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Outdoor

Trout season ‘operating under a consolidated statewide schedule’

Fishing is essentially a form of social distancing before social distancing became a key part of our lexicon. But that doesn’t mean that the COVID-19 crisis isn’t impacting trout season in the Commonwealth. The Fish & Boat Commission has issued a statement as well as a FAQ on fishing in the midst of the pandemic. First of all, fishing is still permitted. “Fishing is often a solitary activity and is currently acceptable per the guidelines issued by the Pennsylvania Department of Health if social distancing guidelines are followed,” the PFBC states. The PFBC explains that ...

Hunter-Trapper Ed free online

Students may not be able to go to school, but they have options. The Pennsylvania Game Commission has waived the fees associated with its Hunter-Trapper Education programs and opened them online to those as young as 11. “Effective immediately and until at least March 31, all prospective students will be able to take the online Hunter-Trapper Education course for free and become certified to obtain their hunting or furtaker licenses,” according to a release from the Game Commission. “Ordinarily, the online course is open only to students 16 years old or older, and there is a fee ...

ANF closing campgrounds

In response to the COVID-19 Pandemic, the USDA Forest Service - Allegheny National Forest has decided to reduce services available for outdoor recreation. All ANF campgrounds, group-use areas, bathrooms, and other facilities have been closed indefinitely for the health and safety of visitors and staff. There will be no overnight accommodations (camping and cabins) available in any Allegheny National Forest campgrounds. In addition, the Forest is not providing restroom services in dispersed and developed recreation sites across the Forest. Currently, trailheads, undeveloped recreation ...

Closure of state parks and forests extended

Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR) Secretary Cindy Adams Dunn announced that all facilities at state parks and forests in Pennsylvania will be closed until April 30 to help slow the spread of the COVID-19 virus. The public will still be able to access trails, lakes, forests, roads, and parking areas for passive and dispersed recreation, such as hiking. Dunn noted this includes campgrounds, cabins and all overnight accommodations. Anyone with reservations in this time period will be contacted, and full refunds will be made. “During the past week ...

PGC: hunting season ‘NOT’ canceled

With anything and everything getting postponed and canceled during the coronavirus pandemic, the Pennsylvania Game Commission has clarified that the 2020 hunting seasons have not been canceled despite a false social media post. “There is a social media post currently circulating, featuring our agency’s name and logo, stating the Pennsylvania Game Commission cancelled 2020 hunting seasons. This is NOT true,” according to a Facebook post on the real Pennsylvania Game Commission page. According to the Pennsylvania Game Commission, its page has a blue ‘verified’ checkmark by ...

PennDOT utilizing ‘skeleton’ crew during COVID-19 crisis

PennDOT is functioning with a “skeleton” crew amid the COVID-19 crisis. Though it’s too early to say just to what degree that will impact the upcoming road construction season. District Press Officer Jill Harry told the Times Observer “a lot of our employees at the district level are working from home.” At the maintenance level, Harry said PennDOT has “what I would call a skeleton crew that is handling any type of repairs that need to be made on an emergency (or) semi-emergency basis.” She described those items as “things that can’t be left undone” and said crews ...