OUTDOORS: FWP: Most public access remains open

Montana FWP

As a reminder to stay safe during the COVID-19 pandemic, social distancing guidelines should be followed at all Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks sites.

People need to keepa 6-foot distance from fellow recreators. While fishing access sites, state parks and wildlife management areas remain open - check for seasonal closures and openings - fishing piers, playgrounds and group-use facilities are closed to the public.

Maintenance at FWP facilities will be cut back and public opportunities limited:

Overnight camping will not be allowed. Campgrounds will be systematically closed to give current campers 72-hour notice. Group use sites will be closed, including playgrounds and fishing piers. Visitor center closures will be extended at least through April 10. Bathrooms may be limited. Sites will be regularly patrolled by enforcement staff.

If a parking lot at a fishing access site or state park is full, consider another place to recreate. Also, it is a good idea to recreate in your local area.

Bannack State Park is temporarily closed due to social distancing concerns and to limit the possible spread of COVID-19. Given the nature of Bannack State Park and the desire to tour the many buildings that comprise the town site, it is next to impossible to adhere to social distancing directives and still allow tours. The park will be closed until at least April 24, when the directives will expire or be extended. For more information on FWP's response to COVID-19, visit http://fwp.mt.gov/covid19 .

Following the extension of Montana Gov. Steve Bullock's directive that out-of-state travelers must quarantine for 14 days, Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks Director Martha Williams has suspended non-resident hunting seasons for spring turkey and black bear until at least April 24.

Tuesday, Bullock extended the mandatory quarantine directive related to COVID-19 through April 24 for travelers arriving in Montana from another state or country. The quarantine directive for out-of-state travelers applies to public outdoor recreation, grocery shopping and other activities. Those entering Montana from other states carry the risk of spreading COVID-19 to Montana residents. Surrounding states are taking similar measures to protect their own citizens and limit the spread of COVID-19.

"We place a high value on the ability to get outside and hunt, both for our residents and visitors. However, suspending the non-resident turkey and black bear seasons for now will keep everyone safer and help all of us remain consistent with Gov. Bullock's directives," Williams said.

Spring turkey season, which begins April 11, and spring black bear season, which begins April 15, will still be open to resident hunters; however, travel and social distancing directives need to be followed as hunters make their plans and head into the field.

Non-residents who wish to return their license will be issued a refund.

Contacting FWP with licensing, other questions

For the foreseeable future, people interested in getting help with application and licensing questions should call the FWP Licensing Call Center at 406-444-2950 or email [email protected]. The licensing call center will be answering calls from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday. At times the call volume is high. People are asked to be patient as statewide staff work hard to answer questions in a timely manner.