Hunting and Fishing Application Forms and Activity Reports for National Wildlife Refuges and National Fish Hatcheries (50 CFR parts 32 and 71)
Revision of a currently approved collection
No
Regular
Approved without change
12/19/2025
08/28/2025
In accordance with 5 CFR 1320, the information collection is approved for three years. As terms
of clearance, however, the Agency is asked to evaluate a future consideration: To value the benefits of the bird hunting program, an office in DOI has been seeking specific data on bird hunting. This collection seems to overlap with their needs, including data on hunting trips, location, and species, and home address of hunters. Please collaborate with them to see how this instrument might be modified to accommodate any additional data needs they have (this may include a couple of more specific data elements such as specific species and hunting expenditures) and if the sampling methodology can fit their purpose.
table that charts list comparision
Inventory as of this Action
Requested
Previously Approved
12/31/2028
36 Months From Approved
12/31/2025
1,632,055
0
1,632,055
265,117
0
265,117
87,365
0
87,365
The National Wildlife Refuge System Administration Act of 1966 (16 U.S.C. 668dd-668ee), as amended (Administration Act), and the Refuge Recreation Act of 1962 (16 U.S.C. 460k-460k-4) (Recreation Act) govern the administration and public uses of national wildlife refuges and wetland management districts. The Administration Act closes NWRs in all States except Alaska to all uses until opened. The Secretary of the Interior (Secretary) may open refuge areas to any use, including hunting and/or sport fishing, upon a determination that the use is compatible with the purposes of the refuge and National Wildlife Refuge System mission. We collect information on hunters and anglers and their success in order to administer and evaluate hunting and fishing programs. Because of high demand and limited resources, we often provide hunt opportunities by lottery, based on dates, locations, or type of hunt. We collect information on the prospective hunter, on the preferred dates and locations, and on the type of hunt. We also require labeling of hunting/fishing equipment, require certain notifications be made to refuge staff, and collect information at the end of hunting and/or fishing experiences to help determine resource impacts and quality of experience.
US Code:
16 USC 460k-460k-4
Name of Law: Refuge Recreation Act of 1962
US Code:
16 USC 668dd-668ee
Name of Law: National Wildlife Refuge System Administration Act of 1966
We are not reporting any program changes or adjustments. The split in burden for Form 3-2439 (between hard copy and web-based) resulted in a net zero burden change.
On behalf of this Federal agency, I certify that the collection of information encompassed by this request complies with 5 CFR 1320.9 and the related provisions of 5 CFR 1320.8(b)(3).
The following is a summary of the topics, regarding the proposed collection of information, that the certification covers:
(i) Why the information is being collected;
(ii) Use of information;
(iii) Burden estimate;
(iv) Nature of response (voluntary, required for a benefit, or mandatory);
(v) Nature and extent of confidentiality; and
(vi) Need to display currently valid OMB control number;
If you are unable to certify compliance with any of these provisions, identify the item by leaving the box unchecked and explain the reason in the Supporting Statement.
Hunt Applications/Permits (FWS Form 3-2439) - Online