Mr.ZUMBO'S RESPONSE
Edit:a big Thank You to Pa for the heads up!
if anyone is interested...
I was wrong, BIG TIME
Someone once said that to err is human. I just erred, and made without question, the biggest blunder in my 42 years of writing hunting articles.
My blog inflamed legions of people I love most..... hunters and shooters. Obviously, when I wrote that blog, I activated my mouth before engaging my brain.
Let me explain the circumstances surrounding that blog. I was hunting coyotes, and after the hunt was over and being beat up by 60 mph winds all day, I was discussing hunting with one of the young guides. I was tired and exhausted, and I should have gone to bed early. When the guide told me that there was a "huge" following of hunters who use AR 15's and similar weapons to hunt prairies dogs, I was amazed. At that point I wrote the blog, and never thought it through.
Now then, you might not believe what I have to say, but I hope you do. How is it that Zumbo, who has been hunting for more than 50 years, is totally ignorant about these types of guns. I don't know. I shot one once at a target last year, and thought it was cool, but I never considered using one for hunting. I had absolutely no idea how vast the numbers of folks are who use them.
I never intended to be devisive, and I certainly believe in United we Stand, Divided we Fall. I've been an NRA member for 40 years, have attended 8 national NRA conventions in the last 10 years, and I'm an advisory board member for the United States Sportsmen's Alliance which actively fights anti-hunters and animal rights groups for hunter's rights.
What really bothers me are some of the unpatriotic comments leveled at me. I fly the flag 365 days a year in my front yard. Last year, through an essay contest, I hosted a soldier wounded in Iraq to a free hunt in Botswana. This year, through another essay contest, I'm taking two more soldiers on a free moose and elk hunt.
When I started blogging, I was told to write my thoughts, expressing my own opinion. The offensive blog I wrote was MY opinion, and no one else's. None of the companies that I deal with share that opinion, nor were they aware of what I had written until this firestorm started.
Believe it or not, I'm your best friend if you're a hunter or shooter, though it might not seem that way. I simply screwed up. And, to show that I'm sincere about this, I just talked to Ted Nugent, who everyone knows, and is a Board member of the NRA. Ted is extremely active with charities concerning our wounded military, and though he's known as a bowhunter, Ted has no problem with AR 15's and similar firearms. My sincerity stems from the fact that Ted and I are planning a hunt using AR 15's. I intend to learn all I can about them, and again, I'm sorry for inserting my foot in my mouth.
February 18, 2007 in Hunting | Permalink
if anyone is interested...
I was wrong, BIG TIME
Someone once said that to err is human. I just erred, and made without question, the biggest blunder in my 42 years of writing hunting articles.
My blog inflamed legions of people I love most..... hunters and shooters. Obviously, when I wrote that blog, I activated my mouth before engaging my brain.
Let me explain the circumstances surrounding that blog. I was hunting coyotes, and after the hunt was over and being beat up by 60 mph winds all day, I was discussing hunting with one of the young guides. I was tired and exhausted, and I should have gone to bed early. When the guide told me that there was a "huge" following of hunters who use AR 15's and similar weapons to hunt prairies dogs, I was amazed. At that point I wrote the blog, and never thought it through.
Now then, you might not believe what I have to say, but I hope you do. How is it that Zumbo, who has been hunting for more than 50 years, is totally ignorant about these types of guns. I don't know. I shot one once at a target last year, and thought it was cool, but I never considered using one for hunting. I had absolutely no idea how vast the numbers of folks are who use them.
I never intended to be devisive, and I certainly believe in United we Stand, Divided we Fall. I've been an NRA member for 40 years, have attended 8 national NRA conventions in the last 10 years, and I'm an advisory board member for the United States Sportsmen's Alliance which actively fights anti-hunters and animal rights groups for hunter's rights.
What really bothers me are some of the unpatriotic comments leveled at me. I fly the flag 365 days a year in my front yard. Last year, through an essay contest, I hosted a soldier wounded in Iraq to a free hunt in Botswana. This year, through another essay contest, I'm taking two more soldiers on a free moose and elk hunt.
When I started blogging, I was told to write my thoughts, expressing my own opinion. The offensive blog I wrote was MY opinion, and no one else's. None of the companies that I deal with share that opinion, nor were they aware of what I had written until this firestorm started.
Believe it or not, I'm your best friend if you're a hunter or shooter, though it might not seem that way. I simply screwed up. And, to show that I'm sincere about this, I just talked to Ted Nugent, who everyone knows, and is a Board member of the NRA. Ted is extremely active with charities concerning our wounded military, and though he's known as a bowhunter, Ted has no problem with AR 15's and similar firearms. My sincerity stems from the fact that Ted and I are planning a hunt using AR 15's. I intend to learn all I can about them, and again, I'm sorry for inserting my foot in my mouth.
February 18, 2007 in Hunting | Permalink
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He's trying to cover his butt. Being tired will make you more likely to say what you actually feel, not less.
I believe he meant what he wrote and wrote what he meant.0 -
SP - you're right again.
That's twice.
D.0 -
"Let me explain the circumstances surrounding that blog. I was hunting coyotes, and after the hunt was over and being beat up by 60 mph winds all day, I was discussing hunting with one of the young guides. I was tired and exhausted, and I should have gone to bed early. When the guide told me that there was a "huge" following of hunters who use AR 15's and similar weapons to hunt prairies dogs, I was amazed. At that point I wrote the blog, and never thought it through."
Whaaaa whaaaa whaaaa. I don't for a minute believe this man.
"When I started blogging, I was told to write my thoughts, expressing my own opinion."
He clearly made his point in his blog. Back paddling does not change his true nature. He is a thoughtless public figure who has done gun owners, and gun rights a great harm.0 -
"I never intended to be devisive, and I certainly believe in United we Stand, Divided we Fall. I've been an NRA member for 40 years, have attended 8 national NRA conventions in the last 10 years..."
Hmmm. Then he must not be a very good listener, to not realize how damaging his column could be. To not realize how the anti-gunners will use any scrap of info and oppinion against us. While I understand it's easy to write stupidly when you're tired, it's hard to believe someone this involved could screw up that badly. If I hadn't had any sleep in 3 days, nothing would rejuvenate me more than the so-called 'assault' weapons discussion. That's either ingrained or it isn't. While I'm glad he at least appologized, I guess we'll never know what his true feelings are.0 -
quote:Originally posted by vess1
I guess we'll never know what his true feelings are.
No, I think we do know already. He's with the anti-gunners when it comes to "assault rifles" [which we here at this board know do not really exist]0 -
I believe people learn from mistakes. I only hope Zumbo now will stand along side the legal ownership of the firearms he originally bashed.
He is taking steps to educate himself and who knows, he just might be a good public voice for "assault weapon" owners and users.
Time will tell.0 -
He said what he said and it was pretty specific. Covering his butt after the fact, means nothing to me.
He already expressed his real thoughts. It seems his concept of the RKBA relates to hunting guns.
Put quite simply, I could give a crap how many NRA Conventions he has attended, or how many days a year he hoists Old Glory, or how many soldiers he assists.
He is for gun control and that is enough for me, period.
Too late Jimbo, you showed your a ss.0 -
I agree. To little to late. 0 -
When your drunk or tired, the truth seems to roll out of ones mouth freely without thought. 0 -
The old "assault weapons might just be OK for hunting with Ted Nugent" ploy doesn't take away that terrorist crap he was spouting!
He can stick it in his a$$ next time he goes to an NRA convention.0 -
Sounds like damage control to me too.
Sarah Brady probably flies Old Glory 24 7 365 too.
Let's see what Remington, Gerber and the rest of his sponsors have to say about mid week or so.
Reading his blog sure gave me a very strong opinion and not sure what it would take to chnage that.
OK so some folks lashed out rather harshly after reading his blog and some were worded a little coarsely. Well not all of us have been to college and have a way with $20 dollar words. Some of us call em like we see em. Zumbo made his bed and now he's gonna have to sleep in it for a while.0 -
I've been reading some of his responses for the last half hour and just scratched the surface. I've never seen something blow up in somebody's face that badly. The word must have just started getting out today. He deserves every bit of it.
I can't believe Remington would have been behind that though. I see no need to boycott Remington unless they continue to support this guy. His career is toast.0 -
Sounds like journalist rehab to me. 0 -
"If you watch what someone pays attention to, you'll learn what their true and subconscious intentions are".
I read that somewhere a few years ago, and think it applies to Zumbo.0 -
Just in case the "original" disappears.......by ZDumbo
Assault Rifles For Hunters?
As I write this, I'm hunting coyotes in southeastern Wyoming with Eddie Stevenson, PR Manager for Remington Arms, Greg Dennison, who is senior research engineer for Remington, and several writers. We're testing Remington's brand new .17 cal Spitfire bullet on coyotes.
I must be living in a vacuum. The guides on our hunt tell me that the use of AR and AK rifles have a rapidly growing following among hunters, especially prairie dog hunters. I had no clue. Only once in my life have I ever seen anyone using one of these firearms.
I call them "assault" rifles, which may upset some people. Excuse me, maybe I'm a traditionalist, but I see no place for these weapons among our hunting fraternity. I'll go so far as to call them "terrorist" rifles. They tell me that some companies are producing assault rifles that are "tackdrivers."
Sorry, folks, in my humble opinion, these things have no place in hunting. We don't need to be lumped into the group of people who terrorize the world with them, which is an obvious concern. I've always been comfortable with the statement that hunters don't use assault rifles. We've always been proud of our "sporting firearms."
This really has me concerned. As hunters, we don't need the image of walking around the woods carrying one of these weapons. To most of the public, an assault rifle is a terrifying thing. Let's divorce ourselves from them. I say game departments should ban them from the praries and woods.0 -
Doesn't matter that he apologized (sincere or not)...what does matter is that the anti-gun crowd has already gotten ahold of the first article and are using it.
http://www.myspace.com/bradycampaign
They call him one of Remingtons "top gun writers". I think Remington better distance themselves from ole Jimbo pretty quick.
But unfortunately, the damage has been done and the anti-gun crowd will use this against us for a long time to further their agenda.0 -
BACKSTROKE!!!
What a Zidiot!!
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I have a couple of autographed book by zumbo am thinking of a
giveaway.0 -
I think we need some Congressional Hearings to determine what really happened. Don 0 -
quote:Originally posted by sheepdip
Sounds like journalist rehab to me.
Sounds like John Kerry to me![xx(]0 -
quote:Originally posted by moonshine
I have a couple of autographed book by zumbo am thinking of a
giveaway.
No thanks not interested? Very nice sorta though. [;)]0 -
I suppose a Remington 700 auto loader is almost a terrorist gun? 0 -
I knew there was a reason I didn't like the crap he writes.
He is as much a sellout as Bill Ruger was.0 -
quote:Originally posted by moonshine
I have a couple of autographed book by zumbo am thinking of a
giveaway.
Count me out.[:(!]
The thing that gets me is he doesn't apologize for calling people terrorists who own or shoot the AR.0 -
Here is a C&P from Uzi talk dot com. Remington does not seem happy.
Cut and pasted from another site. These are purported to be Remington responses to the Zumbo attack piece.
***************************
ALL - Jim Zumbo in NO WAY speaks for Remington! His opinions are his own. We at Remington take our 2nd Ammendment Rights extremely seriously and ourselves market and manufacturer a AR based 308 rifle. Remington Arms supports the lawful use of all firearms by thier owners in whatever legal manner they choose. We at Remington feel that it is the diversity of our tastes and uses of fireaems that should also be the binding element that assists us all in defending the rights granted to us by our fore fathers.
Rest assured that remington not only does not support jim's view, we totally disagree! I have no explaination for his perspective.
I proudly own AR's and support everyones right to do so!
What makes me sick is how quickly people on the internet have called to boycott Remington. All Jim said was he was hunting with our people! This is normal course in our industry. How else do people think we field test? with writers.
Remington has spent tens of millions of dollars to defend your rights and how quickly the thanks is threat and boycott! Please feel Free to post that remington does not agree with Zumbo in any way shape or form and we will assess our relationship with him accordingly.
Tommy Millner
CEO and President
***************************
PLEASE SEND THIS TO ALL THE PEOPLE ON THE ORIGINAL LIST.
1. THE AUTHOR OF THAT ARTICLE IS NOT I REPEAT NOT A REMINGTON REP.
2. IT IS OBVIOUS THAT THE AUTHOR IS WAY OUT OF TOUCH WITH THE GUNS OF
TODAY.
3. IT IS EQUALLY OBVIOUS THAT HE HAS FORMED HIS OWN OPINIONS BASED ON A
CONVERSATION/S WITH GUIDES WHERE HE WAS HUNTING, NOT DUE TO SOMETHING A
REMINGTON EMPLOYEE SAID.
PLEASE REST ASSURED THAT REMINGTON AS A COMPANY HAS NOTHING AGAINST ARs
OF ANY KIND AS WITNESSED BY THE FACT THAT WE OURSELVES HAVE A 308
VARIANT OF AN AR.
I will handle this.
V/R
Michael Haugen
CW3 (R) USSF
Manager - Military Products Division
Remington Arms Company Inc.
360-458-6395 (office)
336-207-7180 (cell)
360-400-1678 (Fax)
*********************************
ALL - rest assured that Mr. Zumbo does NOT speak for Remington! Most of you I am sure know that we ourselves market and sell a AR based 308.
I am forwarding this issue to my Military Product Manager ASAP
V/R
Gregory Baradat
MSG (R) USSF
Military Products Representative
Remington Arms Company Inc.
253-503-7129 (Office)
253-380-2850 (Cell)
253-267-5165 (Fax)0 -
With the results almost all in, this sounds a bit like the Dan Rather story on the President's credentials. It could very be the end of his beloved career as a writer. He backed up his true feelings 3 times in that blog, how can he even think of backpeddaling? 0 -
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Well you just heard from a different type of gun owner. Zumbo is of the crowd that pays big money for a hunt, they use average to high dollar custom built rifles and look down at "lesser" kinds. Other than Nugent, how many hunting shows are using the ARs, AKs etc? The difference is like those that remember muscle cars and dont like the rice burnning tuners.(me) Zumbo was ill advised to write what he did. But to the anti-gunners they do struggle with the idea that the AKs are just like my weatherby. Different strokes. 0 -
MVP - Perfect summary.
You get an A+.0 -
quote:Originally posted by awinds
MVP - Perfect summary.
You get an A+.
I actually borrowed that from another board. I am just a messenger[:I]0
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