I have read article after article about small bait shops closing down that are in close proximity with the big box hunting/fishing stores. There's just little chance of competing with them unless you have some sort of unique service you can offer them. They'll beat you on product every time. Now if you are out in the country and 30 miles from the nearest big box place, you'e got a lot better chance.

I do think an archery pro shop combined with a taxidermy business would be a better idea. I know you can go to Cabelas or Bass Pro and buy a complete package and have them set it up for you and help you get started, but many people still prefer dealing with the local pro shop. They take great pride in it and love the fact they can get the hard to find items there that Cabela's might not stock becasue they don't want to buy large volumes of the items.

If you do go the taxidermy route, and you become good at it, prepare to get hammered in November and December with mount requests. I read an article in the Minneapolis paper saying some taxidermists take a vacation the first week(s) of gun season so they can avoid the never-ending phone calls and parade of trucks in front of their houses. Then when they get back from vacation, they work 14-16 hour days for the next few months just to get things started. Not trying tobe discouraging, just saying that there mightnot be much time for hunting anymore.