Skip to main content

Are the taxidermied animals at Cabela’s real or reproductions?

I’ve been to the Cabela’s sporting store several times and am always surprised to see the number of stuffed animals have in their collection. There is an elk and raccoons and turkey, etc. are everywhere. although I’m not a vegan, but would love to be one, I’m somewhat appalled at the idea that these animals are real. The gratuitous use of trophy animals on this scale in a nationwide franchise, meaning in every store, is shocking. I was especially bothered at my local Cabela’s when I saw a family of black bear. There was a mom, dad, and two or three cubs . I don’t know if they were shot together or separately but it just seemed over-the-top to use real animals as trophies in the store. I really hope they’re just reproductions.

7 Answers

K
Kelsie Sawayn

Feb 20, 2025

Dan, when they opened the Cabela’s in Ft Worth the company ran ads in the local papers asking for taxidermy pieces for the store. They offered reasonable prices and anyone who sold a piece had to sign documentation that the animals were legally harvested. When I inquired about about a couple of my pieces they were very concerned about the African mounts and I had to produce documents fro the guide service or PH that these were taken under the applicable hunting laws. They do have some replicas of some animals, birds and most of the fish are replicas. They also get permission in some states to exhibit state owned pieces or seized pieces like polar bears or protected species that died of natural causes or injuries and were taxidermy objects done by state or conservation groups.... Show More
K
Kelsie Sawayn

Feb 20, 2025

The taxidermy is not fake. At least most of it. Some of it like fish and some birds maybe fake. A lot of those collections in those stores are from various points in history that were either bought or donated by various individuals or groups. My Cabela’s has taxidermy from the 1950s and 1960s. As well as newer examples.I prefer the taxidermy in Cabela’s over bass pro.... Show More
K
Kelsie Sawayn

Feb 20, 2025

Yes, they are real. A lot of those are donated to the store by benefactors or estates.Not all of them are hunted, however. Some are roadkill, or died of natural causes and we’re taken in for taxidermy.If it messes with you so bad, then don’t shop there. The world doesn’t owe you squat for your emotions.... Show More
K
Kelsie Sawayn

Feb 20, 2025

Yes, those are real animals that have been preserved through taxidermy. Most of them were legally hunted but a few may have died of natural causes or other things such as being hit by cars or something. In the case of animals that were hunted their meat was harvested and used while the taxidermy process preserved mainly their skin & fur for the trophy. There are a few exceptions – for example the 2 Cabela’s stores near my house have a Bald Eagle and an Orca Whale – both of which are fake because they’re both endangered and cannot be hunted. If that bothers because you have an irrational objection to people killing their own food instead of paying other people to do it, then don’t shop at cabelas. I’m sure they’ll miss you.... Show More
K
Kelsie Sawayn

Feb 20, 2025

It doesn’t bother me at all…..at least they don’t have a restroom ID problem there. The men go to the men’s and the ladies go to the ladies…... Show More
K
Kelsie Sawayn

Feb 20, 2025

Those “trophies” are nothing but skin over a form, the rest of the animal was eaten by the hunter. The bear cubs were not shot since that’s illegal in every state. They most likely were hit by traffic and the carcasses were saved to display. It never ceases to amaze me at how strong the opinions of the uninformed are. In the USA a “trophy” animal is not just decapitated and left to rot, the entire animal must be used. That elk you saw was eaten, the hide was cured and stretched over a form. Those turkeys you saw were eaten, the skin and feathers were stretched over a form. And yes, in some cases the stuffed animals are fakes manufactured for retail display.... Show More

Want to answer this question?

Join our community to share your knowledge!

Categories

Tags

Related Questions

10
Are there any actual direct loan lenders online that are like CashNetUSA?

I’ve been looking for an online loan but all there is are bogus pages that send you to more and more pages and all you e...

4
Are there any bike routes in Romania?

I’m interested in bike touring, so I would like a recommendation.

6
Are there any cheap alternatives to electric shaver cleaning unit fluid (Philips charge £5 or more a pop)??

The new Philips shaver comes with a 'cleaning unit' that uses special cleaning fluid, but it runs out quickly and is sup...

8
Are there any disturbed songs about love in a good way?

Disturbed is my boyfriend's favorite band.Do they have any songs that portray love in a more positive way? Or even in a...

1
Are there any gameshark/codebreaker codes for pokemon FireRed that actually work? On VisualBoyAdvance?

I’ve spent the last 2 hours looking up codes for this game, whenever I enter the mastercodes it says ‘codes seem to be f...

6
Are there any other anime with fox spirits?

I have mainly watched anime with a shrine, a priestess or goddess, a fox spirit, and guy(s) protecting her. I want these...