50 Facts About Bass Pro Shops

The Humble Beginnings of Bass Pro Shops

Bass Pro Shops has a fascinating origin story that many might not know. Let's dive into how it all started and the early milestones that set the stage for its success.

1. Founding: Johnny Morris founded Bass Pro Shops in 1972 with just eight square feet of space in the back of his father’s liquor store in Springfield, Missouri. This small start was the seed for what would become a giant in outdoor retail.

2. Early Success: The store quickly gained popularity among local and out-of-state fishermen due to its specialized tackle and personalized service. Word spread, and soon, anglers from all over were visiting.

3. First Catalog: In 1974, Johnny Morris created the first Bass Pro Shops catalog. This catalog became a staple for outdoor enthusiasts, offering a wide range of products and expert advice.

4. Tracker Boats: In 1978, Morris introduced the first professionally rigged boat, motor, and trailer package designed for anglers. This innovation revolutionized the marine industry, making it easier for anglers to get out on the water.

5. First Store: The first Bass Pro Shops retail store opened in 1981 in Springfield, Missouri. This marked a significant milestone in the company’s growth, offering a larger selection and a more immersive shopping experience.

Expansion and Innovation

As Bass Pro Shops grew, it continued to innovate and expand its offerings. Here are some key moments in its journey.

6. Big Cedar Lodge: In 1987, Morris opened Big Cedar Lodge resort on Table Rock Lake in Missouri’s Ozark Mountains. The resort features five golf courses and an outdoor arena, providing a luxurious outdoor experience.

7. Expansion: The second Bass Pro Shops location opened in Duluth, Georgia in 1995. This was the beginning of rapid expansion across North America, bringing the brand to more outdoor enthusiasts.

8. Conservation Efforts: Bass Pro Shops is deeply committed to conservation, partnering with organizations like Ducks Unlimited, the National Wild Turkey Federation, and the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation. These partnerships help protect wildlife and natural habitats.

9. Retail Locations: As of 2024, Bass Pro Shops operates over 200 retail and marine center locations across North America, attracting more than 200 million visitors annually. Each store offers a unique experience, with large boat showrooms, aquariums, and interactive exhibits.

10. Omnichannel Retail: The company offers a seamless shopping experience through its omnichannel retail strategy, allowing customers to shop both online and in-store. This approach ensures that customers can find what they need, no matter where they are.

Unique Experiences and Attractions

Bass Pro Shops isn't just a store; it's an experience. Here are some of the unique attractions and events that make it special.

11. Outdoor Resorts: Bass Pro Shops operates several outdoor resorts, including Big Cedar Lodge. These resorts offer luxurious accommodations and outdoor activities like golfing and fishing, providing a perfect getaway for nature lovers.

12. Wonders of Wildlife Museum & Aquarium: In 2017, Johnny Morris opened the Wonders of Wildlife Museum & Aquarium in Springfield. It is considered the largest wildlife attraction in the world, featuring immersive exhibits and a vast array of aquatic life.

13. Acquisition of Cabela’s: In 2016, Bass Pro Shops acquired Cabela’s Inc. for $4.5 billion. This acquisition expanded its reach and offerings in the outdoor industry, bringing together two iconic brands.

14. Sale of Cabela’s Stores: In 2019, Bass Pro Shops sold eleven Cabela’s stores to Sansome Pacific in a sale-leaseback program. This resulted in job losses and store closures but was part of a strategic business move.

15. Conservation Celebrations: Bass Pro Shops regularly hosts conservation celebrations and events. For example, the grand opening of its new retail destination in St. Augustine, Florida, serves the greater Jacksonville area and highlights its commitment to conservation.

Community and Education

Bass Pro Shops is more than just a retailer; it's a community hub that supports education and conservation.

16. Santa’s Wonderland: The company’s annual Santa’s Wonderland event returns to Bass Pro Shops locations, offering free photos and family events to celebrate Christmas. This event brings joy to families and strengthens community ties.

17. Community Involvement: Bass Pro Shops actively engages with local communities through various initiatives. These include supporting veterans and outdoor education programs for youth, fostering a love for the outdoors.

18. Educational Programs: The company offers educational programs and workshops aimed at teaching children and adults about conservation, wildlife, and outdoor skills. These programs help cultivate the next generation of outdoor enthusiasts.

19. Marine Manufacturing: Bass Pro Shops manufactures and sells marine products, including boats and fishing gear, through its Tracker Marine Group. This division ensures high-quality products for anglers and boaters.

20. Outdoor Equipment: The company offers a wide range of outdoor equipment, including camping gear, hunting supplies, and nature gifts. This extensive selection caters to all types of outdoor activities.

Customer Experience and Security

Ensuring a great customer experience and robust security measures are top priorities for Bass Pro Shops.

21. Destination Stores: Each Bass Pro Shops location is designed to be a destination experience. Stores feature large boat showrooms, aquariums, and interactive exhibits, making shopping an adventure.

22. Customer Service: The company prides itself on providing genuinely friendly expert service. A team of passionate Outfitters, who are the heart and soul of the business, ensures customers have a great experience.

23. Security Measures: To enhance security, Bass Pro Shops has implemented robust access management solutions. These include multi-factor authentication and single sign-on, protecting corporate resources and employee identities.

24. Digital Transformation: The company is undergoing a digital transformation journey, shifting its security perimeter from traditional methods to a Zero Trust model. This approach focuses on securing user identities.

25. Partnership with SecureAuth: Bass Pro Shops partnered with SecureAuth to improve its security posture. This partnership ensures a consistent and user-friendly process for accessing corporate resources while protecting the business from digital threats.

Advanced Security and Technology

Bass Pro Shops leverages advanced technology to ensure security and efficiency in its operations.

26. Identity Management: The company’s identity management solution provides adaptive authentication risk checks, self-service capabilities, and standards-based interoperability. This enables it to leverage existing technology investments effectively.

27. User Experience: The solution was designed to balance security with user experience. Employees can access resources quickly and efficiently while maintaining high security standards.

28. Positive ROI: The implementation of the SecureAuth solution resulted in a positive return on investment within nine months. This demonstrates its effectiveness in improving employee productivity and reducing friction for users.

29. Cross-Functional Team: A cross-functional team including leadership, line-of-business owners, IT, and security professionals developed the requirements for the identity management solution. This ensured buy-in across the business.

30. Vendor Selection: The team vetted potential vendors through proof-of-concepts with both technical and non-technical users. This process ensured the best fit for the company’s needs.

Adaptive Authentication and Self-Service

Bass Pro Shops' security measures include adaptive authentication and self-service capabilities, enhancing both security and user experience.

31. Standards-Based Interoperability: The SecureAuth solution provides standards-based interoperability. This allows Bass Pro Shops to leverage existing technology investments and integrate seamlessly with other systems.

32. Adaptive Authentication: The solution includes adaptive authentication risk checks. These dynamically adjust the level of verification based on user behavior and risk factors, enhancing the overall security posture.

33. Self-Service Capabilities: Employees can manage their own identities and access through self-service capabilities. This reduces the need for IT support and improves the overall user experience.

34. MFA Options: The solution offers multiple multi-factor authentication (MFA) options. Users can choose the most convenient method for them while maintaining high security standards.

35. Zero Trust Model: The implementation of the SecureAuth solution aligns with the company’s Zero Trust model. This model focuses on securing user identities to minimize friction and enable secure access to resources.

Executive Support and Collaboration

The success of Bass Pro Shops' security measures is due in part to strong executive support and collaboration across the organization.

36. Executive Support: The security team at Bass Pro Shops has executive support and overall consensus throughout the organization. This ensures that the identity management solution aligns with business objectives.

37. Single Sign-On: The solution integrates single sign-on (SSO) capabilities. This reduces login time and improves employee productivity by allowing users to access multiple applications with a single set of credentials.

38. Multi-Factor Authentication: The implementation of MFA reduces the risk of unauthorized access. Additional verification steps beyond just a username and password are required.

39. Identity Visibility: The solution provides the security team with the tools and visibility needed to build a Zero Trust approach. This focuses on securing user identities to minimize friction and enable secure access to resources.

40. Collaboration with SecureAuth Services Team: Bass Pro Shops utilized the SecureAuth Services team throughout their deployment. This augmented their in-house talent and leveraged the team’s experience and product expertise.

Quick Deployment and Positive ROI

The deployment of Bass Pro Shops' security solutions was quick and effective, resulting in a positive return on investment.

41. Quick Deployment: The services team collaborated with Bass Pro Shops staff, providing great value throughout the deployment. This helped the team get up to speed quickly.

42. Positive Return on Investment: The company realized a positive return on investment in about nine months. This demonstrates the effectiveness of the SecureAuth solution in improving employee productivity and reducing friction for users.

43. Cross-Functional Team Efforts: The cross-functional team worked together to develop requirements and ensure buy-in across the business. This ensured that the identity management solution met the company’s needs.

44. Vendor Selection Process: The team vetted potential vendors through proof-of-concepts with both technical and non-technical users. This process ensured the best fit for the company’s needs.

45. Standards-Based Interoperability: The SecureAuth solution provides standards-based interoperability. This allows Bass Pro Shops to leverage existing technology investments and integrate seamlessly with other systems.

46. Adaptive Authentication Risk Checks: The solution includes adaptive authentication risk checks. These dynamically adjust the level of verification based on user behavior and risk factors, enhancing the overall security posture.

47. Self-Service Capabilities for Employees: Employees can manage their own identities and access through self-service capabilities. This reduces the need for IT support and improves the overall user experience.

48. MFA Options for Users: The solution offers multiple MFA options. Users can choose the most convenient method for them while maintaining high security standards.

49. Zero Trust Model Implementation: The implementation of the SecureAuth solution aligns with the company’s Zero Trust model. This model focuses on securing user identities to minimize friction and enable secure access to resources.

50. Executive Support and Consensus: The security team at Bass Pro Shops has executive support and overall consensus throughout the organization. This ensures that the identity management solution aligns with business objectives and enhances the overall security posture.

Bass Pro Shops: A Legacy of Outdoor Excellence

Bass Pro Shops has come a long way since Johnny Morris started it in 1972. From a tiny tackle shop to a giant in outdoor retail, the journey has been nothing short of remarkable. With over 200 locations, millions of visitors, and a strong commitment to conservation, Bass Pro Shops has cemented its place in the hearts of outdoor enthusiasts. The acquisition of Cabela’s, the creation of the Wonders of Wildlife Museum & Aquarium, and the innovative Tracker Boats are just a few highlights. Their dedication to customer service, community involvement, and cutting-edge security measures shows they’re not just about selling gear—they’re about creating experiences and protecting the great outdoors. Whether you’re an angler, hunter, or nature lover, Bass Pro Shops offers something special for everyone.