Hunting Sense

A first gun is something we always remember. I know I do. And going even further, I remember my first shotgun and my first rifle. Each has a special place in my heart and I still have both of them, even though I only use them from time to time for actual hunting.

Even though a first gun is memorable, no matter the type, a first hunting rifle holds a meaning all its own. It is a sign of progression from a young hunter going after small game to a big game hunter. It’s a right of passage of sorts.

(more…)

Steve over at Black Bear Blog has published the results of a poll they ran asking: “Do you think the use of ‘military style’ weapons hurts the image of hunters?” It was nearly a 50/50 split between yes and no, with a handful of people unable to decide.

If the answer being sought by the poll was whether or not you think the use of ‘military style’ weapons should hurt the image of hunters, I think it did a pretty fair job of showing the division within our own ranks of the issue. On the other hand, if it meant exactly what it asked as worded, then I personally think anyone who believes the use of ‘military style’ weapons doesn’t hurt the image of hunters is living in a fantasy world. Maybe I’m splitting hairs, but it seems there’s a huge difference between the two.

(more…)

The Jim Zumbo fiasco and its aftermath has no doubt made a lot of people take things into consideration they hadn’t before. As I’ve watched the drama unfold over the last week, there has been one very common request of Mr. Zumbo from many non-hunting gun owners. ‘Never go back to hunting again and dedicate yourself to sport shooting and fighting for the Second Amendment.’ Not a direct quote, but paraphrasing the general jest of many comments that say that in one way or another.

I’ve thought about those comments all weekend, and the longer I think about them, the more they bother me. Not only are they unrealistic, they are very unfair coming from the people that are shouting them. Many of you may disagree, but let’s stop and take the time to really look at this from an unbiased point of view here.

(more…)

I spent a large part of the day yesterday over at the Ted Nugent website on The Nuge Board where Jim Zumbo was to do a Q&A session with members. The thread started off with a second apology from Zumbo.

posted 02-22-2007 11:49 AM

The last few days have been an educational experience, to say the least. My ill-conceived inflammatory blog, as all of you now know, set off a firestorm that, I’m told, has never before been equaled. I’m not proud of that.

Let me say this at the outset. My words here are from the heart, and all mine. No one can censor me, and I answer to no one but myself. And I have no one to blame but myself. Outdoor Life, a magazine that I worked for full-time as Hunting Editor for almost 30 years, fired me yesterday. My TV show was cancelled yesterday. Many of my sponsors have issued statements on their website to sever all relationships. This may cause many of you to do backflips and dance in the streets, but, of course, I’m not laughing, nor am I looking for sympathy. I don’t want a pity party.

(more…)

Everyone knew the fallout from the comments made by Jim Zumbo on his now defunct Outdoor Life blog would be major, but how deep it goes is somewhat surprising to me. The “terrorist” and “banning” remarks Zumbo made were bad, no doubt about it. The turmoil that’s erupted though has the potential to be more damaging to gun owners and their rights than any one of the now infamous Zumbo quotes. The thing that surprises me the most is where this turmoil is stemming from.

Gun owners, both hunting and non-hunting shooting enthusiasts, are now supplying additional ammunition for the anti-gun supporters. While there are many level headed people on both sides of the fence, there is a large number of both too busy pointing fingers and laying blame to even realize what the hell they are doing. I, for one, say it is time for the to take the time to stand back and take a look in the mirror before they continue running their mouths.

(more…)

Hunters tend to be very vocal in their opposition against gun control. More often than not, this paints them in a bad light to the general public. While there are plenty of radicals out there, many hunters have sound and logical reasoning for their views on the issue.

While I’m not able to speak for all hunters, I do feel my views on it are fairly common ones throughout the hunting community. No matter, though, they may give people a little insight into what I feel is a reasonable stance on gun control. At the very least, it could provide some food for thought.

Gun control itself isn’t a bad thing. It’s when it’s carried to an extreme that it becomes an issue with me. There are plenty of good laws already on the books that would do a good job of gun control if they were enforced, or if they were even enforceable for the people they need to target. Many of the new proposals and laws currently target law-abiding gun owners, not the criminal elements they should be.

(more…)

One of the more exciting unveilings at the SHOT Show I wrote about yesterday is Smith & Wesson’s aggresive return to manufacturing shotguns.

When it comes to pistols, the S&W name holds quite a bit of esteem among gun owners. The number of people owning one is a high one no doubt, but the number owning a S&W shotgun isn’t. After a brief foray into shotguns during the mid 70’s and early 80’s, they quit manufacturing them and the guns aren’t very prolific.

(more…)