and that some local sheriffs departments, including Rappahannock’s, have

and that some local sheriffs departments, including Rappahannock’s, have been less cooperative than others.

The issue will return to Mr. Thomas’ Law Enforcement Committee, which will report to the full commission in May. But while commissioners acknowledged the need to take action, they emphasized that it is not their duty alone.

“All of these levels of government are going to have to get involved for this very serious problem not only to be focused on, but to be solved,” said Chairman Glenn R. Croshaw, who represents Norfolk and Virginia Beach.

“Some of the responsiblity we have is not ours alone, but shared with other authorities,” Mr. Thomas said in an interview Tuesday.

One problem that rests with the commission and state is the number of game wardens it employs in the field. Because the commission is financed solely through licenses and fees rather state general funds, its growth is limited.

Executive Director R.H. Cross said the commission employs approximately 160 people in its law enforcement division, most of them with authority to enforce the law in the field. But the commission’s personnel handbook lists 118 wardens, many of them having to cover entire counties by themselves. That number also includes 26 sergeants who are responsible for two to four counties. Rappahannock and Clarke counties have one warden each. Fauquier and Loudoun have two each.

Mr. Cross said the General Assembly authorized the commission last year to hire 20 more game wardens, but the expense remains with the commission. Liability risk prevents the commission from using part-time employees for law enforcement, Mr. Cross said. And he isn’t convinced that increasing the number of wardens will solve the problems.

“We don’t know that increasing aur warden force to four men in a county will make a difference,” he said, “and it will cost us.”