Cabelas 10-Q 24 Oct 14 2014 Q3 Quarterly report Financial data

Document_and_Entity_Informatio

Document and Entity Information Document	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 27, 2014	Oct. 20, 2014
Entity Information [Line Items]	'	'
Entity Registrant Name	'CABELAS INC	'
Entity Central Index Key	'0001267130	'
Current Fiscal Year End Date	'--12-27	'
Entity Filer Category	'Large Accelerated Filer	'
Document Type	'10-Q	'
Document Period End Date	27-Sep-14	'
Document Fiscal Year Focus	'2014	'
Document Fiscal Period Focus	'Q3	'
Amendment Flag	'false	'
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding	'	71,087,397
Entity Well-known Seasoned Issuer	'Yes	'
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. 27, 2014	Sep. 28, 2013	Sep. 27, 2014	Sep. 28, 2013
Merchandise sales	$773,438	$749,141	$2,040,501	$2,124,538
Financial Services revenue	109,132	98,403	317,074	272,753
Other revenue	3,432	3,284	15,451	12,839
Total revenues	886,002	850,828	2,373,026	2,410,130
Merchandise costs (exclusive of depreciation and amortization)	492,492	469,614	1,306,585	1,341,706
Cost of other revenue	8	318	1,398	386
Total cost of revenue (exclusive of depreciation and amortization)	492,500	469,932	1,307,983	1,342,092
Selling, distribution, and administrative expenses	299,587	304,293	857,643	844,448
Restructuring and Related Cost, Incurred Cost	0	0	641	937
Operating income	93,915	76,603	206,759	222,653
Interest expense, net	-5,152	-4,979	-14,476	-14,249
Other non-operating income, net	916	1,028	4,057	3,675
Income before provision for income taxes	89,679	72,652	196,340	212,079
Provision for income taxes	35,840	22,766	73,235	67,801
Net income	$53,839	$49,886	$123,105	$144,278
Earnings per basic share	$0.76	$0.71	$1.73	$2.05
Earnings per diluted share	$0.75	$0.70	$1.71	$2.01
Basic weighted average shares outstanding	71,068,933	70,575,804	70,957,321	70,412,479
Diluted weighted average shares outstanding	71,693,136	71,757,901	71,885,472	71,717,894

Condensed_Consolidated_Stateme1

Condensed Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Income (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 27, 2014	Sep. 28, 2013	Sep. 27, 2014	Sep. 28, 2013
Net Income (Loss) Attributable to Parent	$53,839	$49,886	$123,105	$144,278
Unrealized gain (loss) on economic development bonds, net of taxes of $1,771, $365, $2,649, and $(653)	2,965	678	4,434	-1,681
Cash flow hedges	0	0	0	1
Foreign currency translation adjustments	-7,253	2,450	-5,936	940
Total other comprehensive income (loss)	-4,288	3,128	-1,502	-740
Comprehensive income	$49,551	$53,014	$121,603	$143,538

Condensed_Consolidated_Stateme2

Condensed Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Income Parentheticals (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 27, 2014	Sep. 28, 2013	Sep. 27, 2014	Sep. 28, 2013
Taxes on unrealized loss on economic development bonds	$1,771	$365	$2,649	($653)

Condensed_Consolidated_Balance

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets (USD $)	Sep. 27, 2014	Dec. 28, 2013	Sep. 28, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Cash and cash equivalents	$365,114	$199,072	$409,733
Restricted cash of the Trust	31,808	23,191	26,009
Held-to-maturity Securities, Current	0	0	135,000
Accounts receivable, net	24,512	42,868	29,367
Credit card loans (includes restricted credit card loans of the Trust of $4,036,331, $3,956,230, and $3,591,844), net of allowance for loan losses of $52,700, $53,110, and $57,370	4,011,187	3,938,630	3,567,423
Inventories	934,732	644,883	815,594
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	99,563	90,438	95,382
Income taxes receivable and deferred income taxes	98,054	47,430	53,693
Assets, Current	5,564,970	4,986,512	5,132,201
Property and equipment, net	1,522,910	1,287,545	1,201,662
Economic development bonds	82,341	78,504	79,260
Other assets	45,243	44,303	48,942
Assets	7,215,464	6,396,864	6,462,065
Accounts payable, including unpresented checks of $67,031, $22,717, and $23,745	367,572	261,200	284,934
Gift instrument, credit card rewards, and loyalty rewards programs	281,759	291,444	248,711
Accrued expenses	129,091	204,073	153,287
Time Deposit Maturities, Next Twelve Months	290,007	297,645	357,314
Current maturities of secured variable funding obligations of the Trust	0	50,000	0
Debt, Current	467,500	0	0
Current maturities of long-term debt	8,430	8,418	8,414
Deferred Tax Liabilities, Net, Current	836	0	0
Liabilities, Current	1,545,195	1,112,780	1,052,660
Long-term time deposits	540,402	771,717	790,664
Secured long-term obligations of the Trust	2,579,750	2,452,250	2,452,250
Long-term debt, less current maturities	657,648	322,647	524,149
Deferred income taxes	3,671	3,118	14,329
Other long-term liabilities	149,818	128,018	102,063
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	711	706	706
Additional paid-in capital	357,573	346,535	339,752
Retained earnings	1,383,922	1,260,817	1,180,705
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)	-3,226	-1,724	4,802
Treasury stock, at cost – 230 shares at September 28, 2013	0	0	-15
Stockholders' Equity Attributable to Parent	1,738,980	1,606,334	1,525,950
Liabilities and Equity	$7,215,464	$6,396,864	$6,462,065

Condensed_Consolidated_Balance1

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets Parentheticals (USD $)	Sep. 27, 2014	Dec. 28, 2013	Sep. 28, 2013
Restricted credit card loans of the Trust	$4,036,331,000	$3,956,230,000	$3,591,844,000
Allowance for loan losses	52,700,000	53,110,000	57,370,000
Unpresented checks	67,031,000	22,717,000	23,745,000
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	71,085,205	70,630,866	70,604,935
Preferred stock, par value	71,085,205	70,630,866	70,604,705
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
Preferred Stock, Shares Outstanding	0	0	0
Treasury Stock, Carrying Basis	$0	$0	$230

Condensed_Consolidated_Stateme3

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (USD $)	9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 27, 2014	Sep. 28, 2013
Net income	$123,105	$144,278
Depreciation and amortization	82,548	68,067
Restructuring Costs and Asset Impairment Charges	641	937
Stock-based compensation	13,049	11,150
Deferred income taxes	1,106	5,058
Provision for loan losses	42,116	33,030
Other, net	-1,105	545
Accounts receivable	18,680	16,899
Credit card loans originated from internal operations, net	55,813	38,713
Inventories	-292,157	-263,019
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	-11,135	36,243
Accounts payable and accrued expenses	-32,719	9,992
Gift instrument, credit card rewards, and loyalty rewards programs	-9,429	-13,942
Other long-term liabilities	23,439	6,417
Income taxes receivable	-52,993	-175
Net cash provided by operating activities	-39,041	94,193
Property and equipment additions	-302,732	-277,524
Payments to Acquire Held-to-maturity Securities	24,999	135,000
Proceeds from Sale and Maturity of Held-to-maturity Securities	25,089	0
Change in credit card loans originated externally, net	170,486	141,694
Proceeds from retirement and maturity of economic development bonds	3,246	3,447
Change in restricted cash of the Trust, net	-8,617	-8,717
Other investing changes, net	-241	-170
Net cash used in investing activities	-478,740	-559,658
Change in unpresented checks net of bank balances	44,314	-5,183
Change in time deposits, net	-238,953	99,960
Borrowings on secured obligations of the Trust	685,000	1,234,750
Repayments on secured obligations of the Trust	-140,000	-935,000
Borrowings on revolving credit facilities and inventory financing	1,394,263	602,876
Repayments on revolving credit facilities and inventory financing	-1,049,556	-398,343
Payments on long-term debt	-8,347	-8,336
Exercise of employee stock options and employee stock purchase plan issuances, net	-3,570	-100
Excess tax benefits from exercise of employee stock options	2,051	5,878
Purchase of treasury stock	0	-10,053
Other financing changes, net	-1	-1
Net cash provided by financing activities	685,201	586,448
Effect of Exchange Rate on Cash and Cash Equivalents	-1,378	0
Net change in cash and cash equivalents	166,042	120,983
Cash and cash equivalents, at beginning of period	199,072	288,750
Cash and cash equivalents, at end of period	$365,114	$409,733

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. 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 (Loss) Attributable to Parent	144,278	'	'	'	'	'
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Foreign Currency Transaction and Translation Adjustment, Net of Tax	940	0	0	'	'	0
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax, Portion Attributable to Parent	-740	'	'	-740	'	'
Common stock repurchased	-10,053	'	'	'	-10,053	'
Stock-based compensation	10,708	10,708	0	0	'	0
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Exercises in Period	'	'	'	'	'	59,377
Adjustments to Additional Paid in Capital, Share-based Compensation, Stock Options, Requisite Service Period Recognition	-100	-27,995	0	0	27,894	1
Excess tax benefit on employee stock option exercises	5,878	5,878	0	0	'	0
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
Stockholders' Equity, Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest Beginning of Period at Dec. 28, 2013	1,606,334	346,535	1,260,817	-1,724	0	706
Shares, Issued Beginning of Period at Dec. 28, 2013	'	'	'	'	'	70,630,866
Net Income (Loss) Attributable to Parent	123,105	'	'	'	'	'
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Foreign Currency Transaction and Translation Adjustment, Net of Tax	-5,936	0	0	'	'	0
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax, Portion Attributable to Parent	-1,502	'	'	'	'	'
Stock-based compensation	12,562	12,562	0	0	'	0
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Exercises in Period	280,951	'	'	'	'	454,339
Adjustments to Additional Paid in Capital, Share-based Compensation, Stock Options, Requisite Service Period Recognition	-3,570	-3,575	0	0	0	5
Excess tax benefit on employee stock option exercises	2,051	2,051	0	0	'	0
Stockholders' Equity, Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest End of Period at Sep. 27, 2014	$1,738,980	$357,573	$1,383,922	($3,226)	$0	$711
Shares, Issued End of Period at Sep. 27, 2014	'	'	'	'	'	71,085,205

Management_Representations

Management Representations	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 27, 2014
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,” or “our”) 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 28, 2013, 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 was consolidated for all reporting periods of Cabela's 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. The credit card loans of the Trust are recorded as restricted credit card loans and the liabilities of the Trust are recorded as secured obligations.
	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 28, 2013.
	Cash and Cash Equivalents – Cash and cash equivalents of the Financial Services segment were $303,975, $94,112, and $334,832 at September 27, 2014, December 28, 2013, and September 28, 2013, 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 27, 2014 (“three months ended September 27, 2014”), the 13 weeks ended September 28, 2013 (“three months ended September 28, 2013”), the 39 weeks ended September 27, 2014 ("nine months ended September 27, 2014"), the 39 weeks ended September 28, 2013 ("nine months ended September 28, 2013"), and the 52 weeks ended December 28, 2013 ("year ended 2013"). WFB follows a calendar fiscal period and, accordingly, the respective three and nine month periods ended on September 30, 2014 and 2013, and the fiscal year ended on December 31, 2013.

Cabelas_Master_Credit_Card_Tru

Cabela's Master Credit Card Trust	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 27, 2014
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 securitizing credit card loans and issuing beneficial interests to investors. The Trust issues variable funding facilities and long-term notes (collectively referred to herein as "secured obligations of the Trust"), each of which has an undivided interest in the assets of the Trust. The Financial Services segment also owns notes issued by the Trust from some of the securitizations, which in some cases may be subordinated to other notes issued.
	The following table presents the components of the consolidated assets and liabilities of the Trust at the periods ended:
		September 27,			December 28,			September 28,
		2014			2013			2013
	Consolidated assets:
	Restricted credit card loans, net of allowance of $52,510, $52,820, and $57,030	$	3,983,821		$	3,903,410		$	3,534,814
	Restricted cash	31,808			23,191			26,009
	Total	$	4,015,629		$	3,926,601		$	3,560,823
	Consolidated liabilities:
	Secured variable funding obligations	$	—		$	50,000		$	—
	Secured long-term obligations	3,047,250			2,452,250			2,452,250
	Interest due to third party investors	2,064			1,904			2,214
	Total	$	3,049,314		$	2,504,154		$	2,454,464
	CREDIT CARD LOANS AND ALLOWANCE FOR LOAN LOSSES
	The following table reflects the composition of the credit card loans at the periods ended:
		September 27,			December 28,			September 28,
		2014			2013			2013
	Restricted credit card loans of the Trust (restricted for repayment of secured obligations of the Trust)	$	4,036,331		$	3,956,230		$	3,591,844
	Unrestricted credit card loans	22,811			29,619			27,999
	Total credit card loans	4,059,142			3,985,849			3,619,843
	Allowance for loan losses	(52,700		)	(53,110		)	(57,370		)
	Deferred credit card origination costs	4,745			5,891			4,950
	Credit card loans, net	$	4,011,187		$	3,938,630		$	3,567,423
	Allowance for Loan Losses:
	The following table reflects the activity in the allowance for loan losses by credit card segment for the periods presented:
		Three Months Ended
		27-Sep-14									28-Sep-13
		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	$	40,440		$	6,910		$	47,350		$	43,500		$	19,000		$	62,500
	Provision for loan losses	16,706			2,382			19,088			13,280			(4,876		)	8,404
	Charge-offs	(14,601		)	(3,409		)	(18,010		)	(13,841		)	(3,636		)	(17,477		)
	Recoveries	3,165			1,107			4,272			2,931			1,012			3,943
	Net charge-offs	(11,436		)	(2,302		)	(13,738		)	(10,910		)	(2,624		)	(13,534		)
	Balance, end of period	$	45,710		$	6,990		$	52,700		$	45,870		$	11,500		$	57,370
		Nine Months Ended
		27-Sep-14									28-Sep-13
		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	$	44,660		$	8,450		$	53,110		$	42,600		$	23,000		$	65,600
	Provision for loan losses	35,819			6,297			42,116			37,227			(4,197		)	33,030
	Charge-offs	(45,654		)	(10,976		)	(56,630		)	(43,894		)	(10,532		)	(54,426		)
	Recoveries	10,885			3,219			14,104			9,937			3,229			13,166
	Net charge-offs	(34,769		)	(7,757		)	(42,526		)	(33,957		)	(7,303		)	(41,260		)
	Balance, end of period	$	45,710		$	6,990		$	52,700		$	45,870		$	11,500		$	57,370
	Credit Quality Indicators, Delinquent, and Non-Accrual Loans:
	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, with the risk of loss increasing as an individual's FICO score decreases.
	The table below provides information on current, non-accrual, past due, and restructured credit card loans by class using the respective quarter FICO score at the periods ended:
	September 27, 2014:	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	$	572,619		$	1,351,772		$	2,024,315		$	30,230		$	3,978,936
	1 to 29 days past due	22,487			13,931			14,156			3,244			53,818
	30 to 59 days past due	7,663			1,369			467			1,266			10,765
	60 or more days past due	12,965			178			40			2,440			15,623
	Total past due	43,115			15,478			14,663			6,950			80,206
	Total credit card loans	$	615,734		$	1,367,250		$	2,038,978		$	37,180		$	4,059,142
	90 days or more past due and still accruing	$	6,879		$	27		$	6		$	1,164		$	8,076
	Non-accrual	—			—			—			5,144			5,144
	December 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	$	527,202		$	1,299,982		$	2,047,424		$	34,444		$	3,909,052
	1 to 29 days past due	20,702			13,421			12,953			3,962			51,038
30 to 59 days past due	7,013			1,229			296			1,641			10,179
60 or more days past due	12,445			184			31			2,920			15,580
Total past due	40,160			14,834			13,280			8,523			76,797
Total credit card loans	$	567,362		$	1,314,816		$	2,060,704		$	42,967		$	3,985,849
90 days or more past due and still accruing	$	6,637		$	36		$	17		$	1,381		$	8,071
Non-accrual	—			—			—			5,381			5,381
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
-1	Specific allowance for loan losses of $6,990 at September 27, 2014, $8,450 at December 28, 2013, and $11,500 at September 28, 2013, are included in allowance for loan losses.

Credit_Card_Loans_and_Allowanc

Credit Card Loans and Allowance For Loan Losses	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 27, 2014
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 securitizing credit card loans and issuing beneficial interests to investors. The Trust issues variable funding facilities and long-term notes (collectively referred to herein as "secured obligations of the Trust"), each of which has an undivided interest in the assets of the Trust. The Financial Services segment also owns notes issued by the Trust from some of the securitizations, which in some cases may be subordinated to other notes issued.
	The following table presents the components of the consolidated assets and liabilities of the Trust at the periods ended:
		September 27,			December 28,			September 28,
		2014			2013			2013
	Consolidated assets:
	Restricted credit card loans, net of allowance of $52,510, $52,820, and $57,030	$	3,983,821		$	3,903,410		$	3,534,814
	Restricted cash	31,808			23,191			26,009
	Total	$	4,015,629		$	3,926,601		$	3,560,823
	Consolidated liabilities:
	Secured variable funding obligations	$	—		$	50,000		$	—
	Secured long-term obligations	3,047,250			2,452,250			2,452,250
	Interest due to third party investors	2,064			1,904			2,214
	Total	$	3,049,314		$	2,504,154		$	2,454,464
	CREDIT CARD LOANS AND ALLOWANCE FOR LOAN LOSSES
	The following table reflects the composition of the credit card loans at the periods ended:
		September 27,			December 28,			September 28,
		2014			2013			2013
	Restricted credit card loans of the Trust (restricted for repayment of secured obligations of the Trust)	$	4,036,331		$	3,956,230		$	3,591,844
	Unrestricted credit card loans	22,811			29,619			27,999
	Total credit card loans	4,059,142			3,985,849			3,619,843
	Allowance for loan losses	(52,700		)	(53,110		)	(57,370		)
	Deferred credit card origination costs	4,745			5,891			4,950
	Credit card loans, net	$	4,011,187		$	3,938,630		$	3,567,423
	Allowance for Loan Losses:
	The following table reflects the activity in the allowance for loan losses by credit card segment for the periods presented:
		Three Months Ended
		27-Sep-14									28-Sep-13
		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	$	40,440		$	6,910		$	47,350		$	43,500		$	19,000		$	62,500
	Provision for loan losses	16,706			2,382			19,088			13,280			(4,876		)	8,404
	Charge-offs	(14,601		)	(3,409		)	(18,010		)	(13,841		)	(3,636		)	(17,477		)
	Recoveries	3,165			1,107			4,272			2,931			1,012			3,943
	Net charge-offs	(11,436		)	(2,302		)	(13,738		)	(10,910		)	(2,624		)	(13,534		)
	Balance, end of period	$	45,710		$	6,990		$	52,700		$	45,870		$	11,500		$	57,370
		Nine Months Ended
		27-Sep-14									28-Sep-13
		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	$	44,660		$	8,450		$	53,110		$	42,600		$	23,000		$	65,600
	Provision for loan losses	35,819			6,297			42,116			37,227			(4,197		)	33,030
	Charge-offs	(45,654		)	(10,976		)	(56,630		)	(43,894		)	(10,532		)	(54,426		)
	Recoveries	10,885			3,219			14,104			9,937			3,229			13,166
	Net charge-offs	(34,769		)	(7,757		)	(42,526		)	(33,957		)	(7,303		)	(41,260		)
	Balance, end of period	$	45,710		$	6,990		$	52,700		$	45,870		$	11,500		$	57,370
	Credit Quality Indicators, Delinquent, and Non-Accrual Loans:
	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, with the risk of loss increasing as an individual's FICO score decreases.
	The table below provides information on current, non-accrual, past due, and restructured credit card loans by class using the respective quarter FICO score at the periods ended:
	September 27, 2014:	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	$	572,619		$	1,351,772		$	2,024,315		$	30,230		$	3,978,936
	1 to 29 days past due	22,487			13,931			14,156			3,244			53,818
	30 to 59 days past due	7,663			1,369			467			1,266			10,765
	60 or more days past due	12,965			178			40			2,440			15,623
	Total past due	43,115			15,478			14,663			6,950			80,206
	Total credit card loans	$	615,734		$	1,367,250		$	2,038,978		$	37,180		$	4,059,142
	90 days or more past due and still accruing	$	6,879		$	27		$	6		$	1,164		$	8,076
	Non-accrual	—			—			—			5,144			5,144
	December 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	$	527,202		$	1,299,982		$	2,047,424		$	34,444		$	3,909,052
	1 to 29 days past due	20,702			13,421			12,953			3,962			51,038
30 to 59 days past due	7,013			1,229			296			1,641			10,179
60 or more days past due	12,445			184			31			2,920			15,580
Total past due	40,160			14,834			13,280			8,523			76,797
Total credit card loans	$	567,362		$	1,314,816		$	2,060,704		$	42,967		$	3,985,849
90 days or more past due and still accruing	$	6,637		$	36		$	17		$	1,381		$	8,071
Non-accrual	—			—			—			5,381			5,381
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
-1	Specific allowance for loan losses of $6,990 at September 27, 2014, $8,450 at December 28, 2013, and $11,500 at September 28, 2013, are included in allowance for loan losses.

Securities

Securities	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 27, 2014
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 27, 2014:
	Available-for-sale securities:
	Economic development bonds	$	67,826	$	14,515	$	—		$	82,341
	December 28, 2013:
	Available-for-sale securities:
	Economic development bonds	$	71,072	$	7,432	$	—		$	78,504
	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
	-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 27, 2014, were as follows:
		Amortized Cost		Fair Value
	For the three months ending December 27, 2014	$	1,344	$	1,895
	For the fiscal years ending:
	2015	2,132		2,920
	2016	2,677		3,526
	2017	2,704		3,404
	2018	3,324		4,121
	2019 - 2023	23,048		28,241
	2024 and thereafter	32,597		38,234
	Totals	$	67,826	$	82,341
	Interest earned on the securities totaled $2,979 and $3,089 in the nine months ended September 27, 2014, and September 28, 2013, respectively. There were no realized gains or losses on these securities in the nine months ended September 27, 2014, or September 28, 2013.

Borrowings_of_Financial_Servic

Borrowings of Financial Services Segment	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 27, 2014
Borrowings of Financial Services Subsidiary [Abstract]	'
Debt Disclosure [Text Block]	'
	BORROWINGS OF FINANCIAL SERVICES SEGMENT
	The Trust issues fixed and floating (variable) rate term securitizations, which are considered secured obligations 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 27, 2014:
	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		1.6	%	$	255,000		1.6	%
	Series 2010-II	Sep-15	127,500			2.29		85,000			0.85		212,500			1.72
	Series 2011-II	Jun-16	155,000			2.39		100,000			0.75		255,000			1.75
	Series 2011-IV	Oct-16	165,000			1.9		90,000			0.7		255,000			1.48
	Series 2012-I	Feb-17	275,000			1.63		150,000			0.68		425,000			1.3
	Series 2012-II	Jun-17	300,000			1.45		125,000			0.63		425,000			1.21
	Series 2013-I	Feb-23	327,250			2.71		—			—		327,250			2.71
	Series 2013-II	Aug-18	100,000			2.17		197,500			0.8		297,500			1.26
	Series 2014-I	Mar-17	—			—		255,000			0.5		255,000			0.5
	Series 2014-II	Sep-19	—			—		340,000			0.6		340,000			0.6
	Secured long-term obligations of the Trust		1,449,750					1,597,500					3,047,250
	Less current maturities		(127,500		)			(340,000		)			(467,500		)
	Secured long-term obligations of the Trust, less current maturities		$	1,322,250				$	1,257,500				$	2,579,750
	December 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		1.62	%	$	255,000		1.62	%
	Series 2010-II	Sep-15	127,500			2.29		85,000			0.87		212,500			1.72
	Series 2011-II	Jun-16	155,000			2.39		100,000			0.77		255,000			1.75
	Series 2011-IV	Oct-16	165,000			1.9		90,000			0.72		255,000			1.48
	Series 2012-I	Feb-17	275,000			1.63		150,000			0.7		425,000			1.3
	Series 2012-II	Jun-17	300,000			1.45		125,000			0.65		425,000			1.21
	Series 2013-I	Feb-23	327,250			2.71		—			—		327,250			2.71
	Series 2013-II	Aug-18	100,000			2.17		197,500			0.82		297,500			1.27
	Secured long-term obligations of the Trust		$	1,449,750				$	1,002,500				$	2,452,250
	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
	The Trust sold asset-backed notes of $300,000 (Series 2014-I) on March 25, 2014, and $400,000 (Series 2014-II) on July 16, 2014. The Series 2014-I securitization transaction included the issuance of $255,000 Class A notes, which accrue interest at a floating rate equal to the one-month London Interbank Offered Rate (“LIBOR”) plus 0.35% per year, and three subordinated classes of notes in the aggregate principal amount of $45,000. The Series 2014-II securitization transaction included the issuance of $340,000 Class A notes, which accrue interest at a floating rate equal to the one-month LIBOR plus 0.45% per year, and three subordinated classes of notes in the aggregate principal amount of $60,000. 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 2014-I securitization transaction has an expected life of approximately three years and a contractual maturity of approximately six years. Each class of notes issued in the Series 2014-II securitization transaction has an expected life of approximately five years and a contractual maturity of approximately eight years. These securitization transactions will be used to fund the growth in restricted credit card loans, maturities of time deposits, and future obligations of the Trust.
	The Trust also issues variable funding facilities which are considered secured obligations backed by restricted credit card loans. The Trust renewed one of its variable funding facilities on March 27, 2014, for an additional three years and increased the commitment from $350,000 to $500,000. At September 27, 2014, the Trust had three variable funding facilities with $1,025,000 in total capacity and no amounts outstanding. The variable funding facilities are scheduled to mature in March of 2015, 2016, and 2017. 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, LIBOR, 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 27, 2014, and September 28, 2013, the daily average balance outstanding on these notes was $2,198 and $33,443, with a weighted average interest rate of 0.75% and 0.78%, respectively.
	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 27, 2014, December 28, 2013, or September 28, 2013. During the nine months ended September 27, 2014, there was no daily average balance outstanding. During the nine months ended September 28, 2013, the daily average balance outstanding was $305 with a weighted average rate of 0.75%.

LongTerm_Debt_and_Capital_Leas

Long-Term Debt and Capital Leases	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 27, 2014
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 27,			December 28,			September 28,
		2014			2013			2013
	Unsecured revolving credit facility	$	340,000		$	2,932		$	200,000
	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 2015-2018 with interest at 7.20%	32,572			40,714			40,714
	Unsecured $20 million Canadian revolving credit facility	6,292			—			4,364
	Capital lease obligations payable through 2036	12,214			12,419			12,485
	Total debt	666,078			331,065			532,563
	Less current portion of debt	(8,430		)	(8,418		)	(8,414		)
	Long-term debt, less current maturities	$	657,648		$	322,647		$	524,149
	On June 18, 2014, the Company amended its credit agreement which now provides for an unsecured $775,000 revolving credit facility and permits the issuance of letters of credit up to $75,000 and swing line loans up to $30,000. The credit agreement formerly provided for a $415,000 revolving credit facility with the issuance of letters of credit up to $100,000 and a $20,000 limit on swing line loans. The credit facility may be increased to $800,000 subject to certain terms and conditions. The term of the credit facility, which formerly expired on November 2, 2016, now expires on June 18, 2019.
	During the nine months ended September 27, 2014, and September 28, 2013, the daily average principal balance outstanding on the line of credit was $47,929 and $65,030, respectively, and the weighted average interest rate was 1.47% and 1.46%, respectively. Letters of credit and standby letters of credit totaling $32,290 and $27,753 were outstanding at September 27, 2014, and September 28, 2013, respectively. The daily average outstanding amount of total letters of credit during the nine months ended September 27, 2014, and September 28, 2013, was $23,287 and $22,277, respectively.
	During the term of the $775,000 revolving credit facility, the Company is required to pay a quarterly commitment fee, which ranges from 0.15% to 0.25% (previously 0.30% before the credit agreement was amended) of the average daily unused principal balance on the line of credit. Interest on each base rate advance on this credit facility is equal to the alternate base rate, as defined, plus the applicable margin, as defined. The applicable margin is the percentage rate that is applicable at such time with respect to advances as set forth in the pricing schedule, a stratified interest rate schedule based on the Company's leverage ratio, as defined. Interest on each Eurocurrency advance on this credit facility is equal to the Eurocurrency base rate, as defined, plus the applicable margin, as defined. The applicable margin is the percentage rate that is applicable at such time with respect to advances as set forth in the pricing schedule, a stratified interest rate schedule based on the Company's leverage ratio, as defined.
	The credit agreement requires that Cabela’s comply with certain financial and other customary covenants, including:
	•	a fixed charge coverage ratio (as defined) of no less than 2.00 to 1 as of the last day of any fiscal quarter for the most recently ended four fiscal quarters (as defined);
	•	a leverage ratio (as defined) of no more than 3.00 to 1 as of the last day of any fiscal quarter; and
	•	a minimum consolidated net worth standard (as defined) as of the last day of each fiscal quarter (previously "at all times" before the credit agreement was amended).
	The Company also has an unsecured $20,000 Canadian ("CAD") revolving credit facility for its operations in Canada. Borrowings are payable on demand with interest payable monthly. This credit facility permits the issuance of letters of credit up to $10,000 CAD in the aggregate, which reduces the overall available credit limit.
	At September 27, 2014, the Company was in compliance with the financial covenant requirements of its $775,000 credit agreement with a fixed charge coverage ratio of 8.39 to 1 (minimum requirement is 2.00 to 1), a leverage ratio of 1.11 to 1 (requirement is no more than 3.00 to 1), and a consolidated net worth that was $594,301 in excess of the minimum. At September 27, 2014, the Company was in compliance with all financial covenants under its credit agreements and unsecured notes. 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.

Income_Taxes

Income Taxes	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 27, 2014
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 27,		September 28,		September 27,		September 28,
		2014		2013		2014		2013
	Statutory federal rate	35	%	35	%	35	%	35	%
	State income taxes, net of federal tax benefit	2.2		1.4		2		1.4
	Other nondeductible items	0.4		0.2		0.4		0.2
	Tax exempt interest income	(0.6	)	(0.5	)	(0.5	)	(0.4	)
	Rate differential on foreign income	2.8		(5.2	)	0.9		(4.2	)
	Change in unrecognized tax benefits	—		(0.8	)	(1.0	)	—
	Other, net	0.2		1.2		0.5		—
	Effective income tax rate	40	%	31.3	%	37.3	%	32	%
	The increases in our effective tax rate comparing the three and nine months ended September 27, 2014, to the respective 2013 periods are due to an increase of $3,872 related to tax adjustments attributable to changes in the mix of prior year taxable income between the United States and foreign tax jurisdictions and an increase in our state effective tax rate.
	As of September 27, 2014, cash and cash equivalents held by our foreign subsidiaries totaled $19,770. Our intent is to permanently reinvest these funds outside the United States for capital expansion. Based on the Company's current projected capital needs and the current amount of cash and cash equivalents held by our foreign subsidiaries, we do not anticipate incurring any material tax costs beyond our accrued tax position in connection with any repatriation, but we may be required to accrue for unanticipated additional tax costs in the future if our expectations or the amount of cash held by our foreign subsidiaries change.
	In the three months ended September 27, 2014, the Company paid a deposit of $50,000 for federal taxes related to prior period uncertain tax positions. Prior to 2013, the Company paid a total of $53,418 as deposits for federal taxes related to prior period uncertain tax positions for a total of $103,418 in deposits outstanding. These deposits were classified as a current asset netted within income taxes receivable and deferred income taxes in the condensed consolidated balance sheets.
	The Company's tax years 2007 through 2011 are under examination by the Internal Revenue Service ("IRS"). In late 2012, the IRS issued a revenue agent report summarizing its determination of the adjustments required to the 2007 and 2008 income tax returns. We disagree with the adjustments made by the IRS in their revenue agent report and are currently appealing the adjustments. We expect the appeals process for the 2007 and 2008 tax years to be completed within the next 12 months. We do not expect the examination and related appeal for the 2009, 2010, and 2011 tax years to be completed within the next 12 months. We have reserved for potential adjustments for income taxes that may result from examinations by the tax authorities, and we believe that the final outcome of these examinations or agreements will not have a material effect on the Company's financial condition, results of operations, or cash flows.
	The balance of unrecognized tax benefits, classified as other long-term liabilities in the condensed consolidated balance sheets, totaled $79,490, $64,800, and $42,215 at September 27, 2014, December 28, 2013, and September 28, 2013, respectively. The changes comparing the respective periods were due primarily to our assessments of uncertain tax positions related to prior period tax positions. Since the Company is routinely under audit by various taxing authorities, and the Company expects to resolve the tax issues at appeals for the 2007 and 2008 examination years in 2015, it is reasonably possible that the amount of unrecognized tax benefits will change during the next 12 months. However, we do not expect the change, if any, to have a material effect on the Company's consolidated financial condition or results of operations within the next 12 months.

Commitments_and_Contingencies

Commitments and Contingencies	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 27, 2014
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 January 2041. Rent expense on these leases as well as other month to month rentals was $6,146 and $14,050 in the three and nine months ended September 27, 2014, compared to $3,955 and $10,843 in the three and nine months ended September 28, 2013.
	The following is a schedule of future minimum rental payments under operating leases at September 27, 2014:
	For the three months ending December 27, 2014	$	5,863
	For the fiscal years ending:
	2015	22,493
	2016	23,061
	2017	22,605
	2018	29,073
	Thereafter	305,012
	Total	$	408,107
	The Company leases 25 of its retail store sites. Certain of these leases include tenant allowances that are amortized over the life of the lease. The Company received $7,243 in tenant allowances in the nine months ended September 27, 2014, and $4,950 during the nine months ended September 28, 2013. The Company does not expect to receive any additional tenant allowances under leases during the remainder of 2014. 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 27, 2014, the Company estimated it had total cash commitments of approximately $609,500 outstanding for projected expenditures related to the development, construction, and completion of new retail stores and a new distribution center. This amount excludes any estimated costs associated with new stores where the Company does not have a commitment as of September 27, 2014. We expect to fund these estimated capital expenditures over the next 12 months with cash generated from operations and borrowings.
	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 27, 2014, the total amount of grant funding subject to a specific contractual remedy was $44,231. No grant funding was received in the nine months ended September 27, 2014. At September 27, 2014, December 28, 2013, and September 28, 2013, the amount the Company had recorded in liabilities in the condensed consolidated balance sheets relating to these grants was $22,650, $22,536, and $6,673, respectively.
	The Company operates an open account document instructions program, which provides for Cabela's-issued letters of credit. We had obligations to pay participating vendors $63,352, $48,409, and $60,579 at September 27, 2014, December 28, 2013, and September 28, 2013, 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 $29,360,000, $25,255,000, and $25,093,000 at September 27, 2014, December 28, 2013, and September 28, 2013, 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.
	Visa Litigation Settlement – 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 violated United States antitrust laws by conspiring to fix the level of interchange fees. In July 2012, the parties to this litigation entered into a settlement agreement to resolve the claims brought by the class members. On December 13, 2013, the settlement received final court approval. The settlement agreement required, 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. The remaining related liability of $951 was settled in the second quarter of 2014. Therefore, at September 27, 2014, no liability was outstanding for this settlement compared to $4,687 at December 28, 2013, and $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 conduct compliance examinations and impose penalties for violations of these laws and regulations and, in some cases, to order WFB to pay restitution. For example, the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation ("FDIC") conducted compliance examinations in 2009, 2011, and 2013 and found that certain practices of WFB were improper. As a result of these compliance examinations, the FDIC issued consent orders and WFB was required to take corrective action and pay restitution and civil money penalties. 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 proceedings 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. Although the Company disputes these allegations, the Company recently entered into preliminary settlement negotiations with the EEOC to resolve this matter. At the present time, the Company believes that it is probable that it will incur a loss related to the EEOC matter, but given the early stage of the settlement negotiations, the lack of any specific monetary demand from the EEOC, and the ongoing nature and complexity of this matter, the Company cannot reasonably estimate any loss or range of loss that may arise from this matter. Accordingly, the Company has not accrued a liability related to the EEOC matter. Although the Company does not presently believe that the EEOC matter will have a material adverse effect on its business, given the inherent uncertainties in this situation, the Company can provide no assurance that this matter will not be material to its business in the future.

StockBased_Compensation_Plans_

Stock-Based Compensation Plans and Employee Benefit Plans	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 27, 2014
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 $4,484 and $13,049 for the three and nine months ended September 27, 2014, and $3,837 and $11,150 for the three and nine months ended September 28, 2013. 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 27, 2014, the total unrecognized deferred stock-based compensation balance for all equity awards issued, net of expected forfeitures, was $29,663, net of tax, which is expected to be amortized over a weighted average period of 2.8 years.
	2013 Stock Plan – The Cabela's Incorporated 2013 Stock Plan (the "2013 Stock Plan"), which replaced the Company's 2004 Stock Plan, 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 27, 2014, the maximum number of shares available for awards under the 2013 Stock Plan was 3,334,274.
	As of September 27, 2014, there were 2,734,674 awards outstanding under the 2004 Stock Plan and 665,726 awards outstanding under the 2013 Stock Plan. To the extent available, we will issue treasury shares for the exercise of stock options before issuing new shares.
	Option Awards – During the nine months ended September 27, 2014, there were 194,905 NSOs granted to employees at an exercise price of $66.32 per share. These options have an eight-year term and vest over four years. In addition, on March 2, 2014, the Company also issued 64,000 premium-priced NSOs to its President and Chief Executive Officer at an exercise price of $76.27 (which was equal to 115% of the closing price of the Company's common stock on the New York Stock Exchange on February 28, 2014). The premium-priced NSOs vest in three equal annual installments beginning on March 2, 2017, and expire on March 2, 2022.
	During the nine months ended September 27, 2014, the Company granted 40,000 NSOs to non-employee directors at a weighted average exercise price of $61.53 per share. These options have an eight-year term and vest over one year.
	During the nine months ended September 27, 2014, there were 280,951 options exercised. The aggregate intrinsic value of awards exercised was $18,435 and $17,854 during the nine months ended September 27, 2014, and September 28, 2013, respectively. Based on the Company's closing stock price of $58.49 at September 27, 2014, the total number of in-the-money awards exercisable as of September 27, 2014, was 1,921,295.
	Nonvested Stock and Stock Unit Awards – During the nine months ended September 27, 2014, the Company issued 291,705 units of nonvested stock to employees at a weighted average fair value of $66.28 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, 2014, the Company also issued 51,050 units of performance-based restricted stock units to certain executives at a fair value of $66.32 per unit. These performance-based restricted stock units will begin vesting in four equal annual installments on March 2, 2015, if the performance criteria are achieved.
	On June 5, 2014, the Company granted 409 units of nonvested stock to a non-employee director of WFB under the 2013 Stock Plan at a fair value of $61.23 per unit. These nonvested stock units vest over one year.
	Employee Stock Purchase Plan – During the nine months ended September 27, 2014, there were 52,830 shares issued under the Cabela's Incorporated 2013 Employee Stock Purchase Plan (the "2013 ESPP"). As of September 27, 2014, there were 1,917,355 shares of common stock authorized and available for issuance under the 2013 ESPP.

Stockholders_Equity_and_Divide

Stockholders' Equity and Dividend Restrictions	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 27, 2014
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. In April 2014, WFB paid a $40,000 dividend to Cabela's. At September 27, 2014, the Company had unrestricted retained earnings of $229,377 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 (Loss) – The components of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), net of related taxes, are as follows for the periods ended:
		September 27,				December 28,			September 28,
		2014				2013			2013
	Accumulated net unrealized holding gains on economic development bonds	$	9,116			$	4,682		$	5,142
	Cumulative foreign currency translation adjustments	(12,342		)		(6,406		)	(340		)
	Total accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)	$	(3,226	)		$	(1,724	)	$	4,802
	Treasury Stock – The Company announced on February 13, 2014, its intent to repurchase up to 650,000 shares of its common stock in open market transactions through February 2015. There is no guarantee as to the exact number of shares that we will repurchase. During the three and nine months ended September 27, 2014, there were no shares repurchased. There were 650,000 shares remaining to be purchased at September 27, 2014, under the February 2014 repurchase program.
	The following table reconciles the Company's treasury stock activity for the periods presented.
		Three Months Ended						Nine Months Ended
		September 27,			September 28,			September 27,		September 28,
		2014			2013			2014		2013
	Balance, beginning of period	—			13,737			—		492,414
	Purchase of treasury stock at cost (1)	—			17,439			—		181,179
	Treasury shares issued on exercise of stock options and share-based payment awards	—			(30,946	)		—		(673,363	)
	Balance, end of period	—			230			—		230
	-1	Reflects common stock withheld (under the terms of grants pursuant to a stock compensation plan) totaling 17,439 shares to offset tax withholding obligations upon the vesting and release of restricted shares on July 7, 2013.

Earnings_Per_Share

Earnings Per Share	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 27, 2014
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 27,	September 28,	September 27,	September 28,
		2014	2013	2014	2013
	Common shares – basic	71,068,933	70,575,804	70,957,321	70,412,479
	Effect of incremental dilutive securities:
	Stock options, nonvested stock units, and employee stock purchase plans	624,203	1,182,097	928,151	1,305,415
	Common shares – diluted	71,693,136	71,757,901	71,885,472	71,717,894
	Stock options outstanding and nonvested stock units issued considered anti-dilutive excluded from calculation	730,139	37,582	574,234	12,527

Supplemental_Cash_Flow_Informa

Supplemental Cash Flow Information	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 27, 2014
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 27,			September 28,
		2014			2013
	Non-cash financing and investing activities:
	Accrued property and equipment additions (1)	$	52,917		$	49,007
	Depreciation adjustment reducing deferred grant income	(831		)	—
	Other cash flow information:
	Interest paid (2)	$	62,790		$	58,778
	Capitalized interest	(6,047		)	(2,942		)
	Interest paid, net of capitalized interest	$	56,743		$	55,836
	Income taxes paid, net of refunds	$	106,672		$	52,532
	-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 $47,910 and $45,987, respectively.

Segment_Reporting

Segment Reporting	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 27, 2014
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. 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. Operating costs by segment consist primarily of:
	•	labor, advertising, depreciation, and retail store related occupancy costs for the Retail segment;
	•	direct marketing costs (e-commerce advertising and catalog costs) and order processing costs for the Direct segment;
	•	advertising and promotion, license fees, third party services for processing credit card transactions, employee compensation and benefits, and other general and administrative costs for the Financial Services segment; and
	•	unallocated shared-service costs, operations of various ancillary subsidiaries such as real estate development and travel, and segment eliminations for the Corporate Overhead and Other segment. 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. Depreciation, amortization, and property and equipment expenditures are recognized in each respective segment. Major assets by segment include:
	•	Retail segment – inventory in the retail stores, land, buildings, fixtures, and leasehold improvements, and goodwill. The balance of goodwill in the Retail segment totaled $3,157, $3,295, and $3,406 at September 27, 2014, December 28, 2013, and September 28, 2013, respectively. The change in the carrying value of goodwill between periods was due to foreign currency adjustments.
	•	Direct segment – fixed assets and deferred catalog costs.
	•	Financial Services segment – cash, credit card loans, restricted cash, receivables, fixtures, and other assets. Cash and cash equivalents of the Financial Services segment were $303,975, $94,112, and $334,832 at September 27, 2014, December 28, 2013, and September 28, 2013, respectively.
	•	Corporate Overhead and Other segment – 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.
	Under an Intercompany Agreement, the Financial Services segment pays to the Retail and Direct segments a fixed license fee that includes 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 promotional costs, which are recorded as a reduction to Financial Services segment revenue and as a reduction to merchandise costs associated with the Retail and Direct segments. Beginning in the second quarter of 2014, this reimbursement from our Financial Services segment to our Retail and Direct segments for certain promotional costs has been adjusted to eliminate in consolidation. Prior periods have not been adjusted.
	Also, if the total risk-based capital ratio of WFB is greater than 13% at any quarter end, the Financial Services segment must pay an additional license fee to the Retail and Direct business segments equal to 50% of the amount that the total risk-based capital ratio exceeds 13%. At March 31, 2014, the total risk-based capital ratio of WFB exceeded this 13% threshold; therefore, an additional license fee of $10,945 was paid in April 2014 by the Financial Services segment to the Retail ($6,676) and Direct ($4,269) segments and was classified in selling, distribution, and administrative expenses.
	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 27, 2014:
	Merchandise sales	$	598,103			$	175,335			$	—		$	—			$	773,438
	Non-merchandise revenue:
	Financial Services	—				—				104,236			—				104,236
	Other	583				—				—			2,849				3,432
	Total revenue before intersegment eliminations	598,686				175,335				104,236			2,849				881,106
	Intersegment revenue eliminated in consolidation	—				—				4,896			—				4,896
	Total revenue as reported	$	598,686			$	175,335			$	109,132		$	2,849			$	886,002
	Operating income (loss)	$	108,552			$	18,236			$	28,158		$	(61,031	)		$	93,915
	As a percentage of revenue	18.1		%		10.4		%		27		%	N/A				10.6		%
	Depreciation and amortization	$	17,427			$	1,228			$	391		$	10,257			$	29,303
	Assets	1,568,243				254,074				4,447,850			945,297				7,215,464
	Property and equipment additions including accrued amounts	73,545				21				289			28,165				102,020
	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
	Property and equipment additions including accrued amounts	82,468				3				253			16,995				99,719
													Corporate Overhead and Other
										Financial Services
		Retail				Direct											Total
	Nine Months Ended September 27, 2014:
	Merchandise sales	$	1,538,634			$	501,867			$	—		$	—			$	2,040,501
	Non-merchandise revenue:
	Financial Services	—				—				307,402			—				307,402
	Other	1,437				—				—			14,014				15,451
	Total revenue before intersegment eliminations	1,540,071				501,867				307,402			14,014				2,363,354
	Intersegment revenue eliminated in consolidation	—				—				9,672			—				9,672
	Total revenue as reported	$	1,540,071			$	501,867			$	317,074		$	14,014			$	2,373,026
	Operating income (loss)	$	260,656			$	75,429			$	84,847		$	(214,173	)		$	206,759
	As a percentage of revenue	16.9		%		15		%		27.6		%	N/A				8.7		%
	Depreciation and amortization	$	49,473			$	3,684			$	1,149		$	28,242			$	82,548
	Assets	1,568,243				254,074				4,447,850			945,297				7,215,464
	Property and equipment additions including accrued amounts	237,580				134				1,276			78,967				317,957
	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
Property and equipment additions including accrued amounts	202,245				103				1,153			43,562				247,063
The following table sets forth the components of Financial Services revenue for the periods presented:
	Three Months Ended								Nine Months Ended
	September 27,				September 28,				September 27,			September 28,
	2014				2013				2014			2013
Interest and fee income	$	103,333			$	87,945			$	292,204		$	250,383
Interest expense	(16,155		)		(17,075		)		(47,845		)	(46,863		)
Provision for loan losses	(19,088		)		(8,404		)		(42,116		)	(33,030		)
Net interest income, net of provision for loan losses	68,090				62,466				202,243			170,490
Non-interest income:
Interchange income	93,817				88,963				267,756			252,290
Other non-interest income	999				1,430				2,621			4,113
Total non-interest income	94,816				90,393				270,377			256,403
Less: Customer rewards costs	(53,774		)		(54,456		)		(155,546		)	(154,140		)
Financial Services revenue	$	109,132			$	98,403			$	317,074		$	272,753
The following table sets forth the percentage of our merchandise revenue contributed by major product categories for our Retail and Direct segments and in total for the three and nine months ended September 27, 2014, and September 28, 2013.
Three Months Ended:	Retail						Direct					Total
	2014			2013			2014			2013		2014			2013
Product Category:
Hunting Equipment	48.6	%		51.1	%		43.4	%		47.6	%	47.3	%		50.2	%
General Outdoors	30.7			28.3			30.4			27.8		30.6			28.2
Clothing and Footwear	20.7			20.6			26.2			24.6		22.1			21.6
Total	100	%		100	%		100	%		100	%	100	%		100	%
Nine Months Ended:	Retail						Direct					Total
	2014			2013			2014			2013		2014			2013
Product Category:
Hunting Equipment	46.9	%		52.1	%		38.7	%		45.2	%	44.8	%		50.2	%
General Outdoors	33.1			29.3			35.6			30.9		33.8			29.7
Clothing and Footwear	20			18.6			25.7			23.9		21.4			20.1
Total	100	%		100	%		100	%		100	%	100	%		100	%

Fair_Value_Measurements

Fair Value Measurements	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 27, 2014
Fair Value Measurements [Abstract]	'
Fair Value Disclosures [Text Block]	'
	FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS
	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 27, 2014, the 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 27, 2014, and September 28, 2013, there were no transfers in or out of Levels 1, 2, or 3.
	The Company's recurring financial instruments classified as Level 3 for valuation purposes consists of economic development bonds. 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 27,			September 28,			September 27,			September 28,
		2014			2013			2014			2013
	Balance, beginning of period	$	78,429		$	79,043		$	78,504		$	85,041
	Total gains or losses:
	Included in earnings - realized	—			—			—			—
	Included in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) - unrealized	4,736			1,043			7,083			(2,334		)
	Valuation adjustments	—			—			—			—
	Purchases, issuances, and settlements:
	Purchases	—			—			—			—
	Issuances	—			—			—			—
	Settlements	(824		)	(826		)	(3,246		)	(3,447		)
	Total	(824		)	(826		)	(3,246		)	(3,447		)
	Balance, end of period	$	82,341		$	79,260		$	82,341		$	79,260
	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 we consider 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. For the three and nine months ended September 27, 2014, and September 28, 2013, there were no other than temporary fair value adjustments of economic development bonds and no adjustments of deferred grant income related to economic development bonds.
	We evaluate the recoverability of property and equipment, other property, and goodwill and intangibles whenever indicators of impairment exist using significant unobservable inputs. This evaluation included existing store locations and future retail store sites.
	On February 4, 2014, a U. S. district court (the "Court") entered a judgment against the Company in the amount of $13,625 relating to litigation regarding a breach of a retail store radius restriction. At December 28, 2013, pursuant to this judgment, the Company recognized a liability of $14,125, including an estimated amount for legal fees and costs, in its consolidated balance sheet. The Company is currently in the process of appealing the Court's ruling. On March 21, 2014, through a supplemental judgment, the Court ordered that the Company pay interest in the amount of $1,062 to the plaintiff. At September 27, 2014, our liability relating to this judgment totaled $15,707, which included an additional amount for estimated legal fees and costs. The increase to this liability resulted in the Company recording an increase to the carrying amount of the related retail store property through a reduction in deferred grant income by the additional amounts accrued, plus legal and other costs. The additional depreciation adjustment that reduced the deferred grant income of this retail store property resulted in an increase in depreciation expense of $831 that was recognized in the three months ended March 29, 2014. This increase in depreciation expense was included in selling, distribution, and administrative expenses in the condensed consolidated statements of income and was recorded to the Retail segment. There was no additional depreciation expense adjustment recognized after March 29, 2014.
	The Company recognized an impairment loss of $937 during 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.
	Local economic trends, government regulations, and other restrictions where we own properties may impact management projections that could change undiscounted cash flows in future periods which could trigger possible future write downs.
	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 27, 2014						December 28, 2013						September 28, 2013
		Carrying Value			Estimated Fair Value			Carrying Value			Estimated Fair Value			Carrying Value		Estimated Fair Value
	Financial Assets:
	Credit card loans, net	$	4,011,187		$	4,011,187		$	3,938,630		$	3,938,630		$	3,567,423	$	3,567,423
	Held-to-maturity investment securities	—			—			—			—			135,000		135,003
	Financial Liabilities:
	Time deposits	830,409			828,579			1,069,362			1,070,831			1,147,978		1,153,801
	Secured long-term obligations of the Trust	3,047,250			2,996,236			2,452,250			2,405,494			2,452,250		2,320,576
	Long-term debt	666,078			688,282			331,065			363,848			532,563		565,280
	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.
	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.

Cabelas_Master_Credit_Card_Tru1

Cabela's Master Credit Card Trust (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 27, 2014
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 27,		December 28,		September 28,
		2014		2013		2013
	Consolidated assets:
	Restricted credit card loans, net of allowance of $52,510, $52,820, and $57,030	$	3,983,821	$	3,903,410	$	3,534,814
	Restricted cash	31,808		23,191		26,009
	Total	$	4,015,629	$	3,926,601	$	3,560,823
	Consolidated liabilities:
	Secured variable funding obligations	$	—	$	50,000	$	—
	Secured long-term obligations	3,047,250		2,452,250		2,452,250
	Interest due to third party investors	2,064		1,904		2,214
	Total	$	3,049,314	$	2,504,154	$	2,454,464

Credit_Card_Loans_and_Allowanc1

Credit Card Loans and Allowance For Loan Losses Credit Card Loans (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 27, 2014
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 27,			December 28,			September 28,
		2014			2013			2013
	Restricted credit card loans of the Trust (restricted for repayment of secured obligations of the Trust)	$	4,036,331		$	3,956,230		$	3,591,844
	Unrestricted credit card loans	22,811			29,619			27,999
	Total credit card loans	4,059,142			3,985,849			3,619,843
	Allowance for loan losses	(52,700		)	(53,110		)	(57,370		)
	Deferred credit card origination costs	4,745			5,891			4,950
	Credit card loans, net	$	4,011,187		$	3,938,630		$	3,567,423
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
		27-Sep-14									28-Sep-13
		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	$	40,440		$	6,910		$	47,350		$	43,500		$	19,000		$	62,500
	Provision for loan losses	16,706			2,382			19,088			13,280			(4,876		)	8,404
	Charge-offs	(14,601		)	(3,409		)	(18,010		)	(13,841		)	(3,636		)	(17,477		)
	Recoveries	3,165			1,107			4,272			2,931			1,012			3,943
	Net charge-offs	(11,436		)	(2,302		)	(13,738		)	(10,910		)	(2,624		)	(13,534		)
	Balance, end of period	$	45,710		$	6,990		$	52,700		$	45,870		$	11,500		$	57,370
		Nine Months Ended
		27-Sep-14									28-Sep-13
		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	$	44,660		$	8,450		$	53,110		$	42,600		$	23,000		$	65,600
	Provision for loan losses	35,819			6,297			42,116			37,227			(4,197		)	33,030
	Charge-offs	(45,654		)	(10,976		)	(56,630		)	(43,894		)	(10,532		)	(54,426		)
	Recoveries	10,885			3,219			14,104			9,937			3,229			13,166
	Net charge-offs	(34,769		)	(7,757		)	(42,526		)	(33,957		)	(7,303		)	(41,260		)
	Balance, end of period	$	45,710		$	6,990		$	52,700		$	45,870		$	11,500		$	57,370
Financing Receivable Credit Quality Indicators [Table Text Block]	'
	The table below provides information on current, non-accrual, past due, and restructured credit card loans by class using the respective quarter FICO score at the periods ended:
	September 27, 2014:	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	$	572,619		$	1,351,772		$	2,024,315		$	30,230		$	3,978,936
	1 to 29 days past due	22,487			13,931			14,156			3,244			53,818
	30 to 59 days past due	7,663			1,369			467			1,266			10,765
	60 or more days past due	12,965			178			40			2,440			15,623
	Total past due	43,115			15,478			14,663			6,950			80,206
	Total credit card loans	$	615,734		$	1,367,250		$	2,038,978		$	37,180		$	4,059,142
	90 days or more past due and still accruing	$	6,879		$	27		$	6		$	1,164		$	8,076
	Non-accrual	—			—			—			5,144			5,144
	December 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	$	527,202		$	1,299,982		$	2,047,424		$	34,444		$	3,909,052
	1 to 29 days past due	20,702			13,421			12,953			3,962			51,038
	30 to 59 days past due	7,013			1,229			296			1,641			10,179
	60 or more days past due	12,445			184			31			2,920			15,580
	Total past due	40,160			14,834			13,280			8,523			76,797
	Total credit card loans	$	567,362		$	1,314,816		$	2,060,704		$	42,967		$	3,985,849
	90 days or more past due and still accruing	$	6,637		$	36		$	17		$	1,381		$	8,071
	Non-accrual	—			—			—			5,381			5,381
	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
	-1	Specific allowance for loan losses of $6,990 at September 27, 2014, $8,450 at December 28, 2013, and $11,500 at September 28, 2013, are included in allowance for loan losses.

Securities_Tables

Securities (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 27, 2014
Securities [Abstract]	'
Available-for-sale Securities [Table Text Block]	'
	:
		Amortized Cost		Gross Unrealized Gains		Gross Unrealized Losses			Fair Value
	September 27, 2014:
	Available-for-sale securities:
	Economic development bonds	$	67,826	$	14,515	$	—		$	82,341
	December 28, 2013:
	Available-for-sale securities:
	Economic development bonds	$	71,072	$	7,432	$	—		$	78,504
	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
	-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 27, 2014, were as follows:
		Amortized Cost		Fair Value
	For the three months ending December 27, 2014	$	1,344	$	1,895
	For the fiscal years ending:
	2015	2,132		2,920
	2016	2,677		3,526
	2017	2,704		3,404
	2018	3,324		4,121
	2019 - 2023	23,048		28,241
	2024 and thereafter	32,597		38,234
	Totals	$	67,826	$	82,341

Borrowings_of_Financial_Servic1

Borrowings of Financial Services Segment (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 27, 2014
Borrowings of the Financial Services Segment [Abstract]	'
Schedule of Assets and Associated Liabilities Accounted for as Secured Borrowings [Table Text Block]	'
	September 27, 2014:
	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		1.6	%	$	255,000		1.6	%
	Series 2010-II	Sep-15	127,500			2.29		85,000			0.85		212,500			1.72
	Series 2011-II	Jun-16	155,000			2.39		100,000			0.75		255,000			1.75
	Series 2011-IV	Oct-16	165,000			1.9		90,000			0.7		255,000			1.48
	Series 2012-I	Feb-17	275,000			1.63		150,000			0.68		425,000			1.3
	Series 2012-II	Jun-17	300,000			1.45		125,000			0.63		425,000			1.21
	Series 2013-I	Feb-23	327,250			2.71		—			—		327,250			2.71
	Series 2013-II	Aug-18	100,000			2.17		197,500			0.8		297,500			1.26
	Series 2014-I	Mar-17	—			—		255,000			0.5		255,000			0.5
	Series 2014-II	Sep-19	—			—		340,000			0.6		340,000			0.6
	Secured long-term obligations of the Trust		1,449,750					1,597,500					3,047,250
	Less current maturities		(127,500		)			(340,000		)			(467,500		)
	Secured long-term obligations of the Trust, less current maturities		$	1,322,250				$	1,257,500				$	2,579,750
	December 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		1.62	%	$	255,000		1.62	%
	Series 2010-II	Sep-15	127,500			2.29		85,000			0.87		212,500			1.72
	Series 2011-II	Jun-16	155,000			2.39		100,000			0.77		255,000			1.75
	Series 2011-IV	Oct-16	165,000			1.9		90,000			0.72		255,000			1.48
	Series 2012-I	Feb-17	275,000			1.63		150,000			0.7		425,000			1.3
	Series 2012-II	Jun-17	300,000			1.45		125,000			0.65		425,000			1.21
	Series 2013-I	Feb-23	327,250			2.71		—			—		327,250			2.71
	Series 2013-II	Aug-18	100,000			2.17		197,500			0.82		297,500			1.27
	Secured long-term obligations of the Trust		$	1,449,750				$	1,002,500				$	2,452,250
	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

LongTerm_Debt_and_Capital_Leas1

Long-Term Debt and Capital Leases (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 27, 2014
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 27,			December 28,			September 28,
		2014			2013			2013
	Unsecured revolving credit facility	$	340,000		$	2,932		$	200,000
	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 2015-2018 with interest at 7.20%	32,572			40,714			40,714
	Unsecured $20 million Canadian revolving credit facility	6,292			—			4,364
	Capital lease obligations payable through 2036	12,214			12,419			12,485
	Total debt	666,078			331,065			532,563
	Less current portion of debt	(8,430		)	(8,418		)	(8,414		)
	Long-term debt, less current maturities	$	657,648		$	322,647		$	524,149

Income_Taxes_Tables

Income Taxes (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 27, 2014
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 27,		September 28,		September 27,		September 28,
		2014		2013		2014		2013
	Statutory federal rate	35	%	35	%	35	%	35	%
	State income taxes, net of federal tax benefit	2.2		1.4		2		1.4
	Other nondeductible items	0.4		0.2		0.4		0.2
	Tax exempt interest income	(0.6	)	(0.5	)	(0.5	)	(0.4	)
	Rate differential on foreign income	2.8		(5.2	)	0.9		(4.2	)
	Change in unrecognized tax benefits	—		(0.8	)	(1.0	)	—
	Other, net	0.2		1.2		0.5		—
	Effective income tax rate	40	%	31.3	%	37.3	%	32	%

Commitments_and_Contingencies_

Commitments and Contingencies (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 27, 2014
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 27, 2014:
	For the three months ending December 27, 2014	$	5,863
	For the fiscal years ending:
	2015	22,493
	2016	23,061
	2017	22,605
	2018	29,073
	Thereafter	305,012
	Total	$	408,107

Stockholders_Equity_and_Divide1

Stockholders' Equity and Dividend Restrictions (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 27, 2014
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 27,			September 28,			September 27,		September 28,
		2014			2013			2014		2013
	Balance, beginning of period	—			13,737			—		492,414
	Purchase of treasury stock at cost (1)	—			17,439			—		181,179
	Treasury shares issued on exercise of stock options and share-based payment awards	—			(30,946	)		—		(673,363	)
	Balance, end of period	—			230			—		230
Schedule of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Table Text Block]	'
	The components of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), net of related taxes, are as follows for the periods ended:
		September 27,				December 28,			September 28,
		2014				2013			2013
	Accumulated net unrealized holding gains on economic development bonds	$	9,116			$	4,682		$	5,142
	Cumulative foreign currency translation adjustments	(12,342		)		(6,406		)	(340		)
	Total accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)	$	(3,226	)		$	(1,724	)	$	4,802

Earnings_Per_Share_Tables

Earnings Per Share (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 27, 2014
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 27,	September 28,	September 27,	September 28,
		2014	2013	2014	2013
	Common shares – basic	71,068,933	70,575,804	70,957,321	70,412,479
	Effect of incremental dilutive securities:
	Stock options, nonvested stock units, and employee stock purchase plans	624,203	1,182,097	928,151	1,305,415
	Common shares – diluted	71,693,136	71,757,901	71,885,472	71,717,894
	Stock options outstanding and nonvested stock units issued considered anti-dilutive excluded from calculation	730,139	37,582	574,234	12,527

Supplemental_Cash_Flow_Informa1

Supplemental Cash Flow Information (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 27, 2014
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 27,			September 28,
		2014			2013
	Non-cash financing and investing activities:
	Accrued property and equipment additions (1)	$	52,917		$	49,007
	Depreciation adjustment reducing deferred grant income	(831		)	—
	Other cash flow information:
	Interest paid (2)	$	62,790		$	58,778
	Capitalized interest	(6,047		)	(2,942		)
	Interest paid, net of capitalized interest	$	56,743		$	55,836
	Income taxes paid, net of refunds	$	106,672		$	52,532
	-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 $47,910 and $45,987, respectively.

Segment_Reporting_Tables

Segment Reporting (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 27, 2014
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 27, 2014:
	Merchandise sales	$	598,103			$	175,335			$	—		$	—			$	773,438
	Non-merchandise revenue:
	Financial Services	—				—				104,236			—				104,236
	Other	583				—				—			2,849				3,432
	Total revenue before intersegment eliminations	598,686				175,335				104,236			2,849				881,106
	Intersegment revenue eliminated in consolidation	—				—				4,896			—				4,896
	Total revenue as reported	$	598,686			$	175,335			$	109,132		$	2,849			$	886,002
	Operating income (loss)	$	108,552			$	18,236			$	28,158		$	(61,031	)		$	93,915
	As a percentage of revenue	18.1		%		10.4		%		27		%	N/A				10.6		%
	Depreciation and amortization	$	17,427			$	1,228			$	391		$	10,257			$	29,303
	Assets	1,568,243				254,074				4,447,850			945,297				7,215,464
	Property and equipment additions including accrued amounts	73,545				21				289			28,165				102,020
	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
	Property and equipment additions including accrued amounts	82,468				3				253			16,995				99,719
													Corporate Overhead and Other
										Financial Services
		Retail				Direct											Total
	Nine Months Ended September 27, 2014:
	Merchandise sales	$	1,538,634			$	501,867			$	—		$	—			$	2,040,501
	Non-merchandise revenue:
	Financial Services	—				—				307,402			—				307,402
	Other	1,437				—				—			14,014				15,451
	Total revenue before intersegment eliminations	1,540,071				501,867				307,402			14,014				2,363,354
	Intersegment revenue eliminated in consolidation	—				—				9,672			—				9,672
	Total revenue as reported	$	1,540,071			$	501,867			$	317,074		$	14,014			$	2,373,026
	Operating income (loss)	$	260,656			$	75,429			$	84,847		$	(214,173	)		$	206,759
	As a percentage of revenue	16.9		%		15		%		27.6		%	N/A				8.7		%
	Depreciation and amortization	$	49,473			$	3,684			$	1,149		$	28,242			$	82,548
	Assets	1,568,243				254,074				4,447,850			945,297				7,215,464
	Property and equipment additions including accrued amounts	237,580				134				1,276			78,967				317,957
	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
	Property and equipment additions including accrued amounts	202,245				103				1,153			43,562				247,063
Revenue Components of Financial Services Segment [Table Text Block]	'
	periods presented:
		Three Months Ended								Nine Months Ended
		September 27,				September 28,				September 27,			September 28,
		2014				2013				2014			2013
	Interest and fee income	$	103,333			$	87,945			$	292,204		$	250,383
	Interest expense	(16,155		)		(17,075		)		(47,845		)	(46,863		)
	Provision for loan losses	(19,088		)		(8,404		)		(42,116		)	(33,030		)
	Net interest income, net of provision for loan losses	68,090				62,466				202,243			170,490
	Non-interest income:
	Interchange income	93,817				88,963				267,756			252,290
	Other non-interest income	999				1,430				2,621			4,113
	Total non-interest income	94,816				90,393				270,377			256,403
	Less: Customer rewards costs	(53,774		)		(54,456		)		(155,546		)	(154,140		)
	Financial Services revenue	$	109,132			$	98,403			$	317,074		$	272,753
Revenue from External Customers by Products and Services [Table Text Block]	'
	Three Months Ended:	Retail						Direct					Total
		2014			2013			2014			2013		2014			2013
	Product Category:
	Hunting Equipment	48.6	%		51.1	%		43.4	%		47.6	%	47.3	%		50.2	%
	General Outdoors	30.7			28.3			30.4			27.8		30.6			28.2
	Clothing and Footwear	20.7			20.6			26.2			24.6		22.1			21.6
	Total	100	%		100	%		100	%		100	%	100	%		100	%
	Nine Months Ended:	Retail						Direct					Total
		2014			2013			2014			2013		2014			2013
	Product Category:
	Hunting Equipment	46.9	%		52.1	%		38.7	%		45.2	%	44.8	%		50.2	%
	General Outdoors	33.1			29.3			35.6			30.9		33.8			29.7
	Clothing and Footwear	20			18.6			25.7			23.9		21.4			20.1
	Total	100	%		100	%		100	%		100	%	100	%		100	%

Fair_Value_Measurements_Tables

Fair Value Measurements (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 27, 2014
Fair Value of Level 3 Assets and Liabilities [Abstract]	'
Fair Value, Assets Measured on Recurring Basis [Table Text Block]	'
		September 27, 2014						December 28, 2013						September 28, 2013
		Carrying Value			Estimated Fair Value			Carrying Value			Estimated Fair Value			Carrying Value		Estimated Fair Value
	Financial Assets:
	Credit card loans, net	$	4,011,187		$	4,011,187		$	3,938,630		$	3,938,630		$	3,567,423	$	3,567,423
	Held-to-maturity investment securities	—			—			—			—			135,000		135,003
	Financial Liabilities:
	Time deposits	830,409			828,579			1,069,362			1,070,831			1,147,978		1,153,801
	Secured long-term obligations of the Trust	3,047,250			2,996,236			2,452,250			2,405,494			2,452,250		2,320,576
	Long-term debt	666,078			688,282			331,065			363,848			532,563		565,280
Fair Value, Assets Measured on Recurring Basis, Unobservable Input Reconciliation [Table Text Block]	'
		Three Months Ended						Nine Months Ended
		September 27,			September 28,			September 27,			September 28,
		2014			2013			2014			2013
	Balance, beginning of period	$	78,429		$	79,043		$	78,504		$	85,041
	Total gains or losses:
	Included in earnings - realized	—			—			—			—
	Included in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) - unrealized	4,736			1,043			7,083			(2,334		)
	Valuation adjustments	—			—			—			—
	Purchases, issuances, and settlements:
	Purchases	—			—			—			—
	Issuances	—			—			—			—
	Settlements	(824		)	(826		)	(3,246		)	(3,447		)
	Total	(824		)	(826		)	(3,246		)	(3,447		)
	Balance, end of period	$	82,341		$	79,260		$	82,341		$	79,260

Management_Representations_Det

Management Representations (Details) (USD $)	Sep. 27, 2014	Dec. 28, 2013	Sep. 28, 2013	Dec. 29, 2012
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Cash and Cash Equivalents, at Carrying Value	$365,114	$199,072	$409,733	$288,750
Cash and Cash Equivalent at Subsidiary	$303,975	$94,112	$334,832	'

Cabelas_Master_Credit_Card_Tru2

Cabela's Master Credit Card Trust (Details) (USD $)	Sep. 27, 2014	Dec. 28, 2013	Sep. 28, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Consolidated assets: [Abstract]	'	'	'
Restricted credit card loans, net of allowance of $52,510, $52,820, and $57,030	$3,983,821	$3,903,410	$3,534,814
Restricted cash of the Trust	31,808	23,191	26,009
Total Consolidated Assets of the Trust	4,015,629	3,926,601	3,560,823
Allowance for loan losses	52,700	53,110	57,370
Consolidated liabilities: [Abstract]	'	'	'
Secured variable funding obligations	0	50,000	0
Secured long-term obligations	3,047,250	2,452,250	2,452,250
Interest due to third party investors	2,064	1,904	2,214
Total Consolidated liabilities of the Trust	3,049,314	2,504,154	2,454,464
Cabela's Master Credit Card Trust [Member]	'	'	'
Consolidated assets: [Abstract]	'	'	'
Allowance for loan losses	$52,510	$52,820	$57,030

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. 27, 2014	Sep. 28, 2013	Sep. 27, 2014	Sep. 28, 2013	Jun. 28, 2014	Dec. 28, 2013	Jun. 29, 2013	Dec. 29, 2012
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Provision for loan losses	'	'	$42,116	$33,030	'	'	'	'
Restricted credit card loans of the Trust (restricted for repayment of secured obligations of the Trust)	4,036,331	3,591,844	4,036,331	3,591,844	'	3,956,230	'	'
Unrestricted credit card loans	22,811	27,999	22,811	27,999	'	29,619	'	'
Credit Card Receivables	4,059,142	3,619,843	4,059,142	3,619,843	'	3,985,849	'	'
Allowance for loan losses	-52,700	-57,370	-52,700	-57,370	'	-53,110	'	'
Deferred credit card origination costs	4,745	4,950	4,745	4,950	'	5,891	'	'
Loans and Leases Receivable, Net Reported Amount	4,011,187	3,567,423	4,011,187	3,567,423	'	3,938,630	'	'
Provision for loan losses	19,088	8,404	42,116	33,030	'	'	'	'
Charge-offs	-18,010	-17,477	-56,630	-54,426	'	'	'	'
Recoveries	4,272	3,943	14,104	13,166	'	'	'	'
Net charge-offs	-13,738	-13,534	-42,526	-41,260	'	'	'	'
Balance, end of period	52,700	57,370	52,700	57,370	47,350	53,110	62,500	65,600
Loans and Leases Receivable, Consumer, Allowance	6,990	11,500	6,990	11,500	'	8,450	'	'
Current	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Credit Card Receivables	3,978,936	3,547,029	3,978,936	3,547,029	'	3,909,052	'	'
1 to 29 days past due	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Credit Card Receivables	53,818	48,850	53,818	48,850	'	51,038	'	'
30 to 59 days past due	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Credit Card Receivables	10,765	10,090	10,765	10,090	'	10,179	'	'
60 or more days past due	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Credit Card Receivables	15,623	13,874	15,623	13,874	'	15,580	'	'
Total past due	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Credit Card Receivables	80,206	72,814	80,206	72,814	'	76,797	'	'
90 days or more past due and still accruing	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Credit Card Receivables	8,076	6,865	8,076	6,865	'	8,071	'	'
Non-accrual	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Credit Card Receivables	5,144	5,672	5,144	5,672	'	5,381	'	'
Nonperforming Financing Receivable [Member]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Provision for loan losses	2,382	-4,876	6,297	-4,197	'	'	'	'
Charge-offs	-3,409	-3,636	-10,976	-10,532	'	'	'	'
Recoveries	1,107	1,012	3,219	3,229	'	'	'	'
Net charge-offs	-2,302	-2,624	-7,757	-7,303	'	'	'	'
Balance, end of period	6,990	11,500	6,990	11,500	6,910	8,450	19,000	23,000
Performing Financing Receivable [Member]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Provision for loan losses	16,706	13,280	35,819	37,227	'	'	'	'
Charge-offs	-14,601	-13,841	-45,654	-43,894	'	'	'	'
Recoveries	3,165	2,931	10,885	9,937	'	'	'	'
Net charge-offs	-11,436	-10,910	-34,769	-33,957	'	'	'	'
Balance, end of period	$45,710	$45,870	$45,710	$45,870	$40,440	$44,660	$43,500	$42,600

Credit_Card_Loans_and_Allowanc3

Credit Card Loans and Allowance For Loan Losses Schedule of Credit Card Balances by FICO score (Details) (USD $)	Sep. 27, 2014	Dec. 28, 2013	Sep. 28, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]	'	'	'
Credit Card Receivables	$4,059,142	$3,985,849	$3,619,843
Current [Member]	'	'	'
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]	'	'	'
Credit Card Receivables	3,978,936	3,909,052	3,547,029
Past Due, 29 Days or Less [Member]	'	'	'
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]	'	'	'
Credit Card Receivables	53,818	51,038	48,850
Past Due, 30-59 Days [Member]	'	'	'
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]	'	'	'
Credit Card Receivables	10,765	10,179	10,090
Past Due, 60 or More Days [Member]	'	'	'
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]	'	'	'
Credit Card Receivables	15,623	15,580	13,874
Total Past Due [Member]	'	'	'
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]	'	'	'
Credit Card Receivables	80,206	76,797	72,814
90 Days or More Past Due and Still Accruing [Member]	'	'	'
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]	'	'	'
Credit Card Receivables	8,076	8,071	6,865
Non-accrual [Member]	'	'	'
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]	'	'	'
Credit Card Receivables	5,144	5,381	5,672
FICO Score, 691 and Below [Member]	'	'	'
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]	'	'	'
Credit Card Receivables	615,734	567,362	536,211
FICO Score, 691 and Below [Member] | Current [Member]	'	'	'
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]	'	'	'
Credit Card Receivables	572,619	527,202	498,540
FICO Score, 691 and Below [Member] | Past Due, 29 Days or Less [Member]	'	'	'
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]	'	'	'
Credit Card Receivables	22,487	20,702	19,899
FICO Score, 691 and Below [Member] | Past Due, 30-59 Days [Member]	'	'	'
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]	'	'	'
Credit Card Receivables	7,663	7,013	6,807
FICO Score, 691 and Below [Member] | Past Due, 60 or More Days [Member]	'	'	'
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]	'	'	'
Credit Card Receivables	12,965	12,445	10,965
FICO Score, 691 and Below [Member] | Total Past Due [Member]	'	'	'
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]	'	'	'
Credit Card Receivables	43,115	40,160	37,671
FICO Score, 691 and Below [Member] | 90 Days or More Past Due and Still Accruing [Member]	'	'	'
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]	'	'	'
Credit Card Receivables	6,879	6,637	5,624
FICO Score, 691 and Below [Member] | Non-accrual [Member]	'	'	'
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]	'	'	'
Credit Card Receivables	0	0	0
FICO Score, 692-758 [Member]	'	'	'
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]	'	'	'
Credit Card Receivables	1,367,250	1,314,816	1,223,162
FICO Score, 692-758 [Member] | Current [Member]	'	'	'
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]	'	'	'
Credit Card Receivables	1,351,772	1,299,982	1,208,374
FICO Score, 692-758 [Member] | Past Due, 29 Days or Less [Member]	'	'	'
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]	'	'	'
Credit Card Receivables	13,931	13,421	13,468
FICO Score, 692-758 [Member] | Past Due, 30-59 Days [Member]	'	'	'
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]	'	'	'
Credit Card Receivables	1,369	1,229	1,117
FICO Score, 692-758 [Member] | Past Due, 60 or More Days [Member]	'	'	'
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]	'	'	'
Credit Card Receivables	178	184	203
FICO Score, 692-758 [Member] | Total Past Due [Member]	'	'	'
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]	'	'	'
Credit Card Receivables	15,478	14,834	14,788
FICO Score, 692-758 [Member] | 90 Days or More Past Due and Still Accruing [Member]	'	'	'
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]	'	'	'
Credit Card Receivables	27	36	18
FICO Score, 692-758 [Member] | Non-accrual [Member]	'	'	'
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]	'	'	'
Credit Card Receivables	0	0	0
FICO Score, 759 and Above [Member]	'	'	'
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]	'	'	'
Credit Card Receivables	2,038,978	2,060,704	1,815,531
FICO Score, 759 and Above [Member] | Current [Member]	'	'	'
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]	'	'	'
Credit Card Receivables	2,024,315	2,047,424	1,803,735
FICO Score, 759 and Above [Member] | Past Due, 29 Days or Less [Member]	'	'	'
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]	'	'	'
Credit Card Receivables	14,156	12,953	11,487
FICO Score, 759 and Above [Member] | Past Due, 30-59 Days [Member]	'	'	'
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]	'	'	'
Credit Card Receivables	467	296	290
FICO Score, 759 and Above [Member] | Past Due, 60 or More Days [Member]	'	'	'
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]	'	'	'
Credit Card Receivables	40	31	19
FICO Score, 759 and Above [Member] | Total Past Due [Member]	'	'	'
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]	'	'	'
Credit Card Receivables	14,663	13,280	11,796
FICO Score, 759 and Above [Member] | 90 Days or More Past Due and Still Accruing [Member]	'	'	'
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]	'	'	'
Credit Card Receivables	6	17	1
FICO Score, 759 and Above [Member] | Non-accrual [Member]	'	'	'
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]	'	'	'
Credit Card Receivables	0	0	0
Restructured Credit Card Loans [Member]	'	'	'
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]	'	'	'
Credit Card Receivables	37,180	42,967	44,939
Restructured Credit Card Loans [Member] | Current [Member]	'	'	'
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]	'	'	'
Credit Card Receivables	30,230	34,444	36,380
Restructured Credit Card Loans [Member] | Past Due, 29 Days or Less [Member]	'	'	'
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]	'	'	'
Credit Card Receivables	3,244	3,962	3,996
Restructured Credit Card Loans [Member] | Past Due, 30-59 Days [Member]	'	'	'
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]	'	'	'
Credit Card Receivables	1,266	1,641	1,876
Restructured Credit Card Loans [Member] | Past Due, 60 or More Days [Member]	'	'	'
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]	'	'	'
Credit Card Receivables	2,440	2,920	2,687
Restructured Credit Card Loans [Member] | Total Past Due [Member]	'	'	'
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]	'	'	'
Credit Card Receivables	6,950	8,523	8,559
Restructured Credit Card Loans [Member] | 90 Days or More Past Due and Still Accruing [Member]	'	'	'
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]	'	'	'
Credit Card Receivables	1,164	1,381	1,222
Restructured Credit Card Loans [Member] | Non-accrual [Member]	'	'	'
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]	'	'	'
Credit Card Receivables	$5,144	$5,381	$5,672

Securities_Details

Securities (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended		12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 27, 2014	Sep. 28, 2013	Sep. 27, 2014	Sep. 28, 2013	Dec. 28, 2013	Jun. 28, 2014	Jun. 29, 2013	Dec. 29, 2012
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Included in earnings - realized	$0	$0	$0	$0	'	'	'	'
Investment Income, Interest	'	'	2,979	3,089	'	'	'	'
Available-for-sale Securities, Amortized Cost Basis	67,826	71,098	67,826	71,098	71,072	'	'	'
Available-for-sale Securities, Debt Maturities, within One Year, Amortized Cost Basis	1,344	'	1,344	'	'	'	'	'
Available-for-sale Securities, Debt Maturities, within One Year, Fair Value	1,895	'	1,895	'	'	'	'	'
Available-for-sale Securities, Debt Maturities, Year Two, Amortized Cost Basis	2,132	'	2,132	'	'	'	'	'
Available-for-sale Securities, Debt Maturities, Year Two, Fair Value	2,920	'	2,920	'	'	'	'	'
Available-for-sale Securities, Debt Maturities, Year Three, Amortized Cost Basis	2,677	'	2,677	'	'	'	'	'
Available-for-sale Securities, Debt Maturities, Year Three, Fair Value	3,526	'	3,526	'	'	'	'	'
Available-for-sale Securities, Debt Maturities, Year Four, Amortized Cost Basis	2,704	'	2,704	'	'	'	'	'
Available-for-sale Securities, Debt Maturities, Year Four, Fair Value	3,404	'	3,404	'	'	'	'	'
Available-for-sale Securities, Debt Maturities, Year Five, Amortized Cost Basis	3,324	'	3,324	'	'	'	'	'
Available-for-sale Securities, Debt Maturities, Year Five, Fair Value	4,121	'	4,121	'	'	'	'	'
Available-for-sale Securities, Debt Maturities, after Five Through Ten Years, Amortized Cost Basis	23,048	'	23,048	'	'	'	'	'
Available-for-sale Securities, Debt Maturities, after Five Through Ten Years, Fair Value	28,241	'	28,241	'	'	'	'	'
Available-for-sale Securities, Debt Maturities, after Ten Years, Amortized Cost Basis	32,597	'	32,597	'	'	'	'	'
Available-for-sale Securities, Debt Maturities, after Ten Years, Fair Value	38,234	'	38,234	'	'	'	'	'
Available-for-sale Securities, Debt Maturities, Amortized Cost Basis	67,826	'	67,826	'	'	'	'	'
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value Disclosure	82,341	79,260	82,341	79,260	78,504	78,429	79,043	85,041
Held-to-maturity Securities, Current	0	135,000	0	135,000	0	'	'	'
Held-to-maturity Securities, Unrecognized Holding Gain	'	'	'	3	'	'	'	'
Held-to-maturity Securities, Unrecognized Holding Loss	'	'	'	0	'	'	'	'
Available-for-sale Securities, Gross Unrealized Gains	'	'	14,515	8,199	7,432	'	'	'
Available-for-sale Securities, Gross Unrealized Losses	'	'	0	-37	0	'	'	'
Held-to-maturity Securities, Fair Value	$0	$135,003	$0	$135,003	$0	'	'	'

Borrowings_of_Financial_Servic2

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

Sep. 27, 2014

Dec. 28, 2013

Sep. 28, 2013

Sep. 27, 2014

Sep. 28, 2013

Sep. 28, 2013

Dec. 28, 2013

Sep. 27, 2014

Sep. 28, 2013

Dec. 28, 2013

Sep. 27, 2014

Sep. 28, 2013

Dec. 28, 2013

Sep. 27, 2014

Sep. 28, 2013

Dec. 28, 2013

Sep. 27, 2014

Sep. 28, 2013

Dec. 28, 2013

Sep. 27, 2014

Sep. 27, 2014

Sep. 27, 2014

Sep. 27, 2014

Sep. 28, 2013

Sep. 27, 2014

Dec. 28, 2013

Sep. 28, 2013

Dec. 28, 2013

Sep. 27, 2014

Sep. 28, 2013

Dec. 28, 2013

Sep. 27, 2014

Sep. 28, 2013

Dec. 28, 2013

Sep. 27, 2014

Sep. 27, 2014

Sep. 27, 2014

Sep. 27, 2014

Sep. 27, 2014

Sep. 27, 2014

Dec. 28, 2013

Sep. 28, 2013

Sep. 27, 2014

Dec. 28, 2013

Sep. 28, 2013

Sep. 27, 2014

Dec. 28, 2013

Sep. 28, 2013

Sep. 27, 2014

Dec. 28, 2013

Sep. 28, 2013

Sep. 27, 2014

Dec. 28, 2013

Sep. 28, 2013

Sep. 27, 2014

Dec. 28, 2013

Sep. 28, 2013

Sep. 27, 2014

Dec. 28, 2013

Sep. 28, 2013

Sep. 27, 2014

Dec. 28, 2013

Sep. 28, 2013

Sep. 27, 2014

Dec. 28, 2013

Sep. 28, 2013

Sep. 27, 2014

Sep. 27, 2014

Sep. 27, 2014

Dec. 28, 2013

Sep. 28, 2013

Sep. 27, 2014

Dec. 28, 2013

Sep. 28, 2013

Sep. 27, 2014

Dec. 28, 2013

Sep. 28, 2013

Sep. 27, 2014

Dec. 28, 2013

Sep. 28, 2013

Sep. 27, 2014

Dec. 28, 2013

Sep. 28, 2013

Sep. 27, 2014

Dec. 28, 2013

Sep. 28, 2013

Sep. 27, 2014

Dec. 28, 2013

Sep. 28, 2013

Sep. 27, 2014

Dec. 28, 2013

Sep. 28, 2013

Sep. 27, 2014

Dec. 28, 2013

Sep. 28, 2013

Sep. 27, 2014

Sep. 27, 2014

Sep. 27, 2014

Dec. 28, 2013

Sep. 28, 2013

Sep. 27, 2014

Sep. 27, 2014

In Thousands, unless otherwise specified

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]

Secured Debt, Variable Funding Facility, March 23, 2012 [Member]

Secured Debt, Variable Funding Facility, March 23, 2012 [Member]

Series 2012-II [Member]

Series 2012-II [Member]

Series 2012-II [Member]

Series 2013-I [Member]

Series 2013-I [Member]

Series 2013-I [Member]

Series 2013-II [Member]

Series 2013-II [Member]

Series 2013-II [Member]

Series 2014-I [Member]

Series 2014-ll [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]

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]

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 2014-I [Member]

Series 2014-ll [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-I [Member]

Series 2013-I [Member]

Series 2013-II [Member]

Series 2013-II [Member]

Series 2013-II [Member]

Series 2014-I [Member]

Series 2014-ll [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-I [Member]

Series 2013-I [Member]

Series 2013-II [Member]

Series 2013-II [Member]

Series 2013-II [Member]

Series 2014-I [Member]

Series 2014-ll [Member]

Series 2014-I [Member]

Series 2014-ll [Member]

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

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Debt Instrument, Maximum Borrowing Capacity

'

'

'

$1,025,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

$85,000

'

$500,000

$350,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

$300,000

$400,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Debt Instrument, Maturity Date

'

'

'

'

'

15-Jan-15

15-Jan-15

'

15-Sep-15

15-Sep-15

'

15-Jun-16

15-Jun-16

'

15-Oct-16

15-Oct-16

'

15-Feb-17

15-Feb-17

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

15-Jun-17

15-Jun-17

'

15-Feb-23

15-Feb-23

'

15-Aug-18

15-Aug-18

'

15-Mar-17

15-Sep-19

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Total debt

666,078

331,065

532,563

'

'

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

'

'

'

'

'

'

425,000

425,000

425,000

327,250

327,250

327,250

297,500

297,500

297,500

255,000

340,000

'

'

1,449,750

1,449,750

1,449,750

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

300,000

300,000

300,000

327,250

327,250

327,250

100,000

100,000

100,000

0

0

1,597,500

1,002,500

1,002,500

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

125,000

125,000

125,000

0

0

0

197,500

197,500

197,500

255,000

340,000

3,047,250

2,452,250

2,452,250

'

'

Long-term Debt, Weighted Average Interest Rate

'

'

'

'

'

1.63%

1.62%

1.60%

1.73%

1.72%

1.72%

1.76%

1.75%

1.75%

1.49%

1.48%

1.48%

1.31%

1.30%

1.30%

'

'

'

'

'

'

1.22%

1.21%

1.21%

2.71%

2.71%

2.71%

1.31%

1.27%

1.26%

0.50%

0.60%

'

'

'

'

'

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%

1.45%

1.45%

1.45%

2.71%

2.71%

2.71%

2.17%

2.17%

2.17%

0.00%

0.00%

'

'

'

1.60%

1.62%

1.63%

0.85%

0.87%

0.88%

0.75%

0.77%

0.78%

0.70%

0.72%

0.73%

0.68%

0.70%

0.71%

0.63%

0.65%

0.66%

0.00%

0.00%

0.00%

0.80%

0.82%

0.88%

0.50%

0.60%

'

'

'

'

'

Less current portion of debt

467,500

0

0

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

-127,500

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

340,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

467,500

'

'

'

'

Long-term debt, less current maturities

657,648

322,647

524,149

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

1,322,250

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

1,257,500

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

2,579,750

'

'

'

'

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

'

'

'

2,198

33,443

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

0

305

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Debt, Weighted Average Interest Rate

'

'

'

0.75%

0.78%

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

0.75%

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Notes Issued

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

$255,000

$340,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

$45,000

$60,000

LongTerm_Debt_and_Capital_Leas2

Long-Term Debt and Capital Leases (Details)	9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 27, 2014	Sep. 28, 2013	Dec. 28, 2013	Sep. 27, 2014	Sep. 27, 2014	Dec. 28, 2013	Sep. 28, 2013	Sep. 27, 2014	Sep. 28, 2013
	USD ($)	USD ($)	USD ($)	Unsecured $20 million Canadian revolving credit facility	Unsecured $20 million Canadian revolving credit facility	Unsecured $20 million Canadian revolving credit facility	Unsecured $20 million Canadian revolving credit facility	Financial Standby Letter of Credit [Member]	Financial Standby Letter of Credit [Member]
				USD ($)	CAD	USD ($)	USD ($)	USD ($)	USD ($)
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Line of Credit Facility, Maximum Borrowing Capacity	$775,000	'	$415,000	$20,000	'	'	'	'	'
Unsecured revolving credit facility	340,000	200,000	2,932	6,292	'	0	4,364	'	'
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 2015-2018 with interest at 7.20%	32,572	40,714	40,714	'	'	'	'	'	'
Capital lease obligations payable through 2036	12,214	12,485	12,419	'	'	'	'	'	'
Total debt	666,078	532,563	331,065	'	'	'	'	'	'
Less current portion of debt	8,430	8,414	8,418	'	'	'	'	'	'
Long-term debt, less current maturities	657,648	524,149	322,647	'	'	'	'	'	'
Line of Credit Facility, Capacity Available for Specific Purpose Other than for Trade Purchases	75,000	'	100,000	'	10,000	'	'	'	'
Line of Credit Facility, Capacity Available for Trade Purchases	30,000	'	20,000	'	'	'	'	'	'
Amount that Line of Credit Facility may be Increased to	800,000	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Line of Credit Facility, Average Outstanding Amount	47,929	65,030	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Line of Credit Facility, Interest Rate During Period	1.47%	1.46%	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Letters of Credit Outstanding, Amount	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	32,290	27,753
Letter of Credit, Average Outstanding Amount	$23,287	$22,277	'	'	'	'	'	'	'

Impairment_and_Restructuring_C

Impairment and Restructuring Charges (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended				9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 27, 2014	Jun. 28, 2014	Sep. 28, 2013	Jun. 29, 2013	Sep. 27, 2014	Sep. 28, 2013
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'
Impairment of Long-Lived Assets Held-for-use	$0	'	$0	'	$0	$937
Restructuring and Related Cost, Incurred Cost	0	641	0	937	641	937
Severance Costs	0	'	0	'	641	0
Other Segments [Member]	'	'	'	'	'	'
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'
Impairment of Long-Lived Assets Held-for-use	'	'	'	'	'	117
451110 Sporting Goods Stores [Member]	'	'	'	'	'	'
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'
Impairment of Long-Lived Assets Held-for-use	'	'	'	'	'	$820

Income_Taxes_Details

Income Taxes (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 27, 2014	Sep. 28, 2013	Sep. 27, 2014	Sep. 28, 2013	Dec. 28, 2013
Effective Income Tax Rate Reconciliation, Other Adjustments, Amount	'	'	$3,872	'	'
Unrecognized Tax Benefits	79,490	42,215	79,490	42,215	64,800
Statutory federal rate	35.00%	35.00%	35.00%	35.00%	'
State income taxes, net of federal tax benefit	2.20%	1.40%	2.00%	1.40%	'
Other nondeductible items	0.40%	0.20%	0.40%	0.20%	'
Tax exempt interest income	-0.60%	-0.50%	-0.50%	-0.40%	'
Rate differential on foreign income	2.80%	-5.20%	0.90%	-4.20%	'
Change in unrecognized tax benefits	0.00%	-0.80%	-1.00%	0.00%	'
Other, net	0.20%	1.20%	0.50%	0.00%	'
Effective Income Tax Rate, Continuing Operations	40.00%	31.30%	37.30%	32.00%	'
Income Tax Deposit on Prior Period Uncertain Tax Positions	103,418	'	103,418	'	'
Cash and Cash Equivalent Held by Foreign Subsidiary	19,770	'	19,770	'	'
Paid in prior periods [Member]	'	'	'	'	'
Income Tax Deposit on Prior Period Uncertain Tax Positions	53,418	'	53,418	'	'
Paid in current period [Member]	'	'	'	'	'
Income Tax Deposit on Prior Period Uncertain Tax Positions	$50,000	'	$50,000	'	'

Commitments_and_Contingencies_1

Commitments and Contingencies (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended			9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 27, 2014	Jun. 28, 2014	Sep. 28, 2013	Sep. 27, 2014	Sep. 28, 2013	Dec. 28, 2013
Operating Leases, Future Minimum Payments Due, Next Twelve Months	$5,863	'	'	$5,863	'	'
Payments for (Proceeds from) Tenant Allowance	'	'	'	7,243	4,950	'
Operating Leases, Rent Expense	6,146	'	3,955	14,050	10,843	'
Purchase Commitment, Remaining Minimum Amount Committed	609,500	'	'	609,500	'	'
Grant Funding Subject to Contractual Remedies	44,231	'	'	44,231	'	'
Grant Funding Received	'	'	'	0	'	'
Grant Funding Subject to Contractual Remedies, Liability Recorded	22,650	'	6,673	22,650	6,673	22,536
Operating Leases, Future Minimum Payments, Due in Two Years	22,493	'	'	22,493	'	'
Operating Leases, Future Minimum Payments, Due in Three Years	23,061	'	'	23,061	'	'
Operating Leases, Future Minimum Payments, Due in Four Years	22,605	'	'	22,605	'	'
Operating Leases, Future Minimum Payments, Due in Five Years	29,073	'	'	29,073	'	'
Operating Leases, Future Minimum Payments, Due Thereafter	305,012	'	'	305,012	'	'
Operating Leases, Future Minimum Payments Due	408,107	'	'	408,107	'	'
Committments to Extend Credit	29,360,000	'	25,093,000	29,360,000	25,093,000	25,255,000
Loss Contingency Accrual, Payments	'	951	'	'	'	'
Loss Contingency, Estimate of Possible Loss	0	'	8,300	0	8,300	4,687
Payment Guarantee [Member]	'	'	'	'	'	'
Letters of Credit Outstanding, Amount	$63,352	'	$60,579	$63,352	$60,579	$48,409

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. 27, 2014	Sep. 28, 2013	Sep. 27, 2014	Sep. 28, 2013
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Share-based Compensation	$4,484	$3,837	$13,049	$11,150
Employee Service Share-based Compensation, Nonvested Awards, Compensation Cost Not yet Recognized	29,663	'	29,663	'
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Exercisable, Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Term	'	'	'2 years 9 months 14 days	'
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Number of Shares Available for Grant	3,334,274	'	3,334,274	'
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Exercises in Period	'	'	280,951	'
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Exercises in Period, Intrinsic Value	'	'	$18,435	$17,854
Closing Stock Price of one share of Cabela's Stock	$58.49	'	$58.49	'
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Exercisable, Number	1,921,295	'	1,921,295	'
Cabela's Incorporated 2004 Stock Plan [Member]	'	'	'	'
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Outstanding, Number	2,734,674	'	2,734,674	'
Cabela's Incorporated 2013 Stock Plan [Member]	'	'	'	'
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Outstanding, Number	665,726	'	665,726	'
Stock Issued During Period, Shares, Employee Stock Purchase Plans	'	'	52,830	'
Employee Stock Option [Member]	'	'	'	'
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Grants in Period, Gross	'	'	194,905	'
Share-based Compensation Arrangements by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Grants in Period, Weighted Average Exercise Price	'	'	$66.32	'
Restricted Stock Units (RSUs) [Member]	'	'	'	'
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Grants in Period, Gross	'	'	291,705	'
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Grants in Period, Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value	'	'	$66.28	'
Employee Stock [Member]	'	'	'	'
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Number of Shares Available for Grant	1,917,355	'	1,917,355	'
Management [Member] | Restricted Stock Units (RSUs) [Member]	'	'	'	'
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Grants in Period, Gross	'	'	51,050	'
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Grants in Period, Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value	'	'	$66.32	'
Chief Executive Officer [Member] | Employee Stock Option [Member]	'	'	'	'
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Grants in Period, Gross	'	'	64,000	'
Share-based Compensation Arrangements by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Grants in Period, Weighted Average Exercise Price	'	'	$76.27	'
Director [Member] | Employee Stock Option [Member]	'	'	'	'
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Grants in Period, Gross	'	'	40,000	'
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Grants in Period, Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value	'	'	$61.53	'
Director [Member] | Restricted Stock Units (RSUs) [Member]	'	'	'	'
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Grants in Period, Gross	'	'	409	'
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Grants in Period, Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value	'	'	$61.23	'

Stockholders_Equity_and_Divide2

Stockholders' Equity and Dividend Restrictions (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 27, 2014	Sep. 28, 2013	Sep. 27, 2014	Sep. 28, 2013	Feb. 13, 2014	Dec. 28, 2013
Cash Dividends Paid to Parent Company by Consolidated Subsidiaries	'	'	$40,000,000	'	'	'
Statutory Accounting Practices, Statutory Amount Available for Dividend Payments	229,377,000	'	229,377,000	'	'	'
Balance, beginning of period	0	13,737	0	492,414	'	'
Purchase of treasury stock at cost (1)	0	17,439	0	181,179	'	'
Stock Issued During Period, Shares, Treasury Stock Reissued	0	-30,946	'	-673,363	'	'
Balance, end of period	0	230	0	230	'	'
Stock Repurchase Program, Number of Shares Authorized to be Repurchased	'	'	'	'	650,000	'
Cumulative foreign currency translation adjustments	-12,342,000	-340,000	-12,342,000	-340,000	'	-6,406,000
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)	-3,226,000	4,802,000	-3,226,000	4,802,000	'	-1,724,000
Stock Issued During Period, Value, Treasury Stock Reissued	'	'	0	'	'	'
Available-for-sale Securities [Member]	'	'	'	'	'	'
Accumulated net unrealized holding gains on economic development bonds	$9,116,000	$5,142,000	$9,116,000	$5,142,000	'	$4,682,000

Earnings_Per_Share_Details

Earnings Per Share (Details)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 27, 2014	Sep. 28, 2013	Sep. 27, 2014	Sep. 28, 2013
Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Basic weighted average shares outstanding	71,068,933	70,575,804	70,957,321	70,412,479
Stock options, nonvested stock units, and employee stock purchase plans	624,203	1,182,097	928,151	1,305,415
Diluted weighted average shares outstanding	71,693,136	71,757,901	71,885,472	71,717,894
Stock options outstanding and nonvested stock units issued considered anti-dilutive excluded from calculation	730,139	37,582	574,234	12,527

Supplemental_Cash_Flow_Informa2

Supplemental Cash Flow Information (Details) (USD $)	9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 27, 2014	Sep. 28, 2013
Supplemental Cash Flow Information [Abstract]	'	'
Interest Paid By Subsidiary	$47,910	$45,987
Accrued property and equipment additions (1)	52,917	49,007
Other than Temporary Impairment Losses, Investments, Available-for-sale Securities	-831	0
Interest Paid	62,790	58,778
Interest Paid, Capitalized	6,047	2,942
Interest paid (2)	56,743	55,836
Income taxes paid, net of refunds	$106,672	$52,532

Segment_Reporting_Details

Segment Reporting (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 27, 2014	Sep. 28, 2013	Sep. 27, 2014	Sep. 28, 2013	Dec. 28, 2013
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'
Merchandise Revenue Percentage	100.00%	100.00%	100.00%	100.00%	'
Interest and Fee Income, Loans, Consumer	$103,333	$87,945	$292,204	$250,383	'
Goodwill	3,157	3,406	3,157	3,406	3,295
Merchandise sales	773,438	749,141	2,040,501	2,124,538	'
Financial Services Revenue	109,132	98,403	317,074	272,753	'
Financial Services Revenue Before Intersegment Eliminations	104,236	'	307,402	'	'
Other revenue	3,432	3,284	15,451	12,839	'
Total revenues	886,002	850,828	2,373,026	2,410,130	'
Total Revenue Before Intersegment Eliminations	881,106	'	2,363,354	'	'
Intersegment Revenue Eliminated In Consolidation	4,896	'	9,672	'	'
Operating Income (Loss)	93,915	76,603	206,759	222,653	'
Operating Income as a Percentage of Revenue	10.60%	9.00%	8.70%	9.20%	'
Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization	29,303	24,171	82,548	68,067	'
Assets	7,215,464	6,462,065	7,215,464	6,462,065	6,396,864
Property, Plant and Equipment, Additions	102,020	99,719	317,957	247,063	'
Cash and Cash Equivalent at Subsidiary	303,975	334,832	303,975	334,832	94,112
Interest Expense, Other	-16,155	-17,075	-47,845	-46,863	'
Provision for Other Credit Losses	-19,088	-8,404	-42,116	-33,030	'
Interest Income (Expense), after Provision for Loan Loss	68,090	62,466	202,243	170,490	'
Interchange income	93,817	88,963	267,756	252,290	'
Noninterest Income, Other Operating Income	999	1,430	2,621	4,113	'
Noninterest Income	94,816	90,393	270,377	256,403	'
Customer rewards costs	-53,774	-54,456	-155,546	-154,140	'
Intercompany License Fee Paid, Total	'	'	10,945	'	'
Intercompany License Fee Paid, Paid To The Retail Segment	'	'	6,676	'	'
Intercompany License Fee Paid, Paid To The Direct Segment	'	'	4,269	'	'
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	598,103	550,545	1,538,634	1,520,660	'
Financial Services Revenue	0	0	0	0	'
Other revenue	583	333	1,437	890	'
Total revenues	598,686	550,878	1,540,071	1,521,550	'
Operating Income (Loss)	108,552	103,658	260,656	279,409	'
Operating Income as a Percentage of Revenue	18.10%	18.80%	16.90%	18.40%	'
Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization	17,427	14,094	49,473	39,921	'
Assets	1,568,243	1,274,722	1,568,243	1,274,722	'
Property, Plant and Equipment, Additions	73,545	82,468	237,580	202,245	'
454390 Other Direct Selling Establishments [Member]	'	'	'	'	'
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'
Merchandise sales	175,335	198,596	501,867	603,878	'
Financial Services Revenue	0	0	0	0	'
Other revenue	0	0	0	0	'
Total revenues	175,335	198,596	501,867	603,878	'
Operating Income (Loss)	18,236	29,284	75,429	104,912	'
Operating Income as a Percentage of Revenue	10.40%	14.70%	15.00%	17.40%	'
Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization	1,228	1,874	3,684	5,635	'
Assets	254,074	177,428	254,074	177,428	'
Property, Plant and Equipment, Additions	21	3	134	103	'
551111 Offices of Bank Holding Companies [Member]	'	'	'	'	'
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'
Merchandise sales	0	0	0	0	'
Financial Services Revenue	'	98,403	'	272,753	'
Financial Services Revenue Before Intersegment Eliminations	104,236	'	307,402	'	'
Other revenue	0	0	0	0	'
Total revenues	109,132	98,403	317,074	272,753	'
Total Revenue Before Intersegment Eliminations	104,236	'	307,402	'	'
Intersegment Revenue Eliminated In Consolidation	4,896	'	9,672	'	'
Operating Income (Loss)	28,158	29,182	84,847	79,198	'
Operating Income as a Percentage of Revenue	27.00%	29.70%	27.60%	29.00%	'
Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization	391	400	1,149	1,158	'
Assets	4,447,850	4,133,412	4,447,850	4,133,412	'
Property, Plant and Equipment, Additions	289	253	1,276	1,153	'
All Other Segments [Member]	'	'	'	'	'
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'
Merchandise sales	0	0	0	0	'
Financial Services Revenue	0	0	0	0	'
Other revenue	2,849	2,951	14,014	11,949	'
Total revenues	2,849	2,951	14,014	11,949	'
Operating Income (Loss)	-61,031	-85,521	-214,173	-240,866	'
Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization	10,257	7,803	28,242	21,353	'
Assets	945,297	876,503	945,297	876,503	'
Property, Plant and Equipment, Additions	$28,165	$16,995	$78,967	$43,562	'
Hunting Equipment [Member]	'	'	'	'	'
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'
Merchandise Revenue Percentage	47.30%	50.20%	44.80%	50.20%	'
Hunting Equipment [Member] | Retail Sales [Domain]	'	'	'	'	'
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'
Merchandise Revenue Percentage	48.60%	51.10%	46.90%	52.10%	'
Hunting Equipment [Member] | Direct Sales [Domain]	'	'	'	'	'
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'
Merchandise Revenue Percentage	43.40%	47.60%	38.70%	45.20%	'
General Outdoor [Member]	'	'	'	'	'
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'
Merchandise Revenue Percentage	30.60%	28.20%	33.80%	29.70%	'
General Outdoor [Member] | Retail Sales [Domain]	'	'	'	'	'
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'
Merchandise Revenue Percentage	30.70%	28.30%	33.10%	29.30%	'
General Outdoor [Member] | Direct Sales [Domain]	'	'	'	'	'
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'
Merchandise Revenue Percentage	30.40%	27.80%	35.60%	30.90%	'
Clothing and Footwear [Member]	'	'	'	'	'
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'
Merchandise Revenue Percentage	22.10%	21.60%	21.40%	20.10%	'
Clothing and Footwear [Member] | Retail Sales [Domain]	'	'	'	'	'
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'
Merchandise Revenue Percentage	20.70%	20.60%	20.00%	18.60%	'
Clothing and Footwear [Member] | Direct Sales [Domain]	'	'	'	'	'
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'
Merchandise Revenue Percentage	26.20%	24.60%	25.70%	23.90%	'

Fair_Value_Measurements_Detail

Fair Value Measurements (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended					9 Months Ended		12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 27, 2014	Jun. 28, 2014	Mar. 29, 2014	Sep. 28, 2013	Jun. 29, 2013	Sep. 27, 2014	Sep. 28, 2013	Dec. 28, 2013
Fair Value, Assets Measured on Recurring Basis, Unobservable Input Reconciliation [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Deferred Grant Income Reduction	'	'	'	'	'	$0	'	'
Credit card loans (includes restricted credit card loans of the Trust of $4,036,331, $3,956,230, and $3,591,844), net of allowance for loan losses of $52,700, $53,110, and $57,370	4,011,187	'	'	3,567,423	'	4,011,187	3,567,423	3,938,630
Held-to-maturity Securities, Current	0	'	'	135,000	'	0	135,000	0
Held-to-maturity Securities, Fair Value	0	'	'	135,003	'	0	135,003	0
Loans Receivable, Fair Value Disclosure	4,011,187	'	'	'	'	4,011,187	'	3,938,630
Included in earnings - realized	0	'	'	0	'	0	0	'
Included in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) - unrealized	4,736	'	'	1,043	'	7,083	-2,334	'
Valuation adjustments	0	'	'	0	'	0	0	'
Purchases	0	'	'	0	'	0	0	'
Issuances	0	'	'	0	'	0	0	'
Settlements	-824	'	'	-826	'	-3,246	-3,447	'
Time Deposits	830,409	'	'	1,147,978	'	830,409	1,147,978	1,069,362
Deposits, Fair Value Disclosure	828,579	'	'	1,153,801	'	828,579	1,153,801	1,070,831
Total debt	666,078	'	'	532,563	'	666,078	532,563	331,065
Long-term Debt, Fair Value	688,282	'	'	565,280	'	688,282	565,280	363,848
Loss Contingency, Damages Awarded, Value	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	13,625
Estimated Litigation Liability	'	'	15,707	'	'	'	'	14,125
Loss Contingency, Damages Sought, Value	'	'	1,062	'	'	'	'	'
Other than Temporary Impairment Losses, Financial Incentives	'	'	831	'	'	'	'	'
Restructuring and Related Cost, Incurred Cost	0	641	'	0	937	641	937	'
Secured Debt [Member]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Fair Value, Assets Measured on Recurring Basis, Unobservable Input Reconciliation [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Total debt	3,047,250	'	'	2,452,250	'	3,047,250	2,452,250	2,452,250
Debt Instrument, Fair Value Disclosure	2,996,236	'	'	2,320,576	'	2,996,236	2,320,576	2,405,494
Long-term Debt [Member]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Fair Value, Assets Measured on Recurring Basis, Unobservable Input Reconciliation [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Total debt	$3,047,250	'	'	'	'	$3,047,250	'	'