Hunter cuts off power to 1 200 homes

October 02 2002 at 03:48PM



Vire, France - A 31-year-old hunter trying out his marksmanship accidentally cut power to 1 200 country homes and killed a cow, said police in France's Normandy region on Wednesday.

The man, who had a valid hunter's permit, last weekend first tried to pick off crows sitting on a high-tension overhead powerline with four shots from his 12 calibre rifle.

Instead, he smashed four isolating hubs, cutting current to houses in the area for up to a hour.

He then decided to turn his skill to a line of plastic bottles set up near a road - without realising that a herd of cows was milling on the other side.

One of the animals was killed when he shot it in the head.

After the discovery of the dead cow, police tracked down the man, who admitted to his awry shooting.

He is to appear in court at a later date. - Sapa-AFP

What's a "12 calibre rifle"? Are they trying to say 12 gauge, or did they mis-spell 22? - Dan

The French press, often prints 12 milimeters instead of 12 gauge, but I guess he must have been shooting slugs. By the way I am Dutch...

It doesn't look like the Germans have anything to worry about for awhile.

While my French ancestry may give me wiggle room to make a joke, I don't want my joke to look like approval of current events. Joke deleted.

[ 10-07-2002, 04:15: Message edited by: 8MM OR MORE ]

Kind of like public hunting areas over here on opening day...all the one day a year boys are out!

Bob

[ 10-05-2002, 17:42: Message edited by: Bob in TX ]