CEMC Dove Hunt
Play it Safe This Season
Dove season is one of the busiest hunting weekends of the year across Tennessee—and one of the easiest times to accidentally put your neighbors’ power and internet at risk. Before you head to the field, test your eye for what’s safe to shoot and what to leave alone with CEMC Dove Hunt, our free online game built just for members.
Take aim at incoming doves, rack up points for safe hits, and see how fast things go wrong if you hit a bird sitting on a power line or piece of equipment. It’s a quick, fun way to make line safety second nature before opening day.
Dove Season Safety Tips
Now that you’ve seen how fast a shot can go wrong in the game, here’s how that plays out in real life. Dove season brings hunters into fields across Tennessee—often right alongside power poles, electric lines, and fiber lines. Before you take a shot, know what’s around you.
Never shoot toward power lines, fiber lines, or any electrical equipment. Fiber lines may look thin and harmless, but they carry internet, phone, and even 911 service — and they’re just as easy to damage as a power line. A stray shot can knock out service for hundreds of neighbors and leave the responsible party facing a costly repair bill.
If a bird lands on a line or piece of equipment, leave it there. Don’t attempt to retrieve it. Getting yourself or your firearm too close to energized equipment can result in serious injury or death.
Don’t touch or climb on utility equipment. Poles, transformers, equipment cabinets, and fiber pedestals aren’t seats, tables, or decoy stands. This equipment can carry thousands of volts or serve as a critical link in the network, and tampering with it can be deadly and can cut off service for an entire area.
As always, if you have questions before heading out or need assistance, call CEMC/Cumberland Connect at (800) 987-2362.