a bank of elevators when I spotted a large rack of brochures. Among the jigsaw puzzle of pamphlets touting the superb restaurants, historic landmarks and outstanding tourist attractions of the Louisville region, one in particular caught my eye. From the colorful and eye catching leaflets for the Muhammed Ali Center, the Louisville Slugger baseball bat factory, the Kentucky Derby racetrack and museum, Six-Flags amusement park and dozens of other shopping, recreation and cultural attractions, one spoke to the sportsman in me. Reaching out I grabbed one of the colorful brochures for a nearby Bass Pro Shop, a visit to which can be a life changing experience for any true outdoorsman.
As soon as I got to my room, unpacking suitcases was left for later as I settled down to check over the Bass Pro flyer, pinpoint the store’s hours and figure how I was going to bend my schedule the next day to fit in a visit. I’ve been to L.L. Bean and Kittery Trading Post many times here in Maine, but friends and relatives who have spent time in a Bass Pro or Cabelas emporium swear there is no comparison. Now I too can assure others that if the chance occurs to visit either of these similar establishments, even if it’s an hour drive or more, you’ll never regret one minute of the time spent.
The well known Bass Pro emblem in the form of a huge sign over the main entrance was visible from a mile away on the highway. Positioned all around the front of the store were hundreds of boats; everything from a 10-foot camo Jon boat for shallow water duck hunting for $250 up to 20-foot, fully rigged brand name bass boats with $50,000 price tags. There were even several sizes and shapes of huge pontoon and party boats for sale, and a trailer or motor to fit anything that floats. It’s a wonder I didn’t sunburn my tongue wandering around with my mouth hung open. It was over half an hour before I ever got through the front door and inside the huge store.
Imagine a 6-year-old visiting Santa’s workshop and you’ll get a slight idea of my excitement wandering about this three level store full of toys for big boys. Aside from aisle after aisle of shelf after shelf filled with every imaginable piece of fishing, hunting, boating, camping, hiking and biking gear, it was the vast display of taxidermy that enthralled me. A hundred thousand dollars wouldn’t even begin to pay for the extravagant dioramas of fish, fowl and furred wildlife.
On the third floor is The Islamorada Fish Factory, a top rate seafood restaurant, and while patrons enjoy their meal they can look over more than 50 full-size saltwater gamefish hanging from the cathedral ceiling and along the walls. There’s every shape and size from a two-foot striped bass to a 20-foot great white shark; there are barracuda, sailfish, bonefish, permit, tarpon, marlin and on and on. All so lifelike they seem ready to swim away. On the first floor throughout the fishing equipment section and around the inside display of boats, motors and marine accessories, every inch of free wall space is occupied by beautifully mounted fresh water game fish.
On an eight-foot wide shelf, over 50 yards of rifle racks, are nine full-size whitetail deer against a painted forest and field background. Two of the bucks are sparring while a buck and doe are actually leaping a rail fence. At least a dozen other full-body whitetail, mule deer, axis deer and black tail are scattered throughout the store, and there are two dozen trophy-racked head mounts. Over the long display of shotguns, shells and decoys are no less than 50 varied species of ducks and geese displayed in a multitude of standing, feeding, and flying positions.
There’s a three story mountain, trees and all, with several species of goat, elk, and bear, not to mention some wolf and coyote, and every type of wild turkey in trees, flying down to feed, or actually feeding in realistic field scenarios. And I can’t even begin to list the multitude of African game mounts on display. When a sport needs a break from mounted game, it’s time to check out the 50,000-gallon, two-story fish tank with real rocks, stumps, deadwood and more game fish of every shape and size than you can count.
Oh, and then there’s the garage-size fresh water pond full of trout!
Since this Bass Pro Shop was the second largest in the U.S., it had a few extras. There was a gymnasium-size archery range with paper targets and over a dozen full-size foam animals so patrons could actually try out a bow before purchasing. A casting pool allowed customers to try out fly poles and spinning rods. Fly tying exhibitions were put on daily as were demonstration of a wide variety of other outdoor gear.
I actually spent four hours wandering around this huge sporting goods store and really never spent a dime, I was so busy checking out the wildlife taxidermy, fishing ponds and tanks, exhibitions and demonstrations. So naturally I had to go back again to do some shopping. No matter how good the photos and descriptions are of catalog items, nor how “all inclusive” the product list is, the in-store experience is far, far better.
I’m pretty sure I’ve been ruined for online and catalog shopping, but it was worth it. If any of you outdoorsman ever have the opportunity to visit a Bass Pro or Cabelas store during your travels, don’t miss the chance. Just like spotting a UFO or getting married, it’s a life-changing experience!
