
Mike Bell, Sioux City Journal
U.S. Sens. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, left, and Steve King, R-Iowa, talk over hunting tactics at King's annual pheasant hunt Saturday near Akron.
AKRON | It was a perfect day outside, U.S. Rep. Steve King of Iowa said as the group of hunters he was with began their slow march behind the hunting dogs Saturday in the fields surrounding the Hole N The Wall lodge outside Akron.
The event is something King does every year as he invites other officials to join him pheasant hunting on the opening weekend of the season.
Saturday, King was joined in the field by Republican presidential candidate U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz of Texas, and later by fellow GOP presidential candidate and Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal.
Its a good way for us to come together, especially since we agree on how the country should be moving forward, King said about the event, called the Col. Bud Day Pheasant Hunt, which raises funds for King's election warchest.
Fellow Republicans and presidential candidates former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee and former Pennsylvania Sen. Rick Santorum were scheduled to join the hunt on Sunday, according to King's office.
Other guests included U.S. Rep. Jeff Duncan of South Carolina and former U.S. Reps. Gil Gutknecht of Minnesota and Tom Tancredo of Colorado.
Cruz joined the hunt late on Saturday due to delays after campaigning elsewhere in Iowa, but still got to hunt pheasants with 20 other hunters in the group. Nearly a dozen members of the media were in tow, camera equipment slung over shoulders.
The hunters walked through the fields on the cloudless fall day, dogs ahead flushing out the pheasants. More often than not the birds were hit and spiraled to the ground where they were grabbed up by the dogs.
His second time going on the hunt with King, Cruz said while the fellowship and camaraderie were highlights for him, he als felt optimistic about the support he has been given during his campaign.
Cruz and King took time to pose next to the several dozen pheasants pinned to a barn wall after the hunt and chatted with fellow hunters. The grill was being fired up.
More conservatives are joining our drive here in Iowa and elsewhere, Cruz said about the 2016 presidential campaign.
He recalled that a wave of donations given to his campaign hit his website so hard it crashed after the third Republican debate on Oct. 28. He said more than $1.1 million was donated to his campaign within 22 hours of the debate.
Jindal made his way into the lodge and remarked how much he wished he could have joined Cruz and King on the hunt, but there wasn't time.
This is a great thing for Iowa, as it allows people to see the other side of the candidates, Jindal said. While I believe Im the best qualified for the presidency, we all get along, we all agree with each other.

A 30-30 rifle signed by Rick Santorum is seen ahead of the hunt. REUTERS/Mark Kauzlarich

Rick Santorum stands near the pheasants shot during the first morning. REUTERS/Mark Kauzlarich

Bobby Jindal speaks with members of the media before dinner. REUTERS/Mark Kauzlarich

Mike Huckabee plays a bass guitar before a pheasant hunt. REUTERS/Mark Kauzlarich

A dog with a pheasant near Mike Huckabee and Steve King. REUTERS/Mark Kauzlarich

Ted Cruz takes aim with his shotgun, October 31, 2015. REUTERS/Mark Kauzlarich
PHOTOS: http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/world/us-presidential-candidates-take-aim-at-the-col-bud-day-pheasant-hunt/article27066570/
Poster Comment:
I guess Fiorina, Trump, Jeb!, Crisco, Lady Lindsey, and Rubio couldn't make it?