Fish Wildlife & Parks: Covid-19 Updates
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FWP temporarily closes Montana WILD, visitor centers
In keeping with social distancing guidelines for COVID-19 to protect public health and safety, Montana WILD will be closed to the public beginning today, March 16, until further notice. In addition, fish hatcheries and visitor centers will be closed for two weeks beginning today. This includes those at Montana State Parks.
However, FWP’s outdoor recreation areas, including fishing access sites and state parks, will remain open.
Montana, Fish, Wildlife and Parks takes seriously the health and safety of the public and our employees. Within the next two weeks we will re-assess the closures and determine if they need to be extended.
“Closing large public meeting areas, like Montana WILD and our visitor centers, mirrors the statewide school district closures and is the best thing to do at the time to join in the effort of helping to stop the spread of COVID-19,” said FWP Director Martha Williams.
Gov. Steve Bullock closed K-12 schools on March 15 for two weeks. COVID-19 cases have been identified in a handful of communities around the state.
For the latest information on COVID-19, please visit the Governor’s Coronavirus Task Force website at COVID19.mt.gov or the Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services website atwww.dphhs.mt.gov.
FWP to temporarily suspend hunter, bowhunter ed classes
Due to health concerns for students and volunteers, Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks is postponing all hunter and bowhunter education classes that are scheduled through March 30, at which point FWP will reassess the situation.
COVID-19 cases have been identified in a handful of communities around the state. Because of the potential spread of COVID-19, several schools and other public buildings where hunter education classes are held have been closed to after-hours use.
Over the course of the next two weeks FWP staff in coordination with state officials will assess the risk of the potential spread of COVID-19. Once it is deemed safe, FWP will schedule new classes.
FWP staff recognizes this may impact students and their ability to apply for special permits and licenses. FWP is looking into options. This measure is intended to prioritize the safety and health of FWP’s volunteer hunter education instructors and students.
For the latest information on COVID-19, please visit the Governor’s Coronavirus Task Force website at COVID19.mt.gov or the Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services website atwww.dphhs.mt.gov.
For more information about hunter and bowhunter education classes and schedules, please contact your regional FWP office.
Fish & Wildlife Commission meeting postponed
The Montana Fish & Wildlife Commission meeting, which was scheduled for March 27, has been postponed due to concerns about COVID-19, or coronavirus. The postponement is in response to Montana Gov. Steve Bullock’s recommendations on social distancing to help stop the spread of the virus.
FWP will look at options to reschedule the meeting at a later date.
Additional information on COVID-19 is also available online, on DES social media, and via phone:
Covid19.mt.gov
Twitter: @MontanaDES
Facebook.com/MontanaDES
Instagram:
@MontanaDES406
(888) 333-0461
