UPDATE: Texas State Parks to close to public amid COVID-19 pandemic.Â
Outdoor-related activities remain an encouraged part of life amid the COVID-19 pandemic, provided Texans maintain social distancing rules issued by state and local officials. However, if you are or planned to get outdoors in the Texas State Parks system you’ll have to make other plans. Gov. Greg Abbott on Tuesday, April 7 issued orders to the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department and the Texas Historical Commission to close all state parks and historic sites to further help distance Texans during the coronavirus crisis. All historic sites and state parks will close to the public starting at 5 p.m. and will only reopen at the direction of Abbott.
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Texas Gov. Greg Abbott has issued an executive order implementing a protocol for “essential services and activities” amid the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, including fishing and hunting in the list.
The executive order — issued March 31 — reads, in part:
“This executive order does not prohibit people from accessing essential services or
engaging in essential daily activities, such as going to the grocery store or gas station,
providing or obtaining other essential services, visiting parks, hunting or fishing, or
engaging in physical activity like jogging or bicycling, so long as the necessary
precautions are maintained to reduce the transmission of COVID-19 and to minimize in-person contact with people who are not in the same household.”
The order comes as Texas officials seek to clamp down harder on activities that may help spread the coronavirus.
Texas Parks and Wildlife Department officials recently have been alerted to numerous posts on social media stating that hunting and fishing seasons for 2020-2021 had been canceled, despite no such order being given by state officials. In a statement, TPWD issued the following message: “There are some ‘fake news’ articles circulating social media that say the 2020-21 hunting and fishing season has been canceled. This is a hoax and not true. Always confirm TPWD-related issues through our website at tpwd.texas.gov.”
While hunting and fishing remain open in the Lone Star State, many points of access to lakes, reservoirs and bays and even Gulf of Mexico beaches, have been shut down. Numerous local governments and agencies have issued their own decrees to close marinas and boat ramps, as well as not allowing fishing from piers and jetties — places where anglers can congregate.
One group facing a huge setback during the COVID-19 pandemic is fishing guides. While fishing has been deemed an essential activity in Texas, guides aren’t considered essential personnel and thus have had to cancel trips.
TPWD urges anglers to check community ordinances and check the status of the location you’re planning to fish before heading out. Also fishermen and hunters are reminded to maintain a minimum of 6 feet of social distancing and follow all guidance from the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, according to TPWD.
The executive order will remain in place through April.
View Gov. Abbott’s Executive Order Here
COVID-19 impacts on hunting and fishing in other states
While Texas hunting and fishing seasons remain open, other states have adopted their own orders in regard to current and future outdoors activities. Here’s a look at what states are doing:
Alabama
From the Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources: “Outdoor recreation in Alabama is considered an essential activity in the Order of the State Health Officer that was issued on April 3, 2020. That means outdoors activities such as hunting, fishing, trail use, boating, and paddling can still be enjoyed by all Alabamians as long as groups are kept to less than 10 people and a consistent 6-foot distance between persons can be maintained. Additionally, most Alabama State Parks, including campgrounds and associated facilities, remain open with some exceptions.
“ADCNR strongly encourages everyone to observe the State Health Order and to practice CDC recommendations regarding hand washing and social distancing (maintaining a distance of at least 6 feet from others). Violating the State Health Order can result in criminal charges and fines. Due to the evolving nature of the pandemic, ADCNR recommends calling individual state parks and other facilities if you have questions about reservations or operational hours.”
Alaska
The Last Frontier shut down all spring bear hunting April 1 for both residents and nonresidents. Here’s the advisory the Alaska Department of Fish and Game:
“For the safety of Alaska’s communities, and especially individuals most vulnerable to the COVID-19 virus, Commissioner of the Alaska Department of Fish and Game Doug Vincent-Lang has directed the Division of Wildlife Conservation to close all black and brown bear hunts statewide for both resident and nonresident hunters, effective now through May 31. This decision will be reevaluated as necessary. All subsistence bear hunts will remain open as a way for residents to have an opportunity to fill freezers and provide for families. The Department of Fish and Game will work with the Board of Game to identify future options for hunters who are planning to come to Alaska this spring, or for residents who have already made arrangements, but will be unable to hunt as planned. Expect to hear more from the department in the near future, and please be patient with the department as they identify ways to minimize the impacts of this decision. Alaska’s wild resources are of vital importance to many throughout the state, and we will make sure opportunities to safely, responsibly and sustainably harvest these resources continue.”
The state did an about-face after an outcry from residents, issuing the following statement a day later, which details how Alaska residents will still be able to hunt bears.
Arizona
From the Arizona Game and Fish Department: “As always, hunters and anglers must be in possession of a valid Arizona hunting, fishing or combo license. Check with appropriate local municipalities and land-management agencies for any restriction or closure notices of parks, lakes or boat docks. All license and hunt permit-tag requirements, season dates, legal methods of take and bag limits are to be observed and will be strictly enforced. Poaching is a crime. Any wildlife violations can be reported to the department’s Operation Game Thief hotline at (800) 352-0700.
Arkansas
From the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission: “With coronavirus affecting many businesses in the state, the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission will extend the temporary closure of AGFC offices, nature and education centers and shooting ranges until further notice. Wildlife management areas, boat ramps, lakes and fishing accesses controlled by the AGFC remain open to allow people to get outside during this time of social distancing. Field staff is still working, managing the state’s wildlife and fisheries resources. Turkey hunting season is just around the corner, opening on April 11-12 for youth hunting and April 13 for regular turkey season, and scouting for the birds is an excellent way to get out and avoid crowds. Fishing, too, is an excellent option for people to enjoy without concentrating in large groups.”
