Residents embrace outdoors during stay-home order
Photo by JOSH McDONALD The North Fork of the Coeur d’Alene River has always been a popular outdoor recreation area. Locals being upset with out-of-state visitors to the river certainly isn’t unique to the pandemic.
Photo by MT_TOP The Trail of the Coeur d’Alenes stretches across the length of the Silver Valley from Cataldo to Mullan. It’s availability in nearly every local city makes it a convenient option to get some exercise in.
Photo by CHANSE WATSON Shoshone County residents have also embraced some more traditional Idaho activities during the stay-home order, such as recreational shooting. The Shoshone County Public Shooting Range is one of many choice locations for such a pastime.
By CHANSE WATSON
Managing Editor
Under the extended stay-home order that went into effect on April 16, one of the few events and activities that Idaho residents have the OK to partake in is outdoor recreation. As long as the proper precautions are taken, such as keeping a distance of 6 feet from others not in their household. Idahoans are encouraged to enjoy the new spring weather as a way to get out of the house for a little while.
“People should get outside and get some fresh air,” said Gov. Brad Little. “It’s healthy and reduces the stress we’re all feeling these days. But it has to be done responsibly with people protecting their health and the health of the larger community.”
Shoshone County residents have already been seen out enjoying the vast openness that the area provides. Many have added walks or runs to their daily routine and as a result, popular recreation areas such as the Trail of the Coeur d’Alenes have seen an uptick in usage.
Even before the pandemic, the Shoshone News-Press’ own Patti Hei has made it a point to run on the trail nearly everyday as part of her workout regimen.
As the stay-home order has carried on though, Hei has seen more and more people stretching their legs when she goes out on her runs. While it’s not like there is a traffic jam of people, trail usage has visibly increased — especially when the weather cooperates.
The same can be said of Shoshone County’s vast wilderness areas. State and federal lands remain largely open for day use, which allows residents the opportunity to hike, bike, drive, camp, hunt, fish and shoot recreationally all across the county.
Shoshone County Public Shooting Range VP Ray Hoffman explained that while it isn’t all due to the stay-home order, he has seen an increase in shooters at the range up Government Gulch (Silver King).
In addition to the stay-home order being in effect, a combination of warm weather and specific hunting seasons opening (turkey and black bear) has motivated residents to go out and put a few rounds down range.
Shoshone County Sheriff Mike Gunderson said that his office always receives a high number of calls for people shooting, but after being checked out, most are recreational shooters shooting in a safe and appropriate manner.
Not all of those who are enjoying the outdoors though have been met with local smiles.
Many residents (not just in Shoshone County) have complained on social media that an influx of individuals from out-of-state, specifically Washington, have been coming to the county and overusing/abusing the natural resources.
“I am so pissed you can’t go anywhere without being overrun with people from Washington,” one Facebook user said on a local page. “They are camping in huge numbers up the river and now in the Rose Lake/Medemont area gathering in big groups, then they go to our stores and gas stations getting our residents sick.”
As part of Washington’s COVID-19 response, Gov. Jay Inslee ordered that all state lands be closed to the public through May 4. This order also includes the suspension of all fishing, shellfish harvesting and some hunting.
According to Idaho Gov. Little’s newest stay-home order though, those traveling to Idaho are now required to self-quarantine here for 14 days after entering the state. This rule does not apply to those performing essential services or those who live in one state, and work/gain essential services in another.
While this does not directly address the topic of people from out-of-state recreating outdoors in Idaho, it essentially puts an end to the issue since outdoor recreation is not an essential service.
Sheriff Gunderson explained that his deputies will handle individuals from out-of-state who break the rule the same way they would handle county residents who break the order — by taking an educational approach until someone abuses the privilege.
“It’s not the Sheriff’s Office or my intention to go out and issue a lot of citations or arrest anybody for being out and about. We’ll talk to people and if we get several complaints, we might have to step up our methods,” he said in a previous interview.
For more information regarding Idaho outdoor recreation opportunities during the stay-home order, visit https://coronavirus.idaho.gov/recreate-responsibly/