THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Thursday, December 7, 1995 TAG: 9512070012
SECTION: FRONT PAGE: A16 EDITION: FINAL
TYPE: Editorial
LENGTH: Short : 40 lines
The editorial cartoonists have all the luck. First came H. Kirby Burch, presenting a picture worth a thousand words.
Burch, the state's trigger-happy director of conservation and recreation, earned a reprimand from Gov. George Allen for halting a safari through False Cape State Park long enough to whip out a sidearm and shoot two feral pigs.
Most disturbingly, Burch left one - wounded in the spine - to die alongside the road. In acting in such a fashion, Burch committed several acts that would not have been legal for the average citizen. In addition to abusing the pigs, he abused his position.
Now we learn about Caroline County game warden Joseph Dedrick, the very picture of innocence. Dedrick's job is to enforce laws governing wild things. But on Nov. 21, a day off, he broke one. Dedrick took a little recreation. Armed with dogs and shotgun, he went in search of the elusive quail. He bagged his bird and bragged about his exploits to a friend who broke the bad news. The season didn't open for another six days, a week later than usual.
One might have expected the game warden to know that fact, but when he belatedly learned the awful truth, the abashed Dedrick did the right thing. He slapped himself with a ticket for hunting out of season. He is self-charged with a misdemeanor and will face a fine of between $25 and $1,000.
For his refreshing candor in facing up to the bungle, we hope he draws the minimum fine. But what is it about Virginia officials who deal with the great outdoors? As soon as they personally leave the office behind, strange things begin to happen. Perhaps they'd better make a New Year's resolution to stick to the desk. It isn't safe out there. by CNB