Heads up, hunters! Shooting at power lines can be costly and dangerous.

By Victoria Scharf DeCastro

As dove-hunting season approaches, Georgia’s electric cooperatives are reminding hunters about the hazards of firing at doves perched on power lines and fiber-optic lines.

Power lines are popular roosting spots for doves, which typically congregate on the lines while taking a break from flying or before descending to the ground to feed. This makes them easy targets.

Though it may be tempting to shoot at a bird while it is sitting on a line, firing at power lines is always a bad idea. Shooting in the direction of power lines, fiber cables, insulators and other electrical equipment can result in extensive damage that could cost thousands of dollars to repair. Damage to equipment also could leave businesses and homes without power and internet for extended periods of time.

Fiber-optic cable often runs adjacent to and beneath the electric lines. Optical fibers are protected by glass tubing, which shatters when shot and can disrupt phone and internet service.

On opening day of dove season last year, a main fiber cable was shot in Clarkesville-based Habersham EMC’s service area. The outage affected 120 members, including internet users who were without service until repairs could be made. That same afternoon, another fiber cable was shot, and the next day, a third fiber cable was damaged.

Central Georgia EMC in Jackson experienced 15 incidents of shooting damage in the 2022 and 2023 hunting seasons. The co-op is still gathering the construction, labor and material costs for replacing the damaged fiber, but splicing costs alone have surpassed $27,000, with the cost of labor and materials predicted to far exceed that.

Coastal Electric Cooperative equipment has even seen its fair share of damages. In 2016, one ill-aimed round of birdshot cost more than $17,000 in repairs when a hunter riddled a fiber-optic cable used for communication between the co-op and sub-stations, which is crucial to our electric system reliability.

Fiber repairs are expensive and can be tedious, as a strand of fiber is about as thick as a strand of hair. When a technician begins splicing fiber to repair a damaged section, it’s akin to perfectly matching and fusing two strands of hair on each end of the section being replaced. For a 96-count fiber line, two crews—one at each end of the replaced section—will make a total of 192 splices, and it could take 6-8 hours to complete.

Shooting electrical equipment also poses a risk of physical harm to oneself and others. Damaged power lines can produce high-voltage arcs that can ignite surrounding vegetation and start a fire. Plus, a downed line may electrocute people on the ground.

“When it comes to safety, hunters should always keep a reasonable distance from power lines and electrical equipment,” says James Thomas, Coastal Electric Cooperative Safety and Training Coordinator. “A wise preventive measure would be to note in advance the location of power lines and other electrical equipment on the property where dove hunting will take place.”

Damaging electrical equipment violates Georgia law*, which states that anyone who “knowingly and without authority and by force or violence interferes with the operation of any system of public communication, public transportation, sewerage, drainage, water supply, gas, power or other public utility service or with any constituent property thereof” could face criminal charges and/or be held liable for the cost of repairs.

Although most hunters are committed to safety, gunfire damage to power lines and fiber lines is a growing issue statewide. To help ensure a safe and successful dove-hunting season, remain aware of the dangers involved and the damage caused by firing at birds perched on power lines and fiber lines.

If you notice a downed wire or other unsafe conditions along power lines, stay away, keep others away and immediately notify Coastal Electric Cooperative or call 911.

* Code O.C.G.A. § 16-7-22(b)(2)