Manitoba Hydro is asking gun owners not to shoot near power lines after finding damage to equipment serving Cross Lake.

Shotgun pellets were found on marker balls along a power line over the Nelson River, and similar damage was seen on a section that failed in December 2025, causing an outage.

Peter Chura, a media relations officer with Manitoba Hydro, emphasized in a news release that hunters should consider the serious risks associated with discharging firearms at active hydro equipment.

While it’s not confirmed that gunfire caused the break, Manitoba Hydro warns that shooting at power infrastructure is dangerous, can shorten equipment life, and may cause outages.

The utility will replace damaged sections and is working with the community to schedule repairs.