Agency Information Collection Activities; National Survey of Fishing, Hunting, and Wildlife Watching

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Published

February 12, 2026

Issuing agencies

Interior DepartmentFish and Wildlife Service

Abstract

In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (PRA), we, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), are proposing to revise a currently approved information collection.

Full Text

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<title>Federal Register, Volume 91 Issue 29 (Thursday, February 12, 2026)</title>
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[Federal Register Volume 91, Number 29 (Thursday, February 12, 2026)]
[Notices]
[Pages 6650-6653]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2026-02831]

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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Fish and Wildlife Service

[Docket No. FWS-HQ-OCI-2025-0209; FVWF97820900000-XXX-FF09W13000 and
FVWF54200900000-XXX-FF09W13000; OMB Control Number 1018-0088]

Agency Information Collection Activities; National Survey of
Fishing, Hunting, and Wildlife Watching

AGENCY: Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior.

ACTION: Notice of information collection; request for comment.

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SUMMARY: In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (PRA),
we, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), are proposing to
revise a currently approved information collection.

DATES: Interested persons are invited to submit comments on or before
April 13, 2026.

ADDRESSES: Send your comments on the information collection request
(ICR) by one of the following methods (please reference OMB Control No.
1018-0088 in the subject line of your comment):
<bullet> Internet (preferred): <a href="https://www.regulations.gov">https://www.regulations.gov</a>. Follow
the instructions for submitting comments on Docket No. FWS-HQ-OCI-2025-
0209.
<bullet> U.S. Mail: Service Information Collection Clearance
Officer, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, 5275 Leesburg Pike, MS: PRB
(JAO/3W); Falls Church, VA 22041-3803.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Madonna L. Baucum, Service Information
Collection Clearance Officer, by email at <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#ffb6919990a0bc909393bf99888cd1989089"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="89c0e7efe6d6cae6e5e5c9effefaa7eee6ff">[email&#160;protected]</span></a>, or by
telephone at (703) 358-2503. Individuals in the United States who are
deaf, deafblind, hard of hearing, or have a speech disability may dial
711 (TTY, TDD, or TeleBraille) to access telecommunications relay
services. Individuals outside the United States should use the relay
services offered within their country to make international calls to
the point-of-contact in the United States. You may also view the ICR at
<a href="https://www.reginfo.gov/public/do/PRAMain">https://www.reginfo.gov/public/do/PRAMain</a>.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction
Act (PRA; 44 U.S.C. 3501 et seq.) and its implementing regulations at 5
CFR part 1320, all information collections require approval under the
PRA. We may not conduct or sponsor, and you are not required to respond
to, a collection of information unless it displays a currently valid
Office of Management and Budget (OMB) control number.
As part of our continuing effort to reduce paperwork and respondent
burdens, we are again inviting the public and other Federal agencies to
comment on new, proposed, revised, and continuing collections of
information. This helps us assess the impact of our information
collection requirements and minimize the public's reporting burden. It
also helps the public understand our information collection
requirements and provide the requested data in the desired format.
We are especially interested in public comment addressing the
following:
(1) Whether or not the collection of information is necessary for
the proper performance of the functions of the agency, including
whether or not the information will have practical utility;
(2) The accuracy of our estimate of the burden for this collection
of information, including the validity of the methodology and
assumptions used;
(3) Ways to enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the
information to be collected; and
(4) How might the agency minimize the burden of the collection of
information on those who are to respond, including through the use of
appropriate automated, electronic, mechanical, or other technological
collection techniques or other forms of information technology, e.g.,
permitting electronic submission of response.
Comments that you submit in response to this notice are a matter of
public record. Before including your address, phone number, email
address, or other personal identifying information in your comment, you
should be aware that your entire comment--including your personal
identifying information--may be publicly available at any time. While
you can ask us in your comment to withhold your personal identifying
information from public review, we cannot guarantee that we will be
able to do so.
Abstract: The information collected for the National Survey of
Fishing, Hunting and Wildlife-Associated

[[Page 6651]]

Recreation (FHWAR, or National Survey) assists the Service in
administering the Wildlife and Sport Fish Restoration grant programs.
The FHWAR, conducted about every 5 years since 1955, is a comprehensive
survey of anglers, hunters, and wildlife watchers and includes
information on their participation and how much they spend on these
activities in the United States. The FHWAR provides up-to-date
information on the uses and demands for wildlife-related recreation
resources and a basis for developing and evaluating programs and
projects to meet existing and future needs.
We collect the information in conjunction with carrying out our
responsibilities under the Dingell-Johnson Sport Fish Restoration Act
(16 U.S.C. 777-777m) and the Pittman-Robertson Wildlife Restoration Act
(16 U.S.C. 669-669l). Under these Acts, we provide approximately $1
billion in grants annually to States for projects that support sport
fish and wildlife management and restoration, including:
<bullet> Improvement of fish and wildlife habitats,
<bullet> Fishing and boating access,
<bullet> Fish stocking, and
<bullet> Hunting and fishing opportunities.
We also provide grants for aquatic education and hunter education,
maintenance of completed projects, and research into problems affecting
fish and wildlife resources. These projects help to ensure that the
American people have adequate opportunities for fish and wildlife
recreation. We conduct the survey about every 5 years. The 2027 FHWAR
survey will be the 15th conducted since 1955. We coordinate the survey
at the States' request, which is made through the Association of Fish
and Wildlife Agencies. We will contract with a data collector to
collect the information using internet, telephone, or mail-in paper-
and-pencil instrument (PAPI).
Respondents are invited to take the survey with a mailed letter.
The data collector will select a sample of sportspersons and wildlife
watchers from a household screen and conduct three detailed interviews
during the survey year. The survey collects information on the number
of days of participation, and expenditures for trips and equipment.
Information on the characteristics of participants includes age,
income, sex, education, race, and State of residence. The Freshwater/
Saltwater Ratio Questionnaire is designed to get freshwater and
saltwater fishing data for coastal States. The Service's Wildlife and
Sportfish Restoration Program is required to divide fishing management
funds according to the ratio of freshwater and saltwater anglers in
each coastal State.
Federal and State agencies use information from the survey to make
policy decisions related to fish and wildlife restoration and
management. Participation patterns and trend information help identify
present and future needs and demands. Land management agencies use the
data on expenditures and participation to assess the value of wildlife-
related recreational uses of natural resources. Wildlife-related
recreation expenditure information is used to estimate the impact on
the economy and to support the dedication of tax revenues for fish and
wildlife restoration programs.

Proposed Revisions

1. Change in Title of Information Collection--With the submission,
the Service is proposing to change the title of the information
collection from ``National Survey of Fishing, Hunting, and Wildlife-
Associated Recreation (FHWAR)'' to ``National Survey of Fishing,
Hunting, and Wildlife Watching (FHWW).'' The Service considers the
wildlife-associated recreation reference to be dated and misleading,
prompting the Service's intention to change the title of the Survey.
The new title more accurately reflects the activities covered by the
Survey, which will aid communication efforts.
2. Revisions to the Survey Instruments--The prior, previously
approved questionnaire for the 2027 National Survey of Fishing,
Hunting, and Wildlife-Associated Recreation (Survey) was based on the
2022 effort. Proposed revisions are intended to improve the quality,
clarity, and utility of the information to be collected. Several of the
revisions described below involve reinstating questions that were part
of the Survey prior to 2022. The 2022 questionnaire was dramatically
reduced in scope from the 2016 and 2011 efforts. Some of the questions
that were eliminated significantly reduced the utility of the Survey.
The Survey is composed of four different questionnaires (screen,
fishing, hunting, and wildlife-watching) with each intended for
different portions of the U.S. population. The changes to each are as
follows:
A. Screen--The revisions to this questionnaire are as follows:

--The questionnaire already asks respondents about whether they
participate in target or sport shooting. To this a follow-up question
is added about how many days respondents participated in target or
sport shooting (if answered ``yes'').
--The questionnaire already asks respondents about whether they
participate in archery. To this a follow-up question is added about how
many days respondents participated in archery (if answered ``yes'').
--The questionnaire already asks respondents whether they participate
in motorized boating. Respondents are now also asked whether they
participate in non-motorized boating.
--The questionnaire already asks respondents about whether they are
likely to participate in wildlife watching around-the-home and away-
from-home. For each activity, around-the-home and away-from-home, the
revision adds two questions: one about whether 2026 was the first year
of participation, and, if the respondent reports that it was not, a
question about participation from 2022 to 2025.
--A question about the marital status of respondents is eliminated.
--Finally, a question is added to evaluate the public's approval of
legalized hunting.

B. Hunting--We propose the following revisions to this
questionnaire:

--Add a question about whether a respondent hunts with firearm, bow and
arrow, or both firearm and bow and arrow. This information was
collected in Surveys prior to 2022, and it will be added back in.
--A follow-up question is added about how many days one participates
with bow and arrow.
--To improve accuracy of estimates, two new questions are added to
about participation in hunting, which are used together to determine
prior years participation: one asks whether 2027 was the first year of
participation and if not, a follow up question asks about participation
from 2022 through 2026. Prior year participation is already asked on
the Screen, and these questions are added to the Hunting questionnaire
to capture the information from respondents who did not complete a
Screen.
--A question that is also on the Screen regarding participation in
target shooting will be added to the hunter questionnaire to capture
this information from respondents who do not complete the Screen.
--Add a question about how much more a person would be willing to spend
to go on hunting trips.
--Add a question that asks respondents to identify species pursued on
big game hunting trips. This information was collected in Surveys prior
to 2022, and it will be reincorporated.

[[Page 6652]]

--Add a question that asks respondents to identify species pursued on
migratory bird hunting trips. This information was collected in Surveys
prior to 2022, and it will be reincorporated.
--Add a question that asks respondents to identify species pursued on
small game hunting trips. This information was collected in Surveys
prior to 2022, and it will be reincorporated.
--To enhance the quality of estimates, for each major purchase category
like recreational vehicles, land leasing and ownership, a question is
added to determine if someone would have still purchased the item if
they could not have used it for hunting.
--Eliminate four questions related to land co-ownership and co-leasing
and the number of acres owned or leased for the purposes of hunting.
--Two new questions are added about participation in around-the-home
wildlife watching among hunters, which are used together to determine
prior year participation: one asks whether 2027 was the first year of
participation and if not, a follow up question asks about participation
from 2022 through 2026. These questions are added to the Hunting
questionnaire to capture the information from respondents who did not
complete a Screen.
--Two new questions are added about participation in away-from-home
wildlife watching among hunters, which are used together to determine
prior year participation: one asks whether 2027 was the first year of
participation and if not, a follow up question asks about participation
from 2022 through 2026. these questions are added to the Hunting
questionnaire to capture the information from respondents who did not
complete a Screen.
--Two new questions are added that are used together to determine prior
years participation of fishing among hunters: one asks whether 2027 was
the first year of participation and if not, a follow up question asks
about participation from 2022 through 2026. Prior year participation is
already asked on the Screen, and these questions are added to capture
the information from respondents who did not complete a Screen.
--The Screen contains a question about target shooting that will be
added to the hunting questionnaire to capture this information from
respondents who do not complete the Screen.

C. Fishing--We propose the following revisions to this
questionnaire:

--A principal purpose of the Survey is to estimate the freshwater and
saltwater fishing participation for all coastal states. To improve
these estimates, two questions are added about freshwater and saltwater
fishing participation in coastal states and one question is added about
fishing for finfish or shellfish among saltwater anglers.
--Two questions are added about participation in fishing, which are
used together to determine prior years participation: one asks whether
2027 was the first year of participation and if not, a follow up
question asks about participation from 2022 through 2026. Prior year
participation is already asked on the Screen, and these questions are
added to capture the information from respondents who did not complete
a Screen.
--Add a question to determine how much more a person would be willing
to spend to go on fishing trips.
--Add a question that asks respondents to identify species pursued on
freshwater fishing trips. This information was collected in Surveys
prior to 2022, and it will be reincorporated.
--Add a question that asks respondents to identify species pursued on
saltwater fishing trips. This information was collected in Surveys
prior to 2022, and it will be reincorporated.
--To enhance the quality of estimates, for each major purchase category
like recreational vehicles, land leasing and ownership, a question is
added to determine if someone would have still purchased the item if
they could not have used it for fishing.
--Four questions related to land co-ownership and co-leasing and the
number of acres owned or leased were eliminated.
--Two questions are added about participation in around-the-home
wildlife watching among anglers, which are used together to determine
prior year participation: one asks whether 2027 was the first year of
participation and if not, a follow up question asks about participation
from 2022 through 2026.
--Two questions are added about participation in away-from-home
wildlife watching among anglers, which are used together to determine
prior year participation: one asks whether 2027 was the first year of
participation and if not, a follow up question asks about participation
from 2022 through 2026.
--Two questions are added that are used together to determine prior
years participation in hunting among anglers: one asks whether 2027 was
the first year of participation and if not, a follow up question asks
about participation from 2022 through 2026. Prior year participation is
already asked on the Screen, and these questions are added to the
Fishing questionnaire to capture the information from respondents who
did not complete a Screen.
--The Screen contains a question about target shooting that will be
added to the fishing questionnaire to capture this information from
respondents who do not complete the Screen.

D. Wildlife Watching--We propose the following revisions to this
questionnaire:

--There are currently four questions related to bird watching on the
questionnaire. For the 2022 collection, these questions were only on
the last wave (wave three) of questionnaires. These questions will be
included in waves one and two as well.
--For those participating in bird watching activities, a follow-up
question is added regarding the types of birds viewed. This information
was collected in Surveys prior to 2022, and it will be reincorporated.
--Two questions are added about participation in around-the-home
wildlife watching, which are used together to determine prior year
participation: one asks whether 2027 was the first year of
participation and if not, a follow up question asks about participation
from 2022 through 2026.
--Two questions are added about participation in away-from-home
wildlife watching, which are used together to determine prior year
participation: one asks whether 2027 was the first year of
participation and if not, a follow up question asks about participation
from 2022 through 2026.
--Add a question about how much more a person would be willing to spend
to go on wildlife watching trips.
--The Screen contains a question about target shooting that will be
added to the wildlife watching questionnaire to capture this
information from respondents who do not complete the Screen.
--Two questions are added that are used together to determine prior
years participation in fishing among wildlife watchers: one asks
whether 2027 was the first year of participation and if not, a follow
up question asks about participation from 2022 through 2026. Prior year
participation is already asked on the Screen, and these questions are
added to the wildlife-watching questionnaire to capture the information
from respondents who did not complete a Screen.

[[Page 6653]]

--Two questions are added that are used together to determine prior
years participation in hunting among wildlife watchers: one asks
whether 2027 was the first year of participation and if not, a follow
up question asks about participation from 2022 through 2026. Prior year
participation is already asked on the Screen, and these questions are
added to the wildlife-watching questionnaire to capture the information
from respondents who did not complete a Screen.
--To enhance the quality of estimates, for each major purchase category
like recreational vehicles, land leasing and ownership, a question is
added to determine if someone would have still purchased the item if
they could not have used it for hunting.
--Four questions related to the number of acres owned or leased, and
co-ownership or leasing among partners are eliminated.

The public may request copies of any form or document contained in
this information collection by sending a request to the Service
Information Collection Clearance Officer in ADDRESSES, above.
Title of Collection: National Survey of Fishing, Hunting, and
Wildlife-Associated Watching (FHWW).
OMB Control Number: 1018-0088.
Form Number: None.
Type of Review: Revision of a currently approved information
collection.
Respondents/Affected Public: Individuals/households.
Respondent's Obligation: Voluntary.
Frequency of Collection: We estimate the next full survey will be
conducted in 2027, or possibly 2028.
Total Estimated Annual Nonhour Burden Cost: None.

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Median
Estimated completion
Activity number of time per Estimated
household response burden hours *
responses (minutes)
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Screener Survey:
Screener: Web............................................... 48,540 13 10,517
Screener: Phone............................................. 4,100 22 1,503
Screener: PAPI.............................................. 360 15 90
Wave 1 Survey:
Wave Questionnaires: Web.................................... 18,238 13 3,952
Wave Questionnaires: Phone.................................. 3,848 22 1,411
Wave Questionnaires: PAPI................................... 214 15 54
Wave 2 Survey:
Wave Questionnaires: Web.................................... 16,599 13 3,596
Wave Questionnaires: Phone.................................. 3,784 22 1,387
Wave Questionnaires: PAPI................................... 117 15 29
Wave 3 Survey:
Wave Questionnaires: Web.................................... 73,238 14 17,089
Wave Questionnaires: Phone.................................. 1,600 25 667
Wave Questionnaires: PAPI................................... 162 17 46
Wave 3 Coastal Freshwater/Saltwater Ratio Questionnaire..... 13,500 3 675
Pre-test/Cognitive Interviews................................... 9 70 11
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Grand Total............................................. 184,309 .............. 41,026
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* Rounded.

The authority for this action is the Paperwork Reduction Act of
1995 (44 U.S.C. 3501 et seq.).

Madonna Baucum,
Information Collection Clearance Officer, U.S. Fish and Wildlife
Service.
[FR Doc. 2026-02831 Filed 2-11-26; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4333-15-P

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