Walz goes hunting with his own gun as campaign seeks gun owner support
Minnesota Governor Tim Walz embarked on a pheasant hunting adventure armed with a Beretta shotgun in Sleepy Eye, Minnesota. Despite his best efforts, the governor did not manage to take a shot throughout the three-hour expedition.
Reflecting on the unsuccessful hunt, Walz remarked, “There’s good days and there’s great days pheasant hunting.” It was his friend, Scott Rall, who claimed the sole kill on that Saturday, although retrieving the birds proved challenging as the carcass remained elusive in the dense undergrowth.
During the hunt, a peculiar occurrence saw several pheasants flying backward towards the press, prompting Walz to humorously allude to a past hunting incident involving former Vice President Dick Cheney. He jokingly mentioned that every vice president joke was about to be made in that moment, illustrating it by pretending to take his gun off safety. However, he refrained from shooting a bird that was deemed too distant for a clear shot.
Attired in Carhartt hunting chaps and an orange vest symbolizing the annual season opener, Governor Walz participated in the expedition in his official capacity. The hunt was also strategic, as it preceded a campaign-related engagement and announcement regarding a voting coalition comprising hunters, anglers, and gun owners.
Vice President Kamala Harris and Governor Walz have recently highlighted their ownership of firearms while advocating for policies like universal background checks. Harris, on “60 Minutes,” revealed she owns a Glock and proclaimed a stern stance on self-defense during an event with Oprah Winfrey. Meanwhile, Governor Walz showcased his Beretta A400 sporting a unique feature to reduce shoulder strain from recoil.
Amidst the hunting session, a break was taken to swap hunting dogs, during which Walz savored locally sourced venison and a Diet Mountain Dew. Jokingly referencing one of the black labradors named Sarge, Walz playfully commented on the dog’s disappointment over the lack of successful shots during the hunt.
Walz’s background growing up in rural Nebraska, coupled with his frequent interactions with rural constituents at farms and football games, emphasizes his appeal to male and rural voters. A recent CBS News poll revealed a gender gap in voter preferences resembling those observed in the 2020 elections, with male voters showing a slight preference for former President Donald Trump.
Revisiting past shooting experiences with colleagues, Walz reminisced about his time in Congress, where he boasted of being the best shot among lawmakers. He also humorously remarked on the lack of shooting skills among Second Amendment enthusiasts in the congressional shooting sessions.
During a conversation mentioning Senator JD Vance of Ohio, a Republican vice-presidential candidate, Walz inquired about Vance’s hunting prowess. Notably, former President Trump does not engage in hunting activities. Following the hunt, the Trump campaign criticized the event as “staged,” with the campaign co-chair accusing Walz of struggling with loading his shotgun.
Shawna Mizelle, a 2024 campaign reporter for CBS News, provided insights into Governor Tim Walz’s pheasant hunting excursion as he navigated the fields of Sleepy Eye, Minnesota.
