HENRICO, VA (Rocktown Now) — With general firearm season starting this weekend, The Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources is reminding dove hunters not to shoot at birds perched on power lines. 

According to a social media post, shooting at power lines is a federal offense. Damage to fiber optic cables can cause internet outages for homes and businesses. 

The damage can also cause delays for emergency response systems. 

Costs to repair a damaged cable can reportedly range in the thousands and those who fired the shot, and the landowner may be held responsible for the damaged line.