Tim Walz, the Democratic Governor of Minnesota, found himself in an unexpected spotlight during a recent pheasant hunting event.
According to MEAWW, the governor struggled to load a shotgun that caught the attention of social media users, leading to a flurry of comments and comparisons.
Walz participated in the annual Governor's Pheasant Hunting Opener near Sleepy Eye, Minnesota, on Saturday, October 12. The event, traditionally marking the start of the upland game bird hunting season, took an unexpected turn when a video of Walz fumbling with his firearm went viral.
The footage showed the governor, who is also the Democratic vice presidential nominee, having difficulty loading a semi-automatic shotgun. Despite spending three hours traversing tall grass, Walz failed to fire a single shot during the hunt.
Walz was dressed for the occasion, wearing Carhartt hunting chaps and a commemorative orange vest. He carried a Beretta A400 shotgun, which he later revealed was purchased for trap shooting. The governor highlighted the gun's "kickoff" feature, designed to reduce recoil and make shooting more comfortable for older users.
During the outing, Walz maintained a positive attitude despite his struggles. He commented on the day's events, saying, "There's good days and there's great days pheasant hunting." His friend Scott Rall, a frequent hunting companion, managed to down a pheasant, but the thick brush made retrieval challenging.
The hunting trip served a dual purpose for Walz. Beyond participating in a state tradition, it was an opportunity to appeal to male and rural voters, demographics where recent polls have shown he faces challenges.
The video of Walz's shotgun mishap quickly spread across social media platforms, drawing comparisons to the cartoon character Elmer Fudd from Looney Tunes. Critics and commentators took to X (formerly Twitter) to share their thoughts on the governor's hunting skills. One user wrote:
This is hilarious. This man has never owned or loaded a shotgun. It will be great fodder for SNL.
Another commented on the potential safety concerns:
The fact he is holding a shotgun casually with one hand (with his hand and index ON the trigger) with the barrel pointed up while it swings around wildly as he attempts to load live ammunition into it? LITERALLY no legal responsible gun owner would load a shotgun like this.
The incident comes at a time when Walz, along with Vice President Kamala Harris, has been emphasizing their gun ownership while advocating for gun control measures such as universal background checks. This approach appears to be part of a broader strategy to appeal to a wider range of voters.
Recent polls have highlighted challenges for the Democratic ticket among certain voter groups. A CBS News poll from August revealed a significant gender gap among likely voters, with only 45% of male voters expressing support for Harris, compared to 54% for former president Donald Trump.
The Trump campaign seized the opportunity to comment on Walz's hunting trip. They labeled the event as "staged" and dismissed it as Walz "bumbling around trying to load his shotgun."
This hunting mishap and the subsequent social media reaction underscore the challenges politicians face in appealing to diverse voter demographics. Walz's attempt to connect with rural and male voters through a traditional hunting event backfired, leading to mockery and criticism online. The incident highlights the fine line politicians must walk when trying to demonstrate authenticity and relatability to different voter groups.
