Outdoor Opportunities Abound During COVID-19 Outbreak

by
posted on April 6, 2020
** When you buy products through the links on our site, we may earn a commission that supports NRA's mission to protect, preserve and defend the Second Amendment. **
mainadventure-calm-clouds-dawn-414171.jpg

With social distancing being the new norm for now, cabin fever is bound to set in. Several states have taken steps encouraging outdoor excursions to help ward off these ill effects, namely waiving various fees and requirements associated with outdoor activities.

Though revenue generated by the sale of fishing licenses is crucial, states such as Arkansas, West Virginia, Missouri, Maine and Indiana have all taken steps to ease licensing requirements through this difficult time. In the former four states, fishing-license requirements have been waived completely for a limited time (though in some cases just for native anglers), while in Indiana, the expiration date for last year's licenses has been pushed back, allowing current fishermen to keep on fishing. 

Other states have waived select requirements for hunting. North Carolina, for example, explained in an e-newsletter that the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission has temporarily waived the field-day requirement through the end of April, for its online hunter education courses.

While some states have closed state parks and cancelled various events scheduled to take place there, other states, like New York, Wisconsin, Delaware and Michigan, have instead sought to promote outdoor activity by waiving park entry fees.

Fees are being dropped on a national level, too. According to a National Park Service (NPS) release on March 18, the NPS has temporarily suspended park entrance fees, per secretary of the interior David Bernhardt's instruction.

“I’ve directed the National Park Service to waive entrance fees at parks that remain open,” said Bernhardt. “This small step makes it a little easier for the American public to enjoy the outdoors in our incredible National Parks.”

Since the announcement, several parks have modified operations to effectively implement current health guidelines, and some have even closed, though there are still plenty of national parks open to the public. To see what limitations are in effect for national parks, visit nps.gov/findapark/index.htm.

Though there’s quite a bit missing from our everyday lives, there’s no better time to get out of our homes, get some distance, and head into the great outdoors.

Additional Reading:
Versacarry Retools to Make Emergency Medical Equipment
NRA Urges Governors Not to Cancel Spring Hunting Seasons, Says Hunting Can Coexist with Social Distancing
Alaska Closes Bear Hunting Statewide
Firearm Background Checks Break Records Amid COVID-19 Concerns
Radians Donates 14,000 N95 Masks
Firearm Industry Federally Designated Part of Critical Infrastructure
Federal Donates N95 Masks to Minnesota Hospitals
Remington Offers Facility in Illion NY to Help State Fight COVID-19 
Ammo Shortage Survival Guide
Pennsylvania Governor Reverses Coursse, Reopens Gun Stores Amid COVID-19 Crisis
A Hunter's Guide to Staying Sane During the Coronavirus Outbreak
Pope and Young Club Cancels Virginia Convention

Latest

44 Mag HST LEDE
44 Mag HST LEDE

New for 2025: Federal’s Personal Defense HST .44 Rem. Mag.

Federal Ammunition has recently added a new HST .44 Remington Magnum “Light Magnum” load featuring a specially designed hollow-point bullet, ideal for those seeking HST performance for self-defense with magnum revolvers.

Utah Wildlife Board Updates

The Utah Wildlife Board approved a few new and updated rules, some of which are necessary after recent legislative changes—including the wildlife management area license requirement for certain counties and the new process for regulating hunting guides and outfitters—along with a few other proposals during a public meeting Thursday.

Member's Hunt: A Tale of Two Moose

This month's Member's Hunt comes from John R. Bean of Tucson, Ariz.

Breeding Duck Numbers Decline Again in ND

The North Dakota Game and Fish Department’s 78th-annual spring breeding duck survey conducted in May showed an index of about 2.66-million birds, down from 2.9 million in 2024 and 3.4 million in 2023.

2025-26 Pennsylvania Migratory Game Bird Seasons Set

Pennsylvania’s 2025-26 migratory game bird seasons have been set. There are two significant changes to waterfowl seasons. The regular season daily bag limit for Canada geese in the Atlantic Population Zone has decreased from three to one, and for northern pintail, there will be a flat daily bag limit of three.

New for 2025: Christensen Arms Evoke in 450 Bushmaster

Christensen Arms has announced the release of the Evoke rifle chambered in powerful 450 Bushmaster.

Interests



Get the best of American Hunter delivered to your inbox.