During dove season, many hunters will look to the skies for their next target. While it might be tempting to shoot at a dove perched on an electric wire or fiber line, please don’t.
It not only poses a danger in the moment but can also lead to expensive problems down the line. Damaged lines can quickly lead to internet and electric outages for you or your neighbors.
If you plan to hunt this dove season, help your electric cooperative and broadband service maintain reliable service for everyone by being aware of your surroundings. Following these safety guidelines can help avoid an unfortunate accident:
- Do not shoot at or near fiber lines, power lines or insulators with any type of firearm, including pistols, rifles or shotguns. It’s dangerous to anyone nearby and could cause outages.
- Never aim at less than a 45-degree angle when targeting a bird.
- Look out for warning signs or electrical or fiber equipment.
- Keep a safe distance from utility lines when hunting.
- If you can’t avoid power and fiber lines completely, note the locations of overhead lines and equipment.
- Be especially careful in wooded areas where lines may not be easily visible.
- Do not climb power poles or place tree stands on them. Any energized lines and equipment can pose a risk of shock or electrocution.
- Make sure you do not make contact with any overhead electrical equipment when setting up or taking down a tree stand.
- Never place decoys on power lines or other electrical equipment. Any obstruction on utility equipment can be a serious hazard to linemen or fiber techs making repairs.
Lastly, if you’re a landowner who allows dove hunts on your property, please make sure the people taking part in these activities know where all utility lines are located and make sure they avoid those areas. At some point, there could be legal consequences for the hunters, and possibly the landowners. Making repairs to fiber or electric lines damaged by shotguns is costly, time consuming and unnecessary.
