About Cabela’s
Cabela’s is a renowned American retailer specializing in outdoor recreation merchandise, often referred to as the “World’s Foremost Outfitter.” Founded in 1961 by Dick Cabela at his kitchen table in Nebraska, the company began as a direct-mail catalog business selling fishing flies. It grew into a massive retail empire known for its immersive “destination” stores featuring aquariums, taxidermy mounts, and indoor mountains.
In 2017, Cabela’s was acquired by Bass Pro Shops, uniting two of the biggest names in the outdoor industry. Today, the brand is synonymous with hunting, fishing, camping, shooting sports, and outdoor clothing, serving millions of outdoor enthusiasts across North America.
Cabela’s Affiliate Program Overview
The Cabela’s affiliate program is designed for publishers and content creators in the outdoor niche. It allows partners to monetize their traffic by directing potential customers to Cabela’s online store.
| Category | Details |
| Industry | Outdoor Retail / E-commerce |
| Product Type | Physical Goods (Hunting gear, Fishing tackle, Camping equipment, Outdoor apparel, Boating supplies) |
| Affiliate Program Type | CPS (Cost Per Sale) |
Cabela’s Affiliate Program Offers
Cabela’s provides affiliates with standard marketing assets to help drive conversions. However, they are strict about brand alignment, given the nature of their products (firearms, hunting gear).
| Category | Details |
| Promotional Materials | Banners, Text Links, Product Data Feeds, Newsletters |
| Affiliate Cookie Duration | 14 Days |
| Accepted Traffic Sources | Content sites (blogs), Social Media, Verified Email Marketing |
| Accepted Countries | Primarily United States & Canada |
| Explicit Content | Strictly Prohibited (pornography, violence, illegal acts) |
| Religious or Political Content | Generally Prohibited (Sites containing offensive, extremist, or highly controversial political/religious views are typically rejected) |
Cabela’s Affiliate Commissions & Payments
The program offers a competitive commission rate for the outdoor industry, though rates may vary based on the specific product category (e.g., firearms and ammo often have lower rates than clothing).
| Category | Details |
| MLM | No (Single-tier affiliate program) |
| Commission Rate | Up to 5% (Varies by category: ~1-2% on Firearms/Ammo; ~3-5% on General Gear/Apparel) |
| Commission Structure | Flat % based on product category |
| Payout Frequency | Monthly (Net 30 or Net 60 depending on network terms) |
| Payout Methods | Direct Deposit (EFT), PayPal, Check |
| Minimum Payout | $10 USD (standard via Impact Radius) |
Suitable Affiliates for Cabela’s Affiliate
This program is highly specific to the “outdoorsman” lifestyle. It is best suited for creators whose audience actively participates in nature-based activities.
- Bloggers: Writers running blogs focused on hunting tips, fishing guides, camping gear reviews, or survival skills.
- YouTubers: Creators who film hunting trips, fishing expeditions, or “bushcraft” tutorials (e.g., building shelters, cooking outdoors).
- Influencers (IG/TikTok): Visual creators showcasing outdoor fashion (camo/hiking gear), cabin life, or extensive road trips.
- KOL (Key Opinion Leaders): Experts in specific niches like archery, fly fishing, or firearm safety who can provide authoritative product recommendations.
- KOC (Key Opinion Consumers): Everyday outdoor enthusiasts who share authentic reviews of gear they use on weekends.
- Video Editors: Creators compiling “best of” outdoor moments or gear montages.
- Livestreamers: Twitch or YouTube streamers who broadcast outdoor adventures or gear unboxing sessions.
Cabela’s Affiliate Software
Cabela’s (and its parent company Bass Pro Shops) manages its affiliate program through Impact Radius (often just called Impact). This is a third-party affiliate network that handles tracking, reporting, and payments, ensuring transparency and reliability for affiliates. They also have a presence on FlexOffers (a sub-network).
3 Alternatives for Cabela’s Affiliate Program
If Cabela’s doesn’t fit your needs or you want to diversify, here are three strong competitors in the outdoor retail space:
| Factor | Cabela’s | REI | Backcountry | Sportsman’s Warehouse |
| Average Bill (AOV) | ~$140 – $160 | ~$120 – $175 | ~$180+ | ~$100 – $150 |
| Entry Fees | Free | Free | Free | Free |
| Withdrawal Threshold | $10 | $50 | $10 | $25 |
| Payment Frequency | Monthly | Monthly | Monthly | Monthly |
| Commission | Up to 5% | 5% Flat | 4% – 12% (Tiered) | 2% – 5% |
| Conversion Rate | ~1% – 2% | ~2% – 3% | ~1.5% | ~2% |
| Marketing Materials | Banners, Data Feed | Banners, Data Feed | Deep Linking, Banners | Banners, Data Feed |
| Cookie Duration | 14 Days | 15 Days | 30 Days | 30 Days |
