Bass Pro pens partnership with Arkansas company

Bass Pro Shops announced a partnership with an 80-year-old Arkansas outdoor brand, though the specifics of the deal are being kept under wraps.

The deal is described in a Bass Pro news release as a "union" between the Springfield-based company and Mack’s Prairie Wings, which does business in Stuttgart, Arkansas. Bass Pro officials could not be reached for comment by deadline on the exact nature of the partnership.

"We greatly admire the passionate specialist team at Mack’s Prairie Wings for their commitment to serve the waterfowl community. By uniting, our hope is to amplify the impact of our combined expert knowledge to better serve customers and increase our shared commitment to conservation," Bass Pro founder Johnny Morris said in the release.

A May 17 report by Arkansas Business indicates rumors have been circulating that Bass Pro had purchased Mack’s Prairie Wings. It's unclear if such a deal has been made.

Founded in 1944, Mack’s Prairie Wings sells outdoor gear with a focus on waterfowl birds. The release pointed to similarities in the beginnings of Bass Pro and Mack’s Prairie Wings: with Bass Pro starting in the family's liquor store and Mack’s Prairie Wings starting in the family's hardware store.

The 125,000-square-foot Mack’s Prairie Wings was founded by M.T. “Mack” McCollum and then led by son Marion McCollum. Stuttgart is about 55 miles southeast of Little Rock.

“Our employees are going to benefit tremendously from this partnership," said Ginger Holladay, partner of Mack’s Prairie Wings and granddaughter of Mack McCollum, in the release.

Bass Pro, founded in 1972, has 172 stores in the United States and Canada, according to its website.