Updated: March 17, 2008, 7:15 am -- A correction pointed out by a reader. Mr. Zumbo made his remarks just over a year ago, in February 2007. Thanks Bitter.
**********
Jim Zumbo, the former hunting editor of Outdoor Life who didn't realize that many hunters use competition rifles in the field, or that high-power competitors care about their sport, figuratively shot himself in the foot a couple years ago with highly controversial comments regarding firearms useage.
A lot has changed for him since that time. He is coming to Columbus for the annual Ohio Deer & Turkey Expo. Many sportsmen and sportswomen are still bitter about his ill-advised comments, and how those remarks were exploited by anti-gunners.
Zumbo doesn't want to talk about it.
4 comments:
It wasn't two years ago. I knew off the top of my head because it blew up while Sebastian and I were dating, but I had it confirmed in the article you linked which noted it was February of 2007.
Yikes. Thanks Bitter. I should have known better than to rely on the comment from the show promoter. Thanks for setting me straight. I'm still ticked about what happened and had more or less put it out of my head. I received a mailer about the show, saw he was a featured speaker and asked myself, "why would they . . .??"
Why would they have them there? Because the man still has hunting knowledge like you wouldn't believe.
Not to mention, he's come out very much in favor of the issue, and not just to get jobs back. He has proactively sent anti-gunners who use his comments letters saying they are misrepresenting him and outlining why the firearms should remain legal and are vital to the sport. He actively sought out opportunities to learn more about the rifles and incorporate them into his side of the shooting sports.
I'm not saying you have to forget what he said, but I think a gut reaction of getting angry at the man is a little overkill.
Is there any room for accepting someone who learns from mistakes and becomes a more pro-gun advocate in your world? Honestly, I've always considered those who went from anti-gun to pro-gun to be some of our most useful representatives, so maybe I'm just more open to utilizing him as a resource now than most.
In fact, I think if people who are so unwillingly to even acknowledge his efforts to expand his knowledge and advocacy efforts on behalf of shooters won out, we will lose a vital connection between shooters and hunters that the movement could really use right now. Perhaps you disagree and support a continued rift, but I can't help but think that there are big benefits to having a bridge between communities.
B-Please don't get me wrong. He is the king of hunting....that was just the first reaction. He did learn without question. I was mostly chuckling at the show's promoter. This is probably the biggest name he's drawn to make an appearance at this series of shows that runs throughout the Midwest. I always planned to visit his presentation. I probably should have made that clear. Thanks for writing!
Post a Comment