The One-Stop Shop for All Your Outdoor Needs
As an avid outdoorsman living in Beaver Dam, I was thrilled when Fleet Farm first opened its doors here a few years back. Ever since, it has been my go-to store for all things fishing, hunting, camping, and more. Being able to avoid the trek to the Madison or Milwaukee locations is a huge time-saver, so I try to buy local at my Beaver Dam Fleet Farm as much as possible.
After countless trips there over the past couple years, I’ve gotten to know the store inside and out. From the operating hours to the product selection and services offered, I’ve experienced it all firsthand. As fishing season gets underway here in Wisconsin, I thought I’d share my experiences and tips for shopping atFleet Farm in Beaver Dam. Whether you’re a seasoned regular or have never stepped foot in the store, this guide will cover everything you need to know.
Store Hours and Operations
First off, let’s talk about when you can actually shop there. The normal store hours at Fleet Farm in Beaver Dam are:
- Monday-Saturday: 8am to 9pm
- Sunday: 9am to 7pm
Holiday hours may vary, so it’s always smart to double check their website or give them a call before heading over. The busiest times tend to be weekend mornings and after-work hours during the week. Going mid-day on a Tuesday, for example, will be less crowded.
One great perk this location offers iscurbside pickup. If you order online, you can simply swing through the designated parking spots to have an employee bring your items right out to your car. This is super convenient when I’ve got my truck loaded up with gear already. The pickup process is fast and prevents you from having to navigate the shelves yourself.
Like most stores, Fleet Farm in Beaver Dam has adapted to Covid-19 by implementing new sanitization procedures and social distancing protocols. Plexiglass dividers have been installed at checkout and employees wear masks at all times. Shoppers are requested to mask up as well. They provide complimentary masks if you happen to forget yours.
Overall, I’ve been satisfied with the precautions they’ve put in place to protect shoppers during the pandemic. I noticed hand sanitizer stations positioned throughout the store and employees regularly wiping down carts. The store doesn’t appear to have reduced capacity limits in place, but there’s ample room in the aisles to distance yourself as needed.
Fully Stocked Fishing Section
As an avid angler, the fishing gear selection is my favorite part of Beaver Dam’s Fleet Farm. They carry all the essential Terminal Tackle like an assortment ofhooks,sinkers,bobbers,jigs,soft plastics,hard baitsand more. All the brands you’d expect are represented here – Rapala, Berkley, Strike King, Northland, Panther Martin, etc.
Their rod and reel combos range from basic beginner set-ups to high-end baitcasting and spinning reels. They’ve got tons of rods if you prefer to build a custom setup piece by piece. Name-brand reels like Shimano, Abu Garcia, Lew’s, and Okuma are all stocked here. Plus, there’s shelf after shelf of line, leaders, tools, nets, bait containers, filet knives…you name it.
Even when targeting a specific species, you’ll find lures specially designed for everything from walleyes to muskies, trout to panfish, and more. They really do have an amazing selection of fishing gear that rivals stores focused solely on that. And the prices are reasonable as well, with lots of sales if you hit the right promotion.
I will say their selection oflive baittends to be limited to basic nightcrawlers, leeches, and minnows. But for an occasional bucket of crawlers or chubs, it gets the job done. Serious live bait needs would require a trip to the bait shop instead.
Hunting Supplies For All Seasons
Hunters also have a full range of products to peruse at Fleet Farm. They sellfirearmshere, including long guns and hand guns. The selection isn’t huge but covers the basics like shotguns, rifles, muzzleloaders, pistols, etc.
I purchased a Mossberg 12-gauge shotgun here last fall since their prices were actually better than some local gun shops. They also carry ammo, gun cases, cleaning kits, accessories, and more.
The archery supplies are quite extensive, with compound and recurve bows from top brands like Bear and PSE. Arrows, broadheads, targets, releases, rests, and any other archery accessories you might need are in stock as well. I was able to get my bow re-strung here one time in just a few minutes at the service counter.
For clothing and gear, you’ll find camo hunting jackets, bibs, boots, hats, face masks, and more for staying comfortable and concealed in the field. Fleet Farm has a big collection ofblaze orangeapparel and accessories for firearm seasons too. They also carry flashlights, binoculars, rangefinders, and other essentials hunters rely on.
Deer hunting gets most of the attention, but you can also find gear for turkey, waterfowl, and small game hunting. Their trapping supplies and predator calling gear were decent as well last I looked. Overall, hunters of all kinds can find what they need here for upcoming seasons.
Career Opportunities
Beyond shopping, Fleet Farm in Beaver Dam also offerscareer opportunitiesfor people in the community. I happened to notice a job fair sign posted on my last trip there. Like most retailers today, they appear to have openings for things like cashiers, stockers, customer service roles, etc.
Their website has an entire jobs section you can browse for current openings at the Beaver Dam location and elsewhere. From what I could tell, they seem to provide competitive wages and benefits packages. I know a couple high school kids who work part-time at the store and enjoy it. Could be worth checking out if you’re looking for work nearby.
For managerial and corporate roles, their careers page details professional opportunities spanning their distribution centers, headquarters, fleet farm, and store locations. Everything from IT jobs to inventory/logistics supervisors to food service and more. Might be worth a look for recent graduates or others hoping to support this Midwest-based company.
Garden Center for Your Greenthumb Needs
Spring’s arrival means it’s time to explore Fleet Farm’s lawn and garden center. This section of the store opens seasonally, typically from March through September. It’s filled with everything from seeds and bulbs to shrubs, trees, flowers, and more to spruce up your yard and garden.
I find their prices very reasonable on fertilizers, soils, mulches, and other yard care products. They carry major brands alongside their private label selection. I was able to get a whole shelf of Bonnie Plants vegetables for just a few bucks each. Their herb and garden plant availability is best in early spring before things sell out.
Beyond plants, they also have yard tools, hoses, power equipment like lawnmowers and tillers, lawn decor, pots, and more. This section provides a nice one-stop shop for all your lawn and gardening needs. I especially take advantage in the fall for winterizing supplies like snow removal tools.
Just make sure to start checking the garden center early if you’re seeking a specific plant variety. Their greenhouse inventory dwindles by summer. But for general gardening needs, you’ll be set here all season long.
Helpful Automotive Services
Apart from the main retail store, the separate auto shop at Fleet Farm is another useful service for the community. They perform basic car maintenance like oil changes, tire rotations, battery replacements, brake jobs, and more.
I once had a nail in my truck’s tire that they were able to plug and patch to avoid a pricey new tire purchase. They also do more extensive repairs, AC recharges, state inspections, and car washes. Plus, they can order tires, batteries, and parts for installation.
Their auto service team has always provided friendly and knowledgeable customer service in my experience. The repair fees are reasonable as well. It’s a nice option for basic car maintenance needs without the hassle of a full-on auto shop or dealership.
The auto section inside also stocks oils, fluids, filters, cleaning products, floor mats, seat covers, and similar accessories you can purchase separately. With both DIY parts and professional repairs available, Fleet Farm is my convenient one-stop for vehicle needs.
Featured Sales and Promotions
Now, on to the exciting stuff – Fleet Farm’s latest sales and deals! I always make a habit to browse the promotional signs and ads both in-store and online. There are almost always some enticing offers if you hit the timing right.
Right now, they have their moonshine rods on sale – buy one, get one half off. I may grab a couple since one of mine recently snapped. Their 12-packs of Plano tackle storage boxes are also marked down. Great for getting organized before open water fishing starts up.
For clothing, Carhartt outerwear and boots are 25% off currently. I picked up a nice insulated jacket for a steal last week. Plenty more winter left in Wisconsin to get use from it!
They’re advertising up to 60% off clearance hunting items – perfect timing with most seasons wrapped up here. I always scan for discounted decoys, blinds, game calls, etc. to stash away for next year.
And for the home, select furniture like recliners and dining sets are discounted. May be time to upgrade my dilapidated living room chairs! Beyond these deals, I recommend watching for their monthly promo ads and Early Bird Sale events for the best steals. Sign up for emails to stay in the know on what’s on sale each week too.
Helpful Services Like Layaway
One service Fleet Farm offers that I really appreciate is layaway. This allows you to put items on hold and slowly pay them off over time before taking them home. The layaway fee is just $5, and you typically get about 8 weeks to finish paying it off before the products are returned to inventory.
I’ve used layaway a couple times for bigger ticket hunting items like a tree stand. Being able to pay it off in installments rather than one lump sum is helpful on pricier gear. As long as you finish in the timeframe, there are no interest fees or headaches like some “lease to own” financing offers.
Fleet Farm also offers a loyalty program called My Fleet Rewards. You earn points on purchases that translate to dollars off coupons. They also mail members periodic reward coupons that can be combined with the earned ones. It’s free to join and nets you periodic savings on top of sales and promos.
On the tech side, their app allows you to browse inventory, create shopping lists, check weekly ads, manage your rewards, and even access digital receipts. I like using it to verify item availability before making the trip over. The Fleet Farm website is another useful extension for online shopping, tips and guides, store services info, and more.
Top-Selling Items
Given how often I shop at Fleet Farm, I’ve picked up on some of their top-selling products at the Beaver Dam location. In fishing, live bait like nightcrawlers, minnows, and leeches are always hot sellers during open water season. Soft plastics including Gulp! and Berkley PowerBait are best-sellers as well.
For clothing, their house brand Fleet Farm shirts, jackets, and overalls dominate sales I’m sure. Spotting their familiar red logo across the store is commonplace. Other consistent hits are hunting jackets from reliable brands like Carhartt and Under Armour.
In footwear, Muck Boots and Lacrosse are always popular for hunting, fishing, and general outdoor use. I see their boots on people’s feet all over the store. Other hot items are trail cameras, deer stands, and feeders during hunting season. Gas cans, oil, and lawn fertilizer are go-tos in the summer.
And people flock to the seasonal greenhouse for bedding plants, vegetables, and herbs starting in spring. Shoppers load up their carts with soil, mulch, and lawn decor as well to prep their yards and gardens for the warmer weather.
Convenient Pet Section
Though not a full-fledged pet store, Fleet Farm has a section dedicated to pet supplies that’s worth browsing. They carry a variety of dog and cat food, including some specialty brands alongside more common Purina, Iams, etc. Their prices are very fair on kibble, canned food, and treats.
They have leashes, collars, bowls, beds, toys, supplements, grooming supplies, waste bags, and similar staples. Plus, a decent selection of live fish for aquariums. I was able to find a basic kit with a small tank, filter, light and some decor.
However, selection is limited for small pets like guinea pigs, hamsters, birds etc. For specialty pets, you’ll need to venture to a dedicated pet retailer instead. But for basic food and supplies for dogs and cats, I can usually get what I need here without fuss.
Satisfying the Sweet Tooth
No trip to Fleet Farm is complete without a stop for snacks, candy, and other goodies! They have a sizable food section filled with convenience grocery items, frozen foods, baked goods, and more. Their candy section is truly impressive.
They’ve got all the classics like M&Ms, Snickers, Reese’s – both full size and smaller impulse buy portions. Plus old-school sweets like nonpareils, root beer barrels, and rock candy that take me back. And movie theater classics like different flavored Twizzlers, Dots, Cookie Dough Bites, and other candies.
It’s the kind of candy selection perfect for throwing in your cart on the way out after a long shopping trip. I often grab a bag of candy corn in the fall or malted milk eggs around Easter. With the vast options, you’re sure to find something to satisfy your sweet tooth cravings.
Petroleum – Fuel Up While You Shop
Now what really makes the Beaver Dam Fleet Farm a one-stop shop for me is the fuel station on site. Nothing’s worse than an empty tank when you’re hitting the open water before sunrise! So I love the convenience of fueling my truck right there while loading up on necessities.
Their gas prices are reasonable – on par with other stations in the area. I usually save a good 5-10 cents per gallon using my Fleet Farm rewards card. They also have diesel pumps for the truckers and farm equipment that frequent the store.
The fuel station is open 24 hours as well, so you’re covered even if the store itself is closed. And they have the basics like oil and common automotive fluids inside for self service. Topping off windshield wiper fluid or oil is quick and easy here.
After shopping, I just have to fuel up and I’m instantly ready to hit the boat launch or backroads. No additional stops required. It’s these kinds of conveniences that make Fleet Farm an ideal outdoor recreation shopping destination here in Beaver Dam.
Final Thoughts on My Go-To Retailer
When it comes to one-stop shopping for fishing, hunting, camping, hiking, gardening, and just about anything else outdoors, Fleet Farm has proven itself as my local go-to. The Beaver Dam location provides small town service with a selection rivaling big box stores.
Sure, I may still visit specialty shops for hard-to-find items once in awhile. But day in and day out, Fleet Farm has everything I need for life in the field. Their prices, promotions, and services like layaway keep me coming back.
So for fellow outdoorsmen here in Dodge County seeking reliable gear at reasonable prices, I highly recommend swinging by Fleet Farm next time you’re stocking up for the season. Get to know their inventory, ask questions when needed, and take advantage of their underrated niche offerings. They may just become your new go-to retailer as well!
