Should we boycott some companies? Fred Ferguson and VISTA OUTDOOR?

[clintonius]

I've been posting this on some Facebook threads. Jason Chaffetz is the sponsor of HR 621 and HR 622. His former chief of staff, Fred Ferguson, just became the vice president of communications and government relations for VISTA OUTDOOR. Vista Outdoor according to their website:

We currently develop, manufacture and distribute personal hydration solutions, outdoor cooking solutions, optics, accessories and eyewear including products such as binoculars, laser rangefinders, riflescopes, trail cameras, archery accessories, blinds, decoys, game calls, gun care products, mounts, powder, reloading equipment, targets, target systems, safety and protective eyewear, fashion and sports eyewear, stand up paddleboards and accessories. Our brands include Bushnell®, CamelBak®, Camp Chef®, Primos®, Bollé®, Bell, Giro, Serengeti®, Jimmy Styks, Cébé, RCBS®, Hoppe’s®, Uncle Mike’s®, Gold Tip®, Weaver®, Blackburn, KRASH!™, Copilot, Raskullz® and Tasco®.

In light of this, shouldn't we all be putting pressure on all of these companies that we know and love to explain their relationship with Fred Ferguson? He is a major proponent of land transfer and probably had a hand in drafting the bill. Read this article! Why is VISTA OUTDOOR hiring an anti-public land guy to their leadership staff? This looks bad.

Randy, should we crowd-call Vista and ask them what their rationale is? Should we boycott Savage, Bushnell, Primos, Tasco, etc..? Not only anti, the main political team trying to offload millions of acres? This looks bad for them.

 

[Ben Lamb]

Here are their brands: https://vistaoutdoor.com/brands/

Here is their contact page: https://vistaoutdoor.com/contact-us/

I would suggest calling rather than emailing.

 

[airlocksniffer]

Man kind of bummed to see Federal Premium as one of their brands (my Tikka loves Federal). Also saw Camp Chef, which is a gold level sponsor of BHA. Interested to see what the official company stance is.

 

[marksjeep]

https://vistaoutdoor.com/social-responsibility/conservation/

 

[LuketheDog]

Soooo, we want to hassle the private sector company that now employs the guy that used to work for the anti-public lands guy? To what end? Just to be vindictive or are there real concerns? Vista does a lot of good stuff...

 

[airlocksniffer]

https://vistaoutdoor.com/social-responsibility/conservation/

Thanks, obviously didn't look at the site enough...

 

[clintonius]

Soooo, we want to hassle the private sector company that now employs the guy that used to work for the anti-public lands guy? To what end? Just to be vindictive or are there real concerns? Vista does a lot of good stuff...

I'm not necessarily saying that's the best strategy. But wouldn't you agree that this should raise some eyebrows? This is not "a guy", this is Chaffetz and Bishop's key adviser. And he wasn't hired as an inside sales rep, he's Vice President of Government and Industry Relations. That means he's the guy communicating with politicians about Vista Outdoor's stance on land transfer. He's clearly a big time proponent of land transfer. I find this troubling. Also not sure that "hassle" is the right approach but we might want to call them to voice our concerns. We need the industry to get behind protection of public lands and this looks like a creepy marriage.

Fred Ferguson's Fingerprints are all over HR 621 and HR 622. He's been battling for transfer for years with Bishop and Chaffetz.

 

[jryoung]

Vista also sponsors Rinella through Savage and Federal Premium.

 

[Ben Lamb]

Certainly nothing wrong with customers calling and asking about adding staff who has been employed by some of the most antagonistic legislators to the core competency (public lands) of an outdoor company. Especially if you are an investor.