Fish and Wildlife Service Tinkers With Hunting Survey Again
Published Date: 6/8/2026
Notice
Summary
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is updating its National Survey of Fishing, Hunting, and Wildlife Watching to make it better and easier to use. This affects people who enjoy outdoor activities like fishing and hunting, and the agency wants your feedback by July 8, 2026. No big costs or time changes are expected, but your input helps keep the survey sharp and useful!
Analyzed Economic Effects
3 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 2 costs, 0 mixed.
Survey data helps guide ~$1 billion in grants
The Service says the survey provides information used to administer the Dingell-Johnson and Pittman-Robertson programs, which together fund approximately $1 billion in grants each year to States for fish and wildlife habitat, access, stocking, hunting and fishing opportunities, education, and related projects. State and Federal agencies use survey participation and expenditure data to divide funds, plan projects, and justify dedicating tax revenues for restoration programs.
You may be asked to take the national survey
If you fish, hunt, or watch wildlife, you may be invited to take the National Survey of Fishing, Hunting, and Wildlife Watching. The Service estimates a grand total of 184,370 survey responses and 41,098 burden hours across modes; typical completion times range from about 3 minutes up to 25 minutes depending on the questionnaire and mode. Comments on the collection are due July 8, 2026, and the next full survey is planned for 2027 (or possibly 2028).
Teens (16–17) may join pretest interviews with consent
The Service may include adults age 18+ and children aged 16 and 17 (with a parent or guardian's consent) in web-based cognitive interviews used to test the survey instruments. The pre-test plans for up to 70 respondents and participants may pause and resume the pretest interview.
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Key Dates
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