21 July 2007
Jim Zumbo Has Done More GOOD For ‘BLACK RIFLES’ Then Anyone Else In Modern History
Posted by Darrell under: Rantings Of An Outdoorsman .
I’ll be gone again this weekend, so what better time to post a controversial ranting?
I’ve hunted since I was a tike. I’ve owned my own guns since I was 11. So don’t even think about accusing me of anything sinister - like wanting to take away your guns. However, I really feel like what I’m about to say needs to be said - so here goes!
Blogs are new media and they SHOULD include opinions. Not everyone’s opinion is going to be the same. Some of the traditional media outlets have blogs for ‘their’ writers. Their writers are not allowed to voice their personal opinions. Case in point: Jim Zumbo.
Jim is one of my favorite hunting writers. I love reading his stories and adventures. The reason? He keeps it real. I NEVER felt like he was trying to force someone else’s agenda on me. He was just out enjoying the outdoors and promoting hunting.
A while back, Jim made some dumb comments on his blog (obviously it wasn’t really his blog). He expressed his view that AR and AK rifles don’t belong in the hunting woods. As far as I’m concerned now and was concerned then - this is his opinion and he is entitled to it. He obviously wasn’t thinking too clearly when he wrote his post because he used the word, if I remember correctly, “ban”. Although, I don’t believe he was suggesting a ban on the guns, but a ban from using them for hunting.
I personally do not own a ‘black rifle’. However, I have many friends that do. They have lots of fun taking them to a range and firing off a few hundred rounds of ammo. I’ve just never got into it. Truth be told, you will probably never see me in the woods with a black rifle, either. I’m more of a traditionalist. I’d rather drop $2000 on a pre-64 Winchester model 70 than a brand new AR15. That is just me. Its my opinion and I’m entitled to it. You don’t have to agree or share it.
Obviously, Jim Zumbo wasn’t entitled to his opinion. He was attacked by individuals, corporations, and associations - including the National Rifle Association. He lost his sponsors, his TV Show, and his job. This guy who spent most of his life promoting hunting was put out on his butt because he expressed his opinion. What have we become when we attack our peers because they have an opinion (however mis-guided) that differs from our own? Apparently, Jim even changed his opinion after trying out these guns. Maybe, now he has a closet ful of them?
Ok, I’ve got that off my chest, so now let me explain why Jim has probably now done more for the black rifle industry than anyone else in modern history. How so?
As a direct result of Jim Zumbo’s comments and subsequent fall from grace - Every hunting related magazine, journal, journalist, & tv show is currently pulling out all the stops to ‘prove’ to their sponsors and the NRA that they fully support ‘black rifles’ and their use for hunting. I’m reading article after article about the ‘perfect deer gun’ - a black rifle, etc, etc. Some of my favorite tv shows are featuring the hosts taking game with guess what - yes, you guessed it: black rifles.
Jim Zumbo touched off the spark that has allowed black rifles to go mainstream. My guess is that more and more hunters will begin to use these black rifles as they learn about them and see that they are accepted within the hunting community. This wouldn’t be happening if Jim Zumbo had just kept his opinion to himself.
Maybe, people that have never been interested in hunting before, will decide to give it a try with one of the cool black rifles? Maybe, Jim Zumbo (inadvertently) has not only brought more ‘positive’ attention to the black rifle industry then they could have ever bought. And just maybe, his opinion which sparked off the controversy and subsequent relentless good press for the industry, will help bring more hunters into the fold!
Jim, you are welcome to write on this blog, anytime - and completely without censure! Hey, and don’t worry about sponsors - ’cause we don’t have any. All you need is a love of hunting and everything outdoors.
9 Comments so far...
Othmar Vohringer Says:
21 July 2007 at 7:59 pm.
Very good article.
I have written about the Jim Zumbo “scandal” several times on my blog. Like you I always have and still do respect Jim as an authority and gentleman. Unlike the all of the Jim bashers that robbed him his career and income, Jim has single-handed done more for hunting and the protection of the second Amendment than anyone that pointed the finger at him after he wrote a personal opinion on the Outdoor Life blog.
I am still somewhat surprised that his sponsors and affiliates caved in to the foul-mouthed mob and kicked Jim to the curb after a longstanding and prosperous business relationship with him. In fact it’s downright scary to think about it how little backbone companies and organizations seem to have these days. As you quit rightly stated, Jim Zumbo never said that the firearms in question should be banned all together. He said that in his OPINION these rifles have no place in deer hunting. There are many things I do not agree with and think that they have no place in hunting, but these are my opinion. What have we come to as a society if we can’t speek our minds freely anymore?
-Othmar Vohringer-
nlr Says:
22 July 2007 at 12:34 am.
seems you forgot the “Terrorist Rifle “Comment of his but he does seem to trying pretty darn hard to correct his error.
Matt Says:
22 July 2007 at 6:05 am.
Excellent post. Once again illustrates the old saying “There’s no such thing as bad publicity.”
Kevin Paulson Says:
22 July 2007 at 7:24 pm.
Darrell,
Excellent post! From day one I have been a fan of Jim Zumbo when I used to read his hunting articles about he age of 10 or 11 years old. Once I heard about his blog and the controversy surrounding it I began to post some thoughts of my own. I agree with you he can write on my blog or any other and I will still be reading his words as long as he is putting pen to paper. He can hunt around my kids and I any day he would like.
Kevin
Kristine Shreve Says:
23 July 2007 at 10:53 am.
I wrote about Jim Zumbo at the time all the fuss was occurring. It always seemed to me that the hunting community at large was taken over by a bunch of hotheads and all his sponsors and his employer ran scared. Once things cooled down, saner heads prevailed.
I think he has done his best to take something that probably was very personally devestating and turn it into something positive.
Phillip Says:
23 July 2007 at 1:11 pm.
Darrell, I think you’re onto something.
I couldn’t believe my eyes when I got my most recent issue of Outdoor Life. Talk about apologist! I thought I was reading American Rifleman or something for a minute.
Like most folks here, I had my own say about the Zumbo fiasco and no need to repeat it here. He got a raw deal, but maybe a couple of bright results have come from it. One, the major publications now have a better idea of the power of the Internet. Second, a lot more people are now aware that “black rifles” have a legitimate sporting use… even if the traditionalists among us don’t care for them.
Finally, and I’m still not sure about this one, it might have given the “people” an idea of the power that their voices can have…both as consumers and as a poltical force. A lot of doors could be opened for real grassroots activism. On the other hand, those doors are also open for skilled exploitation by everyone from Madison Avenue to politicians… hmmm…
Ah, I’m drifting. Sorry. Great post, Darrell. Got me going.
Darrell Says:
23 July 2007 at 2:27 pm.
Thanks everyone for your comments on this post. I was disgusted with how this entire matter transpired and my confidence in certain entitities and organizations (such as one of my favorite outdoor magazines) was shaken. However, end the end, I think a lot of good will probably come from it.
When I wrote this post I didn’t know how it would be received. It is amazing how good it can make you feel when you find out that others (who share your passion) agree with, or at least respect your ‘opinion’. Thanks all.
Snowflakes in Hell » Blog Archive » Is Jim Zumbo Responsible for Good Press? Says:
23 July 2007 at 7:46 pm.
[…] out to be, and I think that’s largely because of how Jim handled himself after the incident. This blogger thinks Jim Zumbo did more for the shooting community than anyone else: As a direct result of Jim Zumbo’s comments and subsequent fall from grace - Every hunting related […]
Blog Marketing 101: Give Credit Where Credit is Due » AlphaTrilogy.com Says:
13 August 2007 at 7:44 am.
[…] recently wrote a post about Jim Zumbo and black rifles. It was pretty good, if I don’t say so myself. So good in fact that I subsequently found […]
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