"I was Wrong, BIG TIME" by Jim Zumbo

[h20fowler]

I was wrong, BIG TIME by Jim Zumbo
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.



This is by far one of the worst written apologies of all time.

Forgive me because
1 - I was tired
2 - I didn't know my material
3 - I'm an NRA member
4 - I fly an American flag at my house
5 - I'm your friend
6 - The Nuge still wants to hunt with me and I am going to use an AR.

Well I'm sorry, What about the TERRORIST comment? What about associating a sportmans choice in LEGAL firearms with someone that feeds on fear and destruction?

I have to admit the apology upset me as much as the original blog.

[h20fowler]

It's not taking long for the "jokes" either

Coyote hunting trip - $1750.00
Single shot rifle - $3000
Six-pack of beer after the hunt - $4.50
Drunken posting revealing your true feelings - Priceless

http://whatbrick.googlepages.com/evil-rifle.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v99/smallestminority/ZumboDrop.jpg

[gcs71]

I find it a very weak apology at best. IF the sponsors did tell him to write his own thoughts and opinions, I am sure they thought it understood that he would not piss off those whom he has been feeding off from for decades (sportsmen who buy his sponsors products), which also MAY have been some of the same money that provided the "free hunts" to veterans. I fly my flag 365- served in 2 seperate branches of the military over a 10 year period- I get tired- and I damn well guarantee you that none of these would be found as a fit excuse or a free pass to call law abiding American citizens "TERRORISTS" and expect no negative feedback. Whether he meant to offend us or not is really not the question- the question now should be how do we handle damage control? He may very well feel bad for the ordeal but once a cat is out of the bag its damn hard to recapture. Jim has made his living with the pen and I will finish with "I am very glad he has had editors in the past or who knows where this could be now". My .02

[h20fowler]

This one really cracked me up.... Remember this photo from the Kerry campaign

http://i22.photobucket.com/albums/b343/ebolamonkey/zumbo_kerry1.jpg

[GR8HNTR]

some of those are way to funny. what does he think he can accomplish with such a lame apology. I can't believe that Uncle Ted even wants to take him out. I watch Ted's hunting show every chance I get. He has several of the semi auto's. Maybe he wants to use Zumbo as bait on a bear hunt in Alaska!

[Kelly Rees]

Uncle Ted is just trying to help him out of his hole. Teds one of the good guys...

But ya, lamest apology ever.

[J Kryspin]

Uncle Ted is just trying to help him out of his hole. Teds one of the good guys...

But ya, lamest apology ever.

Could not have said it better.

[h20fowler]

Ted is an amazing humanatarian... I'd rather see him out hunting with Chaney though!

[mnbenelli]

Freedom of speech...I don't know what the big deal of it all is anyways. The guy just gave his opinion right or wrong. Is he really sorry for what he wrote or is he sorry for all the money he is going to lose through sponsorships. I don't know, either way the man has the right to speak his mind and that is what makes this country we live in so great. My 2 cents.

[gcs71]

freedom of speech! Sure he has the same freedom of speech as everyone else but he was not being very representative of all the sportsman. It IS his job to support hunting and gun ownership. He makes his living off the sponsors who guess what? sell ammo to AR owners. Sell ARs etc. IF Hilary Clinton makes that statement you almost expect it but when one of your own does it--Damn-- kind of blindsides you, as well as, disappoints. As an example say that you are a union industrial electrician and you write an article in a national publication bad mouthing union lineman electricians; would you then think; well he has freedom of speech, so what? or would you be wondering why your union brother was selling you out or selling you short? what if he wrote he thought you were a possible terrorist because you could disrupt the power grid? maybe not the best example but one I could think of quickly. Dont get me wrong folks I am not trying to be argumentative at all just trying to stress how so important it is for us all to stick together on such a hot item as gun control. Honestly, I could give a rats ass if I ever fired another handgun in my life, but I will support to the end the rights of lawabiding others to own and fire them if they so choose. A man like Jim is an icon of sorts to this very issue of gun control, he even says so in his apology (NRA member) and has had national recognition for decades on these matters and he KNOWS better, he just made a mistake and I hope other writers and editors learn from this. BTW ask Heraldo Rivera about freedom of speech and when its time to NOT use it. The older generation will remember this "Loose lips sinks ships".

[shootstraight]

Hey, zumbo messed up - big deal. He has done more for hunting than everyone on this forum combined. Sometimes all you gun nuts get so obsessed over your newest toy you loose sight of more important issues.

[The Duck Squad]

Hey, zumbo messed up - big deal. He has done more for hunting than everyone on this forum combined. Sometimes all you gun nuts get so obsessed over your newest toy you loose sight of more important issues.

And he has hurt, affended, and stabbed more people in the back than everyone on this forum COMBINED.

[spaightlabs]

Actually, I think it's a pretty good apology. Let he amongst us who is without sin cast the first stone...

Some of you fellas aren't old enough to have fubarred on this big a scale yet - some of you might never get to experience it, but a lot of you will. I hope those of you that do, have an audience that is more forgiving than you are.

[DropEmInDE]

AMEN !!! :lol:

[hammer007911]

Hey, zumbo messed up - big deal. He has done more for hunting than everyone on this forum combined. Sometimes all you gun nuts get so obsessed over your newest toy you loose sight of more important issues.

Yeah go to the anti websites and read them quoting Dumbo on his stancwe on AR-15's

He may have done more good then any of us which is debatable.

He has now done more harm for us and our rights to bear arms then all of combined on this forum.

Ask the Canadians how the antis have taken their guns ask the CA guys how they lost their guns. Call me a gun nut sure. I just want to use my larger then 50 caliber automatic assault weapon to shoot ducks and geese(a 12 gauge automatic).

Please give me a more important issue for a hunter then gun rights. Please enlighten me in all seriousness.

Thanks
Hammer

[hammer007911]

Freedom of speech...I don't know what the big deal of it all is anyways. The guy just gave his opinion right or wrong. Is he really sorry for what he wrote or is he sorry for all the money he is going to lose through sponsorships. I don't know, either way the man has the right to speak his mind and that is what makes this country we live in so great. My 2 cents.

No different then us giving our opinions to his former sponsers.

No different then us talking with our wallets.

I agree anyone can speak their mind and people can call for their ass if they are counter to their thoughts.

I just bought a AR-15 last year from one of his sponsers.

[hammer007911]

Actually, I think it's a pretty good apology. Let he amongst us who is without sin cast the first stone...



Say that to a cop when he pulls you over for speeding :shock:

Officer if you have not sinned you can write me up. GET REAL :?




Some of you fellas aren't old enough to have fubarred on this big a scale yet - some of you might never get to experience it, but a lot of you will. I hope those of you that do, have an audience that is more forgiving than you are.

I am in the powder keg of politics every day and if i fubarr I will be gone in less then three days. Part of the job I accept. :lol:

So if the president comes out and says let eliminate hunting you just let him off the hook? I would try to get him voted out of office.

Hammer

[shootstraight]

Please give me a more important issue for a hunter then gun rights. Please enlighten me in all seriousness. (From the comedian with the hilarious images).

First I don't know how to do your fancy computer tricks.

Second. Loss of Habitat. You are not going to lose your gun rights becuase jim zumbo said something about a certain model gun and to say so is not only ignorant it is ridicules. You will lose your hunting privelages when some rich guy from California buys a huge swath of land throws up a development and no tresspassing signs. That is the biggest danger hunting. Ducks Unlimited knows this and so too should everyone else on this site.

[h20fowler]

Shootstraight, you were a bit left... I think you missed the point of the whole topic and are trying to push the loss of habitat as the most important thing in conservation. I am not going to agree or disagree with you. It does play a major roll. But firearms are used for far more many things then just hunting. We are talking about a second amendment right.

And if you don't think there are organizations fighting every day to take your firearms away you are sadly mistaken. I DARE you to go out and do some research on the Brady Bill. See what was proposed, and what came into effect. I DARE you to go see what bill is being pushed before the legislators.

And if you think they aren't targeting your hunting firearms, think again. They use VAGUE hidden descriptions to portray what they want banned.

Read the following and tell me that any hunting rifle you own, between the 17 hmr to whatever, does not or could not fall into this category. After all, Hunting rifles should be precision instruments used to take game as humanely as possible


http://blog.myspace.com/index.cfm?fusea … fb14f4dbML
Monday, February 19, 2007 - 2:09 AM
"The tragic proliferation of Sniper Rifles
I would like to take a moment to comment on the proliferation of Sniper Rifles.
Sniper Rifles are typically equipped with a high-powered scope, and every single one of them can blow through the body armor cops wear. They can even penetrate multiple police cars. Does the Second Amendment protect cop-killer Sniper Rifles? The NRA certainly thinks so, along with the powerful gun lobby that wants your children and your law enforcement officers to be at risk from these weapons of mass destruction. Some of these Sniper Rifles can even penetrate ballistic or armored glass, lightly armored vehicles, and armored limousines. Senator Ted Kennedy attempted to solve this with an important bill that would have banned armor piercing ammunition and protected lawful firearm commerce:

"Another rifle caliber, the 30.30 caliber, was responsible for penetrating three officers' armor and killing them in 1993, 1996, and 2002. This ammunition is also capable of puncturing light-armored vehicles, ballistic or armored glass, armored limousines, even a 600-pound safe with 600 pounds of safe armor plating.....

..It is outrageous and unconscionable that such ammunition continues to be sold in the United States of America.."

Should our elected officials live under the threat of reprisal on their lives from disgruntled constituents? The Gun Lobby seems to think so. We disagree.

Sniper Rifles can be equipped with precision optics above even what the Military uses, allowing a sniper to deliver rounds within millimeters of accuracy - enabling them to engage targets at distances of well over one hundred meters. Is there a pressing need to be able to kill with accuracy at that distance? It is too far to justify as self defense. It is too far for hunting. It is only useful for those who wish to murder from afar.

Large caliber Sniper Rifles such as the .50 Browning Machine Gun can derail freight cars, shoot down aircraft and helicopters, damage vital ground equipment such as power substations, fuel tanks, and air traffic control, and cause complete chaos. For more information on why large caliber machine-gun rounds must be banned, visit http://www.50caliberterror.com. A shipment of large caliber machine-gun round sniper rifles made by Steyr turned up in Iran, and are being used on our own soldiers, as the .50 bullets easily defeat their body armor, their up-armored humvees, and even APCs.

Many forward thinking, progressive politicians such as Ted Kennedy, Chuck Schumer, Barbara Boxer, Nancy Pelosi, Hillary Clinton, and Barack Obama have voted against Center-Fire Rifle Ammunition of types for Sniper Rifles, but due to the pressure and massive financial resources of the gun industry, the necessary steps to protect our homes and lives have not been attained.

Sniper Rifles have been used by murderers and spree killers for years, with notable incidents such as the Beltway Snipers, the Clocktower Sniper, and more.

ANY rifle configured and equipped as a sniper rifle has no sporting purpose especially as a hunting rifle. They are too big and heavy to take to the field. Designed for distance shooting, they are useless for the ranges at which game animals are normally shot, and when used on sporting sized game at range they often just wound the animal, inhumanely forcing it to die slowly while the would-be hunter tracks it to finish it off. Most Sniper Rifles fire atypically large cartridges and ultra high velocity ammunition that can travel much greater distances that standard ammunition. The danger imposed from missed shots and ricochetes from these specialty rounds is unreasonable.

Most of these rifles carry multiple rounds, with either an automatic mechanism, or a quick toggle action to rapidly move another bullet into the breech, ready to fire into another victim. In most states, they are nearly unrestricted. Anyone over the age of 18 can buy one. If they can't pass a background check, they skirt the NCIS system by going to a gunshow, or finding a private sale in the newspaper. A murderer camped at a distance from a public gathering could quickly turn it into a massacre dwarfing anything we have seen before in the United States, if they had a Sniper Rifle. If they adopted hit and run tactics, entire portions of our country could be shut down.

Sniper Rifles shoot a high powered bullet that is almost always fatal. They are designed for one thing- delivering powerful overkill with deadly precision. You don't need the kind of power and accuracy that can kill a man at five hundred yards for hunting rabbits or defending your house.

We should also give commendations to France because many years ago they designated any firearm capable of shooting military ammunition as a military arm, illegal to posess without a special permit and unlawful to use for hunting. The 223, 308, 7mm mauser, 30-06, and 6.5x55 have no place in the hunting fields of France. Firearms shooting these calibers are military weapons only designed for killing PEOPLE and should be kept out of the hands of the general population. Because they have no hunting purpose, there is no reason for civilians to own them.

Every state in the USA has hunting equipment rules that limit the caliber of firearm used to take game. They also limit the types of rifles, length, magazine capacity, etc. States should amend these hunting regulations to restrict the use of "sniper" rifles, specialty "sniper" cartridges, and "sniper" ammunition. Limits on weight, barrel length, bipods and tripods, thumbhole stocks and pistol grips, night vision type scopes, scopes of excessive magnification, super magnum and high velocity ammunition, and military slings should be imposed. They have no place in the hunting fields of America and hunting usage should not be used as an argument for civilians to own such firearms and weapons. There are more than ample hunting rifles, cartridges, and rounds of ammunition to choose from without them.

Let us hope that in a safer, saner America, we will succeed in our efforts to restrict the deadly spread of long distance murder rifles."

[h20fowler]

I am not going to disagree with anyone on here on freedoms. Yes, Jim Zumbo has the right to express his opinion however he seems fit. He chose to express his opinion on an open line of communication to the world. So now he also has the right to receive any backlash from what was said.

Am I mad about what he said, Yes.

Do I feel betrayed by what he said, Most definitely.

I grew up reading articles by Jim. I am 32 years old and have been reading stories of him hunting deer in all 50 states and game animals across the world since I was 8 or 9 years old. When I was coming through things there was no internet or forums to gain knowledge from. It was all done through publications. (wow I'm not trying to sound like an old man here!)

I would spend my Saturdays with my nose buried into an Outdoor Life, Sports Afield, Peterson's Hunting, or whatever I could get my hands hand. I'd dream of the day where I could go chase sheep in the Rockies, Caribou in Canada, or even to think about Africa... Jim's articles always drew me in. They captivated my imagination and gave me hope that one I to could and would be able to do those things.

Jim built a 30 year career of writing, producing, filming, and documenting his days in the field across the world. OUR consumer dollars go to companies that paid and sponsored him to hunt and pursue game 200 days a year so that I could read about his challenges.

When I went and bought a box of shells, or supported anyone of his sponsors I essentially helped pay him to the live the life that I could dream about at the time.

Then, in one foul swoop he changed everything that I thought he ever stood for. He attacked us, and our rights to own a LEGAL firearm because he didn't see a need. He wrote an article on something that he admitted he did not know about and used terms to compare them that are outrageous! I feel betrayed.

Some of the people that are on here don't have the same experiences that some of the others have. So they don;t really see the big picture or how the Anti's can feed off of these quotes made by one of our own. But he did more damage in that one blog then anyone can fathom and on so many levels.

I agree. He made a mistake. But slack I won't cut. I expected more out of Jim. He let me down even though I have never meet him. But through his articles, I thought I knew him as a brother of the same sport.

[Killer Miller]

Nice essay H20. Well I missed all of this....some of us have to work AND go to school. :wink: Anyway, I'd like to comment on the John Kerry photo.....I remember seeing something like that on the news because they were hunting in Iowa. But I didn't realize that he was hunting with Jim Zumbo.....I prolly didnt even know who he was during my senior year. Kerry=d@^chebag!

[h20fowler]

I'll give a dissertation! :wink: :lol:

He was not hunting with Kerry. That is photoshopped as a joke.

[hammer007911]

Please give me a more important issue for a hunter then gun rights. Please enlighten me in all seriousness. (From the comedian with the hilarious images).

First I don't know how to do your fancy computer tricks.

Second. Loss of Habitat. .

Do you know they banned the magizine extention tubes For SBE's.

I did no think so. I had to drive down to Cedar Falls Iowa to buy one of the last ones in the midwest due to them being outlawed.

No worries ah?

Live and learn my friend.

Hammer

[h20fowler]

Just an FYI. Here is the wording for the current House Bill H.R. 1022. It is currently in committee. While it is true that most bills never make it out of committee. DO NOT look for this thing to Die.

http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/query/z?c110:H.R.1022:

If you think it doesn't effect you you are mistaken. It effects more then just the shooters. It will end up effecting the hunters as well. How many "turkey guns" can you think of that fall into the category below.

(H) A semiautomatic shotgun that has--

(i) a folding or telescoping stock;
(ii) a pistol grip;
(iii) the ability to accept a detachable magazine; or
(iv) a fixed magazine capacity of more than 5 rounds.

Mossberg just introduced a new Camo 835 last year that had a telescoping stock and pistol grip.

I don't ask that you speak out on anything, just educate yourself on what is being proposed. Then make a decision based on your own personal beliefs.

[Hunter4UK]

Boys, regardless of what Zumbo does or says we can all agree on two things:
1) The feds are trying to put so many Da** restrictions on us (Firearms, hunting regs, etc.) that it aint even funny to think of where we might be in 10 or 15 years

2) We are in danger of losing habitat. Prime example: here in middle TN where our state game bird is the Bob-White Quail you're lucky to find even one covey of wild birds in a 30 mile radius! Why? Habitat. Farmers strip down the land so they can plant more crops, rich a$$ holes buy up the farms that have gone under and develop "Crate House" neighborhoods.

Face it boys, if we don't "Stand together" our Livlihoods as outdoorsmen will soon be gone forever.

On a side note - if they (the Feds) ever try to take away my guns, they can have them as soon as they pull them out of my cold dead hands.

[spaightlabs]

Thanks for the post re the attempted reinstatment of a bad law...very upsetting...there's a lot more chit to work on for the Dems than some POS trying to run this clunker up the flagpole again...

[hammer007911]

Just an FYI. Here is the wording for the current House Bill H.R. 1022. It is currently in committee. While it is true that most bills never make it out of committee. DO NOT look for this thing to Die.


(iii) the ability to accept a detachable magazine; or


That means your SBE boyz.

I hope some young guns can see why this is so important. I guess if I want to stop this kind of legislation and someone calls me a gun nut "I am"

Hammer