You generally need to be at least 18 years old to work at Cabela’s. Some food service positions within Cabela’s stores are open to applicants who are 16 or older, but most roles across the store require you to be 18. This makes Cabela’s stricter than many retail chains, which commonly hire at 16 for entry-level jobs.
Why the Minimum Age Is Higher Than Most Retailers
Cabela’s is owned by Bass Pro Shops, and both brands operate as outdoor sporting goods retailers that sell firearms and ammunition. Federal law prohibits anyone under 18 from selling handguns or handgun ammunition, and the store environment involves regular interaction with these products even in non-sales roles. Rather than create complex role-by-role restrictions, the company sets 18 as the baseline for most positions.
For roles that involve direct handling or selling of firearms, the minimum age rises to at least 18 and can be 21 depending on the position and the type of firearm involved. Federal law requires a buyer to be 21 to purchase a handgun from a licensed dealer, so employees working the gun counter typically need to meet that same threshold.
Food Service Positions for 16-Year-Olds
The one exception to the 18-and-older rule is food service. Many Cabela’s locations include in-store restaurants or snack bars, and these positions are open to applicants who are at least 16. If you’re 16 or 17 and want to work at Cabela’s, this is realistically your only path in.
Keep in mind that federal child labor laws limit what hours minors can work during the school year. If you’re under 18, you generally cannot work more than three hours on a school day or more than 18 hours in a school week. During summer and other breaks, those limits expand to eight hours per day and 40 hours per week. Your state may have additional restrictions on top of these federal rules, so check your state’s labor department for specifics.
How to Apply
Cabela’s and Bass Pro Shops use a shared online application system. You can search open positions by location at the Bass Pro Shops careers page. Seasonal hiring ramps up ahead of the holiday season, when the company adds thousands of temporary positions across both brands, so late summer and early fall tend to have the most openings.
When you apply, expect to provide your date of birth early in the process. If you’re under 18, the system will filter available roles accordingly. Some states require minors to obtain a work permit before starting a job, which typically involves getting a form signed by your school and a parent or guardian. Have that ready before your start date if your state requires one.
What Entry-Level Jobs Look Like
Cabela’s refers to its store employees as “Outfitters.” Entry-level roles include cashier, sales floor associate, and stocking positions. The company looks for people with knowledge of or enthusiasm for outdoor activities like fishing, hunting, camping, and boating, though prior retail experience is not always required for starting positions.
Pay for entry-level retail roles at Cabela’s generally aligns with the broader sporting goods retail market. Hours can vary, with part-time schedules common for newer hires and more hours available during peak seasons. Employee discounts on merchandise are a standard perk.
If You’re Under 18
If you’re 16 or 17 and specifically want to work at Cabela’s, focus your application on any food service openings at your nearest location. Not every store has a restaurant, so check what’s available before applying. If no food service roles exist nearby, you may need to wait until you turn 18 for other positions.
Other outdoor and sporting goods retailers have different age policies, with some hiring at 16 for general retail roles that don’t involve firearms. If working in the outdoor industry is your goal and you’re not yet 18, it’s worth checking hiring ages at competing retailers in your area as a backup option.