Jim Zumbo is Dumbo

[shoots-straight]

Anyone catch what mess Jim Zumbo caused with his foot entering his mouth.:BLEEP:

Here's a link.http://outdoorlife.blogs.com/zumbo/2007/02/assault_rifles_.html#comment-60822454

The editor added the comment at the bottom of the article after a firestorm on unhappy sportsman demanded Zumbo be fired. |oo

Also check out todays retraction by Zumbo.:MAD

I don't personally own a asault type weapon but they really are no different than most of the semi auto's that sportsman have traditionally used for hunting. They just look meaner.

 

[Ithaca 37]

I can't see "todays retraction by Zumbo". What did he say?

 

[shoots-straight]

Just type in www.outdoorlife.com and go to his blog.

He basically apoligized to everyone, said he's hunters and fishermen's best friend, and he was tired when he wrote the blunder. Said he was going to go with Ted Nugent on a small games hunt with some Asault weapons and shoot some stuff. Sounded like he was trying to save his job to me.

 

[Bambistew]

I'm not a fan of assult rifles for hunting, but I if someone wants to use them I could care less. I do agree with him about the image that they portray though.

Sounds like he has the same mentality as they traditional black powder guys. If it doesnt' fit into thier view of hunting then it should be banned... such as in ID. Same could be said with the traditional archers. If you don't nap your own broadheads then its just not hunting...

 

[JB]

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.



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.

you would think he was aware of the methods and choices of weapons for people hunting coyotes and other varmints today.
he sure pissed in some cheerios.......i agree with Bambistew, if his comments had been about crossbows or inlines the same folks who are pissed now would feel vindicated and throw a slob nobber sleep over with their buckskin wearing friends in celebration.

 

[noharleyyet]

I guess Remington is not introducing an assault type soon huh?

 

[BuzzH]

I can see both sides of this one.

It makes no sense to me to even own one of the various P.O.S. assault type weapons. I've never been a fan of any semi-auto firearms, not even shotguns. But, to each their own, and anyone should be allowed to own and shoot what they want. For hunting applications most of the assault type firearms are pretty much worthless IMO. I know a handful of very serious coyote hunters and none of them carry anything but very accurate bolt actions.

That said, I would be for any legislation on a state level that banned their use for big-game hunting.

Bambistew,

On the muzzleloader and archery comment. I used to believe the same thing you did. I dont think its as much a "you need to do it like I do it" problem that traditional archery and muzzleloader hunters have. What I believe is that the long-time followers of both sports are seeing their sport changing drastically from long seasons/low success to something very different.

When most archery and muzzleloader seasons were pushed through, many, many years ago the reason they were successful in selling extended or special seasons is because they werent killing much game. That was one of the selling points...very low success meant generous seasons because the impact to the wildlife was minimal.

Things have changed now because of the technology. When I first started bowhunting in 1984 success rates for archery elk hunters in Montana were about 5%...the success rate has doubled since then. Not only that, but the number of archery hunters has more than doubled. Its becoming difficult, if not impossible for archers to now say they have very little impact on the game they pursue.

With technology and higher success rates...I believe that over time you're going to see shorter seasons. Thats the price you pay for efficiency.

Point being, that I can see why long-time traditionalists in archery and muzzleloading have a problem with all the new technology. What they want is to keep their sports more about opportunity, long seasons, and time afield and less about success rates. I'd think it would be a bitter pill for a guy thats hunted with a recurve or longbow for 30 years to see his seasons shortened and opportunity taken away because of technology advances.

I just dont think most modern archery or muzzleloader hunters, with the latest and greatest in equipment, put much thought into why a traditionalist may not like all the new gadgets.

 

[ringer]

I have used a Ruger mini 30 for yotes and I am not the only one. Why not? Cheap ammo, low recoil, accurate enough and with a 5 round clip it is no different than using any other semi auto.

 

[BuzzH]

Ringer,

Why not?

How about if you make your living shooting coyotes?

A good friend of mine did exactly that for several winters in the early 1980's. At $100+ a piece for coyotes..."good enough accuracy" of a mini-30 doesnt cut it. In particular when the shot you're taking has to cover the mortgage, groceries, power bill, etc.

In the case of serious coyote/fox hunting...I'd stick with the most accurate bolt action I can find.

 

[The Hedgehog]

I've always thought Dumb Jimbo was gay, fat, lazy, and annoying, but I never would have guessed he was also anti-gun.

Who'd use an "assault rifle" to hunt with? I've never seen anybody do that in all my life. Is there a problem with it though? Since I'm unaware of any problems, I'd never vote anywhere ban their use for any type of hunting or shooting. I own an AR15, lots of those 40 round banana clips and other useless accessories. It's fun as hell to rip it up at the gophers with, but I haven't done that in over 10 years.

Hey, just because they look suspect, let's make them illegal.. I don't get it.

Dumb Jimbo should accept the fact that he's a lardass and his opinion doesn't hold much weight with hunters who recognize that he's not a hunting authority, but more of a marketing/business expert that's all to used to having his ass wiped by some hunting guide. In my opinion, candy-ass fatboy hunts should be illegal -- wouldn't Dumb Jimbo be bummed about that!?!

 

[The Hedgehog]

Buzz, I don't get it. Why would you support making hunting big game with them illegal? Because you personally don't like assault rifles? I have seen some damn hole punching AR flat-tops that could wrech havoc on antelope. What if a guy had a tricked out M-14 and wanted to take an elk with it?

I don't like butt-pirates, but wouldn't support any law making it illegal -- I mean, what the hell would they be doing if they couldn't be cornholing each other?? To each their own.

 

[BuzzH]

Greenhorn,

I agree with you about dumb jimbo...

Consider this for a reason for banning assault type weapons for big-game hunting:

What type of people do you suppose would actually hunt big-game with an assault weapon?

I'm sure nothing but the most ethical, reasonable, and upstanding of the hunting community.

 

[The Hedgehog]

I don't know Buzz. I suppose if I knew anybody that would like to give it a try, they should be able to, me included. I have a few friends I can think of that probably have taken antelope with AR15s. Making laws based on assumptions and misguided stereotypes isn't right in my opinion. I know of no big issues these days with hunters and assault rifles, therefore, why the hell make it illegal?? That's pure anti-gun mentality if you ask me.

And FYI, I'm not an NRA member.

 

[The Hedgehog]

I do know that thumping away at a pack of running coyotes with an AR-15 is a damn fun time. Oh man... doing that with wolves -- woody material.

I can see it's about time to buy some bulk .223 ammo.

 

[BuzzH]

I do know...

While tragic and misguided, 80% of the public does not hunt...but have a neutral opinion of hunting and hunters. They also have the absolute "right" to set legislation to take away our "privelege" of hunting.

I believe that the key to the longevity of hunting is more about "image" than about reality to the non-hunting community. Its a pain in the ass to have to worry about "image" but, thats what we have to deal with.

While totally ridiculous, the first thing a non-hunter would think if they saw some dipshit dressed in camo and hunters orange packing an AR-15, is great "Rambo of the trailer-park is out mowing down herds of _______animals with his assault weapon".

The image nightmare doesnt seem worth it. I'm all for people having the right to own and shoot whatever they want...

Where I part company though is when it comes to hunting. Hunting does not need to be associated with AK-47's, Uzi's, AR-15's and the like. If banning assault weapons for hunting keeps hunting more secure for the future...so be it....

Just curious if you think states that have minimum or maximum caliber restrictions for big-game is also anti-gun?

How about the fact I cant take the ol' 8 gauge goose hunting? more anti-gun legislation?

Minimum draw weights for bowhunting? Cutting diameter of broadheads? anti-bow legislation?

 

[Nemont]

Buzz,
The new AR 15's, fitted with high quality optics and the new "varmit" barrels are tack drivers. There are more and more guys using them for coyote hunting even the die hards. They offer quick followup shots and are deadly out past 300 yds.

I don't own one but I now alot of very good coyote hunters who do.

What is your gripe with semi auto shotguns? They have been around for a long, long time and the bird population doesn't seem to have suffered.

Nemont

 

[Bambistew]

Buzz the same could be said about rifle hunting as well. The rifles/bullets/etc and optics of todays rifles push that 'killing' distance out a couple hundred yards or more. Don't forget range finders there either.

I don't think you could point to any one aspect of bow or muzzy hunting that has dramatically increased harvest stats. Hunters of today have many more things at thier finger tips than just better killing weapons, mostly knowlege and experience and IMO probably the best.... affordable OPTICS. Compare a top of the line set of binos from 20 years ago to the ones today. The top of the line 20 years ago are like the $300 models made today. I'll bet that animals shot with todays supper duper bows are not killed at that much of a greater distance on average than they were 20-30 years ago. I'll bet if you asked a 100 archers what one thing they think helps them the most in the field to kill animals consistetly, I bet one of the top answeres would be a range finder! But you never hear the traditional guys say they want to ban them.

The traditional circle jerk guys are nothing but the oposite of the guys that want to kill deer/elk with a 50 cal Barret. IMO neither one are in the majority so why does it matter?

I don't think there are many guys that shoot 'assult' type rifles at big game, but I do think that there is getting be a bunch of guys that shoot them at varmints. And why not? you said you want the most accurate rifle you could find? Some of the tricked out AR's will shoot itty bitty little groups. And do it 3 times as fast as a bolt gun. Sounds like a perfect match for yote calling.

Like I said I could care less what someone needs to kill with. I enjoy hunting what I have, and IMO thats what matters.

Greeny, I agree with ya. I've never liked zumbo nor any of his 'how to elk hunt' books/articles/etc.

 

[The Hedgehog]

Haha -- come on Buzz.

While tragic and misguided, 95% of the public is heterosexual...but have a neutral opinion of gays and lesbians. They also have the absolute "right" to set legislation to take away their "privelege" of sodomy.

Possibly the key to the longevity of equal rights for gays and lesbians is more about "image" than about reality to the heterosexual community. Undoubtedly , it's a pain in the ass to have to worry about "image" but, thats what they have to deal with.

While totally ridiculous, the first thing a heterosexual would think if they saw some dipshit dressed in a tight wifebeater and leather cheekless pants packing a swank-looking pink feather boa, is great "Elton John here is going to cornhole everybody in the neighborhood when they aren't looking, my family and pets are not safe".

The image nightmare doesnt seem worth it. I'm all for people having the right to do what they want in thier own home... Pretty soon it will be against the law to spank your monkey, and that's scary -- especially for me.

Really though Buzz, where has that happened, that you know of -- some dude dressed up with his assault weapon and scaring the hell out of folks, putting on a "bad image" for hunters?? I've seen how you dress in the field. Don't be a frikkin hypocrit!

 

[Bambistew]

I can see your point about the image that they portry however and agree with it to a certain extent.

I work in an office with about 350 other people, as far as I know there are about 4-5 of us that do any real amount of hunting. You'd be surprised at how many non hunters ask about pictures I have up in my cube and what not, and you'd probably be surprised at how many ask what kind of 'gun' I used to kill it with. Some even ask if I killed them with a M16... I think the image is out there already.

 

[BuzzH]

Nemont,

Nothing against semi-auto shotguns...I just prefer pumps.

Bambi,

I disagree...I have a PSE Phaser up in the rafters. That thing is a club...and even when properly tuned was only slightly better than a recurve. Maxed out was 35 yards. Tragectory like a rainbow.

My mathews? One pin to 30 yards, 40 yard pin that I can shoot out to 50 with by just putting the 40 yard pin on the critters back.

Its intuitively obvious that the performance of bows, both in accuracy and ease of shooting, that has lead to higher success rates.

Like I said...the reason why traditionalists are upset are equally obvious.

They are the minority now, but I'd also bet that the current modern day archer is going to see shorter seasons and more limitations. Listen to them howl like mashed cats when that happens...

And take a guess who else gets to enjoy shorter archery seasons...the traditional guys that fought for and created the long archery seasons we all enjoy.

They have a right to be pissed about the way archery is headed...I dont necessarily agree with it, but I can surely see why they feel like they do.