Zumbo Dumped!

Sporting ARs

2007-03-04T13:01:00.000-08:00

Finally a hunting writer that understands the debate!
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Stoner's brilliant battle design is following tradition by heading into the woods.
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By Dick Metcalf

The following article was prepared for press prior to the current controversy concerning AR rifles used in hunting, and will appear in the May/June issue of Petersen's Hunting.")

Virtually every type of centerfire sporting rifle in existence started off as a military weapon. The classic lever-action deer gun, long the most popular type of hunting rifle in America, began as the Henry Rifle of the Civil War era, designed to bring rapid fire against the enemy. The lever-action was succeeded in universal popularity by the bolt-action--the standard hunting rifle of today--which we owe to Paul Mauser's classic battle-rifle design.

Sporterized military guns have always found their way into the hunting fields--and always with resistance from traditionalists.

Now another rifle of military origin is moving rapidly into prominence in the hunting and sport shooting world: the AR15 .223 and AR10 .308. And, like its predecessors, the AR platform is meeting resistance, even outright opposition, from many hunters who are personally wedded to earlier gun designs. No surprise there; when the lever action was first used for hunting, traditionalists, whose idea of a "real" hunting gun was a single-shot muzzleloader, distained the need for a repeat-fire tool.

First-generation bolt-action military surplus rifles were also disparaged by many sportsmen as "inappropriate" for hunting. But the AR design's proven capability has already made it the rifle of choice for top-level civilian high-power rifle competition. It is also increasingly the rifle of choice for serious long-range varmint and predator shooters, and it's appearing in increasing numbers in the big##### hunting arena, as well.

It should. ARs are not all just .223 caliber. In fact, most people are probably not aware that the AR design originated as a .308 (7.62mm), not as a .223 (5.56mm).

To get your AR to match the accuracy of the best hunting rifles, swap out its barrel for a match-grade version.

Technically speaking, it makes all the sense in the world that proven military rifle designs should be inherently appropriate for hunting use. All successful military rifles are specifically designed for rugged, reliable function and durability under extreme conditions, which translates automatically into use under even the most extreme field-hunting use. They're also designed for reasonable weight, portability and ease of fast handling by people who may be carrying other heavy gear and wearing bulky clothing. They have an inherent capability for follow-up shots, and they must be deadly accurate against targets of the same basic dimensions and at the same distances typically encountered by hunters.

The AR in particular is a superb hunting design, due primarily to its lightweight synthetic and corrosion-resistant alloy construction. And, it's surprisingly accurate, due primarily to the fact it's an "assembled" gun rather than a "fitted" gun. Its major components essentially snap together. Unlike a traditional bolt-action rifle, which generally requires close-tolerance, hand-work receiver/barrel mating and precise bedding into the stock for maximum accuracy and consistency, a hunting-grade (or even competition-grade) AR can readily be assembled from modular components literally on a kitchen table, by anybody with a modicum of ability to use relatively simple hand tools. Likewise, a service-grade "standard" AR15 can readily be brought up to minute-of-angle performance by selective replacement of key modular elements with match-grade parts. And, once tuned, an AR stays that way, due to the fact that its entirely nonorganic components (nonwood) are not susceptible to environmental distortion (warpage or swelling). All an AR really needs is a quality barrel to shoot as well as the best hunting rifle you can buy.

Hunting versions of the AR design, in a wide variety of chamberings, are currently offered by several manufacturers. One of the early leaders in AR hunting rifle and sport configurations has been ArmaLite, which offers both lightweight and heavy-barrel configurations in .223 (M-12A series) for long-range varmint and predator hunting, .308-chambered versions (AR-10 series) for deer hunting and competition and even a super-accurate .300 Remington Short-Action Ultra Mag (AR-10T Ultra), which is as good an elk, moose or general heavy game chambering as you can get.

MIX & MATCH
Because of its modular design, an AR is very easy to "sporterize" at your home workbench. The range of available quick-install AR accessories is nearly infinite, including a wide variety of precision-adjustable metallic sights, a diversity of optical sight-mount options, many different designs of adjustable or fixed buttstocks and forends (handguards), and attachments for varied styles of carrying and/or shooting slings and bipods for long-range precision shooting. A growing number of AR users are also taking advantage of the basic design to have different upper receivers in different chamberings and/or barrel lengths/weights made to attach to the same lower receiver (legally the serial-numbered actual "firearm"), making an AR nearly as versatile as a T/C Encore.

Other manufacturers offer complete AR rifles and AR upper receivers chambered for such excellent hunting cartridges as the 6.8mm Remington SPC, up to big-bore dangerous##### chamberings such as the .458 SOCOM or .500 Beowulf.

ARs are legal for hunting anywhere any other semiauto centerfire hunting rifle (such as a Browning BAR or Remington 742 or 7400) is legal--except in states that may have passed laws banning specific models and configurations of semiautomatics by calling them "assault rifles."

As for the "black rifle" issue...well, I like wood as much as the next guy, but the most popular hunting rifles in America these days, of any type, all have black or gray synthetic stocks, dull matte surface treatments or camo finishes, anyway. Black or camo bolt-action rifles, or black or camo ARs--what's the difference? If hunting with a "black gun" bothers you, don't. If you oppose others using a hunting tool simply because it doesn't "look right," you're standing on the same political platform as the California state legislature. Hunters should not do the antigun, antihunter groups' work for them.
The AR platform is a hunting rifle, and anyone who says differently simply doesn't know history.

Washington Post 1989 Article on AK's

2007-03-01T02:43:00.000-08:00

click on image to enlarge.
Click this link for a printer friendly format (vertical)

Yup, to all the Zumboites....

2007-03-01T00:53:00.000-08:00

It was the Internet's fault, the blogger's fault and the hardcore unrelenting supporters that hold to the founding Father's intent that the 2nd Amendment wasn't about "Sporting Weapons' but the current 'arms of the day' to defend U.S. citizen's from enemies aboard and quislings from within.

That brought the 'doom' to Zumbo the pariah.

Bigot's of the 2nd Amendment civil rights never can see past their elitist nose at what civil rights are at stake, so long as they can hunt.

Slavery was fashionable one time as well, and it's practitioners didn't get the civil rights violations they perpertrated & defended doing so as well.

And without a truliy embraced & practiced 'Right to bear arms' we will all be slaves to some sort of tyranny in the future. History teaches to this fact repeatadly.

Posted in response to this blog:
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Montana Outdoors: Zumbo doesn't deserve this much grief Web log posting turns national outdoor writer into pariah By MARK HENCKEL Montana Outdoors
http://tinyurl.com/3bhlos

Zumbo's AR Photo Op

2007-02-28T07:45:00.000-08:00

Meditations on forgiveness..

2007-02-26T05:09:00.000-08:00

Meditations on forgiveness

I was always under the impression that if someone wished to be forgiven for a trespass, that person first had to redress the wrongs that he (or she) committed. In other words, a person had to prove that he (or she) was truly contrite, through actions, before that person could be forgiven.

To the best of my knowledge, merely apologizing for a wrong is not grounds forforgiveness -- except in family matters
An apology is a start on contrition, but it's not the be-all/end-all act itself -- unless you are six years old and apologizing to your mother.

Alas, this seems to no longer be the case.

I have no earthly idea how many critters I have run across in my Law Enforcement career who have attempted to tell me -- some most eloquent in their fervor -- that they apologize for whatever it was they did

that got me involved.

And it's not just criminal critters. Bill Clinton's apology for lying about his affair with Ms. Lewinsky was most poetic; and a casual search can find any number of politicians apologizing for various and sundry excesses.

Entertainers are another group who can frame the most beautiful of apologies for the most sordid of acts.

Maybe I'm cynical, but I always have to wonder if they're apologizing for the act, or for getting caught.

More often than not in these modern days, I get the impression that folks are sorry they got caught in the act, rather than being sorry for the act.

The old saw about leopards and their spots is still as viable today as it ever was.

All of which brings us to Mr. Jim Zumbo.

Ted Nugent -- and others -- believe that since Mr. Zumbo has issued an apology he should be welcomed back into the fold. That Mr. Zumbo is "upgraded".

Folks, an apology is simply words. Nothing more. And until your actions prove them, the words, "I'm sorry"

mean less than a container of warm rodent expectorant.

Deeds, not words, lead to redemption. Deeds. I get enough pretty pillow promises from politicians, movie

stars and their ilk; I am not interested in hearing more words.

When Mr. Zumbo begins performing his acts of contrition, then -- and only then -- will I even consider forgiving his trespass.

Until such time as performs such deeds his words -- no matter how practiced, nor rehearsed, nor eloquent they be -- are merely the promises of a leopard as regards his spots, or the words of a man who is sorry he

got caught.

So. Until I start seeing some acts on Mr. Zumbo's part that demonstrate to me -- through deeds -- that he is

truly repentant, there shall be no forgiveness on my part.

Period.
Thus endeth the lesson.
LawDog
Meditations on forgiveness

NRA Publications Suspends Ties to Jim Zumbo

2007-02-23T21:14:00.000-08:00

NRA Publications Suspends Ties to Jim Zumbo

(FAIRFAX, VA) – The following statement was issued by the National Rifle Association of America.

Comments expressed by outdoor writer Jim Zumbo reflect neither the opinions of the National Rifle Association and America’s gun owners, nor are they an accurate portrayal of facts in regard to semi-automatic firearms lawfully owned by millions of citizens. Therefore, NRA Publications has suspended its professional ties with Mr. Zumbo.

The ensuing wave of grassroots response in support of the Second Amendment is a clear indication that America’s gun owners will act swiftly and decisively to counter falsehoods or misrepresentations perpetuated by any member of the media – whether it is one of the major networks or a fellow gun owner.

That depth of feeling and the unanimity of the response from the nation’s firearms owners sends a message to the new Congress. It says that millions of people understand the issue of semi-autos and will resist with an immense singular political will any attempts to create a new ban on semi-automatic firearms.

At the root of this grassroots response is the basic truth that ‘gun control merely makes the innocent pay the price for the guilty’ and our folks fully understand that their rights are at stake. It says that for the enemies of the Second Amendment there is no chance that the kind of divide and conquer propaganda strategy which preceded the 1994 ban on semi-auto firearms will ever succeed again.

It is our hope that Mr. Zumbo will use his energy and talent to help preserve our Second Amendment, America’s First Freedom, by ensuring that no one else falls prey to the tragic demonization of gun owners.

This is Cabela's official statement on the Zumbo issue.

2007-02-23T16:40:00.000-08:00

This is Cabela's official statement on the Zumbo issue.

On Monday, February 19, Cabela’s suspended sponsorship of the Jim Zumbo Outdoors television show until Cabela’s Legal Department could review contractual obligations and commitments relating to our business relationship. As of Tuesday, February 20, Cabela’s has ceased our business relationship with Mr. Zumbo.

Cabela’s strongly disagrees with Mr. Zumbo’s February 16 posting on his Hunting with Jim Zumbo blog on Outdoor Life’s Web site. His opinions on this matter run counter to the beliefs shared by Cabela’s more than 12,000 employees, many of whom are hunters, recreational shooters and firearm enthusiasts.

BOYCOTT PART 2? Is Field & Stream NEXT?

2007-02-23T04:12:00.000-08:00

"Gun owners -- all gun owners -- pay a heavy price for having to defend the availability of these weapons. "The American public -- and the gun-owning public; especially the gun-owning public -- would be better off without the hardcore military arms, which puts the average sportsman in a real dilemma".An Uzi or an AKM or an AK-47 should be no more generally available than a Claymore mine or a block of C4 explosive."
~David E. Petzal - 1994 / Current writer for Field and Stream
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Zumbo's writer bud's come out to help? LINK TO THE ARTICLE
(Predictably, the taps open and the elitist cadre of yellow running dog revisionist lackeys of the Imperialist Zumboists rush to the pachyderm's defense.)
===================================--
February 22, 2007-

February 22, 2007-
ZUMBOMANIA: David E. Petzal’s take on the Jim Zumbo fiasco

In case you just emerged from a coma and have not heard, the shooting world is agog over a blog posted by Jim Zumbo, former contributing editor at Outdoor Life, over the weekend of February 17. In it, Jim stated that any semiauto rifle with an AR or AK prefix was a terrorist rifle, had no place in hunting, and should be outlawed for that purpose. Then, courtesy of the Internet and all its blogs and chatrooms, the roof fell in.

The speed with which Zumbomania spread, the number of comments it drew, and the rabid nature of same were a revelation. Overnight, this thing became as big as Janet Jackson’s clothing failure or—dare I say it?—Britney Spears’ shaved head. Jim Zumbo is now as employable as the Unabomber, and Sarah Brady will no doubt adopt his comments to her own gun-control purposes.

(She already did, you dumbass !)

For the last several days I’ve been visiting all manner of blogs and chatrooms, which has reminded me of when I used to deliver used clothing to the local mental hospital. I’ve tried to make some sense of it all, but because the waters are still full of blood and body parts continue to rain from the sky, I haven’t come up with any Great Truths. Lacking that, here are some Lesser Truths. ("Lesser" is right. Stick to the great ones, Petzal. Ed.)

What Jim said was ill-considered. He’s entitled to his beliefs, but when a writer of his stature comes out against black guns, it sure as hell does not help our cause.

Even so, Jim made an immediate apology. He did not equivocate, or qualify, or make excuses. He acted like a gentleman and said he was wrong, and he was sorry. Apparently this is not enough anymore. We now live in the era of one strike and you're out.

(His "apology" was a textbook example of how to equivocate, qualify and make excuses. Did Petzal actually read it? Ed.)

For 40 years, Jim has been a spokesman and ambassador of good will for hunting. Through his tireless efforts as a teacher and lecturer on hunting and hunting skills, he has done more for the sport than any 250 of the yahoos who called for his blood.

(OK, Jimbo did lots for the sport. How does that compare with conspiring to undermine my Civil Right? Looks to me as if Petzal and Zumbo are cast from the same mold. Our need and right to bear arms clearly runs a very distant second to their Montana elk hunts and their pre-64 Win. in .270. Idiots. Ed.)

Jim has paid dearly for what he said. He has lost his blog and his association with Remington. Cabela’s has suspended its sponsorship of his TV show; and Outdoor Life has accepted his offer to sever ties. To all the chatroom heroes who made him unemployable, I have a word of warning: You’ve been swinging a two-edged sword. A United States in which someone can be ruined for voicing an unpopular opinion is a dangerous place. Today it was Jim’s turn. Tomorrow it may be yours.

(So people who call treason for what it is are the bad guys now? If I ever gain a position in the media similar to Zumbo's and advocate banning firearms that are different looking that Jack O'Connor-approved hunting arms, I hope that before I lose my job and sponsors somebody sneaks up behind me and nails me with a 2 x 4. Ed.)

If Sarah Brady is smart—and she is very smart—she will comb through the same blogs and chatrooms I’ve been reading, excerpt some of the most vicious and foul-mouthed entries, print them up, and distribute them to Congress. Then it will be interesting to see how the men and women who wrote that stuff enjoy seeing their efforts being put to use by every anti-gunner in America.

(No need. She has the world's most famous firearm expert explaining how some guns are bad. Why dilute the message? That's how smart she is. Ed.)
LINK TO THE ARTICLE

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Outdoor Life And Jim Zumbo Part Ways

2007-02-22T15:45:00.000-08:00

http://www.outdoorlife.com/outdoor/
Outdoor Life And Jim Zumbo Part Ways

By Todd. W. Smith
Editor-in-Chief

Outdoor Life magazine Editor-in-Chief Todd Smith released the following statement today regarding writer Jim Zumbo:

February 2007

In light of comments made by Jim Zumbo in his February 16, 2007 blog posting on the magazine’s website, Mr. Zumbo has offered to terminate his association with Outdoor Life, and the magazine has accepted his offer. Accordingly, he will no longer be contributing to the magazine in print or online. His final column with Outdoor Life will appear in the April 2007 issue, which has already gone to press.

We respect Mr. Zumbo's First Amendment right to free speech, and we acknowledge his subsequent apology and admission of error. However, Outdoor Life has always been, and will always be, a steadfast supporter of all aspects of the shooting sports and our Second Amendment rights, which do not make distinctions based on the appearance of the firearms we choose to own, shoot or hunt with.

We regret this turn of events, as Mr. Zumbo has been a good friend to this magazine and lifelong advocate for hunters and hunting rights.
We appreciate the comments we've received from our loyal readers about this matter and encourage them to continue to correspond with us. Please direct any additional comments to OLletters@time4.com

OutDoor Mag & Online have released Zumbo! Until Outdoor TV makes annoucements to the same OutdoorTV will remain on the Boycott list!

The Blog Heard 'Round The Industry

2007-02-21T07:35:00.000-08:00

The Blog Heard 'Round The Industry
Jim Zumbo angers firearm enthusiasts
by Jim Shepherd
posted February 20, 2007

Jim Zumbo, Hunting Editor for Outdoor Life magazine, angered firearms enthusiasts across the country with a weekend blog posting. His blog has now been suspended and sponsors are severing ties with Zumbo in spite of his apology. This article is provided by Jim Shepherd in association with the "Outdoor Wire," a feed service specializing in the outdoor industry.

Legendary hunting writer Jim Zumbo has incurred the wrath of thousands of shooting enthusiasts with a weekend posting on his now-suspended blog for Outdoor Life magazine.

In the posting, Zumbo said "assault rifles" (or "terrorist" rifles as he went on to refer to them) had "no place" among "our hunting community." Adding that in his "humble opinionâ€¦these things have no place in hunting" because "We don't need to be lumped into the group of people who terrorize the world with them, which is an obvious concern."

Zumbo went on to say "game departments should ban them from the praries (sic) and woods."

That kicked off a firestorm among owners of so-called "black rifles". Within hours, internet sites had reproduced the offending blog, kicking off thousands of angry emails and internet postings.

Subsequently, in what may one day be classified as the worst apology ever written (aptly titled "I was wrong, BIG TIME") Zumbo attempted to soothe readers, attributing his remarks to being tired following a long day of hunting coyotes in extreme weather conditions......MORE

BOYCOTT OF Gerber Has now has Dumped Zumbo ..

2007-02-21T02:42:00.000-08:00

.
Support Gerber!
Let them know what you think about that.

Contact: Jason Kintzler
Phone: 307.857.4700
JKintzler@GerberGear.com

Gerber Cuts Ties with Jim Zumbo

Portland, OR, February 21, 2007: Gerber Legendary Blades reacted to Jim
Zumbo's recent public statements moving to sever all sponsorship ties withthe long-time outdoor writer and hunter, effective immediately.
"After careful evaluation and consideration, we have made the decision to
discontinue our relationship with Jim Zumbo," said Brendon Weaver, Directorof Brand Management at Gerber. "At Gerber, we value the hunting heritageand cherish our Second Amendment right to keep and bear arms."
While we respect the opinions of sponsored professionals, customers and
end users of our products, Mr. Zumbo's recent statements are not consistentwith Gerber's culture and ideals as advocates of the hunting industry.

For more information please email Jason Kintzler at
JKintzler@GerberGear.com

Complaints from Sponsor's

2007-02-20T14:34:00.000-08:00

Anonymous said...

Why don't you remove the email addresses from the side of your page. None of those people have anything to do with the situation. The comments were made by Jim Zumbo himself, not by others. Fight the battle with Jim. To post those emails address and condone sending them "hate mail" is ridiculous and ignorant on your part. Some of those people are 20 years old and work as secretary's. You think they can really influence the gun industry. Remove those email addresses please or I'll appeal to have your blog suspended by promoting to send spam and hate mail.

February 20, 2007 7:06 AM
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RE: Anonymous said...
FROM: SHoRTY DATE: February 20, 2007 4:37 PM
==========================================

The firestorm is over ...
a. Jim Zumbo's words.
b. Outdoor Life as employer of Jim Zumbo as a contributing editor.
c. Advertisers who support Outdoor Life.

This boycott is a non-violent way to bring pressure to all who have ties in anyway, shape or form to Jim Zumbo. Even if they only have any administrative, business, product or service being advertised or listed with any associations of Outdoor Life.

When all sponsors pull their support by making demands to Outdoor Life for Jim Zumbo's hateful bigoted attack against the 2nd Amendment and all civil rights of gun owners of this great nation.By pulling their ads or services in protest of his remarks.

This blog is not the only site posting email addresses of sponsors of Outdoor Life.The sponsors administrative contact info have been posted on other gun forums as well. And all emails have been gleaned from ads, contact pages from all companies sponsoring ads in Outdoor Life.

If you don't like the outcry, then call Outdoor life and demand that Jim Zumbo has got to go. Because if your company still does business with Outdoor life, until they do get rid of Jim, Zumbo as a contributing editor...
your on a boycott list that will exist forever on the Internet and on possibly thousands of sportsmen websites.

I do not control the actions of others by posting email addresses. If they break the law, then they have committed the crime.

And if your company still supports a magazine with advertising dollars that has an employee or contributing editor bashing the 2nd Amendment. Openly collaborating verbally with the political enemies of freedom in violating the civil rights of all Americans.

Then you don't need our business.
Have a nice day!
SHoRTY
x

REMINGTON'S OFFICIAL RESPONSE:

2007-02-19T15:40:00.000-08:00

Tommy Millner Ceo/ President of Remington is to be praised for his fast response to Zumbo's blog. The petition stays in effect against Outdoor Life until they terminate Jim Zumbo as a contributing editor for his anti-gun anti-2nd Amendment bigoted comments. The AntiGun Brady Inc's don't give up, and neither should we.

2007-02-18T23:58:00.000-08:00

Jim Zumbo's Blog has been removed But here is ,,,
GOOGLE'S CACHED COPY OF JIM ZUMBO's BLOG
http://tinyurl.com/2wdns6

Dump Zumbo Petition

2007-02-18T23:19:00.000-08:00

> > > SIGN THE BELOW PETITION ONLINE HERE ! < < <

All petitioner's info is kept private and are not viewable, even by me!

What the Petition states....
To: Outdoor Life Magaziine & Remington Arms

In light of the editorial stance of Outdoor Life magazine contributing editor Jim Zumbo's anti gun stance against a certain class of firearms and labeling them as terrorist weapons on his blog hosted by Outdoor Life and sponsored by Remington Arms, was a obvious attack by Jim Zumbo against the civil right of choice of a individual's right to keep and bear arms.

The following signers of this petition call for a immediate boycott of all contributing sponsor's to any editorials of Jim Zumbo either in print or online.

For Remington Arms to immediately cancel Jim Zumbo's blog and any other connection with him.

Further more, we demand that Outdoor life magazine terminate any editorial agreements with Jim Zumbo.

And we will continue to boycott all party's, manufacturer's, publications, sponsors until Jim Zumbo is terminated.

Sincerely,
The Undersigned

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Link's to Jim Zumbo's Comments:
================================================

This is what started the Firestorm:
Jim Zumbo's incredibly antigun attack against the 2nd Amendment.
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Assault Rifles For Hunters? 02/16/2007
http://outdoorlife.blogs.com/zumbo/2007/02/assault_rifles_.html#comment-60832840
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
[ Jim Zumbo's Blog page is now deleted ]

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. ~ END

This was Jim Zumbo's self serving attempt to apologize.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
http://outdoorlife.blogs.com/zumbo/2007/02/i_was_wrong_big.html
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
I was wrong, BIG TIME 02/17/2007
[ Jim Zumbo's Blog page is now deleted ]

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. ~ END

_______________________________________________________
THE CUT AND RUN OUTDOOR LIFE RESPONSE:
_______________________________________________________

UPDATE: As a point of clarification about this blog, it is important for everyone to realize that the opinions expressed here are Jim’s and not necessarily those of Outdoor Life.

I’ve been friends with Jim for many years and have shared countless great times with him talking about both hunting and guns. While I totally support Jim’s right to express his point of view—this is his blog after all—I don’t happen to agree with him on this matter.

His position that AR- and AK-style rifles don’t have a place among our “sporting arms” is not one that I personally, or Outdoor Life as a magazine, happens to share.

In the six years that I’ve worked at Outdoor Life we have never wavered in our support of our Second Amendment rights, which don’t, and shouldn’t, make a distinction about the cosmetic look of the guns that we choose take to our local gun clubs or into hunting camp.

That said, I don’t expect every other hunter and sportsman out there to have a set of opinions that moves in lockstep with mine. So while I don’t share Jim’s view on this, I also know that he is still the same wonderfully talented and good-natured person he was before this post went up. For those of you who have followed him for all or part of his more than thirty years at Outdoor Life, I would ask you to bear that in mind before damning him with personal attacks.

John B. Snow
Executive Editor
Outdoor Life