Vice President Dick Cheney was hunting illegally. So says a
new story from the Dallas Morning News quoting Texas Parks and Wildlife officials:
Neither Vice President Dick Cheney nor the hunting partner he accidentally shot last weekend purchased the $7 hunting stamps required under state law, Texas Parks and Wildlife officials said Monday.
Cheney didn't purchase the game bird stamp required to hunt Quail in Texas which means that this little hunting party was an illegal one. Rule of law, or something...
A blast from Mr. Cheney's shotgun wounded Austin lawyer Harry Whittington in the face, neck and chest. The wounds were not life-threatening.
In its report, the state agency that oversees hunting and fishing said it found neither Mr. Cheney nor Mr. Whittington had purchased the game bird stamp required to hunt quail in Texas. Both had valid hunting licenses, Mr. Cheney's a non-resident license.
The agency, in a release, said it has not been uncommon for game wardens to find hunters in the field without the required stamps since a new law took effect last Sept. 1. In those cases, hunters have been given oral warnings in lieu of fines or other penalties. Officials said that's common practice for up to a year after such a new law takes effect.
The statement said Mr. Cheney will get a similar warning citation, and there'll be no fine or other penalty.
Of course, if the Vice President did it... it must be legal!
Unbelievable.