A day after announcing the spring bear hunting season would be canceled in Alaska, the state has decided to reconsider their position.

In a press conference on Wednesday, Gov. Mike Dunleavy said the cancellation applied to black and brown bear hunts for both residents and non-residents.

It was in response to a reporter question about how some Kodiak residents were concerned over the possible spread of the novel coronavirus.

On Thursday, Dunleavy walked back that statement and clarified that residents would still be allowed to participate in the hunting season, but non-residents would not.

He said Alaskans would still need to follow existing health mandates on social distancing and travel within the state.

An advisory from Alaska Department of Fish and Game Commissioner Doug Vincent-Lang reiterated that point:

“To protect public health, resident hunters participating in spring bear…