Dick Cheney shot more than 70 ringneck pheasants

[MIKE BURN]

Quote:

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Cheney in region for a day of small-game hunting



Pittsburgh Post-Gazette



Tuesday, December 09, 2003



For the second time in two years, Vice President Dick Cheney arrived at daybreak at Arnold Palmer Airport in Latrobe. Air traffic was halted briefly at about 7 a.m. as Air Force Two landed and Cheney's security detail loaded him and his favorite shotgun into a Humvee and drove up U.S. Route 30 to the exclusive country club.



"All I'm allowed to say is there's a big military plane on the ramp, and it's not the first time I've seen it there," said airport manager Gabe Monzo.



Cheney shot more than 70 ringneck pheasants and an unknown number of mallard ducks. The birds were plucked and vacuum-packed in time for Cheney's afternoon flight to Washington, D.C.



John Smith, law enforcement supervisor for the Pennsylvania Game Commission, said he was alerted to Cheney's day-trip. Rolling Rock has a game-raising program worthy of a second-in-command, he said, and unlicensed bird hunting is legal this time of year for guests at private clubs.



Scott Wakefield, a dog handler at the club, said about 500 farm-raised pheasants were released from nets for the morning hunt. The 10-man hunting party that included Cheney shot 417 pheasants. The vice president was set to hunt ducks in the afternoon.



Cheney followed a similar hunting schedule in November 2002, when he last visited the Ligonier Township landmark.



Cheney's Washington staff would not confirm his whereabouts yesterday, saying: "Today is his day off and he can spend it where he likes." Spokesman Kevin Kellems said Cheney is expected back in Washington today for a full day's work.

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[Galmin]

Real men don't do canned hunts.

[HKRockChick]

wage war with a bunch of poverty stricken people who cannot fight back. Will they fight those who can? not on your bloody life.



"Lets get them p(h)easants" rang the battle cry.



I hope they are revolting when that murderous thug tries to eat them.

[Rev9Volts]

too weird for me! but