HUNTING & FISHING SEASONS COVID19 STATE CLOSURES AND RESTRICTIONS 4/1 Update

Update of currently impacted state turkey hunting and fishing seasons that are now an unfortunate reality. I will continue to update this as more states follow suit and when states ease and or rescind restrictions entirely.

Alaska– current 14-day mandatory quarantine order in place until April 21st. Hunters should not plan to travel to or arrive in Alaska before this date. https://gov.alaska.gov/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/COVID-19-Health-Mandate-010-Travel-Declaration.pdf added 4/1

Arizona– San Carlos Apache Reservation turkey hunts canceled https://www.huntingfishing.com/index.php/2020/03/28/san-carlos-apache-tribe-cancels-spring-turkey-hunts-due-to-covid-19-concerns/

Colorado– all playgrounds, campgrounds, dispersed camping and camping facilities (including yurts and cabins) at Colorado’s state parks as well as camping at State Wildlife Areas are closed. Spring turkey hunters now are able to return their license for a refund at any time before the opening day of turkey season. https://cpw.state.co.us/aboutus/Pages/COVID-19-Response.aspx#HuntFish updated 4/1

Florida– 30-day stay-at-home order. those who fly or drive into Florida from states with substantial community spread to self-isolate in Florida for 14 days or the duration of their trip, whichever is shorter. Some resources are closed https://myfwc.com/recreation/notices/ added 4/1

Illinois– all state parks, fish and wildlife areas, recreational areas and historic sites closed, hunting and fishing prohibited on public areas https://www2.illinois.gov/dnr/news/Pages/Illinois-Department-of-Natural-Resources-Guidance–for-Spring-2020-Turkey-Seasons.aspx

Kansas – travel quarantine from the following: International– China, South Korea, Japan, Italy and Iran States- California, Colorado, Florida, Illinois, Louisiana, New Jersey, New York and Washington https://khap2.kdhe.state.ks.us/NewsRelease/PDFs/3-27-20%20travel.pdf https://ksoutdoors.com/Hunting/When-to-Hunt/Turkey

Kentucky- All Fort Campbell iSportsman activities including hunting, fishing and general outdoor recreation are closed. https://ftcampbell.isportsman.net/default.aspx added 4/1

Massachusetts – MassWildlife canceled all 2020 Youth Turkey Hunt Seminars. Only those who have completed Basic Hunter Education and the Youth Turkey Hunting Seminar allowed to participate in the Youth Turkey Hunt on April 25.  https://www.mass.gov/news/masswildlife-covid-19-response

Maryland– strict w/penalty stay at home directive. recreational boating is banned. Subsistence hunting and fishing — limited hunting and limited recreational fishing and crabbing for sustenance only. No permits for fishing tournaments, Commercial fishing deemed essential https://news.maryland.gov/dnr/2020/03/30/dnr-issues-guidance-on-governor-hogans-stay-at-home-order/

Montana– travelers arriving from another state or country to Montana for non-work-related purposes undergo a 14-day self-quarantine. The Directive follows the governor’s prior travel advisory and last week’s Stay at Home Directive http://fwp.mt.gov/covid19 added 4/1

Nebraska– suspended the sale of nonresident spring turkey hunting permits immediately. http://outdoornebraska.gov/wildturkey/

New Hamshire– no longer issuing kid’s fishing derby permits or any bass tournament permits. Online sales only for licenses and permits https://wildlife.state.nh.us/about/covid19.html https://www.1011now.com/content/news/Nonresident-spring-turkey-permit-sales-to-end-immediately-569248661.html

North Carolina– multiple boat access, camping, public land closures see: https://www.ncwildlife.org/News/NCWRC-Coronavirus-related-Closings-and-Alerts#107242136-public-fishing-access-area-closures

Washington- Fishing closed, youth turkey hunt canceled. Six game management units that were scheduled to open on April 1 for spring bear hunting closed pending further evaluation. Nearly 90 percent of spring bear permit holders traveling from outside the area. A decision on regular spring turkey may come by 4/6 https://wdfw.wa.gov/about/covid-19-updates

Canada– inaugural New Brunswick spring turkey season canceled https://www.facebook.com/251311101719404/photos/pcb.1360785240771979/1360796154104221/?type=3&theater  US Border currently closed to all non-essential travel updated 4/1

Not listed, check your state of interest as many have their park buildings and camping and restroom facilitates either closed altogether or not taking reservations until later this summer. Also noted that some states are banning overnight camping on public lands or designated primitive sites.