For current information on your state DNR response to the COVID-19 pandemic, check your state DNR website, DNR social media channels, DNR Information Center and email updates. Click here for a link to your state website.
Alabama
In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (ADCNR) has made changes to its operations for the safety of employees and the general public. The changes are in effect until April 6, 2020.
Most outdoor facilities remain open for recreation. Alabama State Parks and associated facilities remain open with the exception of cave tours at Rickwood and Cathedral Caverns state parks. Check the social media directory for updated information.
Also open are State Public Fishing Lakes, ADCNR shooting and archery ranges, ADCNR Wildlife Management Areas and Special Opportunity Areas. State and district offices are closed to the public with the exception of the Marine Resources Division offices in Gulf Shores and Dauphin Island. Those offices will be open for commercial license sales only on Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
ADCNR Law Enforcement Offices are closed to the public, but remain staffed to answer questions by phone. To report hunting or fishing violations, call (800) 272-GAME. Hunting and fishing licenses are still available online.
Due to the evolving nature of the pandemic, ADCNR recommends calling individual state parks and other facilities with questions about reservations or operational hours. Contact information can be found here.
Arkansas
The Arkansas Game and Fish Commission open public forum and monthly meeting March 18-19 in Hope, have been canceled because of coronavirus concerns. All AGFC facilities have been closed to the public until March 30.
Closed are the Little Rock headquarters, regional offices, hatcheries, nature and conservation education centers, shooting ranges and field offices. The public is encouraged to use outside amenities such as hiking trails, lakes, wildlife management areas and water trails.
The AGFC is reviewing all upcoming events that may involve nonessential large gatherings that could expand exposure to the virus. More information on those events is available online.
Proposed regulations that would have been presented at the March commission meeting will be available to the public on the Commission website next week. The April commission meeting is currently scheduled for April 23 in Little Rock.
Arizona
In response to current CDC recommendations about large community events, the Arizona Game and Fish Department 2020 Outdoor Expo has been cancelled. AZGFD’s top priority is the safety of attendees, staff, partners and volunteers. The Department looks forward to hosting the Outdoor Expo scheduled next year, March 27-28, 2021. For current public health resources and recommendations, click here.
Florida
The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission has taken proactive measures as COVID-19 impacts communities by canceling and/or postponing meetings and other large group gatherings to protect stakeholders, staff and volunteers.
Currently, wildlife management areas remain open to the public. However, hunters and other WMA users are asked to monitor the open/closed status of the WMA they’re interested in. Please note, a couple cooperators have closed their recreation sites and/or campgrounds. Please check for updates on the website, Twitter and Facebook.
Iowa
The Iowa DNR has canceled the auction scheduled in the Livestock Pavilion at the Iowa State Fairgrounds March 21. The public viewing on March 20 is also canceled. Parks Day at the Capitol and the Gift to Iowa Ceremony March 25 is canceled. Donors to be recognized at this year’s Gift to Iowa Ceremony are encouraged to participate in the 2021 ceremony.
The DNR has also canceled all upcoming classes, field days, workshops, and advanced hunter education offerings through April 30. These events are usually held within facilities that are currently closed or prohibiting gatherings of large groups due to the Covid-19.
CWD meetings scheduled for Decorah and West Union have been canceled and are expected to be rescheduled near deer season.
With cancellation of in-person hunter education courses and field days, the DNR recommends the following for hunting this spring: Anyone age 15 years and younger are able to participate in hunting activities if accompanied by an adult 18 and older who holds a valid hunting permit. Anyone age 16-17 can purchase an apprentice hunting license to hunt alongside an adult 18 and older who holds a valid hunting permit. Anyone age 18 and older can complete the required hunter’s safety course online.
The Iowa Scholastic Clay Target Program and the Scholastic Action Target Program have been canceled, as well as all practices, competitions and coaches training, through April 30.
The cancellations are based on guidance from state and national health officials to avoid public gatherings of more than 10 people.
New York
Indoor spaces and restrooms at DEC environmental education centers, hatcheries, and other public facilities are closed to prevent community spread of COVID-19, but grounds and trails are open to visitors during daylight hours, seven days a week. Entry fees are waived.
Public trails in the Adirondack and Catskill Parks and State Forests are also open. Please check local weather conditions; snow remains in many areas. The Department of Environmental Conservation provides updates by via email, social media and at online. A full listing of canceled events is available on the website.
North Dakota
The National Archery in the Schools Program Tournament scheduled March 20 in Minot, has been canceled for public health concerns following the announced week-long closure of North Dakota's K-12 schools. An estimated 1,000 archers in grades 4 to 12 were expected to convene at the State Fair Center. The North Dakota Game and Fish Department, in following recommendations of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, has canceled in-person events that consist of 50 people or more.
Minnesota
The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, with guidance from state health officials, is postponing, adjusting and canceling public events, open houses, safety education training, naturalist programs and other meetings. State parks, recreation areas and public lands remain open.
State park visitor centers, contact stations, and other ancillary buildings will be closed until further notice. With contact stations closed, visitors will pay through self-pay and informational kiosks located at each facility. Visitors are also encouraged to purchase daily and annual park passes through the online portal before they visit. State parks naturalist programs are canceled. State park bathrooms, vault toilets and shower buildings that are currently open will remain open, with increased cleaning protocols.
Events postponed at this time include all safety education training, including firearms safety training; deer open houses, and elk input meetings in northwest Minnesota. Because this is an evolving situation, the DNR website for additions and modifications.
Pennsylvania
The Pennsylvania Game Commission has closed all offices to the public for at least two weeks in response to the coronavirus pandemic. The Harrisburg headquarters and all region offices will be closed, and purchases made online or by mail will not be filled until the offices reopen. The earliest date when offices could reopen is March 30.
The Board of Game Commissioners meeting to be held April 6 and 7 at the Harrisburg headquarters remains scheduled. However, the Game Commission is exploring alternative methods for the meeting should offices remain closed for an extended period.
Vermont
To avoid the spread of COVID-19 with social distancing, the Vermont Fish & Wildlife Department has canceled the March 18 public meeting on its Big Game Management plan and; it has not rescheduled at this time. Also postponed are the March public hearings on deer and moose.
Indiana
All DNR Fish & Wildlife Area shooting ranges, excluding the Tri-County FWA, will resume normal operating hours beginning March 19. All FWA ranges were closed March 18 while staff took extra precautions to sanitize facilities amid coronavirus concerns. Tri-County FWA will remain closed until at least March 24.
For more information on DNR shooting ranges, click here.
Missouri
Department of Conservation nature centers, visitor centers and education centers will close to visitors March 19, to help protect the public amid ongoing coronavirus concerns. Indoor facilities will be closed to the public through April 15. The Department reassess the situation at that point. Nature center trails remain open.
Closed MDC facilities include Burr Oak Woods Nature Center in Blue Springs; Cape Girardeau Conservation Nature Center in Cape Girardeau; Anita B. Gorman Conservation Discovery Center in Kansas City; Lost Valley Fish Hatchery in Benton County; Powder Valley Conservation Nature Center in Kirkwood; Rockwoods Reservation in St. Louis County; Runge Conservation Nature Center in Jefferson City; Shepherd of the Hills Fish Hatchery near Branson; Shoal Creek Conservation Education Center in Joplin; Springfield Conservation Nature Center in Springfield; and Twin Pines Conservation Education Center near Winona.
All conservation areas, area trails, and boat accesses remain open to the public. MDC offices and shooting ranges also remain open under normal operating hours. Hunting, fishing, and trapping seasons continue as scheduled.
MDC has cancelled public events and programs around the state until April 15 to help protect the public amid ongoing coronavirus (COVID-19) concerns.
South Carolina
The 2020 SCDNR Youth Fishing Tournament scheduled for March 28 has been postponed.
"We've considered many alternatives and heard your input," said Sarah Chabaane, SCDNR Aquatic Education Coordinator. "I value all the time, effort, and resources that student anglers, coaches, parents and boat captains put into preparing for this event."
SCDNR will continue to evaluate the options of rescheduling as the next few weeks progress. A more complete list of closures, cancellations and postponements can be found here.
Wisconsin
The Wisconsin Conservation Congress and the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources have canceled the April 13 in-person portion of the 72 public meetings, known as the Spring Hearings. The public has the opportunity to provide input on the natural resources advisory questions from the DNR, Natural Resources Board (NRB), and WCC through the online input option. The online input option link is posted on the Spring Hearing page.
The online meeting goes live at 7 p.m. April 13, and the online version will remain open for 72 hours. Results will be posted as soon as they are available. Email questions or issues with the online input to staff at SpringHearingInfo@Wisconsin.gov.
Each year, citizens can recommend changes to natural resource issues through the submittal of citizen resolutions. In addition, two of the five WCC seats in each county are up for election.