SAFETY & ENERGY

Gun Safety Around Power Equipment

Hunters and other gun-owners should not shoot near power lines, power poles and substations. A stray bullet can cause damage to equipment, could be deadly to the shooter, and potentially interrupt electric service to large areas.

Shooting near overhead power lines or insulators can result in severe injury or death. The main points to remember are:

Do not shoot at or near power lines or insulators.
Familiarize yourself with the location of power lines and equipment on land where you shoot.
Avoid the use of lofting poles near overhead power lines - remember, electricity can jump across a considerable distance.
Be especially careful in wooded areas where power lines may not be as visible.
Do not use power line wood poles or towers to support equipment used in your shooting activity.
Take notice of warning signs and keep clear of electrical apparatus.
Do not place deer stands on utility poles or climb poles. Energized lines and equipment on the poles can conduct electricity to anyone who comes in contact with them, causing shock or electrocution.
Do not shoot at, or near, birds perching on utility lines. That goes for any type of firearm, including pistols, rifles or shotguns.
Do not place decoys on power lines or other utility equipment. Anything attached to a pole besides utility equipment can pose an obstruction - and a serious hazard - to electric cooperative employees as they perform utility operations.
Damage to the conductor can happen, possibly dropping a phase on the ground. If it's dry and the fault protection on the line does not work as designed, there is the possibility of a grass or woods fire.

Thousands of electric co-op member's dollars are spent every year repairing equipment and power lines that have been shot. As a not-for-profit cooperative, owned by the members, we all share in this expense. This doesn't even include the inconvenience, damages and hazards to members down the line that require power for medical equipment or other needs while a lineman investigates spans of line trying to locate the problem.