NVMIKE,

Below are several of the show's other sponsors that are now the focus of attention by some local AZ groups. -TONY

http://www.realtree.com/contact/index.tpl

http://www.swarovskioptik.at/english...sp?cat=Contact

http://www.barnesbullets.com/contact.php

http://www.crookedhorn.com/

http://www.knightrifles.com/ContactUs

Tony - thanks for the names. Christensen arms also sells crooked horn stuff so send them a little note also. I contacted cabela's about their guide services but have yet to hear back on it. Boycott em all. Thanks - Mike

Just got a note from Bill Jordan and Realtree is pulling the plug so I can feel good about buying more camo this year. Thanks NVmike for the support and we will do the same if the money boys try to crap in Nevada.

On MM forum. We emailed some of USO sponsers saying that we were not going to buy any more of there products. So far Primos, and Realtree has dumped them there are several others that will probably follow suit.

Next on list is Crooked Horn, Barnes Bullets, and others.

USO is getting what they deserve.

Just spoke with a spokeswoman from Crooked Horn Outfitters. They have finally made the decision to pull their sponsorship from USO!!! She said it is not public knowledge yet, but the decision has been made and very soon they will be making a statement to support their decision.

Hey guys I just got an e-mail from Chistensen arms, they do not have anything good to say about USO, another one joins the boycott. They also suggested e-mailing the source, the outdoorchannel. everytime I hear about another dropped sponsor I feel all tingly inside.

Did you read Zumbo's response? What a suck A$$. He sounds like John Kerry, Well, I voted for it but if it makes anyone mad then I think I should, maybe , if the heat gets turned on, probably might, change my mind. He's definately not giving us his true feelings. He knows its gonna cost him for his views. He wants our support, but when its time to help us out its screw you, I want MY tag and dont care who has to get screwed to get ME MY tag. Sounds like we need to add outdoor life to the boycott list[:@]

NVMIKE,

Thanks for the suggestion.... I did just that and sent an e-mail to the Outdoor Channel saying that I would be cancelling my subscription with the cable company that carries their channel and moving to one who doesn't carry them, all because of their relationship with USO.

Let's see, for this hunting season I need a new Primos Elk call, a new Crooked Horn Backpack, a new Christiansen Arms rifle, and some new Realtree camo. I will not buy anything from supporters of USO. It does look as if Zumbo is just trying to please everyone, while really pleasing noone! Flip, Flop, Flip, Flop!

Mike,

I'm not quite sure what "response" you're citing, but this is the most pertinent one with the class of Zumbo in BOLD FACE. -TONY


Dear sportsmen and sportswomen,

Thank you for your email in reference to my association with George Taulman, owner of US Outfitters, and my drawing of an Arizona elk tag.

I'll try to answer your questions.

As I see it, there are three separate endeavors that George Taulman is invoved in. There is George Taulman the outfitter, George Taulman the licensing agent, and George Taulman the litigant who sued in the Arizona court.

I've known George Taulman ever since he started outfitting about 15 years ago. My first hunt with Taulman was with General Chuck Yeager in 1989 as a fund raiser for RMEF. I've hunted with Taulman a number of times since then, and practically all those hunts were with my editors from New York who wanted an elk hunt, and also with Tony Knight, owner of Knight modern muzzleloaders. Tony and I hunted several times with George to test new firearms that Tony was developing. Most of those hunts were unguided on public land. George essentially provided a bunk and meals, but I had my personal vehicle, and Tony and I hunted on our own, mostly on the Lincoln National Forest in New Mexico. For the record, I have not hunted elk with George Taulman for the last six years.

Taulman started his licensing business about 12 years ago, and he's been applying me to hunts since that time. This is how it works. For a fee, USO acts as my power of attorney and applies me to different units in different states. As one who makes a living writing about hunting, and now TV shows, I hunt in as many varied places as possible. It's not uncommon for me to hunt two dozen states each year. My average is 20 states per year, and I'm on the road 200 plus days a year. Obviously, it's an advantage for me to have a licensing agent to take care of the details and paperwork. As you and half the west now knows, I drew an elk tag in Arizona this year. I believe I had five bonus points when I drew the elk tag. The last tag I drew through USO was in 2001, and that was a moose tag in Utah. I had been applying for that tag for about 15 years. Since 2001, I have failed to draw at least 100 tags that I had applied for through USO.

As far as the court case, I am in no way involved in this litigation. Anyone who assumes that I am is misinformed. Here's my take on this. When Taulman first told me about this litigation effort, I was not in approval if it meant that I had to share equally my tag with nonresidents. As a Wyoming resident, for example, I have the privilege of having priority over tags because I'm a resident, as all of you do in your home states. I can buy an elk or deer tag at Walmart, but you, as a nonresident, must apply. I believe in states rights. Even though much wildlife ranges on federal land, I believe that a resident should have some sort of preference, but I also believe that you as a nonresident should be able to hunt here as well. In fact, I lived in Utah for 14 years, and continually applied for Wyoming tags, but couldn't draw. I became so frustrated that I moved here!

There are currently some unfair practices that discriminate against nonresidents. In North Dakota, nonresidents cannot hunt turkeys. In California and South Dakota, nonresidents cannot hunt elk. In Montana, nonresidents cannot apply for bighorn sheep tags in some of the top units in the state. In Idaho, only residents could hunt moose until two years ago, even though most moose lived on federal land. That law was rightfully changed recently. In my home state of Wyoming, a nonresident cannot hunt a wilderness area without a guide. That is a bad law, inferring that you nonresidents aren't as savvy about survival and woods skills as a resident is. I know some Wyoming hunters who would get lost when they got out of sight of a paved road, and I know nonresidents that are outstanding woodsmen.

I don't know where this litigation will go. From what I understand, it's possible that in the extreme scenario, in all states, the tags will be be allocated 50-50. In other words, a nonresident can have as much a chance to hunt here in Wyoming as I can. When that happens, I won't be a happy camper, if I cannot buy a general tag in my own state. You, as a nonresident, might be a very happy camper, but you won't like it when YOU have to draw against nonresidents on a 50-50 basis in your own state. Arizona is different, as are a few other states, where even residents have to draw, and cannot just buy a general license.So you see, this is a double-edged sword. Nobody wins. But we hunters lose. This is another example of how we shoot ourselves in the foot, by bickering and arguing. The animal rights people love it. Trust me, I've interviewed many of them, and situations like this are exactly what they want to see.

I can certainly understand why Arizona residents are upset. I would be, too, if I was in that situation. I'm not sure exactly how this draw worked, but I'm told that I, and other nonresidents, were drawn specifically because of Taulman's litigation. Frankly, I had no clue that this was all going on, and I was surprised to get the tag. I also believe I've been unfairly broadsided by some of you who have made erroneous assumptions with my relationship with George Taulman. Again, I had no part in the litigation.

For your information, I will not hunt Arizona for elk this year. This decision did not come about because of the negative communications I've received. I love a good fight, but this is not a good fight. It's divisive. It's bad for hunters and hunting. Sure, I could hunt Arizona and perhaps kill the biggest bull of my life. I will not hunt there to make my point.

I hope this all ends peacefully, but right now it is a volatile issue. Thanks again for writing, even those of you who want me tarred and feathered. Believe it or not, I try to represent all hunters in my work. I'm a board member of the United States Sportsmen's Alliance, a national group headed by Dick Cabela that lobbies for hunting everywhere against anti-hunters. I preach hunting ethics and fair chase in everything I write. I can assure you that I have never asked for or received favoritism. Many people believe that because of my status in a national hunting magazine, I get strings pulled. I have honestly never known that to happen.

Good hunting,

Jim Zumbo