Posted on 02/18/2007 11:32:57 AM PST by xsrdx
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.
I think that this is one of the objectives, the other is making it a little difficult to harvest the animals so that the harvest is within the project amount, though frankly with things like deer you can flatten their population numbers and they still come back like cockroaches.
Really?
Someone told me once: You know why I have an AK? To protect my hunting rifles!
"Not all of us do. I like my military rifle sto look like the way they were when they were issued. You seem to have the same problem as Zumbo."
I didn't mean to imply that ALL hunters sporterize their military guns. I'd like to use my M 1917 on wild boar or black bear someday - UNALTERED.
And I don't think I and Zumbo have the "same problem".
"You also sound very much like Carolyn McCarthy, who I quote in post #318."
Holy Moly!!! Give me a break!!!!!
I don't support gun control in any fashion whatsoever. I was merely expressing my personal opinion about hunting rifles. I haven't got the foggiest idea what you do with your "assault rifle" and would defend your right to use it hunting if you should chose.
PERSONALLY, i think its more of a challenge to use a single shot rifle bolt action or genuine traditional muzzle loader (as opposed to those damn in-line monstrosities) when hunting - period.
Again - the Second Amendment has NOTING to do with hunting or target shooting per se or collecting guns. Its directed at the necessity of civilians to be familiar with the use of military style firearms in the event the Country was invaded and they needed to be called up or, in the words of the Declaration of Independence,
".....that governments are instituted among men deriving their just powers from the consent of the government, that whenever a government becomes abusive of these ends, it is the right of the people to alter or to ABOLISH it..."
*sigh*
I don't have an assault rifle. I do own a few semi-automatic rifles. By defintion, that are not "assault rifles".
I do not hunt with them.
But the fact remains that, if someone pursues deer with a rifle chambered for the .30-06, it doesn't make a damn bit of difference if their rifle is a bolt-action, or a gas-operated semi-automatic M1 Garand.
PERSONALLY, i think its more of a challenge to use a single shot rifle bolt action or genuine traditional muzzle loader (as opposed to those damn in-line monstrosities) when hunting - period.
Good for you. But that does NOT mean that semi-automatic rifles are unsuitable, or should not be used, to hunt game.
Again - the Second Amendment has NOTING to do with hunting or target shooting per se or collecting guns.
I am well aware of that.
But as I've already stated, too many people aren't.
It is these are the people - which includes legislators - that I am concerned about. While they may not support a ban on so-called "sporting" firearms, they could be convinced to to vote for a ban on semi-automatic rifles, which far too many ignorant people think should not be used for, or are not suitable for, hunting.
The Brady Campaign is deceiving the public about so-called "non sporting" firearms, in preparation for a ban on evil "assault weapons". And imbeciles like Jim Zumbo, who denigrate semi-automatic rifles, claiming they shouldn't be used for hunting, are helping them.
I can't explain it any better than that.
The second amendment is not about Hunting.
The second amendment is not about hunting.
(It can't be said too often.)
They're fun as hell on prarie dogs. Those who pop 'em from a quarter-mile away with scoped boltguns are missing out on some amazing fun.
But wear a baseball cap with a stout brim; they eject the fired cases straight up and it rains hot brass right down to the shooter's face. And I highly reccommend good earmuffs, too.
That's not sporting! And besides, the backblast disturbs those of us who use the traditional *DuPont Lure* hand grenades....
He then went even further, and said they should be banned "from the praries (sic) and woods".
In doing this, he plays into the hands of the Brady Campaign, etc. whos' propaganda campaign for "common sense" gun control is never ending
And, of course, Mr Zumbo remains on the 2007 ballot as a candidate for the NRA's Board of Directors.
LOL.
It'll be interesting to see what actions the NRA takes, if any. IIRC He also writes for one of their publications.
I didn't even know who Jim Zumbo was, before Sunday. I know who he is now. And I know who he reminds me of.
You are correct in your assumption about what accurizing means.
Gunsmiths (either amateur or professional) tighten the mechanics of the rifle and possibly replace the barrel with a better quality version.
These actions do not come without a consequence. Assault rifles are designed to function under varying conditions (sand, snow, mud, humidity, etc). They are intentionally designed to be "loose" so dirt does not affect their operation.
The accurizing of a semi-automatic rifle results in a much more finicky weapon that is prone to jamming.
I hope this answers your questions.
Guess he gets no more free canned hunts for awhile. He should go the Washington Post they would love him.
The NRA is giving Zumbo the boot also. He has resigned from Outdoor Life (asked to?). Realtree has dropped sponcership and so has Cabella's. The Jerky & Spice company that sponcered his cooking segments has dropped him. His TV show has been cancelled.
He's out...
Funny post.
Assault Rifle
Military firearm that is chambered for ammunition of reduced size or propellant charge and that has the capacity to switch between semiautomatic and fully automatic fire.
- Encyclopedia Britannica
FYI Mr. Zumbo, assault rifles are not defined by appearance."
Spot on, sir! (or ma'am)
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