Pennsylvania officials: Enjoy the outdoors, but stay close to home

Try your luck catching a trout, but do it close to home.

That was the message Thursday from state officials, who reminded residents that, no matter what outdoor recreation or exercise you choose, keep your distance from others.

“People should recreate close to home. There’s a high interest right now in outdoor activity and we’re encouraging people to go outdoors, but at the same time, keep your distances,” said Cindy Adams Dunn, state Department of Conservation and Natural Resources secretary.

Dunn was joined by state Fish and Boat Commission Executive Director Tim Schaeffer in asking those venturing out for recreation to do so within 15 minutes of their homes.

The goal, they said, is to enjoy the outdoors in a manner that complies with Gov. Tom Wolf’s ongoing stay-at-home order to slow the spread of coronavirus.

Schaeffer said state officials decided to open trout fishing 11 days early on Tuesday, rather than April 18, in an effort to prevent large crowds of anglers and “flatten out the opening day curve.”

“The opening day dynamic is that the first day can be quite crowded. After consulting with one another, we wanted to minimize those pinch points,” Schaeffer said.

“And, by all indications, we’re very happy with how Pennsylvania anglers responded,” Schaeffer said.

Dunn noted the recommendation for people to stay close to home makes common sense, with bathroom facilities, buildings and playgrounds now being closed at state parks.

“We don’t want people having to make bathroom stops on their way home after using a state park,” Dunn said. Park users are being advised to carry out their own trash.

The officials recommend people not drive to their private camps in other parts of the state. Campground and cabin reservations in state park facilities are canceled through April 30 under Wolf’s order, Dunn said.

John Norbeck, DCNR deputy secretary for parks and forestry, said DCNR rangers will be in charge of enforcement, but don’t expect to see a flurry of citations for anyone congregating in large groups. Schaeffer said fish and boat commission officers will be in charge of enforcement along fishing waters.

“We’re really going to work with the general public. We want to educate folks first and, I can tell you, we’ve had great compliance so far,” Norbeck said.

When going to a state park or fishing, officials recommend only trips with immediate family members and not with relatives or friends who don’t “live under the same roof.”

Schaeffer said waterways officers reported very few incidents Tuesday.

The officials offered these guidelines:

• Go outdoors and engage in outdoor activities such as walking, hiking or running, but maintain social distancing.

• Avoid crowded trails, parks, and fishing spots even if it means finding another local location or going during less popular hours.

• Do not travel outside of your immediate communities to other outdoor locations across the state, such as state parks, forests, private camps, and leased campsites.

• Be considerate and wear a protective mask to protect others as recommended.

Details: dcnr.pa.gov