Kamala Harris: Harris-Walz campaign aims for rural votes with bird hunt, Trump calls it a desperate bid for male support

Kamala Harris‘s running mate and Democratic vice-presidential candidate Tim Walz kicked off Minnesota’s pheasant hunting season on Saturday, using the event to showcase his rural roots and love for outdoor sports. Walz, alongside Lieutenant Governor Peggy Flanagan, spent the morning trekking through the tall grass near Sleepy Eye, about 90 miles southwest of Minneapolis, though neither managed to bag a bird, as reported by the Associated Press.
The campaign of US vice president Kamala Harris has been addressing the issue of whether some male voters may hesitate to support her due to her gender.With Election Day approaching, the Democratic ticket launched the “Hunters and Anglers for Harris-Walz” initiative, targeting rural voters, sportspeople, and conservationists in key battleground states. Harris, who owns a firearm herself, has openly discussed issues surrounding gun ownership.
One member of Walz’s group successfully shot a pheasant, while other hunting parties collectively harvested six birds, later celebrated at a community luncheon, the governor’s office confirmed. As they searched the fields, Walz said, “They can hide, they can get under the grass,” referring to the stealthy birds.
However, the Trump campaign was quick to mock the hunting outing, accusing Walz of making a desperate effort to win over male voters. They also falsely claimed that no guns were present, calling it a preview of the “future under a Harris-Walz administration.” In response, Walz’s team clarified that footage from MSNBC showing no guns was recorded before safety vests and shotguns were brought out after a briefing from a conservation officer.
Although Walz previously earned a top rating from the National Rifle Association during his 12 years in Congress, his stance on gun control changed after multiple school shootings. In 2023, as governor, he signed legislation expanding background checks and introduced a “red flag” law allowing courts to temporarily seize firearms from individuals deemed dangerous.