Fish & Wildlife Seeks Bird Permit Paperwork Feedback
Published Date: 8/13/2026
Notice
Summary
In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, we, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), are proposing to revise two existing information collections and proposing two new information collections.
Analyzed Economic Effects
6 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 5 costs, 0 mixed.
Burden & Fees: Possession of Live Birds Collection
The revised OMB collection 1018-0022 (Possession of Live Migratory Birds) would cover Forms 3-200-9, 3-200-10b, 3-200-10c, 3-200-12, 3-200-79, 3-202-2, 3-202-4, 3-202-12, 3-186, and 3-2435. Service estimates 10,225 annual respondents, 22,075 annual responses, 216,474 annual burden hours, and $245,865 in total annual non-hour burden costs (primarily application processing and administrative fees).
Application Forms Simplified and Standardized
The Service proposes to simplify and standardize permit application Sections A–D and much of Section E across many 3-200 and 3-202 forms to make filing easier and to accommodate future electronic permitting. The proposal explicitly aims to reduce the number of questions applicants must answer and standardize information common to applications.
Burden & Fees: Wild Take / Depredation Collection
The revised OMB collection 1018-0146 (Wild Take of Migratory Birds; previously Depredation and Control Orders) would include Forms 3-200-7, 3-200-10f, 3-200-13, 3-200-67, 3-200-81, 3-200-90, 3-202-1, 3-202-17, 3-202-56, and 3-2436. Service estimates 37,655 annual respondents, 41,326 annual responses, 31,739 annual burden hours, and $260,100 in total annual non-hour burden costs (primarily application processing and administrative fees).
Time‑sensitive Reporting and Recordkeeping Rules
Permit holders must meet several time-based reporting and recordkeeping rules: report unusually large bird mortality events or take of listed species or eagles within 48 hours (or as soon as practical); rehabilitation permits require notifying the issuing office within 24 hours of acquiring a threatened/endangered species or bald/golden eagle; raptor propagators must notify address changes within 30 days; permittees must notify issuing office within 10 calendar days of legal name or mailing address changes. Many activities also require annual reports and maintenance of records.
Canada Goose Nest/Egg Order: Landowner Registration & Report
Landowners operating under the Canada Geese Nest and Egg Depredation Order must register using the Service web-based system (https://epermits.fws.gov/eRCGR); the registration is valid for 1 year and must be renewed annually. Registrants must complete an annual report summarizing month, numbers, and locations of nests and eggs taken by October 31 each year.
Agricultural Depredation: Producer Log & State Reports
Under the Agricultural Depredation Order (50 CFR 21.165), authorized agricultural producers must keep a log showing dates and numbers of birds killed and nests/eggs taken, maintain logs for three years (and records for three previous years thereafter), and make these records available to wildlife enforcement officers. States and Tribes must submit annual summary reports by December 31.
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Key Dates
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