Bigelow said his passion for hunting and fishing led him to decide to move to Pembine from his hometown of Sheboygan, Wis., in 1999. He got involved with the community as well, becoming Pembine town supervisor and is involved with the rescue squad.

Bigelow started Ducey’s Guns & Ammo in 2019 and for the first two years sold guns out of their house before moving into the present location at N18678 U.S. 141, which formerly was Pembine Food Depot before it closed in late 2019 when the owner moved to Niagara, Wis., to take over what now is Northwoods IGA.

With fall hunting seasons getting underway, this is coming up on a busy time for Ducey’s Guns and Ammo.

The business sells a wide range of firearms, including hunting rifles, handguns, AR-style rifles, black powder and crossbows, along with all the ammunition to go along with them. Bigelow said that Ducey’s Guns & Ammo does buy and sell used guns; however, most of what they carry are new.

DUCEY’S GUNS & AMMO is at N18678 U.S. 141 in Pembine, Wis. (Jim Paul/Daily News photo)

Handguns are Bigelow’s biggest seller and they average three sales a day. Popular brands available at Ducey’s Guns & Ammo include Glock, Smith & Wesson, Colt and Savage.

Ducey’s Guns & Ammo not only sells locally in the store but has a growing online presence as well. Bigelow said he’s sold firearms in 24 states and is popular in the South.

Bigelow likes to promote safe and responsible gun ownership and conducts several different classes to help individuals learn how to handle a firearm. Bigelow is a U.S. Concealed Carry Association-certified instructor and has concealed carry classes for not only Wisconsin but Michigan as well.

Other classes that Bigelow teaches include a ladies-only beginner gun handling class and a concealed carry and home defense fundamental class. One-on-one private lessons are available as well.

When selling to a first-time gun buyer, Bigelow takes the time to understand what might suit them and makes sure the buyer is comfortable with their purchase.

“It is important to do research on what type of gun they want and we go through a lot of it. We talk to people about what they are looking for,” Bigelow said. “Are they looking for hunting? Concealed carry? Are they looking for protection at home? We try to help them out with all of that.”

Bigelow also started Ducey’s Club Inc., a private non-profit gun club that leases 40 acres from the Town of Pembine to operate a shooting range. As a part of safe firearm ownership and operation, Bigelow encourages firearm owners to spend time at a shooting range.

“The more practice you get, the better you get, the more confidence you get,” Bigelow said.

In addition to firearms, Ducey’s Guns & Ammo stocks fishing equipment, rods, reels, lures and even live bait. Camping supplies — such as tents, sleeping bags and lanterns — are also available.

On top of all the hunting, fishing and camping equipment, Ducey’s Guns & Ammo also has a small selection of groceries, beer and liquor. Bigelow said that he gets requests to carry items to save people a trip to Iron Mountain and tries to accommodate them when possible.

Ducey’s Guns & Ammo is open 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Thursday, 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Friday and Saturday and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sundays.