Cabelas 10-Q 25 Oct 13 2013 Q3 Quarterly report Financial data

Document_and_Entity_Informatio

Document and Entity Information Document	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 28, 2013	Oct. 21, 2013
Entity Information [Line Items]
Entity Registrant Name	CABELAS INC
Entity Central Index Key	1267130
Current Fiscal Year End Date	-16
Entity Filer Category	Large Accelerated Filer
Document Type	10-Q
Document Period End Date	28-Sep-13
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2013
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q3
Amendment Flag	FALSE
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		70,597,670
Entity Well-known Seasoned Issuer	No
Entity Voluntary Filers	No
Entity Current Reporting Status	Yes

Condensed_Consolidated_Stateme

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 28, 2013	Sep. 29, 2012	Sep. 28, 2013	Sep. 29, 2012
Merchandise sales	$749,141	$652,313	$2,124,538	$1,730,252
Financial Services revenue	98,403	85,932	272,753	248,654
Other revenue	3,284	2,933	12,839	13,030
Total revenues	850,828	741,178	2,410,130	1,991,936
Merchandise costs (exclusive of depreciation and amortization)	469,614	409,929	1,341,706	1,100,431
Cost of other revenue	318	0	386	634
Total cost of revenue (exclusive of depreciation and amortization)	469,932	409,929	1,342,092	1,101,065
Selling, distribution, and administrative expenses	304,293	264,136	844,448	719,354
Impairment and restructuring charges	0	0	937	0
Operating income	76,603	67,113	222,653	171,517
Interest expense, net	-4,979	-5,227	-14,249	-16,175
Other non-operating income, net	1,028	1,288	3,675	4,139
Income before provision for income taxes	72,652	63,174	212,079	159,481
Provision for income taxes	22,766	20,389	67,801	54,000
Net income	$49,886	$42,785	$144,278	$105,481
Earnings per basic share	$0.71	$0.61	$2.05	$1.51
Earnings per diluted share	$0.70	$0.60	$2.01	$1.47
Basic weighted average shares outstanding	70,575,804	69,894,538	70,412,479	69,794,416
Diluted weighted average shares outstanding	71,757,901	71,555,862	71,717,894	71,624,451

Condensed_Consolidated_Stateme1

Condensed Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Income (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 28, 2013	Sep. 29, 2012	Sep. 28, 2013	Sep. 29, 2012
Net income	$49,886	$42,785	$144,278	$105,481
Total other comprehensive income (loss)	3,128	4,595	-740	6,186
Comprehensive income	53,014	47,380	143,538	111,667
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Member]
Unrealized gain (loss) on economic development bonds, net of taxes of $365, $1,611, $(653), and $2,966	678	2,994	-1,681	5,509
Cash flow hedges, net of taxes of $0, $8, $0 and $58	0	15	1	114
Foreign currency translation adjustments	2,450	1,586	940	563
Total other comprehensive income (loss)			($740)	$6,186

Condensed_Consolidated_Stateme2

Condensed Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Income Parentheticals (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 28, 2013	Sep. 29, 2012	Sep. 28, 2013	Sep. 29, 2012
Taxes on unrealized loss on economic development bonds	$365	$1,611	($653)	$2,966
Taxes on derivative adjustment	$0	$8	$0	$58

Condensed_Consolidated_Balance

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets (USD $)	Sep. 28, 2013	Dec. 29, 2012	Sep. 29, 2012
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Cash and cash equivalents	$409,733	$288,750	$265,675
Restricted cash of the Trust	26,009	17,292	16,709
Held-to-maturity investment securities	135,000	0	0
Accounts receivable, net	29,367	46,081	20,773
Credit card loans (includes restricted credit card loans of the Trust of $3,591,844, $3,523,133, and $3,193,162), net of allowance for loan losses of $57,370, $65,600, and $65,750	3,567,423	3,497,472	3,151,647
Inventories	815,594	552,575	721,701
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	95,382	132,694	143,930
Income taxes receivable and deferred income taxes	53,693	54,164	52,261
Assets, Current	5,132,201	4,589,028	4,372,696
Property and equipment, net	1,201,662	1,021,656	971,401
Land held for sale	18,271	23,448	39,437
Economic development bonds	79,260	85,041	92,744
Other assets	30,671	28,990	29,091
Assets	6,462,065	5,748,163	5,505,369
Accounts payable, including unpresented checks of $23,745, $28,928, and $18,819	284,934	285,039	366,992
Gift instrument, credit card rewards, and loyalty rewards programs	248,711	262,653	218,068
Accrued expenses	153,287	180,906	129,869
Time deposits	357,314	367,350	310,617
Current maturities of secured variable funding obligations of the Trust	0	325,000	0
Current maturities of long-term debt	8,414	8,402	8,398
Liabilities, Current	1,052,660	1,429,350	1,033,944
Long-term time deposits	790,664	680,668	763,938
Secured long-term obligations of the Trust	2,452,250	1,827,500	1,827,500
Long-term debt, less current maturities	524,149	328,133	443,199
Deferred income taxes	14,329	10,571	33,712
Other long-term liabilities	102,063	95,962	99,593
COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES
Preferred stock, $0.01 par value; Authorized – 10,000,000 shares; Issued – none	0	0	0
Class A Voting, Authorized – 245,000,000 shares; Issued – 70,604,935, 70,545,558, and 70,545,524 shares; Outstanding – 70,604,705, 70,053,144, and 70,019,501 shares	706	705	705
Additional paid-in capital	339,752	351,161	344,541
Retained earnings	1,180,705	1,036,427	968,395
Accumulated other comprehensive income	4,802	5,542	8,917
Treasury stock, at cost – 230, 492,414, and 526,023 shares	-15	-17,856	-19,075
Stockholders' Equity Attributable to Parent	1,525,950	1,375,979	1,303,483
Liabilities and Equity	$6,462,065	$5,748,163	$5,505,369

Condensed_Consolidated_Balance1

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets Parentheticals (USD $)	Sep. 28, 2013	Dec. 29, 2012	Sep. 29, 2012
In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified
Restricted credit card loans of the Trust	$3,591,844	$3,523,133	$3,193,162
Allowance for loan losses	57,370	65,600	65,750
Unpresented checks	$23,745	$28,928	$18,819
Common stock, par value	$0.01	$0.01	$0.01
Common stock, shares authorized	245,000,000	245,000,000	245,000,000
Common stock, shares issued	70,604,935	70,545,558	70,545,524
Preferred stock, par value	70,604,705	70,053,144	70,019,501
Preferred stock, shares authorized	$0.01	$0.01	$0.01
Preferred stock, shares authorized	10,000,000	10,000,000	10,000,000
Preferred Stock, Shares Issued	0	0	0
Treasury stock, at cost	230	492,414	526,023

Condensed_Consolidated_Stateme3

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (USD $)	9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 28, 2013	Sep. 29, 2012
Net income	$144,278	$105,481
Depreciation and amortization	68,067	58,113
Impairment and restructuring charges	937	0
Stock-based compensation	11,150	10,286
Deferred income taxes	5,058	3,790
Provision for loan losses	33,030	29,231
Other, net	-1,423	-1,660
Accounts receivable	16,899	29,912
Credit card loans originated from internal operations, net	38,713	38,841
Inventories	-263,019	-226,873
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	36,243	-3,335
Land held for sale	1,968	-2,191
Accounts payable and accrued expenses	9,992	69,475
Gift instrument, credit card rewards, and loyalty rewards programs	-13,942	-9,346
Other long-term liabilities	6,417	1,879
Income taxes receivable	-175	-46,025
Net cash provided by operating activities	94,193	57,578
Property and equipment additions	-277,524	-144,248
Proceeds from dispositions of property and equipment	16	1,089
Purchases of held-to-maturity investment securities	-135,000	0
Proceeds from repayments of economic development bonds	3,447	2,400
Change in restricted cash of the Trust, net	-8,717	1,587
Change in credit card loans originated externally, net	-141,694	-125,555
Other investing changes, net	-186	4,240
Net cash used in investing activities	-559,658	-260,487
Change in unpresented checks net of bank balances	-5,183	-305
Change in time deposits, net	99,960	92,242
Borrowings on secured obligations of the Trust	1,234,750	2,220,000
Repayments on secured obligations of the Trust	-935,000	-2,255,000
Borrowings on revolving credit facilities and inventory financing	602,876	351,955
Repayments on revolving credit facilities and inventory financing	-398,343	-237,232
Payments on long-term debt	-8,336	-8,325
Exercise of employee stock options and employee stock purchase plan issuances, net	-100	28,667
Excess tax benefits from exercise of employee stock options	5,878	880
Purchase of treasury stock	-10,053	-28,977
Other financing changes, net	-1	0
Net cash provided by financing activities	586,448	163,905
Net change in cash and cash equivalents	120,983	-39,004
Cash and cash equivalents, at beginning of period	288,750	304,679
Cash and cash equivalents, at end of period	$409,733	$265,675

Condensed_Consolidated_Stateme4

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Shareholders' Equity (USD $)	Total	Additional Paid-in Capital [Member]	Retained Earnings [Member]	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Member]	Treasury Stock [Member]	Common Stock [Member]
In Thousands, except Share data
Stockholders' Equity, Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest Beginning of Period at Dec. 31, 2011	$1,181,316	$334,925	$862,914	$2,731	($19,950)	$696
Shares, Issued Beginning of Period at Dec. 31, 2011						69,641,818
Net income	105,481		105,481
Other comprehensive income	6,186			6,186
Common stock repurchased	-28,977				-28,977
Stock-based compensation	9,930	9,930
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Exercises in Period						903,706
Adjustments to Additional Paid in Capital, Share-based Compensation, Stock Options, Requisite Service Period Recognition	28,667	-1,194			29,852	9
Excess tax benefit on employee stock option exercises	880	880
Stockholders' Equity, Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest End of Period at Sep. 29, 2012	1,303,483	344,541	968,395	8,917	-19,075	705
Shares, Issued End of Period at Sep. 29, 2012						70,545,524
Stockholders' Equity, Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest Beginning of Period at Dec. 29, 2012	1,375,979	351,161	1,036,427	5,542	-17,856	705
Shares, Issued Beginning of Period at Dec. 29, 2012						70,545,558
Net income	144,278		144,278
Other comprehensive income	-740			-740
Common stock repurchased	-10,053				-10,053
Stock-based compensation	10,708	10,708
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Exercises in Period	405,533					59,377
Adjustments to Additional Paid in Capital, Share-based Compensation, Stock Options, Requisite Service Period Recognition	-100	-27,995			27,894	1
Excess tax benefit on employee stock option exercises	5,878	5,878
Stockholders' Equity, Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest End of Period at Sep. 28, 2013	$1,525,950	$339,752	$1,180,705	$4,802	($15)	$706
Shares, Issued End of Period at Sep. 28, 2013						70,604,935

Management_Representations

Management Representations	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 28, 2013
Management Representations [Abstract]
Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements Disclosure [Text Block]	MANAGEMENT REPRESENTATIONS
	Principles of Consolidation – The condensed consolidated financial statements included herein are unaudited and have been prepared by management of Cabela's Incorporated and its wholly-owned subsidiaries (“Cabela's,” “Company,” “we,” “our,” or “us”) pursuant to the rules and regulations of the United States Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”). Certain information and footnote disclosures normally included in financial statements prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America have been condensed or omitted pursuant to such rules and regulations. The Company's condensed consolidated balance sheet as of December 29, 2012, was derived from the Company's audited consolidated balance sheet as of that date. All other condensed consolidated financial statements contained herein are unaudited and reflect all adjustments which are, in the opinion of management, necessary to summarize fairly our financial position and results of operations, comprehensive income, and cash flows for the periods presented. All of these adjustments are of a normal recurring nature. All intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.
	Cabela's wholly-owned bank subsidiary, World's Foremost Bank ("WFB," "Financial Services segment," or "Cabela's CLUB"), is the primary beneficiary of the Cabela's Master Credit Card Trust and related entities (collectively referred to as the “Trust”) under the guidance of Accounting Standards Codification ("ASC") Topics 810, Consolidations, and 860, Transfers and Servicing. Accordingly, the Trust has been consolidated for all reporting periods in this report. As the servicer and the holder of retained interests in the Trust, WFB has the powers to direct the activities that most significantly impact the Trust's economic performance and the right to receive significant benefits or obligations to absorb significant losses of the Trust.
	Because of the seasonal nature of the Company's operations, results of operations of any single reporting period should not be considered as indicative of results for a full year. These condensed consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the Company's audited consolidated financial statements for the fiscal year ended December 29, 2012.
	Cash and Cash Equivalents – Cash and cash equivalents of the Financial Services segment were $334,832, $91,365, and $205,448, at September 28, 2013, December 29, 2012, and September 29, 2012, respectively. Due to regulatory restrictions on WFB, the Company cannot use WFB's cash for non-banking operations.
	Reporting Periods – Unless otherwise stated, the fiscal periods referred to in the notes to these condensed consolidated financial statements are the 13 weeks ended September 28, 2013 (“three months ended September 28, 2013”), the 13 weeks ended September 29, 2012 (“three months ended September 29, 2012”), the 39 weeks ended September 28, 2013 (“nine months ended September 28, 2013”), the 39 weeks ended September 29, 2012 (“nine months ended September 29, 2012”), and the 52 weeks ended December 29, 2012 ("year ended 2012"). WFB follows a calendar fiscal period and, accordingly, the respective three month periods ended on September 30, 2013 and 2012, and the fiscal year ended on December 31, 2012.

Cabelas_Master_Credit_Card_Tru

Cabela's Master Credit Card Trust	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 28, 2013
Cabela's Master Credit Card Trust [Abstract]
Loans, Notes, Trade and Other Receivables Disclosure [Text Block]	CABELA'S MASTER CREDIT CARD TRUST
	The Financial Services segment utilizes the Trust for the purpose of routinely selling and securitizing credit card loans and issuing beneficial interest to investors. The Trust issues variable funding facilities and long-term notes each of which has an undivided interest in the assets of the Trust. The Financial Services segment must retain a minimum 20 day average of 5% of the loans in the securitization trust which ranks pari passu with the investors' interests in the securitized trusts.  In addition, the Financial Services segment owns notes issued by the Trust from some of the securitizations, which in certain cases may be subordinated to other notes issued.  The consolidated assets of the Trust are subject to credit, payment, and interest rate risks on the transferred credit card loans. The secured borrowings contain legal isolation requirements which would protect the assets pledged as collateral for the securitization investors as well as protect Cabela's and WFB from any liability from default on the notes.
	To protect investors, the securitization structures include certain features that could result in earlier-than-expected repayment of the securities, which could cause the Financial Services segment to sustain a loss of one or more of its retained interests and could prompt the need to seek alternative sources of funding. The primary investor protection feature relates to the availability and adequacy of cash flows in the securitized pool of loans to meet contractual requirements, the insufficiency of which triggers early repayment of the securities. The Financial Services segment refers to this as the early amortization feature.  Investors are allocated cash flows derived from activities related to the accounts comprising the securitized pool of loans, the amounts of which reflect finance charges collected, certain fee assessments collected, allocations of interchange, and recoveries on charged-off accounts.  These cash flows are considered to be restricted under the governing documents to pay interest to investors, servicing fees, and to absorb the investor's share of charge-offs occurring within the securitized pool of loans. Any cash flows remaining in excess of these requirements are reported to investors as excess spread.  An excess spread of less than zero percent for a contractually specified period, generally a three-month average, would trigger an early amortization event. Such an event could result in the Financial Services segment incurring losses related to its retained interests. In addition, if the retained interest in the loans of the Financial Services segment falls below the 5% minimum 20 day average and the Financial Services segment fails to add new accounts to the securitized pool of loans, an early amortization event would be triggered.  The investors have no recourse to the other assets of the Financial Services segment for failure of debtors to pay other than for breaches of certain customary representations, warranties, and covenants. These representations, warranties, covenants, and the related indemnities do not protect the Trust or third party investors against credit-related losses on the loans.
	Another feature, which is applicable to the notes issued from the Trust, is one in which excess cash flows generated by the transferred loans are held at the Trust for the benefit of the investors. This cash reserve account funding is triggered when the three-month average excess spread rate of the Trust decreases to below 4.50% with increasing funding requirements as excess spread levels decline below preset levels or as contractually required by the governing documents. Similar to early amortization, this feature also is designed to protect the investors' interests from loss thus making the cash restricted.  Upon scheduled maturity or early amortization of a securitization, the Financial Services segment is required to remit principal payments received on the securitized pool of loans to the Trust which are restricted for the repayment of the investors' principal note. Credit card loans performed within established guidelines and no events which could trigger an early amortization occurred during the nine months ended September 28, 2013, the year ended December 29, 2012, and the nine months ended September 29, 2012.
	The following table presents the components of the consolidated assets and liabilities of the Trust at the periods ended:
		September 28,				December 29,				September 29,
		2013				2012				2012
	Consolidated assets:
	Restricted credit card loans, net of allowance of $57,030, $65,090, and $65,440	$	3,534,814			$	3,458,043			$	3,127,722
	Restricted cash	26,009				17,292				16,709
	Total	$	3,560,823			$	3,475,335			$	3,144,431
	Consolidated liabilities:
	Secured variable funding obligations	$	—			$	325,000			$	—
	Secured long-term obligations	2,452,250				1,827,500				1,827,500
	Interest due to third party investors	2,214				1,424				1,330
	Total	$	2,454,464			$	2,153,924			$	1,828,830
	CREDIT CARD LOANS AND ALLOWANCE FOR LOAN LOSSES
	The Financial Services segment grants individual credit card loans to its customers and is diversified in its lending with borrowers throughout the United States. Credit card loans are reported at their principal amounts outstanding less the allowance for loan losses and deferred credit card origination costs. As part of collection efforts, a credit card loan may be closed and placed on non-accrual or restructured in a fixed payment plan prior to charge-off. The fixed payment plans require payment of the loan within 60 months and consist of a lower interest rate, reduced minimum payment, and elimination of fees. Loans on fixed payment plans include loans in which the customer has engaged a consumer credit counseling agency to assist them in managing their debt. Customers who miss two consecutive payments once placed on a payment plan or non-accrual will resume accruing interest at the rate they had accrued at before they were placed on a plan. Interest and fees are accrued in accordance with the terms of the applicable cardholder agreements or payment plan on credit card loans until the date of charge-off unless placed on non-accrual. Payments received on non-accrual loans are applied to principal. The Financial Services segment does not record any liabilities for off-balance sheet risk of unfunded commitments through the origination of unsecured credit card loans.
	The direct credit card account origination costs associated with costs of successful credit card originations incurred in transactions with independent third parties, and certain other costs incurred in connection with credit card approvals, are deferred credit card origination costs included in credit card loans and are amortized on a straight-line basis over 12 months. Other account solicitation costs, including printing, list processing, and postage are expensed as solicitation occurs.
	The following table reflects the composition of the credit card loans at the periods ended:
		September 28,				December 29,				September 29,
		2013				2012				2012
	Restricted credit card loans of the Trust (restricted for repayment of secured borrowings of the Trust)	$	3,591,844			$	3,523,133			$	3,193,162
	Unrestricted credit card loans	27,999				34,356				20,021
	Total credit card loans	3,619,843				3,557,489				3,213,183
	Allowance for loan losses	(57,370		)		(65,600		)		(65,750		)
	Deferred credit card origination costs	4,950				5,583				4,214
	Credit card loans, net	$	3,567,423			$	3,497,472			$	3,151,647
	Allowance for Loan Losses:
	The allowance for loan losses represents management's estimate of probable losses inherent in the credit card loan portfolio. The allowance for loan losses is established through a charge to the provision for loan losses and is evaluated by management for adequacy. Loans on a payment plan or non-accrual are segmented from the rest of the credit card loan portfolio into a restructured credit card loan segment before establishing an allowance for loan losses as these loans have a higher probability of loss. Management estimates losses inherent in the credit card loans segment and restructured credit card loans segment based on a model which tracks historical loss experience on delinquent accounts, bankruptcies, death, and charge-offs, net of estimated recoveries. The Financial Services segment uses a migration analysis and historical bankruptcy and death rates to estimate the likelihood that a credit card loan in the credit card loan segment will progress through the various stages of delinquency and to charge-off. This analysis estimates the gross amount of principal that will be charged off over the next 12 months, net of recoveries. The Financial Services segment uses historical charge-off rates to estimate the charge-offs over the life of the restructured credit card loan, net of recoveries. This estimate is used to derive an estimated allowance for loan losses. In addition to these methods of measurement, management also considers other factors such as general economic and business conditions affecting key lending areas, credit concentration, changes in origination and portfolio management, and credit quality trends. Since the evaluation of the inherent loss with respect to these factors is subject to a high degree of uncertainty, the measurement of the overall allowance is subject to estimation risk, and the amount of actual losses can vary significantly from the estimated amounts.
	Credit card loans that have been modified through a fixed payment plan or placed on non-accrual are considered impaired and are collectively evaluated for impairment. The Financial Services segment charges off credit card loans and restructured credit card loans on a daily basis after an account becomes at a minimum 130 days contractually delinquent. Accounts relating to cardholder bankruptcies, cardholder deaths, and fraudulent transactions are charged off earlier. The Financial Services segment recognizes charged-off cardholder fees and accrued interest receivable in interest and fee income that is included in Financial Services revenue.
	The restructured credit card loans decreased to $44,939 at September 28, 2013, compared to $47,227 at June 29, 2013, and $53,700 at December 29, 2012.  As a result of these declining loan balances, the allowance for loan losses on the restructured credit card loans segment was decreased by $1,000 and $5,000 in the three and nine months ended September 28, 2013. The remaining decrease of $6,500 in the allowance for loan losses on the restructured credit card loans segment was based on analysis relating to historical trends in actual charge-offs, and in conjunction with the 2008 restructured credit card loans approaching their five-year statutory maturity, resulting in an allowance of $11,500 at September 28, 2013, compared to $19,000 at June 29, 2013, and $23,000 at December 29, 2012.
	The following table reflects the activity in the allowance for loan losses by credit card segment for the periods presented:
		Three Months Ended
		28-Sep-13											29-Sep-12
		Credit Card Loans				Restructured Credit Card Loans				Total Credit Card Loans			Credit Card Loans			Restructured Credit Card Loans			Total Credit Card Loans
	Balance, beginning of period	$	43,500			$	19,000			$	62,500		$	42,050		$	25,000		$	67,050
	Provision for loan losses	13,280				(4,876		)		8,404			10,976			(589		)	10,387
	Charge-offs	(13,841		)		(3,636		)		(17,477		)	(13,171		)	(2,565		)	(15,736		)
	Recoveries	2,931				1,012				3,943			2,895			1,154			4,049
	Net charge-offs	(10,910		)		(2,624		)		(13,534		)	(10,276		)	(1,411		)	(11,687		)
	Balance, end of period	$	45,870			$	11,500			$	57,370		$	42,750		$	23,000		$	65,750
		Nine Months Ended
		28-Sep-13											29-Sep-12
		Credit Card Loans				Restructured Credit Card Loans				Total Credit Card Loans			Credit Card Loans			Restructured Credit Card Loans			Total Credit Card Loans
	Balance, beginning of period	$	42,600			$	23,000			$	65,600		$	44,350		$	29,000		$	73,350
	Provision for loan losses	37,227				(4,197		)		33,030			28,459			772			29,231
	Charge-offs	(43,894		)		(10,532		)		(54,426		)	(40,008		)	(10,574		)	(50,582		)
	Recoveries	9,937				3,229				13,166			9,949			3,802			13,751
	Net charge-offs	(33,957		)		(7,303		)		(41,260		)	(30,059		)	(6,772		)	(36,831		)
	Balance, end of period	$	45,870			$	11,500			$	57,370		$	42,750		$	23,000		$	65,750
	Credit Quality Indicators, Delinquent, and Non-Accrual Loans:
	The Financial Services segment segregates the loan portfolio into loans that have been restructured and other credit card loans in order to facilitate the estimation of the losses inherent in the portfolio as of the reporting date. The Financial Services segment uses the scores of Fair Isaac Corporation (“FICO”), a widely-used tool for assessing an individual's credit rating, as the primary credit quality indicator. The FICO score is an indicator of quality, with the risk of loss increasing as an individual's FICO score decreases. The credit card loan segment was disaggregated into the following classes as reflected in the tables below based upon the loan's current related FICO score.
	The Financial Services segment considers a loan to be delinquent if the minimum payment is not received by the payment due date. The aging method is based on the number of completed billing cycles during which a customer has failed to make a required payment.
	The table below provides information on non-accrual, past due, and restructured credit card loans by class using the respective quarter FICO score at the periods ended:
	September 28, 2013:	FICO Score of Credit Card Loans Segment									Restructured Credit Card Loans Segment (1)
		691 and Below			692 - 758			759 and Above					Total
	Credit card loan status:
	Current	$	498,540		$	1,208,374		$	1,803,735		$	36,380	$	3,547,029
	1 to 29 days past due	19,899			13,468			11,487			3,996		48,850
	30 to 59 days past due	6,807			1,117			290			1,876		10,090
	60 or more days past due	10,965			203			19			2,687		13,874
	Total past due	37,671			14,788			11,796			8,559		72,814
	Total credit card loans	$	536,211		$	1,223,162		$	1,815,531		$	44,939	$	3,619,843
90 days or more past due and still accruing	$	5,624		$	18		$	1		$	1,222	$	6,865
Non-accrual	—			—			—			5,672		5,672
December 29, 2012:	FICO Score of Credit Card Loans Segment									Restructured Credit Card Loans Segment (1)
	691 and Below			692 - 758			759 and Above					Total
Credit card loan status:
Current	$	453,894		$	1,134,840		$	1,856,587		$	44,193	$	3,489,514
1 to 29 days past due	17,901			11,558			10,094			4,304		43,857
30 to 59 days past due	6,060			1,004			203			1,811		9,078
60 or more days past due	11,416			189			43			3,392		15,040
Total past due	35,377			12,751			10,340			9,507		67,975
Total credit card loans	$	489,271		$	1,147,591		$	1,866,927		$	53,700	$	3,557,489
90 days or more past due and still accruing	$	6,118		$	38		$	4		$	1,481	$	7,641
Non-accrual	—			—			—			5,985		5,985
September 29, 2012:	FICO Score of Credit Card Loans Segment									Restructured Credit Card Loans Segment (1)
	691 and Below			692 - 758			759 and Above					Total
Credit card loan status:
Current	$	424,376		$	1,046,579		$	1,623,557		$	43,931	$	3,138,443
1 to 29 days past due	20,190			13,919			11,542			4,688		50,339
30 to 59 days past due	6,597			977			226			2,032		9,832
60 or more days past due	11,033			70			37			3,429		14,569
Total past due	37,820			14,966			11,805			10,149		74,740
Total credit card loans	$	462,196		$	1,061,545		$	1,635,362		$	54,080	$	3,213,183
90 days or more past due and still accruing	$	5,753		$	13		$	20		$	1,509	$	7,295
Non-accrual	—			—			—			6,054		6,054
-1	Specific allowance for loan losses of $11,500 at September 28, 2013, and 23,000 at both December 29, 2012, and September 29, 2012, are included in allowance for loan losses.

Credit_Card_Loans_and_Allowanc

Credit Card Loans and Allowance For Loan Losses	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 28, 2013
FICO SCores Credit Card Loans [Abstract]
Loans, Notes, Trade and Other Receivables Disclosure [Text Block]	CABELA'S MASTER CREDIT CARD TRUST
	The Financial Services segment utilizes the Trust for the purpose of routinely selling and securitizing credit card loans and issuing beneficial interest to investors. The Trust issues variable funding facilities and long-term notes each of which has an undivided interest in the assets of the Trust. The Financial Services segment must retain a minimum 20 day average of 5% of the loans in the securitization trust which ranks pari passu with the investors' interests in the securitized trusts.  In addition, the Financial Services segment owns notes issued by the Trust from some of the securitizations, which in certain cases may be subordinated to other notes issued.  The consolidated assets of the Trust are subject to credit, payment, and interest rate risks on the transferred credit card loans. The secured borrowings contain legal isolation requirements which would protect the assets pledged as collateral for the securitization investors as well as protect Cabela's and WFB from any liability from default on the notes.
	To protect investors, the securitization structures include certain features that could result in earlier-than-expected repayment of the securities, which could cause the Financial Services segment to sustain a loss of one or more of its retained interests and could prompt the need to seek alternative sources of funding. The primary investor protection feature relates to the availability and adequacy of cash flows in the securitized pool of loans to meet contractual requirements, the insufficiency of which triggers early repayment of the securities. The Financial Services segment refers to this as the early amortization feature.  Investors are allocated cash flows derived from activities related to the accounts comprising the securitized pool of loans, the amounts of which reflect finance charges collected, certain fee assessments collected, allocations of interchange, and recoveries on charged-off accounts.  These cash flows are considered to be restricted under the governing documents to pay interest to investors, servicing fees, and to absorb the investor's share of charge-offs occurring within the securitized pool of loans. Any cash flows remaining in excess of these requirements are reported to investors as excess spread.  An excess spread of less than zero percent for a contractually specified period, generally a three-month average, would trigger an early amortization event. Such an event could result in the Financial Services segment incurring losses related to its retained interests. In addition, if the retained interest in the loans of the Financial Services segment falls below the 5% minimum 20 day average and the Financial Services segment fails to add new accounts to the securitized pool of loans, an early amortization event would be triggered.  The investors have no recourse to the other assets of the Financial Services segment for failure of debtors to pay other than for breaches of certain customary representations, warranties, and covenants. These representations, warranties, covenants, and the related indemnities do not protect the Trust or third party investors against credit-related losses on the loans.
	Another feature, which is applicable to the notes issued from the Trust, is one in which excess cash flows generated by the transferred loans are held at the Trust for the benefit of the investors. This cash reserve account funding is triggered when the three-month average excess spread rate of the Trust decreases to below 4.50% with increasing funding requirements as excess spread levels decline below preset levels or as contractually required by the governing documents. Similar to early amortization, this feature also is designed to protect the investors' interests from loss thus making the cash restricted.  Upon scheduled maturity or early amortization of a securitization, the Financial Services segment is required to remit principal payments received on the securitized pool of loans to the Trust which are restricted for the repayment of the investors' principal note. Credit card loans performed within established guidelines and no events which could trigger an early amortization occurred during the nine months ended September 28, 2013, the year ended December 29, 2012, and the nine months ended September 29, 2012.
	The following table presents the components of the consolidated assets and liabilities of the Trust at the periods ended:
		September 28,				December 29,				September 29,
		2013				2012				2012
	Consolidated assets:
	Restricted credit card loans, net of allowance of $57,030, $65,090, and $65,440	$	3,534,814			$	3,458,043			$	3,127,722
	Restricted cash	26,009				17,292				16,709
	Total	$	3,560,823			$	3,475,335			$	3,144,431
	Consolidated liabilities:
	Secured variable funding obligations	$	—			$	325,000			$	—
	Secured long-term obligations	2,452,250				1,827,500				1,827,500
	Interest due to third party investors	2,214				1,424				1,330
	Total	$	2,454,464			$	2,153,924			$	1,828,830
	CREDIT CARD LOANS AND ALLOWANCE FOR LOAN LOSSES
	The Financial Services segment grants individual credit card loans to its customers and is diversified in its lending with borrowers throughout the United States. Credit card loans are reported at their principal amounts outstanding less the allowance for loan losses and deferred credit card origination costs. As part of collection efforts, a credit card loan may be closed and placed on non-accrual or restructured in a fixed payment plan prior to charge-off. The fixed payment plans require payment of the loan within 60 months and consist of a lower interest rate, reduced minimum payment, and elimination of fees. Loans on fixed payment plans include loans in which the customer has engaged a consumer credit counseling agency to assist them in managing their debt. Customers who miss two consecutive payments once placed on a payment plan or non-accrual will resume accruing interest at the rate they had accrued at before they were placed on a plan. Interest and fees are accrued in accordance with the terms of the applicable cardholder agreements or payment plan on credit card loans until the date of charge-off unless placed on non-accrual. Payments received on non-accrual loans are applied to principal. The Financial Services segment does not record any liabilities for off-balance sheet risk of unfunded commitments through the origination of unsecured credit card loans.
	The direct credit card account origination costs associated with costs of successful credit card originations incurred in transactions with independent third parties, and certain other costs incurred in connection with credit card approvals, are deferred credit card origination costs included in credit card loans and are amortized on a straight-line basis over 12 months. Other account solicitation costs, including printing, list processing, and postage are expensed as solicitation occurs.
	The following table reflects the composition of the credit card loans at the periods ended:
		September 28,				December 29,				September 29,
		2013				2012				2012
	Restricted credit card loans of the Trust (restricted for repayment of secured borrowings of the Trust)	$	3,591,844			$	3,523,133			$	3,193,162
	Unrestricted credit card loans	27,999				34,356				20,021
	Total credit card loans	3,619,843				3,557,489				3,213,183
	Allowance for loan losses	(57,370		)		(65,600		)		(65,750		)
	Deferred credit card origination costs	4,950				5,583				4,214
	Credit card loans, net	$	3,567,423			$	3,497,472			$	3,151,647
	Allowance for Loan Losses:
	The allowance for loan losses represents management's estimate of probable losses inherent in the credit card loan portfolio. The allowance for loan losses is established through a charge to the provision for loan losses and is evaluated by management for adequacy. Loans on a payment plan or non-accrual are segmented from the rest of the credit card loan portfolio into a restructured credit card loan segment before establishing an allowance for loan losses as these loans have a higher probability of loss. Management estimates losses inherent in the credit card loans segment and restructured credit card loans segment based on a model which tracks historical loss experience on delinquent accounts, bankruptcies, death, and charge-offs, net of estimated recoveries. The Financial Services segment uses a migration analysis and historical bankruptcy and death rates to estimate the likelihood that a credit card loan in the credit card loan segment will progress through the various stages of delinquency and to charge-off. This analysis estimates the gross amount of principal that will be charged off over the next 12 months, net of recoveries. The Financial Services segment uses historical charge-off rates to estimate the charge-offs over the life of the restructured credit card loan, net of recoveries. This estimate is used to derive an estimated allowance for loan losses. In addition to these methods of measurement, management also considers other factors such as general economic and business conditions affecting key lending areas, credit concentration, changes in origination and portfolio management, and credit quality trends. Since the evaluation of the inherent loss with respect to these factors is subject to a high degree of uncertainty, the measurement of the overall allowance is subject to estimation risk, and the amount of actual losses can vary significantly from the estimated amounts.
	Credit card loans that have been modified through a fixed payment plan or placed on non-accrual are considered impaired and are collectively evaluated for impairment. The Financial Services segment charges off credit card loans and restructured credit card loans on a daily basis after an account becomes at a minimum 130 days contractually delinquent. Accounts relating to cardholder bankruptcies, cardholder deaths, and fraudulent transactions are charged off earlier. The Financial Services segment recognizes charged-off cardholder fees and accrued interest receivable in interest and fee income that is included in Financial Services revenue.
	The restructured credit card loans decreased to $44,939 at September 28, 2013, compared to $47,227 at June 29, 2013, and $53,700 at December 29, 2012.  As a result of these declining loan balances, the allowance for loan losses on the restructured credit card loans segment was decreased by $1,000 and $5,000 in the three and nine months ended September 28, 2013. The remaining decrease of $6,500 in the allowance for loan losses on the restructured credit card loans segment was based on analysis relating to historical trends in actual charge-offs, and in conjunction with the 2008 restructured credit card loans approaching their five-year statutory maturity, resulting in an allowance of $11,500 at September 28, 2013, compared to $19,000 at June 29, 2013, and $23,000 at December 29, 2012.
	The following table reflects the activity in the allowance for loan losses by credit card segment for the periods presented:
		Three Months Ended
		28-Sep-13											29-Sep-12
		Credit Card Loans				Restructured Credit Card Loans				Total Credit Card Loans			Credit Card Loans			Restructured Credit Card Loans			Total Credit Card Loans
	Balance, beginning of period	$	43,500			$	19,000			$	62,500		$	42,050		$	25,000		$	67,050
	Provision for loan losses	13,280				(4,876		)		8,404			10,976			(589		)	10,387
	Charge-offs	(13,841		)		(3,636		)		(17,477		)	(13,171		)	(2,565		)	(15,736		)
	Recoveries	2,931				1,012				3,943			2,895			1,154			4,049
	Net charge-offs	(10,910		)		(2,624		)		(13,534		)	(10,276		)	(1,411		)	(11,687		)
	Balance, end of period	$	45,870			$	11,500			$	57,370		$	42,750		$	23,000		$	65,750
		Nine Months Ended
		28-Sep-13											29-Sep-12
		Credit Card Loans				Restructured Credit Card Loans				Total Credit Card Loans			Credit Card Loans			Restructured Credit Card Loans			Total Credit Card Loans
	Balance, beginning of period	$	42,600			$	23,000			$	65,600		$	44,350		$	29,000		$	73,350
	Provision for loan losses	37,227				(4,197		)		33,030			28,459			772			29,231
	Charge-offs	(43,894		)		(10,532		)		(54,426		)	(40,008		)	(10,574		)	(50,582		)
	Recoveries	9,937				3,229				13,166			9,949			3,802			13,751
	Net charge-offs	(33,957		)		(7,303		)		(41,260		)	(30,059		)	(6,772		)	(36,831		)
	Balance, end of period	$	45,870			$	11,500			$	57,370		$	42,750		$	23,000		$	65,750
	Credit Quality Indicators, Delinquent, and Non-Accrual Loans:
	The Financial Services segment segregates the loan portfolio into loans that have been restructured and other credit card loans in order to facilitate the estimation of the losses inherent in the portfolio as of the reporting date. The Financial Services segment uses the scores of Fair Isaac Corporation (“FICO”), a widely-used tool for assessing an individual's credit rating, as the primary credit quality indicator. The FICO score is an indicator of quality, with the risk of loss increasing as an individual's FICO score decreases. The credit card loan segment was disaggregated into the following classes as reflected in the tables below based upon the loan's current related FICO score.
	The Financial Services segment considers a loan to be delinquent if the minimum payment is not received by the payment due date. The aging method is based on the number of completed billing cycles during which a customer has failed to make a required payment.
	The table below provides information on non-accrual, past due, and restructured credit card loans by class using the respective quarter FICO score at the periods ended:
	September 28, 2013:	FICO Score of Credit Card Loans Segment									Restructured Credit Card Loans Segment (1)
		691 and Below			692 - 758			759 and Above					Total
	Credit card loan status:
	Current	$	498,540		$	1,208,374		$	1,803,735		$	36,380	$	3,547,029
	1 to 29 days past due	19,899			13,468			11,487			3,996		48,850
	30 to 59 days past due	6,807			1,117			290			1,876		10,090
	60 or more days past due	10,965			203			19			2,687		13,874
	Total past due	37,671			14,788			11,796			8,559		72,814
	Total credit card loans	$	536,211		$	1,223,162		$	1,815,531		$	44,939	$	3,619,843
90 days or more past due and still accruing	$	5,624		$	18		$	1		$	1,222	$	6,865
Non-accrual	—			—			—			5,672		5,672
December 29, 2012:	FICO Score of Credit Card Loans Segment									Restructured Credit Card Loans Segment (1)
	691 and Below			692 - 758			759 and Above					Total
Credit card loan status:
Current	$	453,894		$	1,134,840		$	1,856,587		$	44,193	$	3,489,514
1 to 29 days past due	17,901			11,558			10,094			4,304		43,857
30 to 59 days past due	6,060			1,004			203			1,811		9,078
60 or more days past due	11,416			189			43			3,392		15,040
Total past due	35,377			12,751			10,340			9,507		67,975
Total credit card loans	$	489,271		$	1,147,591		$	1,866,927		$	53,700	$	3,557,489
90 days or more past due and still accruing	$	6,118		$	38		$	4		$	1,481	$	7,641
Non-accrual	—			—			—			5,985		5,985
September 29, 2012:	FICO Score of Credit Card Loans Segment									Restructured Credit Card Loans Segment (1)
	691 and Below			692 - 758			759 and Above					Total
Credit card loan status:
Current	$	424,376		$	1,046,579		$	1,623,557		$	43,931	$	3,138,443
1 to 29 days past due	20,190			13,919			11,542			4,688		50,339
30 to 59 days past due	6,597			977			226			2,032		9,832
60 or more days past due	11,033			70			37			3,429		14,569
Total past due	37,820			14,966			11,805			10,149		74,740
Total credit card loans	$	462,196		$	1,061,545		$	1,635,362		$	54,080	$	3,213,183
90 days or more past due and still accruing	$	5,753		$	13		$	20		$	1,509	$	7,295
Non-accrual	—			—			—			6,054		6,054
-1	Specific allowance for loan losses of $11,500 at September 28, 2013, and 23,000 at both December 29, 2012, and September 29, 2012, are included in allowance for loan losses.

Securities

Securities	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 28, 2013
Securities [Abstract]
Investments in Debt and Marketable Equity Securities (and Certain Trading Assets) Disclosure [Text Block]	SECURITIES
	Securities consisted of the following for the periods ended:
		Amortized Cost		Gross Unrealized Gains		Gross Unrealized Losses			Fair Value
	September 28, 2013:
	Available-for-sale securities:
	Economic development bonds	$	71,098	$	8,199	$	(37	)	$	79,260
	Held-to-maturity securities:
	U.S. government agency (1)	$	135,000	$	3	$	—		$	135,003
	December 29, 2012:
	Available-for-sale securities:
	Economic development bonds	$	74,545	$	10,496	$	—		$	85,041
	September 29, 2012:
	Available-for-sale securities:
	Economic development bonds	$	79,587	$	13,157	$	—		$	92,744
	-1	Represents U.S. government agency held-to-maturity securities held by the Financial Services segment and available for utilization only by the Financial Services Segment pursuant to regulatory restrictions.
	The carrying value and fair value of these securities classified by estimated maturity based on expected future cash flows at September 28, 2013, were as follows:
		Available-for-Sale				Held-to-Maturity
		Amortized Cost		Fair Value		Amortized Cost			Fair Value
	For the three months ending December 28, 2013	$	2,706	$	3,106	$	135,000		$	135,003
	For the fiscal years ending:
	2014	1,861		2,315		—			—
	2015	1,783		2,266		—			—
	2016	2,209		2,718		—			—
	2017	2,579		2,984		—			—
	2018 - 2022	19,434		22,114		—			—
	2023 and thereafter	40,526		43,757		—			—
	Totals	$	71,098	$	79,260	$	135,000		$	135,003
	Interest earned on the securities totaled $3,089 and $3,488 in the nine months ended September 28, 2013, and September 29, 2012, respectively. There were no realized gains or losses on these securities in the nine months ended September 28, 2013, or September 29, 2012.

Borrowings_of_Financial_Servic

Borrowings of Financial Services Segment	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 28, 2013
Borrowings of Financial Services Subsidiary [Abstract]
Debt Disclosure [Text Block]	BORROWINGS OF FINANCIAL SERVICES SEGMENT
	The obligations of the Trust are secured borrowings backed by restricted credit card loans. A summary of the secured fixed and variable rate long-term obligations of the Trust by series, the expected maturity dates, and the respective weighted average interest rates are presented in the following tables at the periods ended:
	September 28, 2013:
	Series	Expected	Fixed Rate Obligations		Interest Rate		Variable Rate Obligations		Interest Rate		Total Obligations		Interest Rate
		Maturity Date
	Series 2010-I	Jan-15	$	—	—	%	$	255,000	1.63	%	$	255,000	1.63	%
	Series 2010-II	Sep-15	127,500		2.29		85,000		0.88		212,500		1.73
	Series 2011-II	Jun-16	155,000		2.39		100,000		0.78		255,000		1.76
	Series 2011-IV	Oct-16	165,000		1.9		90,000		0.73		255,000		1.49
	Series 2012-I	Feb-17	275,000		1.63		150,000		0.71		425,000		1.31
	Series 2012-II	Jun-17	300,000		1.45		125,000		0.66		425,000		1.22
	Series 2013-I	Feb-23	327,250		2.71		—		—		327,250		2.71
	Series 2013-II	Aug-18	100,000		2.17		197,500		0.88		297,500		1.31
	Secured long-term obligations of the Trust		$	1,449,750			$	1,002,500			$	2,452,250
	December 29, 2012:
	Series	Expected	Fixed Rate Obligations		Interest Rate		Variable Rate Obligations		Interest Rate		Total Obligations		Interest Rate
		Maturity Date
	Series 2010-I	Jan-15	$	—	—	%	$	255,000	1.66	%	$	255,000	1.66	%
	Series 2010-II	Sep-15	127,500		2.29		85,000		0.91		212,500		1.74
	Series 2011-II	Jun-16	155,000		2.39		100,000		0.81		255,000		1.77
	Series 2011-IV	Oct-16	165,000		1.9		90,000		0.76		255,000		1.5
	Series 2012-I	Feb-17	275,000		1.63		150,000		0.74		425,000		1.32
	Series 2012-II	Jun-17	300,000		1.45		125,000		0.69		425,000		1.23
	Secured long-term obligations of the Trust		$	1,022,500			$	805,000			$	1,827,500
	September 29, 2012:
	Series	Expected	Fixed Rate Obligations		Interest Rate		Variable Rate Obligations		Interest Rate		Total Obligations		Interest Rate
		Maturity Date
	Series 2010-I	Jan-15	$	—	—	%	$	255,000	1.67	%	$	255,000	1.67	%
	Series 2010-II	Sep-15	127,500		2.29		85,000		0.92		212,500		1.74
	Series 2011-II	Jun-16	155,000		2.39		100,000		0.82		255,000		1.77
	Series 2011-IV	Oct-16	165,000		1.9		90,000		0.77		255,000		1.5
	Series 2012-I	Feb-17	275,000		1.63		150,000		0.75		425,000		1.32
	Series 2012-II	Jun-17	300,000		1.45		125,000		0.7		425,000		1.23
	Secured long-term obligations of the Trust		$	1,022,500			$	805,000			$	1,827,500
	The Trust also issues variable funding facilities which are considered secured borrowings backed by restricted credit card loans. The Trust early renewed one variable funding facility in the amount of $300,000 on March 26, 2013, extending the commitment for an additional two years. At September 28, 2013, the Trust had three variable funding facilities with $875,000 in available capacity and with no amounts outstanding.  The variable funding facilities are scheduled to mature in September 2014, March 2015, and March 2016. Each of these variable funding facilities includes an option to renew subject to certain terms and conditions. Variable rate note interest is priced at a benchmark rate, London Interbank Offered Rate, or commercial paper rate, plus a spread, which ranges from 0.50% to 0.85%.  The variable rate notes provide for a fee ranging from 0.25% to 0.40% on the unused portion of the facilities.  During the nine months ended September 28, 2013, and September 29, 2012, the daily average balance outstanding on these notes was $33,443 and $173,358, with a weighted average interest rate of 0.78% for both years.
	The Trust sold asset-backed notes of $385,000 (Series 2013-I) and $350,000 (Series 2013-II) on March 7, 2013, and August 15, 2013, respectively. The Series 2013-I securitization transaction included the issuance of $327,250 Class A notes and three subordinated classes of notes in the aggregate principal amount of $57,750. The Series 2013-II securitization transaction included the issuance of $297,500 Class A notes and three subordinated classes of notes in the aggregate principal amount of $52,500. The Financial Services segment retained each of the subordinated classes of notes which were eliminated in the preparation of our condensed consolidated financial statements. Each class of notes issued in the Series 2013-I securitization transaction has an expected life of approximately ten years and a contractual maturity of approximately thirteen years. Each class of notes issued in the Series 2013-II securitization transaction has an expected life of approximately five years and a contractual maturity of approximately eight years. These securitization transactions were used to fund the growth in restricted credit card loans.
	The Financial Services segment has unsecured federal funds purchase agreements with two financial institutions.  The maximum amount that can be borrowed is $85,000. There were no amounts outstanding at September 28, 2013, December 29, 2012, or September 29, 2012.  During the nine months ended September 28, 2013, and September 29, 2012, the daily average balance outstanding was $305 and $504, respectively, with a weighted average rate of 0.75% for both periods.

LongTerm_Debt_and_Capital_Leas

Long-Term Debt and Capital Leases	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 28, 2013
Long Term Debt and Capital Leases [Abstract]
Debt and Capital Leases Disclosures [Text Block]	LONG-TERM DEBT AND CAPITAL LEASES
	Long-term debt, including revolving credit facilities and capital leases, consisted of the following at the periods ended:
		September 28,			December 29,			September 29,
		2013			2012			2012
	Unsecured revolving credit facility	$	200,000		$	—		$	115,000
	Unsecured notes due 2016 with interest at 5.99%	215,000			215,000			215,000
	Unsecured senior notes due 2017 with interest at 6.08%	60,000			60,000			60,000
	Unsecured senior notes due 2014-2018 with interest at 7.20%	40,714			48,857			48,857
	Unsecured revolving credit facility of Canada operations	4,364			—			—
	Capital lease obligations payable through 2036	12,485			12,678			12,740
	Total debt	532,563			336,535			451,597
	Less current portion of debt	(8,414		)	(8,402		)	(8,398		)
	Long-term debt, less current maturities	$	524,149		$	328,133		$	443,199
	The Company has a credit agreement providing for a $415,000 revolving credit facility that expires on November 2, 2016. There was $200,000 and $115,000 outstanding under our credit agreement at September 28, 2013, and September 29, 2012, respectively, with no amount outstanding at December 29, 2012. The unsecured $415,000 revolving credit facility permits the issuance of letters of credit up to $100,000 and swing line loans up to $20,000. This credit facility may be increased to $500,000 subject to certain terms and conditions.
	During the nine months ended September 28, 2013, and September 29, 2012, the daily average principal balance outstanding on the lines of credit was $65,030 and $22,155, respectively, and the weighted average interest rate was 1.46% and 1.65%, respectively. Letters of credit and standby letters of credit totaling $27,753 and $25,856 were outstanding at September 28, 2013, and September 29, 2012, respectively. The daily average outstanding amount of total letters of credit during the nine months ended September 28, 2013, and September 29, 2012, was $22,277 and $14,554, respectively.
	Effective August 28, 2013, the Company entered into an unsecured $20,000 Canadian ("CAD") revolving credit facility for its operations in Canada. Borrowings are payable on demand with interest payable monthly. The credit facility permits the issuance of letters of credit up to $10,000 CAD in the aggregate, which reduce the overall credit limit available under the credit facility.
	At September 28, 2013, the Company was in compliance with all financial covenants under the credit agreements and unsecured notes. At September 28, 2013, the Company was in compliance with the financial covenant requirements of its $415,000 credit agreement with a fixed charge coverage ratio of 11.40 to 1 (minimum requirement is 2.00 to 1), a leverage ratio of 0.86 to 1 (requirement is no more than 3.00 to 1), and a consolidated net worth that was $482,085 in excess of the minimum. We anticipate that we will continue to be in compliance with all financial covenants under our credit agreements and unsecured notes through at least the next 12 months.

Impairment_and_Restructuring_C

Impairment and Restructuring Charges (Notes)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 28, 2013
Impairment and Restructuring Charges [Abstract]
Restructuring, Impairment, and Other Activities Disclosure [Text Block]	IMPAIRMENT AND RESTRUCTURING CHARGES
	Long-lived assets of the Company are evaluated for possible impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances may indicate that the carrying value of an asset may not be recoverable. During the three months ended September 28, 2013, and September 29, 2012, the Company evaluated the recoverability of certain property, equipment, land held for sale, and economic development bonds. In accordance with accounting guidance on asset valuations, the Company recognized an impairment loss totaling $937 in the nine months ended September 28, 2013, related to the closure of its former Winnipeg retail store in conjunction with the opening of a new next-generation store in Winnipeg in May 2013. The impairment loss of $937 included leasehold improvements write-offs as well as lease cancellation and restoration costs. No impairment losses were recognized in the three months ended September 28, 2013, or the three and nine months ended September 29, 2012.
	Trends and management projections could change undiscounted cash flows in future periods which could trigger possible future write downs. The impairment loss was recorded to the Retail and Corporate Overhead and Other segments.

Income_Taxes

Income Taxes	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 28, 2013
Income Taxes [Abstract]
Income Tax Disclosure [Text Block]	INCOME TAXES
	A reconciliation of the statutory federal income tax rate to the effective income tax rate was as follows for the periods presented.
		Three Months Ended				Nine Months Ended
		September 28,		September 29,		September 28,		September 29,
		2013		2012		2013		2012
	Statutory federal rate	35	%	35	%	35	%	35	%
	State income taxes, net of federal tax benefit	1.4		2.3		1.4		2.8
	Other nondeductible items	0.2		0.9		0.2		0.7
	Tax exempt interest income	(0.5	)	(0.5	)	(0.4	)	(0.5	)
	Rate differential on foreign income	(5.2	)	(4.4	)	(4.2	)	(4.1	)
	Change in unrecognized tax benefits	(0.8	)	0.5		—		0.6
	Other, net	1.2		(1.5	)	—		(0.6	)
	Effective income tax rate	31.3	%	32.3	%	32	%	33.9	%
	The balance of unrecognized tax benefits, classified as other long-term liabilities in the condensed consolidated balance sheet, totaled $42,215, $39,252, and $42,167, at September 28, 2013, December 29, 2012, and September 29, 2012, respectively. The changes comparing the respective periods were due primarily to our assessments of uncertain tax positions related to prior period tax positions. The Company paid $53,418 in prior periods as deposits for federal taxes related to prior period uncertain tax positions. The deposits are classified as a current asset netted within income taxes receivable and deferred income taxes in the condensed consolidated balance sheet. Because existing tax positions will continue to generate increased liabilities for the Company for unrecognized tax benefits over the next 12 months, and since the Company is routinely under audit by various taxing authorities, it is reasonably possible that the amount of unrecognized tax benefits will change during the next 12 months. However, the Company does not expect the change, if any, to have a material effect on the consolidated financial condition or results of operations within the next 12 months.
	As of September 28, 2013, cash and cash equivalents held by the Company's foreign subsidiaries totaled $58,942. The Company's intent is to permanently reinvest a portion of these funds from earnings outside the United States for capital expansion and to repatriate a portion of these funds. Based on the Company's current projected capital needs and the current amount of cash and cash equivalents held by its foreign subsidiaries, the Company does not anticipate incurring any material tax costs beyond its accrued tax position in connection with any repatriation, but it may be required to accrue for unanticipated additional tax costs in the future if the Company's expectations or the amount of cash held by its foreign subsidiaries change.

Commitments_and_Contingencies

Commitments and Contingencies	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 28, 2013
Commitments and Contingencies [Abstract]
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Text Block]	COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES
	The Company leases various buildings, computer and other equipment, and storage space under operating leases which expire on various dates through July 2037. Rent expense on these leases as well as other month to month rentals was $3,955 and $10,843 in the three and nine months ended September 28, 2013, respectively, compared to $3,444 and $8,848 in the three and nine months ended September 29, 2012, respectively.
	The following is a schedule of future minimum rental payments under operating leases at September 28, 2013:
	For the three months ending December 28, 2013	$	3,269
	For the fiscal years ending:
	2014	15,295
	2015	19,092
	2016	18,888
	2017	18,582
	Thereafter	260,128
		$	335,254
	The Company leases certain retail store locations. Some of these leases include tenant allowances that are amortized over the life of the lease. In the nine months ended September 28, 2013, the Company received $4,950 in tenant allowances. No tenant allowances were received in the nine months ended September 29, 2012. The Company does not expect to receive tenant allowances under leases during the remainder of 2013. Certain leases require the Company to pay contingent rental amounts based on a percentage of sales, in addition to real estate taxes, insurance, maintenance, and other operating expenses associated with the leased premises. These leases have terms which include renewal options ranging from 10 to 70 years.
	The Company has entered into real estate purchase, construction, and/or economic incentive agreements for various new retail store site locations. At September 28, 2013, the Company had total estimated cash commitments of approximately $259,700 outstanding for projected expenditures connected with the development, construction, and completion of new retail stores. This does not include any amounts for contractual obligations associated with retail store locations where the Company is in the process of certain negotiations.
	Under various grant programs, state or local governments provide funding for certain costs associated with developing and opening a new retail store. The Company generally receives grant funding in exchange for commitments, such as assurance of agreed employment and wage levels at the retail store or that the retail store will remain open, made by the Company to the state or local government providing the funding. The commitments typically phase out over approximately five to 10 years. If the Company failed to maintain the commitments during the applicable period, the funds received may have to be repaid or other adverse consequences may arise, which could affect the Company's cash flows and profitability. At September 28, 2013, December 29, 2012, and September 29, 2012, the total amount of grant funding subject to a specific contractual remedy was $6,673, $7,257, and $7,319, respectively. No grant funding was received in the nine months ended September 28, 2013.
	The Company operates an open account document instructions program, which provides for Cabela's-issued letters of credit. The Company had obligations to pay participating vendors $60,579, $55,455, and $65,648, at September 28, 2013, December 29, 2012, and September 29, 2012, respectively.
	The Financial Services segment enters into financial instruments with off-balance sheet risk in the normal course of business through the origination of unsecured credit card loans. Unsecured credit card accounts are commitments to extend credit and totaled $25,093,000, $20,976,000, and $20,601,000, at September 28, 2013, December 29, 2012, and September 29, 2012, respectively. These commitments are in addition to any current outstanding balances of a cardholder. Unsecured credit card loans involve, to varying degrees, elements of credit risk in excess of the amount recognized in the condensed consolidated balance sheets. The principal amounts of these instruments reflect the Financial Services segment's maximum related exposure. The Financial Services segment has not experienced and does not anticipate that all customers will exercise the entire available line of credit at any given point in time. The Financial Services segment has the right to reduce or cancel the available lines of credit at any time.
	Proposed Settlement of Visa Litigation – In June 2005, a number of entities, each purporting to represent a class of retail merchants, sued Visa and several member banks, and other credit card associations, alleging, among other things, that Visa and its member banks have violated United States antitrust laws by conspiring to fix the level of interchange fees. On July 13, 2012, the parties to this litigation announced that they had entered into a memorandum of understanding, which subject to certain conditions, including court approval, obligates the parties to enter into a settlement agreement to resolve the claims brought by the class members. On November 9, 2012, the settlement received preliminary court approval. The court held a hearing for final approval of the settlement on September 12, 2013, but the settlement has not yet received final court approval. The settlement agreement requires, among other things, (i) the distribution to class merchants of an amount equal to 10 basis points of default interchange across all credit rate categories for a period of eight consecutive months, which otherwise would have been paid to issuers like WFB, (ii) Visa to change its rules to allow merchants to charge a surcharge on credit card transactions subject to a cap, and (iii) Visa to meet with merchant buying groups that seek to negotiate interchange rates collectively. To date, WFB has not been named as a defendant in any credit card industry lawsuits. Based on the information in the proposed settlement, management determined that the 10 basis point reduction of default interchange across all credit rate categories for the eight consecutive month period from July 29, 2013, through March 28, 2014, would result in a reduction of interchange income of approximately $12,500 in the Financial Services segment. Therefore, a liability of $12,500 was recorded in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2012 to accrue for such proposed settlement.
	In 2013, certain plaintiffs opted out of the proposed settlement resulting in management re-evaluating the impact of the 10 basis point reduction of default interchange across all credit rate categories for the eight consecutive months. In addition, Visa issued its first interchange reduction report to WFB for the period July 29, 2013, through August 31, 2013, resulting in an assessment of $1,300. As a result of these re-evaluations and the analysis relating to the merchant charge volume per the August 2013 Visa interchange reduction report, management determined that the estimated effect for the proposed settlement should be reduced by $1,650 and $2,850, respectively, in the three and nine months ended September 28, 2013. The estimated remaining liability balance for the proposed settlement is $8,300 at September 28, 2013.
	Litigation and Claims – The Company is party to various legal proceedings arising in the ordinary course of business. These actions include commercial, intellectual property, employment, regulatory, and product liability claims. Some of these actions involve complex factual and legal issues and are subject to uncertainties. The activities of WFB are subject to complex federal and state laws and regulations. WFB's regulators are authorized to impose penalties for violations of these laws and regulations and, in some cases, to order WFB to pay restitution. The Company cannot predict with assurance the outcome of the actions brought against it. Accordingly, adverse developments, settlements, or resolutions may occur and have a material effect on the Company's results of operations for the period in which such development, settlement, or resolution occurs. However, the Company does not believe that the outcome of any current legal proceeding would have a material effect on its results of operations, cash flows, or financial position taken as a whole.
	On January 6, 2011, the Company received a Commissioner's charge from the Chair of the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission ("EEOC") alleging that the Company has discriminated against non-Whites on the basis of their race and national origin in recruitment and hiring. The Company is disputing these allegations, and the EEOC currently is in the preliminary stages of its investigation. At the present time, the Company is unable to form a judgment regarding a favorable or unfavorable outcome regarding this matter or the potential range of loss in the event of an unfavorable outcome.

StockBased_Compensation_Plans_

Stock-Based Compensation Plans and Employee Benefit Plans	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 28, 2013
Stock Award Plans [Abstract]
Disclosure of Compensation Related Costs, Share-based Payments [Text Block]	STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION PLANS AND EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLANS
	Stock-Based Compensation. The Company recognized total stock-based compensation expense of $3,837 and $11,150 for the three and nine months ended September 28, 2013, respectively, and $3,686 and $10,286 in the three and nine months ended September 29, 2012, respectively. Compensation expense related to the Company's stock-based payment awards is recognized in selling, distribution, and administrative expenses in the condensed consolidated statements of income. At September 28, 2013, the total unrecognized deferred stock-based compensation balance for all equity awards issued, net of expected forfeitures, was $24,129, net of tax, which is expected to be amortized over a weighted average period of 2.8 years.
	New Stock Plan. Effective June 5, 2013, the shareholders of the Company approved the Cabela's Incorporated 2013 Stock Plan (the "2013 Stock Plan"). The 2013 Stock Plan replaces the Cabela's Incorporated 2004 Stock Plan (the "2004 Stock Plan") and provides for the grant of incentive stock options, non-statutory stock options ("NSOs"), stock appreciation rights, performance stock, performance units, restricted stock, and restricted stock units to employees and consultants. Non-employee directors are eligible to receive any type of award offered under the 2013 Stock Plan except incentive stock options. Awards granted under the 2013 Stock Plan have a term of no greater than ten years from the grant date and become exercisable under the vesting schedule determined at the time of grant. As of September 28, 2013, the maximum number of shares available for awards under the 2013 Stock Plan was 3,949,030.
	Option Awards. During the nine months ended September 28, 2013, there were 207,595 NSOs granted to employees under the 2004 Stock Plan at an exercise price of $50.91 per share. These options have an eight-year term and vest over four years. On March 2, 2013, the Company also issued 64,000 premium-priced NSOs to its President and Chief Executive Officer under the 2004 Stock Plan at an exercise price of $58.55 (which was equal to 115% of the closing price of the Company's common stock on the New York Stock Exchange on March 1, 2013). The premium-priced NSOs vest in three equal annual installments beginning on March 2, 2017, and expire on March 2, 2021. At September 28, 2013, there were 3,499,901 awards outstanding under the 2004 Stock Plan. No future grants of awards will be made under the 2004 Stock Plan.
	On June 6, 2013, the Company granted 30,000 NSOs to non-employee directors under the 2013 Stock Plan at an exercise price of $67.69 per share. These options have an eight-year term and vest over one year.
	During the nine months ended September 28, 2013, there were 405,533 options exercised. To the extent available, the Company will issue its treasury shares for the exercise of stock options before issuing new shares. The aggregate intrinsic value of awards exercised was $17,854 and $51,885 during the nine months ended September 28, 2013, and September 29, 2012, respectively. Based on the Company's closing stock price of $64.29 at September 28, 2013, the total number of in-the-money awards exercisable as of September 28, 2013, was 2,034,938.
	Nonvested Stock and Stock Unit Awards. During the nine months ended September 28, 2013, the Company issued 344,345 units of nonvested stock under the 2004 Stock Plan to employees at a weighted average fair value of $50.87 per unit. During the nine months ended September 28, 2013, the Company issued 20,600 units of nonvested stock under the 2013 Stock Plan to employees at a fair value of $69.98 per unit. These nonvested stock units vest evenly over four years on the grant date anniversary based on the passage of time. On March 2, 2013, the Company also issued 55,400 units of performance-based restricted stock units under the 2004 Stock Plan to certain executives at a fair value of $50.91 per unit. These performance-based restricted stock units will begin vesting in four equal annual installments on March 2, 2014, if the performance criteria is achieved.
	On June 6, 2013, the Company granted 370 units of nonvested stock to a non-employee director of WFB under the 2013 Stock Plan at a fair value of $67.69 per unit. These nonvested stock units vest over one year.
	Employee Stock Purchase Plan. Effective June 5, 2013, the shareholders of the Company approved the Cabela's Incorporated 2013 Employee Stock Purchase Plan (the "2013 ESPP") which replaces the Cabela's Incorporated 2004 Employee Stock Purchase Plan for all awards granted on or after August 1, 2013. During the three months ended September 28, 2013, there were 13,046 shares issued under the 2013 Plan. As of September 28, 2013, the maximum number of shares of common stock available for issuance under the 2013 ESPP was 1,986,954 shares. During the nine months ended September 28, 2013, there were 33,065 shares issued under the 2004 Plan.

Stockholders_Equity_and_Divide

Stockholders' Equity and Dividend Restrictions	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 28, 2013
Shareholders' Equity and Dividend Restrictions [Abstract]
Stockholders' Equity Note Disclosure [Text Block]	STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY AND DIVIDEND RESTRICTIONS
	Retained Earnings - The most significant restrictions on the payment of dividends are contained within the covenants under the Company's revolving credit and unsecured senior notes purchase agreements. Also, Nebraska banking laws govern the amount of dividends that WFB can pay to Cabela's. At September 28, 2013, the Company had unrestricted retained earnings of $180,529 available for dividends. However, the Company has never declared or paid any cash dividends on its common stock, and does not anticipate paying any cash dividends in the foreseeable future.
	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income - The components of accumulated other comprehensive income, net of related taxes, are as follows for the periods ended:
		September 28,				December 29,				September 29,
		2013				2012				2012
	Accumulated net unrealized holding gains on economic development bonds	$	5,142			$	6,823			$	8,553
	Accumulated net unrealized holding loss on derivatives	—				(1		)		(23		)
	Cumulative foreign currency translation adjustments	(340		)		(1,280		)		387
	Total accumulated other comprehensive income	$	4,802			$	5,542			$	8,917
	Treasury Stock - The Company's Board of Directors authorized a share repurchase program on August 23, 2011, that provides for share repurchases on an ongoing basis to offset dilution resulting from equity awards under the Company's current or future equity compensation plans. On February 14, 2013, the Company announced its intent to repurchase up to 750,000 shares of its common stock in open market transactions through February 2014 pursuant to this share repurchase program. As of September 28, 2013, there were 181,179 shares repurchased (which includes 17,439 shares withheld to offset tax withholding obligations upon the vesting and release of certain restricted shares). At September 28, 2013, there were 586,260 shares remaining to be purchased.
	The following table reconciles the Company's treasury stock activity for the periods presented.
		Three Months Ended						Nine Months Ended
		September 28, 2013			September 29, 2012			September 28, 2013			September 29, 2012
	Number of treasury shares, beginning of period	13,737			800,000			492,414			800,935
	Purchase of treasury stock (1)	17,439			16,057			181,179			816,057
	Treasury shares issued on exercise of stock options and share-based payment awards	(30,946	)		(290,034	)		(673,363	)		(1,090,969	)
	Number of treasury shares, end of period	230			526,023			230			526,023
	-1	Reflects common stock withheld (under the terms of grants pursuant to a stock compensation plan) totaling 17,439 shares and 16,057 shares, respectively, to offset tax withholding obligations upon the vesting and release of restricted shares on July 7, 2013 and 2012.

Earnings_Per_Share

Earnings Per Share	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 28, 2013
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]
Earnings Per Share [Text Block]	EARNINGS PER SHARE
	The following table reconciles the weighted average number of shares utilized in the earnings per share calculations for the periods presented.
		Three Months Ended		Nine Months Ended
		September 28,	September 29,	September 28,	September 29,
		2013	2012	2013	2012
	Common shares – basic	70,575,804	69,894,538	70,412,479	69,794,416
	Effect of incremental dilutive securities:
	Stock options, nonvested stock units, and employee stock purchase plans	1,182,097	1,661,324	1,305,415	1,830,035
	Common shares – diluted	71,757,901	71,555,862	71,717,894	71,624,451
	Stock options outstanding and nonvested stock units issued considered anti-dilutive excluded from calculation	37,582	—	12,527	78,769

Supplemental_Cash_Flow_Informa

Supplemental Cash Flow Information	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 28, 2013
Supplemental Cash Flow Information [Abstract]
Cash Flow, Supplemental Disclosures [Text Block]	SUPPLEMENTAL CASH FLOW INFORMATION
	The following table sets forth non-cash financing and investing activities and other cash flow information for the nine months ended:
		September 28,		September 29,
		2013		2012
	Non-cash financing and investing activities:
	Accrued property and equipment additions (1)	$	49,007	$	24,608
	Other cash flow information:
	Interest paid (2)	55,836		60,848
	Income taxes paid, net of refunds	52,532		81,703
	-1	Accrued property and equipment additions are recognized in the condensed consolidated statements of cash flows in the period they are paid.
	-2	Includes interest from the Financial Services segment totaling $45,987 and $40,693, respectively.

Segment_Reporting

Segment Reporting	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 28, 2013
Segment Reporting [Abstract]
Segment Reporting Disclosure [Text Block]	SEGMENT REPORTING
	The Company has three reportable segments: Retail, Direct, and Financial Services. The Retail segment sells products and services through the Company's retail stores. The Direct segment sells products through our e-commerce websites (Cabelas.com and Cabelas.ca) and direct mail catalogs. The Financial Services segment issues co-branded credit cards. For the Retail segment, operating costs consist primarily of employee compensation and benefits, advertising, depreciation, and occupancy costs of retail stores. For the Direct segment, operating costs consist primarily of direct marketing costs (e-commerce advertising and catalog costs) and order processing costs. For the Financial Services segment, operating costs consist primarily of advertising and promotion, license fees, third party services for processing credit card transactions, employee compensation and benefits, and other general and administrative costs.
	Revenues included in Corporate Overhead and Other are primarily made up of amounts received from outfitter services, real estate rental income, land sales, and fees earned through the Company's travel business and other complementary business services. Corporate Overhead and Other expenses include unallocated shared-service costs, operations of various ancillary subsidiaries such as real estate development and travel, and segment eliminations. Unallocated shared-service costs include receiving, distribution, and storage costs of inventory, merchandising, and quality assurance costs, as well as corporate headquarters occupancy costs.
	Segment assets are those directly used in or clearly allocable to an operating segment’s operations. For the Retail segment, assets include inventory in the retail stores, land, buildings, fixtures, and leasehold improvements. For the Direct segment, assets primarily include deferred catalog costs and fixed assets. Goodwill totaling $3,406, $3,535, and $3,573, at September 28, 2013, December 29, 2012, and September 29, 2012, respectively, was included in the Retail segment. The change in the carrying value of goodwill between periods is due to foreign currency translation adjustments. Assets for the Financial Services segment include cash, credit card loans, restricted cash, receivables, fixtures, and other assets. Cash and cash equivalents of the Financial Services segment were $334,832, $91,365, and $205,448, at September 28, 2013, December 29, 2012, and September 29, 2012, respectively. Assets for the Corporate Overhead and Other segment include corporate headquarters and facilities, merchandise distribution inventory, shared technology infrastructure and related information technology systems, corporate cash and cash equivalents, economic development bonds, prepaid expenses, deferred income taxes, and other corporate long-lived assets. Depreciation, amortization, and property and equipment expenditures are recognized in each respective segment. Intercompany revenue between segments was eliminated in consolidation.
	Under an Intercompany Agreement, the Financial Services segment pays to the Retail and Direct business segments a fixed license fee equal to 70 basis points on all originated charge volume of the Cabela's CLUB Visa credit card portfolio. In addition, among other items, the agreement requires the Financial Services segment to reimburse the Retail and Direct segments for certain operating and promotional costs.
	Financial information by segment is presented in the following tables for the periods presented:
															Corporate Overhead and Other
											Financial Services
			Retail				Direct												Total
	Three Months Ended September 28, 2013:
	Merchandise sales		$	550,545			$	198,596			$	—			$	—			$	749,141
	Non-merchandise revenue:
	Financial Services		—				—				98,403				—				98,403
	Other		333				—				—				2,951				3,284
	Total revenue		$	550,878			$	198,596			$	98,403			$	2,951			$	850,828
	Operating income (loss)		$	103,658			$	29,284			$	29,182			$	(85,521	)		$	76,603
	As a percentage of revenue		18.8		%		14.7		%		29.7		%		N/A				9		%
	Depreciation and amortization		$	14,094			$	1,874			$	400			$	7,803			$	24,171
	Assets		1,274,722				177,428				4,133,412				876,503				6,462,065
	Three Months Ended September 29, 2012:
	Merchandise sales		$	455,495			$	196,818			$	—			$	—			$	652,313
	Non-merchandise revenue:
	Financial Services		—				—				85,932				—				85,932
	Other		470				—				—				2,463				2,933
	Total Revenue		$	455,965			$	196,818			$	85,932			$	2,463			$	741,178
	Operating income (loss)		$	85,438			$	30,220			$	23,230			$	(71,775	)		$	67,113
	As a percentage of revenue		18.7		%		15.4		%		27		%		N/A				9.1		%
	Depreciation and amortization		$	11,907			$	1,841			$	339			$	6,177			$	20,264
	Assets		1,053,644				170,768				3,490,278				790,679				5,505,369
															Corporate Overhead and Other
											Financial Services
			Retail				Direct												Total
	Nine Months Ended September 28, 2013:
	Merchandise sales		$	1,520,660			$	603,878			$	—			$	—			$	2,124,538
	Non-merchandise revenue:
	Financial Services		—				—				272,753				—				272,753
	Other		890				—				—				11,949				12,839
	Total revenue		$	1,521,550			$	603,878			$	272,753			$	11,949			$	2,410,130
	Operating income (loss)		$	279,409			$	104,912			$	79,198			$	(240,866	)		$	222,653
	As a percentage of revenue		18.4		%		17.4		%		29		%		N/A				9.2		%
	Depreciation and amortization		$	39,921			$	5,635			$	1,158			$	21,353			$	68,067
	Assets		1,274,722				177,428				4,133,412				876,503				6,462,065
	Nine Months Ended September 29, 2012:
	Merchandise sales		$	1,184,786			$	545,466			$	—			$	—			$	1,730,252
	Non-merchandise revenue:
	Financial Services		—				—				248,654				—				248,654
	Other		1,203				—				—				11,827				13,030
	Total Revenue		$	1,185,989			$	545,466			$	248,654			$	11,827			$	1,991,936
	Operating income (loss)		$	200,889			$	93,559			$	73,508			$	(196,439	)		$	171,517
	As a percentage of revenue		16.9		%		17.2		%		29.6		%		N/A				8.6		%
	Depreciation and amortization		$	34,280			$	5,475			$	899			$	17,459			$	58,113
	Assets		1,053,644				170,768				3,490,278				790,679				5,505,369
	The components and amounts of total revenue for the Financial Services segment were as follows for the periods presented:
		Three Months Ended								Nine Months Ended
		September 28,				September 29,				September 28,				September 29,
		2013				2012				2013				2012
	Interest and fee income	$	87,945			$	76,944			$	250,383			$	222,137
	Interest expense	(17,075		)		(13,799		)		(46,863		)		(40,379		)
	Provision for loan losses	(8,404		)		(10,387		)		(33,030		)		(29,231		)
	Net interest income, net of provision for loan losses	62,466				52,758				170,490				152,527
	Non-interest income:
	Interchange income	88,963				77,022				252,290				220,388
	Other non-interest income	1,430				3,055				4,113				11,075
	Total non-interest income	90,393				80,077				256,403				231,463
Less: Customer rewards costs	(54,456		)		(46,903		)		(154,140		)		(135,336		)
Financial Services revenue	$	98,403			$	85,932			$	272,753			$	248,654
The following table sets forth the percentage of the Company's merchandise revenue contributed by major product categories for our Retail and Direct segments and in total for the three and nine months ended September 28, 2013, and September 29, 2012.
Three Months Ended:	Retail						Direct						Total
	2013			2012			2013			2012			2013			2012
Product Category:
Hunting Equipment	51.1	%		50.4	%		47.6	%		44.5	%		50.2	%		48.5	%
General Outdoors	28.3			28.9			27.8			29.8			28.2			29.2
Clothing and Footwear	20.6			20.7			24.6			25.7			21.6			22.3
Total	100	%		100	%		100	%		100	%		100	%		100	%
Nine Months Ended:	Retail						Direct						Total
	2013			2012			2013			2012			2013			2012
Product Category:
Hunting Equipment	52.1	%		47.2	%		45.2	%		37.2	%		50.2	%		44.1	%
General Outdoors	29.3			33.3			30.9			36.2			29.7			34.2
Clothing and Footwear	18.6			19.5			23.9			26.6			20.1			21.7
Total	100	%		100	%		100	%		100	%		100	%		100	%

Fair_Value_Measurements

Fair Value Measurements	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 28, 2013
Fair Value Measurements [Abstract]
Fair Value Disclosures [Text Block]	FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS
	Fair value represents the estimated price to sell an asset or transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date under current market conditions. In determining fair value of financial instruments, the Company uses various methods, including discounted cash flow projections based on available market interest rates and data, and management estimates of future cash payments. Judgment is required in interpreting certain market data to develop the estimates of fair value and, accordingly, any changes in assumptions or methods may affect the fair value estimates. Financial instrument assets and liabilities measured and reported at fair value are classified and disclosed in one of the following categories:
	•	Level 1 - Quoted market prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities.
	•	Level 2 - Observable inputs other than quoted market prices.
	•	Level 3 - Unobservable inputs corroborated by little, if any, market data.
	Level 3 is comprised of financial instruments whose fair value is estimated based on internally developed models or methodologies utilizing significant inputs that are primarily unobservable from objective sources. At September 28, 2013, the Company's financial instruments carried on our condensed consolidated balance sheets subject to fair value measurements consisted of economic development bonds and were classified as Level 3 for valuation purposes. For the three and nine months ended September 28, 2013, and September 29, 2012, there were no transfers in or out of Levels 1, 2, or 3.
	The table below presents changes in fair value of the economic development bonds measured at fair value on a recurring basis using significant unobservable inputs (Level 3) for the periods presented:
		Three Months Ended						Nine Months Ended
		September 28,			September 29,			September 28,			September 29,
		2013			2012			2013			2012
	Balance, beginning of period	$	79,043		$	88,335		$	85,041		$	86,563
	Total gains or losses:
	Included in earnings - realized	—			—			—			—
	Included in accumulated other comprehensive income - unrealized	1,043			4,605			(2,334		)	8,475
	Valuation adjustments	—			—			—			—
	Purchases, issuances, and settlements:
	Purchases	—			—			—			—
	Issuances	—			—			—			—
	Settlements	(826		)	(196		)	(3,447		)	(2,294		)
	Balance, end of period	$	79,260		$	92,744		$	79,260		$	92,744
	Fair values of the Company's economic development bonds were estimated using discounted cash flow projection estimates. These estimates are based on available market interest rates and the estimated amounts and timing of expected future payments to be received from municipalities under tax development zones, which the Company considers to be unobservable inputs (Level 3). These fair values do not reflect any premium or discount that could result from offering these bonds for sale or through early redemption, or any related income tax impact. Declines in the fair value of available-for-sale economic development bonds below cost that are deemed to be other than temporary are reflected in earnings. At September 28, 2013, none of the bonds with a fair value below carrying value were deemed to have other than a temporary impairment.
	On a quarterly basis, we perform various procedures to analyze the amounts and timing of projected cash flows to be received from our economic development bonds. We revalue each economic development bond using discounted cash flow models based on available market interest rates (Level 2 inputs) and management estimates, including the estimated amounts and timing of expected future tax payments (Level 3 inputs) to be received by the municipalities under tax increment financing districts. Projected cash flows are derived from sales and property taxes. Based on our analysis, in those instances where the expected cash flows are insufficient to recover the current carrying value of the bond, we adjust the carrying value of the individual bonds to their revised estimated fair value. The governmental entity from which the Company purchases the bonds is not liable for repayment of principal and interest on the bonds to the extent that the associated taxes are insufficient to fund principal and interest amounts under the bonds. Should sufficient tax revenue not be generated by the subject properties, the Company may not receive all anticipated payments and thus will be unable to realize the full carrying values of the economic development bonds, which result in a corresponding decrease to deferred grant income.
	Long-lived assets other than goodwill and other intangible assets, which generally are tested separately for impairment on an annual basis, are evaluated for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount may not be recoverable. The calculation for an impairment loss compares the carrying value of the asset to that asset's estimated fair value, which may be based on estimated future discounted cash flows or unobservable market prices. We recognize an impairment loss if the asset's carrying value exceeds its estimated fair value. Frequently our impairment loss calculations contain multiple uncertainties because they require management to make assumptions and to apply judgment to estimate future cash flows and asset fair values, including forecasting cash flows under different scenarios. We have consistently applied our accounting methodologies that we use to assess impairment loss. However, if actual results are not consistent with our estimates and assumptions used in estimating future cash flows and asset fair values, we may be exposed to losses that could be material.
	The Company evaluates the recoverability of property and equipment, land held for sale, goodwill and intangibles whenever indicators of impairment exist using significant unobservable inputs. This evaluation included existing store locations and future retail store sites. The Company recognized an impairment loss of $937 in the nine months ended September 28, 2013, related to the closure of its former Winnipeg retail store in conjunction with the opening of a new next-generation store in Winnipeg in May 2013. The impairment loss of $937 included leasehold improvements write-offs as well as lease cancellation and restoration costs. No impairment losses were recognized in the three months ended September 28, 2013.
	The carrying amounts of cash and cash equivalents, accounts receivable, restricted cash, accounts payable, gift instruments (including credit card and loyalty rewards programs), accrued expenses, and income taxes receivable and payable included in the condensed consolidated balance sheets approximate fair value given the short-term nature of these financial instruments. The secured variable funding obligations of the Trust, which include variable rates of interest that adjust daily, can fluctuate daily based on the short-term operational needs of the Financial Services segment with advances and pay downs at par value. Therefore, the carrying value of the secured variable funding obligations of the Trust approximates fair value.
	The table below presents the estimated fair values of the Company's financial instruments that are not carried at fair value on our condensed consolidated balance sheets at the periods indicated. The fair values of all financial instruments listed below were estimated based on internally developed models or methodologies utilizing observable inputs (Level 2).
		September 28, 2013						December 29, 2012						September 29, 2012
		Carrying Value			Estimated Fair Value			Carrying Value			Estimated Fair Value			Carrying Value		Estimated Fair Value
	Financial Assets:
	Credit card loans, net	$	3,567,423		$	3,567,423		$	3,497,472		$	3,497,472		$	3,151,647	$	3,151,647
	Held-to-maturity investment securities	135,000			135,003			—			—			—		—
	Financial Liabilities:
	Time deposits	1,147,978			1,153,801			1,048,018			1,086,411			1,074,555		1,110,851
	Secured long-term obligations of the Trust	2,452,250			2,320,576			1,827,500			1,807,083			1,827,500		1,803,818
	Long-term debt	532,563			565,280			336,535			373,120			451,597		491,880
	Credit Card Loans. Credit card loans are originated with variable rates of interest that adjust with changing market interest rates so the carrying value of the credit card loans, including the carrying value of deferred credit card origination costs, less the allowance for loan losses, approximates fair value. This valuation does not include the value that relates to estimated cash flows generated from new loans over the life of the cardholder relationship. Accordingly, the aggregate fair value of the credit card loans does not represent the underlying value of the established cardholder relationship.
	Held-to-Maturity Investment Securities. The estimated fair values for held-to-maturity securities are based on prices obtained from independent brokers which are estimated using pricing models that incorporate market data.
	Time Deposits. Time deposits are pooled in homogeneous groups, and the future cash flows of those groups are discounted using current market rates offered for similar products for purposes of estimating fair value. For all periods presented, we have consistently applied our discounting methodologies to estimated future cash flows in determining estimated fair value for time deposits.
	Secured Long-Term Obligations of the Trust. The estimated fair value of secured long-term obligations of the Trust is based on future cash flows associated with each type of debt discounted using current borrowing rates for similar types of debt of comparable maturity. For all periods presented, we have consistently applied our discounting methodologies to estimated future cash flows in determining estimated fair value for secured long-term obligations of the Trust.
	Long-Term Debt. The estimated fair value of long-term debt is based on future cash flows associated with each type of debt discounted using current borrowing rates for similar types of debt of comparable maturity. For all periods presented, we have consistently applied our discounting methodologies to estimated future cash flows in determining estimated fair value for long-term debt.

Accounting_Pronouncements

Accounting Pronouncements	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 28, 2013
Accounting Pronouncements [Abstract]
Schedule of New Accounting Pronouncements and Changes in Accounting Principles [Table Text Block]	ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS
	Effective February 5, 2013, the Financial Accounting Standards Board issued ASU No. 2013-02, Reporting of Amounts Reclassified Out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income, which adds additional disclosure requirements relating to the reclassification of items out of accumulated other comprehensive income.  This ASU was effective for the first quarter of 2013 for the Company. During the three and nine months ended September 28, 2013, the Company did not have any reclassification of items out of accumulated other comprehensive income.

Cabelas_Master_Credit_Card_Tru1

Cabela's Master Credit Card Trust (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 28, 2013
Consolidated Assets and Liabilities of the Trust [Abstract]
Consolidated Assets and Liabilities of the Trust [Table Text Block]	The following table presents the components of the consolidated assets and liabilities of the Trust at the periods ended:
		September 28,		December 29,		September 29,
		2013		2012		2012
	Consolidated assets:
	Restricted credit card loans, net of allowance of $57,030, $65,090, and $65,440	$	3,534,814	$	3,458,043	$	3,127,722
	Restricted cash	26,009		17,292		16,709
	Total	$	3,560,823	$	3,475,335	$	3,144,431
	Consolidated liabilities:
	Secured variable funding obligations	$	—	$	325,000	$	—
	Secured long-term obligations	2,452,250		1,827,500		1,827,500
	Interest due to third party investors	2,214		1,424		1,330
	Total	$	2,454,464	$	2,153,924	$	1,828,830

Credit_Card_Loans_and_Allowanc1

Credit Card Loans and Allowance For Loan Losses Credit Card Loans (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 28, 2013
Credit Card Loans [Abstract]
Credit Card Loans [Table Text Block]	The following table reflects the composition of the credit card loans at the periods ended:
		September 28,				December 29,				September 29,
		2013				2012				2012
	Restricted credit card loans of the Trust (restricted for repayment of secured borrowings of the Trust)	$	3,591,844			$	3,523,133			$	3,193,162
	Unrestricted credit card loans	27,999				34,356				20,021
	Total credit card loans	3,619,843				3,557,489				3,213,183
	Allowance for loan losses	(57,370		)		(65,600		)		(65,750		)
	Deferred credit card origination costs	4,950				5,583				4,214
	Credit card loans, net	$	3,567,423			$	3,497,472			$	3,151,647
Allowance for Credit Losses on Financing Receivables [Table Text Block]	The following table reflects the activity in the allowance for loan losses by credit card segment for the periods presented:
		Three Months Ended
		28-Sep-13											29-Sep-12
		Credit Card Loans				Restructured Credit Card Loans				Total Credit Card Loans			Credit Card Loans			Restructured Credit Card Loans			Total Credit Card Loans
	Balance, beginning of period	$	43,500			$	19,000			$	62,500		$	42,050		$	25,000		$	67,050
	Provision for loan losses	13,280				(4,876		)		8,404			10,976			(589		)	10,387
	Charge-offs	(13,841		)		(3,636		)		(17,477		)	(13,171		)	(2,565		)	(15,736		)
	Recoveries	2,931				1,012				3,943			2,895			1,154			4,049
	Net charge-offs	(10,910		)		(2,624		)		(13,534		)	(10,276		)	(1,411		)	(11,687		)
	Balance, end of period	$	45,870			$	11,500			$	57,370		$	42,750		$	23,000		$	65,750
		Nine Months Ended
		28-Sep-13											29-Sep-12
		Credit Card Loans				Restructured Credit Card Loans				Total Credit Card Loans			Credit Card Loans			Restructured Credit Card Loans			Total Credit Card Loans
	Balance, beginning of period	$	42,600			$	23,000			$	65,600		$	44,350		$	29,000		$	73,350
	Provision for loan losses	37,227				(4,197		)		33,030			28,459			772			29,231
	Charge-offs	(43,894		)		(10,532		)		(54,426		)	(40,008		)	(10,574		)	(50,582		)
	Recoveries	9,937				3,229				13,166			9,949			3,802			13,751
	Net charge-offs	(33,957		)		(7,303		)		(41,260		)	(30,059		)	(6,772		)	(36,831		)
	Balance, end of period	$	45,870			$	11,500			$	57,370		$	42,750		$	23,000		$	65,750
Financing Receivable Credit Quality Indicators [Table Text Block]	The table below provides information on non-accrual, past due, and restructured credit card loans by class using the respective quarter FICO score at the periods ended:
	September 28, 2013:	FICO Score of Credit Card Loans Segment									Restructured Credit Card Loans Segment (1)
		691 and Below			692 - 758			759 and Above					Total
	Credit card loan status:
	Current	$	498,540		$	1,208,374		$	1,803,735		$	36,380	$	3,547,029
	1 to 29 days past due	19,899			13,468			11,487			3,996		48,850
	30 to 59 days past due	6,807			1,117			290			1,876		10,090
	60 or more days past due	10,965			203			19			2,687		13,874
	Total past due	37,671			14,788			11,796			8,559		72,814
	Total credit card loans	$	536,211		$	1,223,162		$	1,815,531		$	44,939	$	3,619,843
	90 days or more past due and still accruing	$	5,624		$	18		$	1		$	1,222	$	6,865
	Non-accrual	—			—			—			5,672		5,672
	December 29, 2012:	FICO Score of Credit Card Loans Segment									Restructured Credit Card Loans Segment (1)
		691 and Below			692 - 758			759 and Above					Total
	Credit card loan status:
	Current	$	453,894		$	1,134,840		$	1,856,587		$	44,193	$	3,489,514
	1 to 29 days past due	17,901			11,558			10,094			4,304		43,857
	30 to 59 days past due	6,060			1,004			203			1,811		9,078
	60 or more days past due	11,416			189			43			3,392		15,040
	Total past due	35,377			12,751			10,340			9,507		67,975
	Total credit card loans	$	489,271		$	1,147,591		$	1,866,927		$	53,700	$	3,557,489
	90 days or more past due and still accruing	$	6,118		$	38		$	4		$	1,481	$	7,641
	Non-accrual	—			—			—			5,985		5,985
	September 29, 2012:	FICO Score of Credit Card Loans Segment									Restructured Credit Card Loans Segment (1)
		691 and Below			692 - 758			759 and Above					Total
	Credit card loan status:
	Current	$	424,376		$	1,046,579		$	1,623,557		$	43,931	$	3,138,443
	1 to 29 days past due	20,190			13,919			11,542			4,688		50,339
	30 to 59 days past due	6,597			977			226			2,032		9,832
	60 or more days past due	11,033			70			37			3,429		14,569
	Total past due	37,820			14,966			11,805			10,149		74,740
	Total credit card loans	$	462,196		$	1,061,545		$	1,635,362		$	54,080	$	3,213,183
	90 days or more past due and still accruing	$	5,753		$	13		$	20		$	1,509	$	7,295
	Non-accrual	—			—			—			6,054		6,054
	-1	Specific allowance for loan losses of $11,500 at September 28, 2013, and 23,000 at both December 29, 2012, and September 29, 2012, are included in allowance for loan losses.

Securities_Tables

Securities (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 28, 2013
Securities [Abstract]
Available-for-sale Securities [Table Text Block]	Securities consisted of the following for the periods ended:
		Amortized Cost		Gross Unrealized Gains		Gross Unrealized Losses			Fair Value
	September 28, 2013:
	Available-for-sale securities:
	Economic development bonds	$	71,098	$	8,199	$	(37	)	$	79,260
	Held-to-maturity securities:
	U.S. government agency (1)	$	135,000	$	3	$	—		$	135,003
	December 29, 2012:
	Available-for-sale securities:
	Economic development bonds	$	74,545	$	10,496	$	—		$	85,041
	September 29, 2012:
	Available-for-sale securities:
	Economic development bonds	$	79,587	$	13,157	$	—		$	92,744
	-1	Represents U.S. government agency held-to-maturity securities held by the Financial Services segment and available for utilization only by the Financial Services Segment pursuant to regulatory restrictions.
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities Reconciliation [Table Text Block]	The carrying value and fair value of these securities classified by estimated maturity based on expected future cash flows at September 28, 2013, were as follows:
		Available-for-Sale				Held-to-Maturity
		Amortized Cost		Fair Value		Amortized Cost			Fair Value
	For the three months ending December 28, 2013	$	2,706	$	3,106	$	135,000		$	135,003
	For the fiscal years ending:
	2014	1,861		2,315		—			—
	2015	1,783		2,266		—			—
	2016	2,209		2,718		—			—
	2017	2,579		2,984		—			—
	2018 - 2022	19,434		22,114		—			—
	2023 and thereafter	40,526		43,757		—			—
	Totals	$	71,098	$	79,260	$	135,000		$	135,003

Borrowings_of_Financial_Servic1

Borrowings of Financial Services Segment (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 28, 2013
Borrowings of the Financial Services Segment [Abstract]
Schedule of Assets and Associated Liabilities Accounted for as Secured Borrowings [Table Text Block]
	September 28, 2013:
	Series	Expected	Fixed Rate Obligations		Interest Rate		Variable Rate Obligations		Interest Rate		Total Obligations		Interest Rate
		Maturity Date
	Series 2010-I	Jan-15	$	—	—	%	$	255,000	1.63	%	$	255,000	1.63	%
	Series 2010-II	Sep-15	127,500		2.29		85,000		0.88		212,500		1.73
	Series 2011-II	Jun-16	155,000		2.39		100,000		0.78		255,000		1.76
	Series 2011-IV	Oct-16	165,000		1.9		90,000		0.73		255,000		1.49
	Series 2012-I	Feb-17	275,000		1.63		150,000		0.71		425,000		1.31
	Series 2012-II	Jun-17	300,000		1.45		125,000		0.66		425,000		1.22
	Series 2013-I	Feb-23	327,250		2.71		—		—		327,250		2.71
	Series 2013-II	Aug-18	100,000		2.17		197,500		0.88		297,500		1.31
	Secured long-term obligations of the Trust		$	1,449,750			$	1,002,500			$	2,452,250
	December 29, 2012:
	Series	Expected	Fixed Rate Obligations		Interest Rate		Variable Rate Obligations		Interest Rate		Total Obligations		Interest Rate
		Maturity Date
	Series 2010-I	Jan-15	$	—	—	%	$	255,000	1.66	%	$	255,000	1.66	%
	Series 2010-II	Sep-15	127,500		2.29		85,000		0.91		212,500		1.74
	Series 2011-II	Jun-16	155,000		2.39		100,000		0.81		255,000		1.77
	Series 2011-IV	Oct-16	165,000		1.9		90,000		0.76		255,000		1.5
	Series 2012-I	Feb-17	275,000		1.63		150,000		0.74		425,000		1.32
	Series 2012-II	Jun-17	300,000		1.45		125,000		0.69		425,000		1.23
	Secured long-term obligations of the Trust		$	1,022,500			$	805,000			$	1,827,500
	September 29, 2012:
	Series	Expected	Fixed Rate Obligations		Interest Rate		Variable Rate Obligations		Interest Rate		Total Obligations		Interest Rate
		Maturity Date
	Series 2010-I	Jan-15	$	—	—	%	$	255,000	1.67	%	$	255,000	1.67	%
	Series 2010-II	Sep-15	127,500		2.29		85,000		0.92		212,500		1.74
	Series 2011-II	Jun-16	155,000		2.39		100,000		0.82		255,000		1.77
	Series 2011-IV	Oct-16	165,000		1.9		90,000		0.77		255,000		1.5
	Series 2012-I	Feb-17	275,000		1.63		150,000		0.75		425,000		1.32
	Series 2012-II	Jun-17	300,000		1.45		125,000		0.7		425,000		1.23
	Secured long-term obligations of the Trust		$	1,022,500			$	805,000			$	1,827,500

LongTerm_Debt_and_Capital_Leas1

Long-Term Debt and Capital Leases (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 28, 2013
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Schedule of Debt [Table Text Block]	Long-term debt, including revolving credit facilities and capital leases, consisted of the following at the periods ended:
		September 28,			December 29,			September 29,
		2013			2012			2012
	Unsecured revolving credit facility	$	200,000		$	—		$	115,000
	Unsecured notes due 2016 with interest at 5.99%	215,000			215,000			215,000
	Unsecured senior notes due 2017 with interest at 6.08%	60,000			60,000			60,000
	Unsecured senior notes due 2014-2018 with interest at 7.20%	40,714			48,857			48,857
	Unsecured revolving credit facility of Canada operations	4,364			—			—
	Capital lease obligations payable through 2036	12,485			12,678			12,740
	Total debt	532,563			336,535			451,597
	Less current portion of debt	(8,414		)	(8,402		)	(8,398		)
	Long-term debt, less current maturities	$	524,149		$	328,133		$	443,199

Income_Taxes_Tables

Income Taxes (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 28, 2013
Income Taxes [Abstract]
Schedule of Effective Income Tax Rate Reconciliation [Table Text Block]	A reconciliation of the statutory federal income tax rate to the effective income tax rate was as follows for the periods presented.
		Three Months Ended				Nine Months Ended
		September 28,		September 29,		September 28,		September 29,
		2013		2012		2013		2012
	Statutory federal rate	35	%	35	%	35	%	35	%
	State income taxes, net of federal tax benefit	1.4		2.3		1.4		2.8
	Other nondeductible items	0.2		0.9		0.2		0.7
	Tax exempt interest income	(0.5	)	(0.5	)	(0.4	)	(0.5	)
	Rate differential on foreign income	(5.2	)	(4.4	)	(4.2	)	(4.1	)
	Change in unrecognized tax benefits	(0.8	)	0.5		—		0.6
	Other, net	1.2		(1.5	)	—		(0.6	)
	Effective income tax rate	31.3	%	32.3	%	32	%	33.9	%

Commitments_and_Contingencies_

Commitments and Contingencies (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 28, 2013
Future Minimum Lease Payments [Line Items]
Schedule of Future Minimum Rental Payments for Operating Leases [Table Text Block]	The following is a schedule of future minimum rental payments under operating leases at September 28, 2013:
	For the three months ending December 28, 2013	$	3,269
	For the fiscal years ending:
	2014	15,295
	2015	19,092
	2016	18,888
	2017	18,582
	Thereafter	260,128
		$	335,254

Stockholders_Equity_and_Divide1

Stockholders' Equity and Dividend Restrictions (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 28, 2013
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Abstract]
Treasury Stock Activity [Table Text Block]	The following table reconciles the Company's treasury stock activity for the periods presented.
		Three Months Ended						Nine Months Ended
		September 28, 2013			September 29, 2012			September 28, 2013			September 29, 2012
	Number of treasury shares, beginning of period	13,737			800,000			492,414			800,935
	Purchase of treasury stock (1)	17,439			16,057			181,179			816,057
	Treasury shares issued on exercise of stock options and share-based payment awards	(30,946	)		(290,034	)		(673,363	)		(1,090,969	)
	Number of treasury shares, end of period	230			526,023			230			526,023
Schedule of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Table Text Block]	The components of accumulated other comprehensive income, net of related taxes, are as follows for the periods ended:
		September 28,				December 29,				September 29,
		2013				2012				2012
	Accumulated net unrealized holding gains on economic development bonds	$	5,142			$	6,823			$	8,553
	Accumulated net unrealized holding loss on derivatives	—				(1		)		(23		)
	Cumulative foreign currency translation adjustments	(340		)		(1,280		)		387
	Total accumulated other comprehensive income	$	4,802			$	5,542			$	8,917

Earnings_Per_Share_Tables

Earnings Per Share (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 28, 2013
Earnings Per Sharee [Abstract]
Schedule of Earnings Per Share, Basic and Diluted [Table Text Block]	The following table reconciles the weighted average number of shares utilized in the earnings per share calculations for the periods presented.
		Three Months Ended		Nine Months Ended
		September 28,	September 29,	September 28,	September 29,
		2013	2012	2013	2012
	Common shares – basic	70,575,804	69,894,538	70,412,479	69,794,416
	Effect of incremental dilutive securities:
	Stock options, nonvested stock units, and employee stock purchase plans	1,182,097	1,661,324	1,305,415	1,830,035
	Common shares – diluted	71,757,901	71,555,862	71,717,894	71,624,451
	Stock options outstanding and nonvested stock units issued considered anti-dilutive excluded from calculation	37,582	—	12,527	78,769

Supplemental_Cash_Flow_Informa1

Supplemental Cash Flow Information (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 28, 2013
Supplemental Cash Flow Information [Abstract]
Schedule of Cash Flow, Supplemental Disclosures [Table Text Block]	The following table sets forth non-cash financing and investing activities and other cash flow information for the nine months ended:
		September 28,		September 29,
		2013		2012
	Non-cash financing and investing activities:
	Accrued property and equipment additions (1)	$	49,007	$	24,608
	Other cash flow information:
	Interest paid (2)	55,836		60,848
	Income taxes paid, net of refunds	52,532		81,703
	-1	Accrued property and equipment additions are recognized in the condensed consolidated statements of cash flows in the period they are paid.
	-2	Includes interest from the Financial Services segment totaling $45,987 and $40,693, respectively.

Segment_Reporting_Tables

Segment Reporting (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 28, 2013
Financial Information by Segment [Abstract]
Schedule of Segment Reporting Information, by Segment [Table Text Block]	Financial information by segment is presented in the following tables for the periods presented:
															Corporate Overhead and Other
											Financial Services
			Retail				Direct												Total
	Three Months Ended September 28, 2013:
	Merchandise sales		$	550,545			$	198,596			$	—			$	—			$	749,141
	Non-merchandise revenue:
	Financial Services		—				—				98,403				—				98,403
	Other		333				—				—				2,951				3,284
	Total revenue		$	550,878			$	198,596			$	98,403			$	2,951			$	850,828
	Operating income (loss)		$	103,658			$	29,284			$	29,182			$	(85,521	)		$	76,603
	As a percentage of revenue		18.8		%		14.7		%		29.7		%		N/A				9		%
	Depreciation and amortization		$	14,094			$	1,874			$	400			$	7,803			$	24,171
	Assets		1,274,722				177,428				4,133,412				876,503				6,462,065
	Three Months Ended September 29, 2012:
	Merchandise sales		$	455,495			$	196,818			$	—			$	—			$	652,313
	Non-merchandise revenue:
	Financial Services		—				—				85,932				—				85,932
	Other		470				—				—				2,463				2,933
	Total Revenue		$	455,965			$	196,818			$	85,932			$	2,463			$	741,178
	Operating income (loss)		$	85,438			$	30,220			$	23,230			$	(71,775	)		$	67,113
	As a percentage of revenue		18.7		%		15.4		%		27		%		N/A				9.1		%
	Depreciation and amortization		$	11,907			$	1,841			$	339			$	6,177			$	20,264
	Assets		1,053,644				170,768				3,490,278				790,679				5,505,369
															Corporate Overhead and Other
											Financial Services
			Retail				Direct												Total
	Nine Months Ended September 28, 2013:
	Merchandise sales		$	1,520,660			$	603,878			$	—			$	—			$	2,124,538
	Non-merchandise revenue:
	Financial Services		—				—				272,753				—				272,753
	Other		890				—				—				11,949				12,839
	Total revenue		$	1,521,550			$	603,878			$	272,753			$	11,949			$	2,410,130
	Operating income (loss)		$	279,409			$	104,912			$	79,198			$	(240,866	)		$	222,653
	As a percentage of revenue		18.4		%		17.4		%		29		%		N/A				9.2		%
	Depreciation and amortization		$	39,921			$	5,635			$	1,158			$	21,353			$	68,067
	Assets		1,274,722				177,428				4,133,412				876,503				6,462,065
	Nine Months Ended September 29, 2012:
	Merchandise sales		$	1,184,786			$	545,466			$	—			$	—			$	1,730,252
	Non-merchandise revenue:
	Financial Services		—				—				248,654				—				248,654
	Other		1,203				—				—				11,827				13,030
	Total Revenue		$	1,185,989			$	545,466			$	248,654			$	11,827			$	1,991,936
	Operating income (loss)		$	200,889			$	93,559			$	73,508			$	(196,439	)		$	171,517
	As a percentage of revenue		16.9		%		17.2		%		29.6		%		N/A				8.6		%
	Depreciation and amortization		$	34,280			$	5,475			$	899			$	17,459			$	58,113
	Assets		1,053,644				170,768				3,490,278				790,679				5,505,369
Revenue Components of Financial Services Segment [Table Text Block]	The components and amounts of total revenue for the Financial Services segment were as follows for the periods presented:
		Three Months Ended								Nine Months Ended
		September 28,				September 29,				September 28,				September 29,
		2013				2012				2013				2012
	Interest and fee income	$	87,945			$	76,944			$	250,383			$	222,137
	Interest expense	(17,075		)		(13,799		)		(46,863		)		(40,379		)
	Provision for loan losses	(8,404		)		(10,387		)		(33,030		)		(29,231		)
	Net interest income, net of provision for loan losses	62,466				52,758				170,490				152,527
	Non-interest income:
	Interchange income	88,963				77,022				252,290				220,388
	Other non-interest income	1,430				3,055				4,113				11,075
	Total non-interest income	90,393				80,077				256,403				231,463
	Less: Customer rewards costs	(54,456		)		(46,903		)		(154,140		)		(135,336		)
	Financial Services revenue	$	98,403			$	85,932			$	272,753			$	248,654
Revenue from External Customers by Products and Services [Table Text Block]
	Three Months Ended:	Retail						Direct						Total
		2013			2012			2013			2012			2013			2012
	Product Category:
	Hunting Equipment	51.1	%		50.4	%		47.6	%		44.5	%		50.2	%		48.5	%
	General Outdoors	28.3			28.9			27.8			29.8			28.2			29.2
	Clothing and Footwear	20.6			20.7			24.6			25.7			21.6			22.3
	Total	100	%		100	%		100	%		100	%		100	%		100	%
	Nine Months Ended:	Retail						Direct						Total
		2013			2012			2013			2012			2013			2012
	Product Category:
	Hunting Equipment	52.1	%		47.2	%		45.2	%		37.2	%		50.2	%		44.1	%
	General Outdoors	29.3			33.3			30.9			36.2			29.7			34.2
	Clothing and Footwear	18.6			19.5			23.9			26.6			20.1			21.7
	Total	100	%		100	%		100	%		100	%		100	%		100	%

Fair_Value_Measurements_Tables

Fair Value Measurements (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 28, 2013
Fair Value of Level 3 Assets and Liabilities [Abstract]
Fair Value, Assets Measured on Recurring Basis [Table Text Block]
		September 28, 2013						December 29, 2012						September 29, 2012
		Carrying Value			Estimated Fair Value			Carrying Value			Estimated Fair Value			Carrying Value		Estimated Fair Value
	Financial Assets:
	Credit card loans, net	$	3,567,423		$	3,567,423		$	3,497,472		$	3,497,472		$	3,151,647	$	3,151,647
	Held-to-maturity investment securities	135,000			135,003			—			—			—		—
	Financial Liabilities:
	Time deposits	1,147,978			1,153,801			1,048,018			1,086,411			1,074,555		1,110,851
	Secured long-term obligations of the Trust	2,452,250			2,320,576			1,827,500			1,807,083			1,827,500		1,803,818
	Long-term debt	532,563			565,280			336,535			373,120			451,597		491,880
Fair Value, Assets Measured on Recurring Basis, Unobservable Input Reconciliation [Table Text Block]
		Three Months Ended						Nine Months Ended
		September 28,			September 29,			September 28,			September 29,
		2013			2012			2013			2012
	Balance, beginning of period	$	79,043		$	88,335		$	85,041		$	86,563
	Total gains or losses:
	Included in earnings - realized	—			—			—			—
	Included in accumulated other comprehensive income - unrealized	1,043			4,605			(2,334		)	8,475
	Valuation adjustments	—			—			—			—
	Purchases, issuances, and settlements:
	Purchases	—			—			—			—
	Issuances	—			—			—			—
	Settlements	(826		)	(196		)	(3,447		)	(2,294		)
	Balance, end of period	$	79,260		$	92,744		$	79,260		$	92,744

Management_Representations_Det

Management Representations (Details) (USD $)	Sep. 28, 2013	Dec. 29, 2012	Sep. 29, 2012
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Cash and Cash Equivalent at Subsidiary	$334,832	$91,365	$205,448

Cabelas_Master_Credit_Card_Tru2

Cabela's Master Credit Card Trust (Details) (USD $)	Sep. 28, 2013	Dec. 29, 2012	Sep. 29, 2012
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Consolidated assets: [Abstract]
Restricted credit card loans, net of allowance of $57,030, $65,090, and $65,440	$3,534,814	$3,458,043	$3,127,722
Restricted cash of the Trust	26,009	17,292	16,709
Total Consolidated Assets of the Trust	3,560,823	3,475,335	3,144,431
Allowance for loan losses	-57,370	-65,600	-65,750
Consolidated liabilities: [Abstract]
Secured variable funding obligations	0	325,000	0
Secured long-term obligations	2,452,250	1,827,500	1,827,500
Interest due to third party investors	2,214	1,424	1,330
Total Consolidated liabilities of the Trust	2,454,464	2,153,924	1,828,830
Cabela's Master Credit Card Trust [Member]
Consolidated assets: [Abstract]
Allowance for loan losses	$57,030	$65,090	$65,440

Credit_Card_Loans_and_Allowanc2

Credit Card Loans and Allowance For Loan Losses (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 28, 2013	Sep. 29, 2012	Sep. 28, 2013	Sep. 29, 2012	Jun. 29, 2013	Dec. 29, 2012
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment [Line Items]
Restricted credit card loans of the Trust (restricted for repayment of secured borrowings of the Trust)	$3,591,844	$3,193,162	$3,591,844	$3,193,162		$3,523,133
Unrestricted credit card loans	27,999	20,021	27,999	20,021		34,356
Credit Card Receivables	3,619,843	3,213,183	3,619,843	3,213,183		3,557,489
Allowance for loan losses	-57,370	-65,750	-57,370	-65,750		-65,600
Deferred credit card origination costs	4,950	4,214	4,950	4,214		5,583
Loans and Leases Receivable, Net Reported Amount	3,567,423	3,151,647	3,567,423	3,151,647		3,497,472
Balance, beginning of period	62,500	67,050	65,600	73,350
Provision for loan losses	8,404	10,387	33,030	29,231
Charge-offs	-17,477	-15,736	-54,426	-50,582
Recoveries	3,943	4,049	13,166	13,751
Net charge-offs	-13,534	-11,687	-41,260	-36,831
Balance, end of period	57,370	65,750	57,370	65,750
Loans and Leases Receivable, Consumer, Allowance	11,500	23,000	11,500	23,000		23,000
Current
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment [Line Items]
Credit Card Receivables	3,547,029	3,138,443	3,547,029	3,138,443		3,489,514
1 to 29 days past due
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment [Line Items]
Credit Card Receivables	48,850	50,339	48,850	50,339		43,857
30 to 59 days past due
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment [Line Items]
Credit Card Receivables	10,090	9,832	10,090	9,832		9,078
60 or more days past due
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment [Line Items]
Credit Card Receivables	13,874	14,569	13,874	14,569		15,040
Total past due
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment [Line Items]
Credit Card Receivables	72,814	74,740	72,814	74,740		67,975
90 days or more past due and still accruing
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment [Line Items]
Credit Card Receivables	6,865	7,295	6,865	7,295		7,641
Non-accrual
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment [Line Items]
Credit Card Receivables	5,672	6,054	5,672	6,054		5,985
FICO Score, 691 and Below [Member]
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment [Line Items]
Credit Card Receivables	536,211	462,196	536,211	462,196		489,271
FICO Score, 691 and Below [Member] | Current
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment [Line Items]
Credit Card Receivables	498,540	424,376	498,540	424,376		453,894
FICO Score, 691 and Below [Member] | 1 to 29 days past due
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment [Line Items]
Credit Card Receivables	19,899	20,190	19,899	20,190		17,901
FICO Score, 691 and Below [Member] | 30 to 59 days past due
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment [Line Items]
Credit Card Receivables	6,807	6,597	6,807	6,597		6,060
FICO Score, 691 and Below [Member] | 60 or more days past due
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment [Line Items]
Credit Card Receivables	10,965	11,033	10,965	11,033		11,416
FICO Score, 691 and Below [Member] | Total past due
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment [Line Items]
Credit Card Receivables	37,671	37,820	37,671	37,820		35,377
FICO Score, 691 and Below [Member] | 90 days or more past due and still accruing
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment [Line Items]
Credit Card Receivables	5,624	5,753	5,624	5,753		6,118
FICO Score, 691 and Below [Member] | Non-accrual
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment [Line Items]
Credit Card Receivables	0	0	0	0		0
FICO Score, 692-758 [Member]
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment [Line Items]
Credit Card Receivables	1,223,162	1,061,545	1,223,162	1,061,545		1,147,591
FICO Score, 692-758 [Member] | Current
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment [Line Items]
Credit Card Receivables	1,208,374	1,046,579	1,208,374	1,046,579		1,134,840
FICO Score, 692-758 [Member] | 1 to 29 days past due
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment [Line Items]
Credit Card Receivables	13,468	13,919	13,468	13,919		11,558
FICO Score, 692-758 [Member] | 30 to 59 days past due
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment [Line Items]
Credit Card Receivables	1,117	977	1,117	977		1,004
FICO Score, 692-758 [Member] | 60 or more days past due
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment [Line Items]
Credit Card Receivables	203	70	203	70		189
FICO Score, 692-758 [Member] | Total past due
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment [Line Items]
Credit Card Receivables	14,788	14,966	14,788	14,966		12,751
FICO Score, 692-758 [Member] | 90 days or more past due and still accruing
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment [Line Items]
Credit Card Receivables	18	13	18	13		38
FICO Score, 692-758 [Member] | Non-accrual
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment [Line Items]
Credit Card Receivables	0	0	0	0		0
FICO Score, 759 and Above [Member]
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment [Line Items]
Credit Card Receivables	1,815,531	1,635,362	1,815,531	1,635,362		1,866,927
FICO Score, 759 and Above [Member] | Current
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment [Line Items]
Credit Card Receivables	1,803,735	1,623,557	1,803,735	1,623,557		1,856,587
FICO Score, 759 and Above [Member] | 1 to 29 days past due
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment [Line Items]
Credit Card Receivables	11,487	11,542	11,487	11,542		10,094
FICO Score, 759 and Above [Member] | 30 to 59 days past due
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment [Line Items]
Credit Card Receivables	290	226	290	226		203
FICO Score, 759 and Above [Member] | 60 or more days past due
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment [Line Items]
Credit Card Receivables	19	37	19	37		43
FICO Score, 759 and Above [Member] | Total past due
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment [Line Items]
Credit Card Receivables	11,796	11,805	11,796	11,805		10,340
FICO Score, 759 and Above [Member] | 90 days or more past due and still accruing
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment [Line Items]
Credit Card Receivables	1	20	1	20		4
FICO Score, 759 and Above [Member] | Non-accrual
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment [Line Items]
Credit Card Receivables	0	0	0	0		0
Restructured Credit Card Loans [Member]
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment [Line Items]
Credit Card Receivables	44,939	54,080	44,939	54,080		53,700
Restructured Credit Card Loans [Member] | Current
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment [Line Items]
Credit Card Receivables	36,380	43,931	36,380	43,931		44,193
Restructured Credit Card Loans [Member] | 1 to 29 days past due
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment [Line Items]
Credit Card Receivables	3,996	4,688	3,996	4,688		4,304
Restructured Credit Card Loans [Member] | 30 to 59 days past due
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment [Line Items]
Credit Card Receivables	1,876	2,032	1,876	2,032		1,811
Restructured Credit Card Loans [Member] | 60 or more days past due
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment [Line Items]
Credit Card Receivables	2,687	3,429	2,687	3,429		3,392
Restructured Credit Card Loans [Member] | Total past due
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment [Line Items]
Credit Card Receivables	8,559	10,149	8,559	10,149		9,507
Restructured Credit Card Loans [Member] | 90 days or more past due and still accruing
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment [Line Items]
Credit Card Receivables	1,222	1,509	1,222	1,509		1,481
Restructured Credit Card Loans [Member] | Non-accrual
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment [Line Items]
Credit Card Receivables	5,672	6,054	5,672	6,054		5,985
Nonperforming Financing Receivable [Member]
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment [Line Items]
Credit Card Receivables	44,939		44,939		47,227	53,700
Balance, beginning of period	19,000	25,000	23,000	29,000
Provision for loan losses	-4,876	-589	-4,197	772
Charge-offs	-3,636	-2,565	-10,532	-10,574
Recoveries	1,012	1,154	3,229	3,802
Net charge-offs	-2,624	-1,411	-7,303	-6,772
Balance, end of period	11,500	23,000	11,500	23,000
Performing Financing Receivable [Member]
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment [Line Items]
Balance, beginning of period	43,500	42,050	42,600	44,350
Provision for loan losses	13,280	10,976	37,227	28,459
Charge-offs	-13,841	-13,171	-43,894	-40,008
Recoveries	2,931	2,895	9,937	9,949
Net charge-offs	-10,910	-10,276	-33,957	-30,059
Balance, end of period	45,870	42,750	45,870	42,750
Change in Allowance on Restructured Credit Card Loans Due to Declining Loan Balances [Member] | Nonperforming Financing Receivable [Member]
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment [Line Items]
Allowance for Loan and Lease Losses, Provision for Loss, Gross	1,000		5,000
Change in Allowance on Restructured Credit Card Loans Due to Management Analysis [Member] | Nonperforming Financing Receivable [Member]
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment [Line Items]
Allowance for Loan and Lease Losses, Provision for Loss, Gross	$6,500		$6,500

Securities_Details

Securities (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 28, 2013	Sep. 29, 2012	Sep. 28, 2013	Sep. 29, 2012	Jun. 29, 2013	Dec. 29, 2012	Jun. 30, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Included in earnings - realized	$0	$0	$0	$0
Investment Income, Interest			3,089	3,488
Available-for-sale Securities, Amortized Cost Basis	71,098	79,587	71,098	79,587		74,545
Available-for-sale Securities, Debt Maturities, within One Year, Amortized Cost Basis	2,706		2,706
Available-for-sale Securities, Debt Maturities, within One Year, Fair Value	3,106		3,106
Held-to-maturity Securities, Debt Maturities, within One Year, Net Carrying Amount	135,000		135,000
Held-to-maturity Securities, Debt Maturities, Next Twelve Months, Fair Value	135,003		135,003
Available-for-sale Securities, Debt Maturities, Year Two, Amortized Cost Basis	1,861		1,861
Available-for-sale Securities, Debt Maturities, Year Two, Fair Value	2,315		2,315
Available-for-sale Securities, Debt Maturities, Year Three, Amortized Cost Basis	1,783		1,783
Available-for-sale Securities, Debt Maturities, Year Three, Fair Value	2,266		2,266
Available-for-sale Securities, Debt Maturities, Year Four, Amortized Cost Basis	2,209		2,209
Available-for-sale Securities, Debt Maturities, Year Four, Fair Value	2,718		2,718
Available-for-sale Securities, Debt Maturities, Year Five, Amortized Cost Basis	2,579		2,579
Available-for-sale Securities, Debt Maturities, Year Five, Fair Value	2,984		2,984
Available-for-sale Securities, Debt Maturities, after Five Through Ten Years, Amortized Cost Basis	19,434		19,434
Available-for-sale Securities, Debt Maturities, after Five Through Ten Years, Fair Value	22,114		22,114
Available-for-sale Securities, Debt Maturities, after Ten Years, Amortized Cost Basis	40,526		40,526
Available-for-sale Securities, Debt Maturities, after Ten Years, Fair Value	43,757		43,757
Available-for-sale Securities, Debt Maturities, Amortized Cost Basis	71,098		71,098
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value Disclosure	79,260	92,744	79,260	92,744	79,043	85,041	88,335	86,563
Held-to-maturity investment securities	135,000	0	135,000	0		0
Available-for-sale Securities, Gross Unrealized Gains	8,199	13,157	8,199	13,157		10,496
Available-for-sale Securities, Gross Unrealized Losses	-37	0	-37	0		0
Held-to-maturity Securities, Unrecognized Holding Gain	3		3
Held-to-maturity Securities, Unrecognized Holding Loss	0		0
Held-to-maturity Securities, Fair Value	$135,003	$0	$135,003	$0		$0

Borrowings_of_Financial_Servic2

Borrowings of Financial Services Segment (Details) (USD $)

Sep. 28, 2013

Dec. 29, 2012

Sep. 29, 2012

Sep. 28, 2013

Sep. 29, 2012

Dec. 29, 2012

Sep. 28, 2013

Sep. 28, 2013

Sep. 28, 2013

Sep. 29, 2012

Mar. 26, 2013

Sep. 28, 2013

Sep. 29, 2012

Dec. 29, 2012

Sep. 28, 2013

Sep. 29, 2012

Dec. 29, 2012

Sep. 28, 2013

Sep. 29, 2012

Dec. 29, 2012

Sep. 28, 2013

Sep. 29, 2012

Dec. 29, 2012

Sep. 28, 2013

Sep. 29, 2012

Dec. 29, 2012

Sep. 28, 2013

Sep. 28, 2013

Sep. 28, 2013

Sep. 29, 2012

Dec. 29, 2012

Sep. 28, 2013

Sep. 28, 2013

Sep. 28, 2013

Dec. 29, 2012

Sep. 29, 2012

Sep. 28, 2013

Dec. 29, 2012

Sep. 29, 2012

Sep. 28, 2013

Sep. 28, 2013

Sep. 28, 2013

Dec. 29, 2012

Sep. 29, 2012

Sep. 28, 2013

Dec. 29, 2012

Sep. 29, 2012

Sep. 28, 2013

Dec. 29, 2012

Sep. 29, 2012

Sep. 28, 2013

Dec. 29, 2012

Sep. 29, 2012

Sep. 28, 2013

Dec. 29, 2012

Sep. 29, 2012

Sep. 28, 2013

Dec. 29, 2012

Sep. 29, 2012

Sep. 28, 2013

Dec. 29, 2012

Sep. 29, 2012

Sep. 28, 2013

Sep. 28, 2013

Sep. 28, 2013

Dec. 29, 2012

Sep. 29, 2012

Sep. 28, 2013

Dec. 29, 2012

Sep. 29, 2012

Sep. 28, 2013

Dec. 29, 2012

Sep. 29, 2012

Sep. 28, 2013

Dec. 29, 2012

Sep. 29, 2012

Sep. 28, 2013

Dec. 29, 2012

Sep. 29, 2012

Sep. 28, 2013

Dec. 29, 2012

Sep. 29, 2012

Sep. 28, 2013

Sep. 28, 2013

In Thousands, unless otherwise specified

Series 2012-II [Member]

Series 2012-II [Member]

Series 2012-II [Member]

Series 2013-I [Member]

Series 2013-II [Member]

Secured Debt, Variable Funding Facility [Member]

Secured Debt, Variable Funding Facility [Member]

Secured Debt, Variable Funding Facility [Member]

Series 2010-I

Series 2010-I

Series 2010-I

Series 2010-II

Series 2010-II

Series 2010-II

Series 2011-II [Member]

Series 2011-II [Member]

Series 2011-II [Member]

Series 2011-IV [Member]

Series 2011-IV [Member]

Series 2011-IV [Member]

Series 2012-I [Member]

Series 2012-I [Member]

Series 2012-I [Member]

Minimum [Member]

Maximum [Member]

Federal Funds Purchased [Member]

Federal Funds Purchased [Member]

Federal Funds Purchased [Member]

Note Class A [Member]

Note Class A [Member]

Fixed Rate Obligation [Member]

Fixed Rate Obligation [Member]

Fixed Rate Obligation [Member]

Fixed Rate Obligation [Member]

Fixed Rate Obligation [Member]

Fixed Rate Obligation [Member]

Fixed Rate Obligation [Member]

Fixed Rate Obligation [Member]

Fixed Rate Obligation [Member]

Fixed Rate Obligation [Member]

Fixed Rate Obligation [Member]

Fixed Rate Obligation [Member]

Fixed Rate Obligation [Member]

Fixed Rate Obligation [Member]

Fixed Rate Obligation [Member]

Fixed Rate Obligation [Member]

Fixed Rate Obligation [Member]

Fixed Rate Obligation [Member]

Fixed Rate Obligation [Member]

Fixed Rate Obligation [Member]

Fixed Rate Obligation [Member]

Fixed Rate Obligation [Member]

Fixed Rate Obligation [Member]

Variable Rate Obligations [Member]

Variable Rate Obligations [Member]

Variable Rate Obligations [Member]

Variable Rate Obligations [Member]

Variable Rate Obligations [Member]

Variable Rate Obligations [Member]

Variable Rate Obligations [Member]

Variable Rate Obligations [Member]

Variable Rate Obligations [Member]

Variable Rate Obligations [Member]

Variable Rate Obligations [Member]

Variable Rate Obligations [Member]

Variable Rate Obligations [Member]

Variable Rate Obligations [Member]

Variable Rate Obligations [Member]

Variable Rate Obligations [Member]

Variable Rate Obligations [Member]

Variable Rate Obligations [Member]

Variable Rate Obligations [Member]

Variable Rate Obligations [Member]

Variable Rate Obligations [Member]

Variable Rate Obligations [Member]

Variable Rate Obligations [Member]

Secured Debt [Member]

Secured Debt [Member]

Secured Debt [Member]

Subordinated Debt [Member]

Subordinated Debt [Member]

Series 2013-I [Member]

Series 2013-II [Member]

Series 2012-II [Member]

Series 2012-II [Member]

Series 2012-II [Member]

Series 2013-I [Member]

Series 2013-II [Member]

Series 2010-I

Series 2010-I

Series 2010-I

Series 2010-II

Series 2010-II

Series 2010-II

Series 2011-II [Member]

Series 2011-II [Member]

Series 2011-II [Member]

Series 2011-IV [Member]

Series 2011-IV [Member]

Series 2011-IV [Member]

Series 2012-I [Member]

Series 2012-I [Member]

Series 2012-I [Member]

Series 2012-II [Member]

Series 2012-II [Member]

Series 2012-II [Member]

Series 2013-I [Member]

Series 2013-II [Member]

Series 2010-I

Series 2010-I

Series 2010-I

Series 2010-II

Series 2010-II

Series 2010-II

Series 2011-II [Member]

Series 2011-II [Member]

Series 2011-II [Member]

Series 2011-IV [Member]

Series 2011-IV [Member]

Series 2011-IV [Member]

Series 2012-I [Member]

Series 2012-I [Member]

Series 2012-I [Member]

Series 2013-I [Member]

Series 2013-II [Member]

Assets and Associated Liabilities of Transfers Accounted for as Secured Borrowings [Line Items]

Debt Instrument, Maximum Borrowing Capacity

$875,000

$300,000

$85,000

Debt Instrument, Maturity Date

15-Jun-17

15-Jun-17

15-Jun-17

15-Feb-23

15-Aug-18

15-Jan-15

15-Jan-15

15-Jan-15

15-Sep-15

15-Sep-15

15-Sep-15

1-Jun-16

15-Jun-16

15-Jun-16

17-Oct-16

15-Oct-16

15-Oct-16

15-Feb-17

15-Feb-17

15-Feb-17

Total debt

532,563

336,535

451,597

425,000

425,000

425,000

327,250

297,500

255,000

255,000

255,000

212,500

212,500

212,500

255,000

255,000

255,000

255,000

255,000

255,000

425,000

425,000

425,000

1,449,750

1,022,500

1,022,500

300,000

300,000

300,000

327,250

100,000

0

0

0

127,500

127,500

127,500

155,000

155,000

155,000

165,000

165,000

165,000

275,000

275,000

275,000

1,002,500

805,000

805,000

125,000

125,000

125,000

0

197,500

255,000

255,000

255,000

85,000

85,000

85,000

100,000

100,000

100,000

90,000

90,000

90,000

150,000

150,000

150,000

2,452,250

1,827,500

1,827,500

Long-term Debt, Weighted Average Interest Rate

1.22%

1.23%

1.23%

2.71%

1.31%

1.63%

1.67%

1.66%

1.73%

1.74%

1.74%

1.76%

1.77%

1.77%

1.49%

1.50%

1.50%

1.31%

1.32%

1.32%

1.45%

1.45%

1.45%

2.71%

2.17%

0.00%

0.00%

0.00%

2.29%

2.29%

2.29%

2.39%

2.39%

2.39%

1.90%

1.90%

1.90%

1.63%

1.63%

1.63%

0.66%

0.69%

0.70%

0.00%

0.88%

1.63%

1.66%

1.67%

0.88%

0.91%

0.92%

0.78%

0.81%

0.82%

0.73%

0.76%

0.77%

0.71%

0.74%

0.75%

Current maturities of long-term debt

8,414

8,402

8,398

Long-term debt, less current maturities

524,149

328,133

443,199

Long-term Debt and Capital Lease Obligations

0

Debt Instrument, Basis Spread on Variable Rate

0.50%

0.85%

Line of Credit Facility, Unused Capacity, Commitment Fee Percentage

0.25%

0.40%

Short-term Debt, Average Outstanding Amount

33,443

173,358

305

504

Debt, Weighted Average Interest Rate

0.78%

0.78%

0.75%

0.75%

Notes Issued

385,000

350,000

327,250

297,500

57,750

52,500

Debt Instrument, Amount Outstanding

$0

$0

$0

LongTerm_Debt_and_Capital_Leas2

Long-Term Debt and Capital Leases (Details)	9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 28, 2013	Sep. 29, 2012	Dec. 29, 2012	Sep. 28, 2013	Sep. 28, 2013	Dec. 29, 2012	Sep. 29, 2012	Sep. 28, 2013	Sep. 29, 2012
	USD ($)	USD ($)	USD ($)	Unsecured revolving credit facility of Canada operations	Unsecured revolving credit facility of Canada operations	Unsecured revolving credit facility of Canada operations	Unsecured revolving credit facility of Canada operations	Financial Standby Letter of Credit [Member]	Financial Standby Letter of Credit [Member]
				USD ($)	CAD	USD ($)	USD ($)	USD ($)	USD ($)
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Line of Credit Facility, Maximum Borrowing Capacity	$415,000				20,000
Unsecured revolving credit facility	200,000	115,000	0	4,364		0	0
Unsecured notes due 2016 with interest at 5.99%	215,000	215,000	215,000
Unsecured senior notes due 2017 with interest at 6.08%	60,000	60,000	60,000
Unsecured senior notes due 2014-2018 with interest at 7.20%	40,714	48,857	48,857
Capital lease obligations payable through 2036	12,485	12,740	12,678
Total debt	532,563	451,597	336,535
Less current portion of debt	-8,414	-8,398	-8,402
Long-term debt, less current maturities	524,149	443,199	328,133
Line of Credit Facility, Capacity Available for Specific Purpose Other than for Trade Purchases	100,000				10,000
Line of Credit Facility, Capacity Available for Trade Purchases	20,000
Amount that Line of Credit Facility may be Increased to	500,000
Line of Credit Facility, Average Outstanding Amount	65,030	22,155
Line of Credit Facility, Interest Rate During Period	1.46%	1.65%
Letters of Credit Outstanding, Amount								27,753	25,856
Letter of Credit, Average Outstanding Amount	$22,277	$14,554

Impairment_and_Restructuring_C1

Impairment and Restructuring Charges (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 28, 2013	Sep. 29, 2012	Sep. 28, 2013	Sep. 29, 2012
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Impairment and restructuring charges	$0	$0	$937	$0

Income_Taxes_Details

Income Taxes (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 28, 2013	Sep. 29, 2012	Sep. 28, 2013	Sep. 29, 2012	Dec. 29, 2012
Unrecognized Tax Benefits	$42,215	$42,167	$42,215	$42,167	$39,252
Statutory federal rate	35.00%	35.00%	35.00%	35.00%
State income taxes, net of federal tax benefit	1.40%	2.30%	1.40%	2.80%
Other nondeductible items	0.20%	0.90%	0.20%	0.70%
Tax exempt interest income	-0.50%	-0.50%	-0.40%	-0.50%
Rate differential on foreign income	-5.20%	-4.40%	-4.20%	-4.10%
Change in unrecognized tax benefits	-0.80%	0.50%	0.00%	0.60%
Other, net	1.20%	-1.50%	0.00%	-0.60%
Effective Income Tax Rate, Continuing Operations	31.30%	32.30%	32.00%	33.90%
Income Tax Deposit on Prior Period Uncertain Tax Positions	53,418		53,418
Cash and Cash Equivalent Held by Foreign Subsidiary	$58,942		$58,942

Commitments_and_Contingencies_1

Commitments and Contingencies (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 28, 2013	Sep. 29, 2012	Sep. 28, 2013	Sep. 29, 2012	Dec. 29, 2012
For the three months ending December 28, 2013	$3,269		$3,269
Operating Leases, Rent Expense	3,955	3,444	10,843	8,848
Payments for (Proceeds from) Tenant Allowance			4,950	0
Operating Leases, Future Minimum Payments, Due in Two Years	15,295		15,295
Operating Leases, Future Minimum Payments, Due in Three Years	19,092		19,092
Operating Leases, Future Minimum Payments, Due in Four Years	18,888		18,888
Operating Leases, Future Minimum Payments, Due in Five Years	18,582		18,582
Thereafter	260,128		260,128
Purchase Commitment, Remaining Minimum Amount Committed	259,700		259,700
Grant Funding Subject to Contractual Remedies	6,673	7,319	6,673	7,319	7,257
Grant Funding Received			0
Committments to Extend Credit	25,093,000	20,601,000	25,093,000	20,601,000	20,976,000
Operating Leases, Future Minimum Payments Due	335,254		335,254
Loss Contingency, Estimate of Possible Loss	8,300		8,300		12,500
Loss Contingency Accrual, Carrying Value, Payments	1,300
Loss Contingency Accrual, Carrying Value, Period Increase (Decrease)	1,650		2,850
Payment Guarantee [Member]
Letters of Credit Outstanding, Amount	$60,579	$65,648	$60,579	$65,648	$55,455

StockBased_Compensation_Plans_1

Stock-Based Compensation Plans and Employee Benefit Plans (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 28, 2013	Sep. 29, 2012	Sep. 28, 2013	Sep. 29, 2012
Stock-based compensation	$3,837	$3,686	$11,150	$10,286
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Exercises in Period			405,533
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Number of Shares Available for Grant	3,949,030		3,949,030
Employee Service Share-based Compensation, Nonvested Awards, Total Compensation Cost Not yet Recognized	24,129		24,129
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Exercisable, Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Term			2 years 9 months 18 days
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Exercises in Period, Total Intrinsic Value			$17,854	$51,885
Closing Stock Price of one share of Cabela's Stock	$64.29		$64.29
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Exercisable, Number	2,034,938		2,034,938
Stock Issued During Period, Shares, Employee Stock Purchase Plans			33,065
Stock Options [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Grants in Period, Gross			207,595
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Grants in Period, Weighted Average Exercise Price			$50.91
Cabela's Incorpoarted 2004 Stock Plan [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Outstanding, Number	3,499,901		3,499,901
Restricted Stock Units (RSUs) [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Grants in Period, Gross			344,345
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Grants in Period, Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value			$50.87
Cabela's Incorpoarted 2013 Stock Plan [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Grants in Period, Gross			20,600
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Number of Shares Authorized	1,986,954		1,986,954
Stock Issued During Period, Shares, Employee Stock Purchase Plans			13,046
Director [Member] | Stock Options [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Grants in Period, Gross			30,000
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Grants in Period, Weighted Average Exercise Price			$67.69
Director [Member] | Restricted Stock Units (RSUs) [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Grants in Period, Gross			370
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Grants in Period, Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value			$67.69
Cabela's Incorpoarted 2013 Stock Plan [Member] | Restricted Stock Units (RSUs) [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Grants in Period, Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value			$69.98
Management [Member] | Restricted Stock Units (RSUs) [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Grants in Period, Gross			55,400
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Grants in Period, Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value			$50.91
Chief Executive Officer [Member] | Stock Options [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Grants in Period, Gross			64,000
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Grants in Period, Weighted Average Exercise Price			$58.55

Stockholders_Equity_and_Divide2

Stockholders' Equity and Dividend Restrictions (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 28, 2013	Sep. 29, 2012	Sep. 28, 2013	Sep. 29, 2012	Feb. 14, 2013	Dec. 29, 2012
Statutory Accounting Practices, Statutory Amount Available for Dividend Payments	$180,529		$180,529
Number of treasury shares, beginning of period	13,737	800,000	492,414	800,935
Purchase of treasury stock (1)	17,439	16,057	181,179	816,057
Treasury shares issued on exercise of stock options and share-based payment awards	-30,946	-290,034	-673,363	-1,090,969
Number of treasury shares, end of period	230	526,023	230	526,023
Stock Repurchase Program, Number of Shares Authorized to be Repurchased	586,260		586,260		750,000
Accumulated net unrealized holding loss on derivatives	0	-23	0	-23		-1
Cumulative foreign currency translation adjustments	-340	387	-340	387		-1,280
Accumulated other comprehensive income	4,802	8,917	4,802	8,917		5,542
Available-for-sale Securities [Member]
Accumulated net unrealized holding gains on economic development bonds	$5,142	$8,553	$5,142	$8,553		$6,823

Earnings_Per_Share_Details

Earnings Per Share (Details)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 28, 2013	Sep. 29, 2012	Sep. 28, 2013	Sep. 29, 2012
Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share [Line Items]
Basic weighted average shares outstanding	70,575,804	69,894,538	70,412,479	69,794,416
Stock options, nonvested stock units, and employee stock purchase plans	1,182,097	1,661,324	1,305,415	1,830,035
Diluted weighted average shares outstanding	71,757,901	71,555,862	71,717,894	71,624,451
Stock options outstanding and nonvested stock units issued considered anti-dilutive excluded from calculation	37,582	0	12,527	78,769

Supplemental_Cash_Flow_Informa2

Supplemental Cash Flow Information (Details) (USD $)	9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 28, 2013	Sep. 29, 2012
Interest Paid By Subsidiary	$45,987	$40,693
Accrued property and equipment additions (1)	49,007	24,608
Interest paid (2)	55,836	60,848
Income taxes paid, net of refunds	$52,532	$81,703

Segment_Reporting_Details

Segment Reporting (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 28, 2013	Sep. 29, 2012	Sep. 28, 2013	Sep. 29, 2012	Dec. 29, 2012
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Merchandise Revenue Percentage	100.00%	100.00%	100.00%	100.00%
Interest and Fee Income, Loans, Consumer	$87,945	$76,944	$250,383	$222,137
Goodwill	3,406	3,573	3,406	3,573	3,535
Merchandise sales	749,141	652,313	2,124,538	1,730,252
Financial Services Revenue	98,403	85,932	272,753	248,654
Other revenue	3,284	2,933	12,839	13,030
Total revenues	850,828	741,178	2,410,130	1,991,936
Operating Income (Loss)	76,603	67,113	222,653	171,517
Operating Income as a Percentage of Revenue	9.00%	9.10%	9.20%	8.60%
Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization	24,171	20,264	68,067	58,113
Assets	6,462,065	5,505,369	6,462,065	5,505,369	5,748,163
Cash and Cash Equivalent at Subsidiary	334,832	205,448	334,832	205,448	91,365
Interest Expense, Other	-17,075	-13,799	-46,863	-40,379
Provision for Other Credit Losses	-8,404	-10,387	-33,030	-29,231
Interest Income (Expense), after Provision for Loan Loss	62,466	52,758	170,490	152,527
Interchange income	88,963	77,022	252,290	220,388
Noninterest Income, Other Operating Income	1,430	3,055	4,113	11,075
Noninterest Income	90,393	80,077	256,403	231,463
Customer rewards costs	-54,456	-46,903	-154,140	-135,336
Retail Sales [Domain]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Merchandise Revenue Percentage	100.00%	100.00%	100.00%	100.00%
Direct Sales [Domain]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Merchandise Revenue Percentage	100.00%	100.00%	100.00%	100.00%
451110 Sporting Goods Stores [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Merchandise sales	550,545	455,495	1,520,660	1,184,786
Financial Services Revenue	0	0	0	0
Other revenue	333	470	890	1,203
Total revenues	550,878	455,965	1,521,550	1,185,989
Operating Income (Loss)	103,658	85,438	279,409	200,889
Operating Income as a Percentage of Revenue	18.80%	18.70%	18.40%	16.90%
Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization	14,094	11,907	39,921	34,280
Assets	1,274,722	1,053,644	1,274,722	1,053,644
454390 Other Direct Selling Establishments [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Merchandise sales	198,596	196,818	603,878	545,466
Financial Services Revenue	0	0	0	0
Other revenue	0	0	0	0
Total revenues	198,596	196,818	603,878	545,466
Operating Income (Loss)	29,284	30,220	104,912	93,559
Operating Income as a Percentage of Revenue	14.70%	15.40%	17.40%	17.20%
Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization	1,874	1,841	5,635	5,475
Assets	177,428	170,768	177,428	170,768
551111 Offices of Bank Holding Companies [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Merchandise sales	0	0	0	0
Financial Services Revenue	98,403	85,932	272,753	248,654
Other revenue	0	0	0	0
Total revenues	98,403	85,932	272,753	248,654
Operating Income (Loss)	29,182	23,230	79,198	73,508
Operating Income as a Percentage of Revenue	29.70%	27.00%	29.00%	29.60%
Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization	400	339	1,158	899
Assets	4,133,412	3,490,278	4,133,412	3,490,278
All Other Segments [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Merchandise sales	0	0	0	0
Financial Services Revenue	0	0	0	0
Other revenue	2,951	2,463	11,949	11,827
Total revenues	2,951	2,463	11,949	11,827
Operating Income (Loss)	-85,521	-71,775	-240,866	-196,439
Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization	7,803	6,177	21,353	17,459
Assets	$876,503	$790,679	$876,503	$790,679
Hunting Equipment [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Merchandise Revenue Percentage	50.20%	48.50%	50.20%	44.10%
Hunting Equipment [Member] | Retail Sales [Domain]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Merchandise Revenue Percentage	51.10%	50.40%	52.10%	47.20%
Hunting Equipment [Member] | Direct Sales [Domain]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Merchandise Revenue Percentage	47.60%	44.50%	45.20%	37.20%
General Outdoor [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Merchandise Revenue Percentage	28.20%	29.20%	29.70%	34.20%
General Outdoor [Member] | Retail Sales [Domain]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Merchandise Revenue Percentage	28.30%	28.90%	29.30%	33.30%
General Outdoor [Member] | Direct Sales [Domain]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Merchandise Revenue Percentage	27.80%	29.80%	30.90%	36.20%
Clothing and Footwear [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Merchandise Revenue Percentage	21.60%	22.30%	20.10%	21.70%
Clothing and Footwear [Member] | Retail Sales [Domain]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Merchandise Revenue Percentage	20.60%	20.70%	18.60%	19.50%
Clothing and Footwear [Member] | Direct Sales [Domain]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Merchandise Revenue Percentage	24.60%	25.70%	23.90%	26.60%

Fair_Value_Measurements_Detail

Fair Value Measurements (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 28, 2013	Sep. 29, 2012	Sep. 28, 2013	Sep. 29, 2012	Dec. 29, 2012
Fair Value, Assets Measured on Recurring Basis, Unobservable Input Reconciliation [Line Items]
Impairment and restructuring charges	$0	$0	$937	$0
Credit card loans (includes restricted credit card loans of the Trust of $3,591,844, $3,523,133, and $3,193,162), net of allowance for loan losses of $57,370, $65,600, and $65,750	3,567,423	3,151,647	3,567,423	3,151,647	3,497,472
Loans Receivable, Fair Value Disclosure	3,567,423	3,151,647	3,567,423	3,151,647	3,497,472
Held-to-maturity investment securities	135,000	0	135,000	0	0
Held-to-maturity Securities, Fair Value	135,003	0	135,003	0	0
Balance, beginning of period	79,043	88,335	85,041	86,563
Included in earnings - realized	0	0	0	0
Included in accumulated other comprehensive income - unrealized	1,043	4,605	-2,334	8,475
Valuation adjustments	0	0	0	0
Purchases	0	0	0	0
Issuances	0	0	0	0
Settlements	-826	-196	-3,447	-2,294
Balance, end of period	79,260	92,744	79,260	92,744
Time Deposits	1,147,978	1,074,555	1,147,978	1,074,555	1,048,018
Deposits, Fair Value Disclosure	1,153,801	1,110,851	1,153,801	1,110,851	1,086,411
Total debt	532,563	451,597	532,563	451,597	336,535
Long-term Debt, Fair Value	565,280	491,880	565,280	491,880	373,120
Secured Debt [Member]
Fair Value, Assets Measured on Recurring Basis, Unobservable Input Reconciliation [Line Items]
Total debt	2,452,250	1,827,500	2,452,250	1,827,500	1,827,500
Debt Instrument, Fair Value Disclosure	$2,320,576	$1,803,818	$2,320,576	$1,803,818	$1,807,083