You know the feeling. It’s 4:30 AM on a Friday in late November. The air is biting, your coffee is already lukewarm, and you’re standing in a line that wraps around a massive log-cabin-style building. Most people think they're here for a cheap TV or a blender. But at Cabela’s, the game is different. This isn't just about grabbing a discount; it's about the gear that literally keeps you alive—or at least comfortable—in the middle of nowhere.
Honestly, if you're just wandering in to see what's on sale, you've already lost. Cabela's Black Friday sales are a tactical event. You need a plan.
I’ve spent years tracking these sales, and if there is one thing I’ve learned, it’s that the "doorbusters" are often just the tip of the iceberg. The real value is buried in the back of the circular or hidden in the "Bargain Cave" online.
The Mystery of the Gift Card
Most folks show up for the gear, but the veterans show up for the envelopes. Cabela’s usually hands out mystery gift cards to the first 250 customers through the door on Black Friday morning. We're talking values from $10 all the way up to $500.
Imagine getting a $500 card just for standing in line. It happens. But there is a catch. Usually, you can’t use those cards until a week or two later, often in early December. It’s a brilliant way to get you back in the store, but hey, free money is free money.
Hunting Gear: Where the Math Actually Works
Hunting equipment is where you see the most dramatic price drops. For the 2025 season, the Savage Axis XP rifle package was a standout. Normally, you’re looking at nearly $500. During the sale? It dropped toward $379, and if you’re a CLUB member, that price plummeted even further to around $299.
Think about that. A bolt-action rifle with a Weaver 3-9x40mm scope for under three hundred bucks. That’s not a "sale." That’s a steal.
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Then there are the trail cameras. People go nuts for these. This year, the Moultrie Mobile Edge 2-packs were basically the hot commodity. You could snag a pair for about $80, which is over 50% off the MSRP. If you've been trying to map out a buck’s movements, buying these in bulk during Black Friday is the only way to do it without going broke.
Optics and the "Vortex Effect"
If you’ve ever looked through a pair of $150 binoculars and then tried a pair of $600 Vortex glass, you know the difference. It’s like going from a 1990s tube TV to 4K.
During the Cabela's Black Friday sales, optics are a major focus.
- Vortex Diamondback HD 10x42mm: Regularly $250, seen as low as $150.
- Vortex Fury Rangefinding Binos: Huge $300 discounts.
- Leupold DeltaPoint Pro: Often marked down by $150.
These aren't just minor markdowns. These are the kinds of prices that allow a hobbyist to actually afford professional-grade glass.
The CLUB Member Advantage
I’m not usually one to push store credit cards. Most of them are junk. But the Cabela’s/Bass Pro CLUB card is a weird exception for a very specific type of person. During Black Friday, the "Member Only" pricing is often $50 to $100 lower than the "General Public" sale price.
Also, look out for "Member Mondays." In 2025, members got an extra 15% off on Mondays leading up to Christmas. If you’re planning a massive purchase—like a Garmin Echomap Ultra 2 (which can run over $2,400)—that extra percentage point adds up to hundreds of dollars.
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Fishing and Marine: The Hidden Gems
Everyone thinks of Black Friday as a winter event, but Cabela's uses it to move marine electronics. If you’re a bass fisherman, this is your Super Bowl.
The Garmin Echomap bundles are consistently the biggest dollar-off items in the store. We're talking $1,000+ savings on Livescope bundles. It’s a massive chunk of change to drop at once, but you won't find those prices again until the Spring Fishing Classic.
For the bank anglers, the Johnny Morris CarbonLite reels usually drop below $100. They’re light. They’re durable. And at that price, you can outfit three rods for the cost of two.
Clothing: Don't Overlook the Flannel
It’s easy to get distracted by the shiny stuff—the guns, the sonar, the bows. But the clothing deals are where you fill your closet.
RedHead and Cabela’s brand flannels often go for $10 or $15. These aren't the thin, decorative flannels you find at a mall. They’re thick. They’re rugged. My favorite deal? The 4-pair packs of wool boot socks. They usually hover around $20. In the middle of a January treestand hunt, those socks are worth their weight in gold.
Things to Avoid
Look, not everything is a "must-buy." Some items only see a 10% discount.
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Ammo is a prime example. While you can find deals—like Winchester 9mm bulk packs for around $0.25 a round—it’s rarely the "doorbuster" people hope for. If you find a good price on bulk rimfire or 5.56, grab it, but don't expect the 50% off tags you see on apparel.
Also, be wary of the "Special Buy" items. Sometimes these are models specifically manufactured for Black Friday with slightly fewer features than the standard retail version. Always check the model numbers.
Survival Tips for the Sale
If you're going to tackle this in person, remember that Cabela's and Bass Pro Shops have basically merged. The ads are almost identical. If one store is mobbed, check the other if it's nearby.
- Check the Ad Early: The circular usually leaks or is officially released by mid-November. Use it to circle your "non-negotiables."
- The 5:00 AM Rule: If the store opens at 5:00 AM, the serious people are there by 3:30 AM. If you want a gift card, aim for 2:30 AM.
- Online vs. In-Store: Most deals are online, but the "Hot Deals" are almost always in-store only.
- Santa’s Wonderland: If you have kids, bring them. Cabela’s does free photos with Santa. It's a great way to distract the family while you're looking at meat grinders and dehydrators.
Cabela's Black Friday sales aren't just about spending money. They’re about preparation. Whether you're a hardcore hunter or just someone who needs a new pair of waterproof boots for shoveling the driveway, the value is there if you know where to look.
To make the most of this year's event, start by auditing your current gear bag. Figure out what's frayed, what's broken, and what's missing. Then, set a strict budget for the big-ticket items like optics or electronics, but leave a little "mad money" for the Bargain Cave. Often, the best finds aren't even in the ad; they're the last-season camo patterns being cleared out at 70% off to make room for next year's stock.