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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Just in: Zumbo shaves head, check into rehab.[:D] 0 -
I think it is important to run him out of the shooting world, to show outdoor life and others, that if they do not support us, we will not support them
I reamed him a couple times, awesome to see the reaction0 -
I posted a response to his article. When I did, I was respectful and pointed out clearly the things with which I did not agree. Obviously, he was overwhelmed with responses, some not particularly respectful, I would expect. He got the point.
Have you ever been wrong? Have you ever said or did something that you regretted? Do not answer, because we all have.
I, for one, will give to him the benefit of the doubt. He responded, he apologized, and I could not ask more. Just my thoughts on the subject.0 -
I was reading the comments to his apology and it seems most do not accept his apology.
As long as he has been writing he knows to re-read and think about what he is saying before posting.
His apology is a weak effort to cover his butt!0 -
quote:Originally posted by wtroper
I posted a response to his article. When I did, I was respectful and pointed out clearly the things with which I did not agree. Obviously, he was overwhelmed with responses, some not particularly respectful, I would expect. He got the point.
Have you ever been wrong? Have you ever said or did something that you regretted? Do not answer, because we all have.
I, for one, will give to him the benefit of the doubt. He responded, he apologized, and I could not ask more. Just my thoughts on the subject.
The comments he made were NOT by accident. They were thought out and planned. Now had he said that he "didnt belive in using AR's" or that "he thinks people are dumb for having AR's" is one thing. Even if he had left it at "Excuse me, maybe I'm a traditionalist, but I see no place for these weapons among our hunting fraternity." that is a personal opinion and I can live with that even though I disagree. That was not the case he said that "I'll go so far as to call them "terrorist" rifles" that is not a statement you have a "slip of the tounge" or bad wording. To say something like that you have to truly feel that way. His feelings are that people that use guns other then what he likes are bad and that anyone who uses an "assault rifle" especially an AR is no better then a Terrorist. That is a personal attack at anyone who owns an AR and most likely any "assualt rifle" and that will take A LOT MORE then a simple "ooops I said the wrong thing" to make it right in any way. He made that statement ONLY after getting the ammount of bad press he has, my guess is that he made his response most likely under duress(sp) from the pressure he is getitng from his sponsers.
"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". It must be rough to have such a tough job [xx(]. How many of us would do that for free in a heart beat or maybe even pay to do such? I am sure it would be more then a handful. I am just so gald that his has such a rough time just to help educate us poor lesser people on the "right" way to be [xx(].
Now I am no hater of NRA, but I am not a fan either. What does being part of the NRA prove? I know the NRA is not all bad, but what have they done for the NON "PC" gun floks, at the very best they have done NOTHING.
Just my thoughts. There are no personal attacks here.0 -
Not once in his "apology" did he mention the right to keep and bear arms.
He hasn't learned a damned thing......0 -
i get madder about this idoit the more i think about it[V] 0 -
Here is the response I posted to his apology...
The damage is done. The hunting community does not want an apology; we want you to go away. The apology we want is from the companies who work with you. The apology should read in total, "I'm sorry we didn't fire him sooner."0 -
quote:Originally posted by elkoholic
Here is the response I posted to his apology...
The damage is done. The hunting community does not want an apology; we want you to go away. The apology we want is from the companies who work with you. The apology should read in total, "I'm sorry we didn't fire him sooner."
Well put!0 -
Just a simple question...concerning gun control, Zumbo...and YOU.
Everybody is mad at the man.
Now...how many of YOU support registration or waiting periods or Project Exile or background checks...?
Are YOU any better then Zunbo...or do you actually support the Second Amendment as written..free of the goverment/NRA spin ?0 -
I copied from the "comments" a list of email addys for the companies that sponsor Zumbo. I simply pasted the addresses in a "TO:" line of an email denouncing him--and respectfully asking that they "divorce" themselves from him. You can do the same, if you're so inclined. Just highlight, copy and paste the addresses below:
webmaster@outdoorlife.com, webmaster@remington.com, tommy.millner@remington.com, dawn.lorello@swarovski.com, sales@gerberblades.com, benglish@mossyoak.com, pstrickland@mossyoak.com, domain.admin@CABELAS.COM, corporate@cabelas.com, info@stoneypoint.com, hans@himtnjerky.com, kimberly@himtnjerky.com, connie@himtnjerky.com
BTW, for what it's worth, I for one DO NOT support ANY restrictive legislation regarding gun ownership. As far as I'm concerned, the Second Amendment is restrictive enough.0 -
I could respect him if he said that he believed it was amateurish to use an AR or AK as a hunting rifle (one does look like a Rambo-wannabe poser using such a rifle to hunt).
However, he chose to say essentially that no one should own an AK or AR, note the term "terrorist-rifle", so the jerk gets no pity or understanding from me.0 -
quote:Originally posted by wtroper
I posted a response to his article. When I did, I was respectful and pointed out clearly the things with which I did not agree. Obviously, he was overwhelmed with responses, some not particularly respectful, I would expect. He got the point.
Have you ever been wrong? Have you ever said or did something that you regretted? Do not answer, because we all have.
I, for one, will give to him the benefit of the doubt. He responded, he apologized, and I could not ask more. Just my thoughts on the subject.
Accept his apology if you choose, but he still has his gun-banning views and demonstrated that he thinks the RKBA is about hunting.
He said what he said and the "apology" does not change that.
Terrorist weapons my a ss![:(!]0 -
quote:Originally posted by Highball
Just a simple question...concerning gun control, Zumbo...and YOU.
Everybody is mad at the man.
Now...how many of YOU support registration or waiting periods or Project Exile or background checks...?
Are YOU any better then Zunbo...or do you actually support the Second Amendment as written..free of the goverment/NRA spin ?
Highball
My conscience is clear on the points in your question. I do NOT support gun control in any form, period.
Excellent questions Sir. Something for all to self examine about.0 -
quote:Originally posted by KSUmarksman
I could respect him if he said that he believed it was amateurish to use an AR or AK as a hunting rifle (one does look like a Rambo-wannabe poser using such a rifle to hunt).
However, he chose to say essentially that no one should own an AK or AR, note the term "terrorist-rifle", so the jerk gets no pity or understanding from me.
Not trying to flame, but what's the problem with hunting with an AR or AK? Both are certainly powerful enough to do the job. In the case of the AR, if you're not comfortable with the .223 you have about 40 other options to choose from.
If I'm hunting (and I haven't in several years) I don't care what the guy at the check-in station thinks about me, I care about putting meat in my freezer.
In short, why do I need a seperate plinking rifle, varmit rifle, medium-sized game rifle, ect. when one rifle can do all three jobs just as well0 -
quote:Originally posted by HighVolumeOfFire
quote:Originally posted by KSUmarksman
I could respect him if he said that he believed it was amateurish to use an AR or AK as a hunting rifle (one does look like a Rambo-wannabe poser using such a rifle to hunt).
However, he chose to say essentially that no one should own an AK or AR, note the term "terrorist-rifle", so the jerk gets no pity or understanding from me.
Not trying to flame, but what's the problem with hunting with an AR or AK? Both are certainly powerful enough to do the job. In the case of the AR, if you're not comfortable with the .223 you have about 40 other options to choose from.
If I'm hunting (and I haven't in several years) I don't care what the guy at the check-in station thinks about me, I care about putting meat in my freezer.
In short, why do I need a seperate plinking rifle, varmit rifle, medium-sized game rifle, ect. when one rifle can do all three jobs just as well
Don't get me wrong, I have no problem with using such rifles for hunting, I'm just saying that I can see why some people may consider such a hunter as amateurish.
The main reason is that the "tactical" nuts give the rest of us a bad name. They are in the minority, but I have seen a couple guys show up at the range in a fully packed tactical vest (6 AR mags, 1 or 2 pistols, several pistol mags, etc. etc.) and rapid-fire their "assault" rifles at the 20 meter pistol range (getting pretty hideous groups in the process)0 -
[:D]
Point taken0 -
Just wanted to thank Zumbo went out and put the M4 I have been thinking about for about 2 monts now on layawy( want to get it before he helps ban assult type rifles). Oh yea mine will never leave the gun safe, it's for the collection I working on.[;)][;)][:D][:D] 0 -
quote:Originally posted by MVP
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.
I too am willing to give his long years of service a 2nd chance... Yet I feel it is a mistake that it is incomprehensible to make. It is like the old Sam Kinnison joke, "Rockers against drugs is like Christians against Christ." Zumbo against guns...
The simple fact that he would even dignify the term "assault weapon" with any use or modification and use is beyond unimaginable. That entire term and use of those words is from a focus-group tested, anti-gun agenda group. It is a political catch phrase invented by the extremist left and spread by their willing accomplice; the major media. It truly stuns me that Jim Zumbo would ever use that term.
Yet I must confess, I have watched him on TV and found him to be very average and down to earth, like one of the guys. Maybe his lack of understanding of the term comes from exactly what makes him the good gun/hunting guy he has been for so long. One of us, one of the little guys. I don't know, it has disturbed me and I am toiling over it in my head. Part of me thinks he is such a big A-hole for ever dignifying that dis-informative term, and part of me can't help but think that maybe he just wanted to do and say before taking the time to think, just like me I get so tired from the fight sometimes that I just don't think about it for a while until I have recuperated.
I don't know and I am uncertain about him, but I am leaning towards giving him a 2nd chance, and if Uncle Ted feels he is OK or is willing to give him the benefit of the doubt, then I guess so am I.0 -
quote:Originally posted by pickenup
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.
yep, divide and conquer...is this guy on the payroll of Sarah Brady??
Personally, after posting a steaming pile of crap like that, I think he should flog himslef in public for an apology at minimum, committ seppuku at maximum.0 -
quote:Originally posted by KSUmarksman
quote:Originally posted by HighVolumeOfFire
quote:Originally posted by KSUmarksman
I could respect him if he said that he believed it was amateurish to use an AR or AK as a hunting rifle (one does look like a Rambo-wannabe poser using such a rifle to hunt).
However, he chose to say essentially that no one should own an AK or AR, note the term "terrorist-rifle", so the jerk gets no pity or understanding from me.
Not trying to flame, but what's the problem with hunting with an AR or AK? Both are certainly powerful enough to do the job. In the case of the AR, if you're not comfortable with the .223 you have about 40 other options to choose from.
If I'm hunting (and I haven't in several years) I don't care what the guy at the check-in station thinks about me, I care about putting meat in my freezer.
In short, why do I need a seperate plinking rifle, varmit rifle, medium-sized game rifle, ect. when one rifle can do all three jobs just as well
Don't get me wrong, I have no problem with using such rifles for hunting, I'm just saying that I can see why some people may consider such a hunter as amateurish.
The main reason is that the "tactical" nuts give the rest of us a bad name. They are in the minority, but I have seen a couple guys show up at the range in a fully packed tactical vest (6 AR mags, 1 or 2 pistols, several pistol mags, etc. etc.) and rapid-fire their "assault" rifles at the 20 meter pistol range (getting pretty hideous groups in the process)
Why would you even care how others look at the range?0 -
He opened his mouth and inserted his foot so deep that he is now tiptoeing through deep doo doo.
Sad, but this going to cost Mr.Dumbo dearly.
Trinity +++0 -
It looks like Outdoor Life is dumping him also, at least for the time being.[:)] 0 -
quote:Originally posted by tsavo303
i get madder about this idoit the more i think about it[V]
+1[:(!][:(!]0 -
Statement from Outdoor Life
Due to the controversy surrounding Jim Zumbo's recent postings, Outdoor Life has decided to discontinue the "Hunting With Zumbo" blog for the time being. Outdoor Life has always been, and will always be, a steadfast supporter of our Second Amendment rights, which do not make distinctions based on the looks of the firearms we choose to own, shoot and take hunting.
Please direct any comments you have to OLletters@time4.com.0 -
I received the following from Gerber in response to my complaint about Zumbo: (kinda lame, if you ask me)
Following Jim Zumbo's recent comments, those of us at Gerber would like to clarify that we respect the opinion of our sponsored hunters and users however, we do not necessarily agree with all their opinions, nor do we endorse their public statements. Our presence and development in the tactical and hunting markets is proof-positive we are committed to supporting these industries and all those involved.
Since Jim's blog was published he has issued this apology: http://outdoorlife.blogs.com/zumbo/2007/02/i_was_wrong_big.html.
Thanks for supporting our rights and for supporting Gerber Legendary Blades.
Jason Kintzler
Senior Communications Manager0 -
There are a few people that feel Mr Zumbo has apologized and he should be forgiven. I look at it like this, His comments will not go away, he is a major player in the "Hunting" world. Sooner or later the political debates concerning "Assault Rifles" will surface again. And you can bet your ass that the anti gun crowd will have his comments "Front and Center". They will have the words of a "well respected" outdoor writer and hunter associating AR's and other semi-autos with "Terrorists". This may be just enough to sway some "middle of the roaders" over to the anti side. 0 -
hell ya it will be[xx(] 0 -
I, too, believe his apology is insincere, an attempt at damage control. BUT, anything he does, short-term, will be viewed as such.
Proof as to whether he is sincere and "deserves" forgiveness will be in his actions and words down the road. Short-term this IS gonna cost him dearly, I think we are just seeing the beginning of the fallout for Zumbo[B)]0 -
Well Outdoor Life has removed both the stupid blog and the crappy opology. So now if you want to read it you must go to the Brady campaine's blog where they have it posted. You would think the worthless asshat would demand them to remove it from their site, but you know, maybe he wanted it there to begin with.
Got Guns?0
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