As dove hunting season is in full swing, you may have already bagged a bounty of birds, or you might be hitting the fields soon. Regardless of when you join in on the hunt, you’ve probably heard that doves enjoy congregating on power lines.

Indeed, doves love to perch on power lines before making a move for food. This can make it tempting for hunters to try to snag a bird or two while they are on the line.

Regardless of how tempting it is, you should never shoot at power lines because electrical equipment is never in season. Let’s dig into why doves flock to power lines and how gunfire toward electrical equipment can be detrimental to the surrounding area.

Why do doves like to perch on power lines?

If you drive down the road before the weather gets cold, you will likely see a bird or two perched on a power line as you pass. Doves, like many birds, use power lines for a variety of reasons:

     • Taking breaks from flying

     • Gathering with other birds
        before migration

     • Protection from predators

Doves are especially attracted to power lines because they like to have a good view of corn, wheat and other crops in fields below.

Why you should never shoot at power lines

Shooting at power lines is always a bad idea. Projectiles from gunfire can damage a power line, costing thousands of dollars in damage and leaving businesses and homes without power.

Damaged power lines are inconvenient, expensive and dangerous for those in the surrounding area. Energy from broken lines can produce a high-temperature arc that can set fire to surrounding vegetation. Shooting at power lines can cause a wildfire to spread.