Moose Hunting moose dates back to the Stone Age. They are extremely strong swimmers and can hold their breath under water for about a minute. Males can weigh from 1,200 to 1,600 pounds.
I was face to face with the giant beast; it stared me down, mouth agape, eyes shining, teeth flashing. I knew the lion could take me out in two seconds flat, all things considered. I had never been so close to such a ferocious animal, and I knew, had we met in the wild, I was toast.
Fortunately, I didn’t have to go on Safari to Africa to admire this great beast; I was standing in front of a diorama of stuffed game at Cabela’s in Verdi.
The new store, slated to open Nov. 16, is located next to Boomtown off I-80 West, and features 125,000 square feet of retail space, including a general store, shooting gallery, restaurant, 26,000 gallons of fish tank, safari and mountain animal dioramas and more. Where else could someone in Northern Nevada size up these exotic animals - the natural world’s greatest competitors, but at Cabela’s?
More than an outdoors outfitter, Cabela’s is, as spokesperson John Castillo put it, “A retail store, wrapped in restaurant, wrapped in a museum, wrapped in an aquarium.”
The Gun Library located in the store will house up to 400 collectors-items, antique and rare firearms – complete with expert staff who know the gun trade. Used and new firearms will be for sale, also.
What the creators of Cabela’s seem to be shooting for is a place where folks who love the outdoors can come to shop and feel comfortable and at home.
More than just a retailer, this is a destination place.
The African Safari diorama and Conservation Mountain, complete with a mural painted by Reno local Paul Manktelow, are designed to inspire and educate. The animals taken in the wild and turned into marvels of taxidermic wonder pay for the remaining herds to be protected. For the educated hunters and sportsmen, their sport is about conservation, not destruction. Some of the game trophies have been donated, but most are purchased.
The museum-quality displays of big game and mounted trophy fish are just part of the appeal. Cabela’s also offers quality outdoor goods that will please the weekend warrior who goes out to brave the wilderness a couple times a year, all the way up to the tournament pro who deals in nothing but the finest gear.
Archers can find all they need for bow hunting, and the store features a single-lane 10-yard bow range, where shoppers can handle the new equipment before they purchase.
Approximately 250 people were hired on to work at the new Cabela’s store, and their interviews were very interesting; what most people consider small talk proved to be the crux of their skills assessment. Cabela’s hires folks who like hunting and fishing to work for them; people who love the lifestyle come in and visit about their passion for outdoor sporting so Cabela’s managers can gauge their expertise.
Employees have to love what they do to be so committed to getting this store up-and running. Most workers put in 12-to-15-hour days, seven days a week for three weeks prior to a new store’s opening. The store broke ground in April, and will open Nov. 16. For all the staff to get it stocked and ready for the holidays, that’s no small feat.
Cabela’s started in 1961 in Nebraska as a mail-order company, and now has more than 20 retail giant stores across the United States. Reno-Verdi Cabela’s makes store No. 22 and one will open concurrently in Lacey, Washington.
The doors on Cabela’s at 8650 Boomtown Road, Verdi, will open Nov. 16.
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