Reports of traveling conditions, hunting conditons during the Virus Outbreak

[longbeards]

After a post about a month ago on rather this virus was going to interfere with our turkey hunting I have added this post. I hope that anyone who is traveling and hunting will post what State they are in and some idea of what to expect.
I am in WV and am out fishing today. I am lucky to live in a very rural area, but I am avoiding contact with others as much as possible, which wading on a trout stream will keep me well away from others!
Will let you know later today how it goes.
Stay Safe, Longbeards

[hotspur]

I'm doing much the same. Free time is spent outdoors fishing while listing for gobbles. Will be doing this until the season starts

[Turkeytider]

I think that in large measure, impact on our hunting will center around how far and in what way we travel and what the associated restrictions become. Will any restrictions take on force of law? Hard to imagine, for example, shut down interstate systems such that a two hour drive to a hunting camp would be " illegal ". I suppose it could conceivably happen, though.

[Tail Feathers]

I did hear of a hunter who drove to SC and had issues getting gas and food as everything was closed.
Travel considerations may play in as much as the actual hunting and land opening/closing considerations. 

[longbeards]

I have former students in Mississippi hunting now. The drive was zero problems on the way down. So lets keep our fingers crossed!!

[Sir-diealot]

In case nobody saw it in my other post The Canadian and American borders have been closed by mutual agreement by both countries.

[rakkin6]

This is an email I got from the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency (TWRA).

as many schools, churches and offices are closing due to the COVID-19 pandemic, we remind all Tennesseans that the great outdoors remains open as usual and more inviting than ever. March and April usually bring some excellent fishing opportunities. Also, turkey hunting will kick off March 28th with the statewide youth season, and April 4th for everyone else.

What better way is there to practice 'social distancing,' as health authorities recommend, than to seize the opportunity to get outside and enjoy Tennessee's natural resources. The recommendation is to stay 6 feet or more away from others as you head outside.

Places that are open for you to get outside and enjoy some sunshine:

Boat ramps

Family fishing lakes

Statewide Bank Fishing

Wildlife Management Areas

Select Shooting ranges on WMAs (only unstaffed shooting ranges are open)



Renew Your License
The Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency offices statewide have very limited staff on location until further notice. This is in response to the Governor's emergency declaration and the need to halt the spread of the COVID-19 virus.

The headquarters and field offices will remain open with limited staffing until further notice. In addition, scheduled public events through April are being canceled/postponed. These include any in-person hunter education classes, boating education classes, public staff shooting ranges, the National Archery in the Schools state tournament, and Commission meetings.

There are no plans to limit turkey season, which opens statewide April 4. Public land hunts and quota hunts will be opened.

Many TWRA staff will continue serving the sportsmen and sportswomen of Tennessee by working remotely.

We encourage everyone to get online if they need us. You can make inquiries about anything through our website or email. Our licensing system is available 24/7/365 online so anyone can purchase licenses at anytime without going to a physical location. Or, go paperless and use the TWRA on the Go App for license purchase.

We will continue to respond to inquiries on TWRA's normal public communication outlets including:

Facebook
Email messages via the "Contact Us" link Ask.TWRA@tn.gov
TnWildlife.org
Game Wardens will be in service across the state as usual; to report a violation or accident visit https://www.tn.gov/twra/law-enforcement#accident
________________________________________________________________________

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MORE RESOURCES:

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Everything Fishing

Turkey Hunting Information

Everything Hunting



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[the Ward]

If you are driving the Ohio turnpike, they have food, but it is carry out only at the service plaza's.They had signs up saying that the last couple days. Those signs were changed yesterday to they are preferring easy pass or credit cards instead of cash at toll booths, so i don't know if food is still available, not many cars in parking area. They still have fuel though for the time being, don't think that will change. I have heard a few otr guys complaining that some states have been closing rest areas and it has been hard to find parking places to take mandatory dot breaks. At this stage of the game who knows what restrictions may be implemented. I would say travel prepared for the worst case , take some extra fuel in a can, some extra food and water, and extra meds if you have prescriptions. I do think the worst of this virus will probably pass in a month if we are all careful of what we do to limit it's spread, anyway that's what i hope will happen. The federal and state governments are not going to tank the money making machine for no good reason. I think they are privvy to info we don't have. Stay safe and healthy.

[POk3s]

If I would've seen this a week ago I would've shaken my head and scoffed at it. No longer. Like all of you, I keep seeing things like "At least they can't take away turkey hunting/fishing!" Well...they sure can. I've seen a few instances where public lands have been closed. I'm not sure about the credibility of it, but the possibility is there. Regardless, nothing  is stopping them from putting a travel ban on all of us...truthfully. There's also the worry of getting fuel in small towns as well as groceries when we get to these places. HOPEFULLY in a month when the bulk of the seasons open we'll be better off,  and not worse off.

[csgrizz]

Illinois has closed State Parks, Recreational Areas, Fish and Wildlife Areas and Historic Sites until further notice.  Some of those had turkey hunting available.

[idgobble]

Colorado has closed all on-site dining.  I suppose most states will do the same.  Inconvenient and it takes some of the fun out of traveling and hunting away from home. One of my biggest concerns is getting stuck somewhere quarantined for a few weeks. Lots of exposure to others when I stay in a motel too.

"DENVER (KDVR) — Gov. Jared Polis announced Monday afternoon that all on-site dining will be prohibited at restaurants and bars in Colorado. The restrictions are part of an effort to slow the spread of the coronavirus.
Drive-thru, take-out and delivery services will still be permitted.
The order will remain in effect for 30 days. It goes into effect 8 a.m. Tuesday.
The order follows similar ones already in place in Denver and Summit counties."

[dzsmith]

I have a northeast trip planned in MAY. To several states. I have no idea what to expect yet....one thing I fear is by that point we will have some states on lock down. And travel could very well be restricted...if it gets to that point I suppose that I just will not go. I do not want to risk leaving home and then getting stuck somewhere. hopefully things are different by then but, I highly doubt it. I haven't personally heard of motel closures yet, I plan on primitive camping where I can, guess time will tell.

[Tail Feathers]

Some or all public camping in FL is closed now.  I know it is in the Water District Land where I was going to hunt.  Some friends already there say the place is dead, no one coming.
If you plan on camping in FL, check their website and where you were planning on going.

[Dtrkyman]

If all this closing of public locations is effective then the spread of the virus should fizzle out?

Of course they are only guessing at some of the things as far as how long the virus remains viable outside the body and it seems the spread is not likely other than person to person contact, but is possible in theory.

Kudos to TN. encouraging outdoor activities, I went fly fishing in New Mexico yesterday and drove into a popular stocked pond to see if it was busy, looked like the usual amount of vehicles and lots of kids for a week day with all the schools closed!

New Mexico has not been all that bad, I am in Santa Fe and some things at the grocery stores were picked through and the typical TP, rice Beans and such were wiped out but there was plenty of food.  I have heard Albuquerque was a bit crazy as most of the NM population lives there!

[joey46]

Yes - a big round of applause to TN.  Anyone coming to FL for the north zone opener this Saturday be aware that at this moment the WMAs are still open but most camping on them is not.  Private campgrounds, which normally are fully booked this time of year, may have a few openings since it has been reported the Canadian snowbirds are heading back as fast as they can pack up. The FWC web page now seems to update several times a day.  BTW - if the wife and kids were planning on tagging along the public beaches will all be closed by Monday.  The theme parks closed earlier.  Good luck.