ST. PAUL, Minn. — Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz’s recent bird-watching outing, which was supposed to be a pheasant hunting event, has become the target of ridicule after a shotgun malfunction and the absence of any actual hunting. Conservative commentator and New Jersey candidate for governor Bill Spadea joined in on the criticism, mocking the event as a staged photo opportunity.
The event, held on Saturday, was filled with photographers but quickly took an awkward turn when Walz struggled to load a shotgun, ultimately leading to no pheasants being shot. Instead, the event appeared more akin to bird watching than hunting. The lack of action drew attention on social media, with Tim Murtaugh, a former Trump campaign spokesman, taking aim at Walz’s outing. “This isn’t pheasant hunting,” Murtaugh tweeted. “Without shotguns, it’s bird watching.”
Spadea, a New Jersey-based radio host, added to the criticism with a sarcastic jab. “He’s gonna wrestle them,” Spadea tweeted, suggesting that without a functioning shotgun, Walz’s next move might be to take on the pheasants by hand.
The event, which was organized in collaboration with the conservation group Pheasants Forever, was intended to highlight the importance of wildlife preservation and hunting traditions. However, the malfunction and lack of pheasant shooting led critics to label it as a “phony photo op,” with some tying the event to the broader campaign efforts of Vice President Kamala Harris, though the Harris campaign has not confirmed involvement.
Walz has not responded to the criticism surrounding the event, but the mocking comments have added fuel to ongoing partisan sparring as the 2024 election season intensifies.
