[Federal Register Volume 76, Number 186 (Monday, September 26, 2011)]
[Notices]
[Pages 59419-59420]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2011-24630]


-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Fish and Wildlife Service

[FWS-R9-MB-2011-N193; 91200-1231-WEBB-M3]


Information Collection Request Sent to the Office of Management 
and Budget (OMB) for Approval; National Mourning Dove Hunter Attitude 
Survey on Nontoxic Shot

AGENCY: Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior.

ACTION: Notice; request for comments.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: We (U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service) have sent an Information 
Collection Request (ICR) to OMB for review and approval. We summarize 
the ICR below and describe the nature of the collection and the 
estimated burden and cost. We may not conduct or sponsor and a person 
is not required to respond to a collection of information unless it 
displays a currently valid OMB control number.

DATES: You must submit comments on or before October 26, 2011.

ADDRESSES: Send your comments and suggestions on this information 
collection to the Desk Officer for the Department of the Interior at 
OMB-OIRA at (202) 395-5806 (fax) or [email protected] (e-mail). 
Please provide a copy of your comments to the Service Information 
Collection Clearance Officer, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, MS 2042-
PDM, 4401 North Fairfax Drive, Arlington, VA 22203 (mail), or 
[email protected]. (e-mail).

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: To request additional information 
about this ICR, contact Hope Grey at [email protected] (e-mail) or 703-
358-2482 (telephone). You may review the ICR online at http://www.reginfo.gov. Follow the instructions to review Department of the 
Interior collections under review by OMB.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
    OMB Control Number: 1018-NEW.
    Title: National Mourning Dove Hunter Attitude Survey on Nontoxic 
Shot.
    Service Form Number: 3-2386.
    Type of Request: New.
    Description of Respondents: Mourning dove hunters.
    Respondent's Obligation: Voluntary.
    Frequency of Collection: One-time.
    Estimated Number of Annual Respondents: 23,470.
    Estimated Number of Annual Responses: 23,470.
    Estimated Completion Time per Response: 8.5 minutes.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden Hours: 3,325.
    Abstract: The Migratory Bird Treaty Act (MBTA) (16 U.S.C. 703 et 
seq.) prohibits the unauthorized take of migratory birds and authorizes 
the Secretary of the Interior to regulate take of migratory birds in 
the United States. Under this authority, we control the hunting of 
migratory game birds through regulations in 50 CFR part 20. On January 
1, 1991, we banned lead shot for hunting waterfowl and coots in the 
United States. Wildlife managers and policymakers at all levels are 
becoming increasingly concerned about the exposure of mourning doves to 
spent lead shot.
    The mourning dove is the most hunted migratory game bird species. 
We are asking OMB for approval to sponsor a National Mourning Dove 
Hunter Attitude Survey on Nontoxic Shot. The Association of Fish and 
Wildlife Agencies and all four Flyway Councils are collaborating on 
this survey. Information from this survey will help us make nontoxic 
shot policy decisions and develop appropriate informational and 
educational programs if new regulations are necessary.
    Under the Migratory Bird Harvest Information Program (50 CFR 
20.20), each State annually provides a list of all migratory bird 
hunters licensed by the State (OMB Control Number 1018-0023). We will 
use these lists to randomly select mourning dove hunters to participate 
in the proposed survey. We plan to collect:

[[Page 59420]]

     Demographic information (e.g., age, gender, income, 
education, and occupation).
     Information on hunting experiences (e.g, hunter type, 
distance traveled to hunt, type of ammunition, frequency of hunting, 
and positive and negative aspects).
     Perceived problems with nontoxic shot.
     Indirect influences with nontoxic shot.
    Comments: On August 18, 2009, we published in the Federal Register 
(74 FR 41739) a notice soliciting public comment on this information 
collection for 60 days. The comment period ended on October 19, 2009. 
We received the following comments:
    One comment protested the entire migratory bird hunting regulations 
process, surveys and monitoring programs, and the killing of all 
migratory birds. Response: Our long-term objectives continue to include 
providing opportunities to harvest portions of certain migratory game 
bird populations and limit harvest to levels compatible with each 
population's ability to maintain healthy, viable numbers. Our surveys 
are integral parts of the Service's monitoring programs that provide 
the information we need to ensure harvest levels are commensurate with 
current status of migratory game bird populations and long-term 
population goals.
    Five comments stated that there was no biological basis or 
scientific evidence to warrant any type of nontoxic shot regulations on 
mourning doves. Response: This proposed information collection request 
does not presume anything one way or another about the quality or 
quantity of the scientific evidence for or against the use of lead shot 
for dove hunting. We simply express concern about the issue and 
recognize hunters are an important constituency. The whole purpose of 
this information collection is to better understand the hunting 
constituency.
    One comment requested that we be objective in any future decision 
regarding the implementation of any nontoxic shot regulations. 
Response: We have a long history of making informed decisions based on 
the best available science to ensure protection of migratory birds for 
future generations. If any future decisions regarding the 
implementation of nontoxic shot regulations for migratory birds are 
deemed necessary, they will be objective, based on the best available 
science, and follow all guidelines under the National Environmental 
Protection Act.
    Two comments requested that we consider banning the use of lead 
shot for mourning doves and other wildlife species. Response: Again, we 
do not presume anything one way or another about the quality or 
quantity of the scientific evidence for or against the use of lead shot 
for dove hunting. Furthermore, we are not assuming that future nontoxic 
regulations will be necessary or inevitable.
    We again invite comments concerning this information collection on:
     Whether or not the collection of information is necessary, 
including whether or not the information will have practical utility;
     The accuracy of our estimate of the burden for this 
collection of information;
     Ways to enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the 
information to be collected; and
     Ways to minimize the burden of the collection of 
information on respondents.
    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 made publicly available at any time. 
While you can ask OMB in your comment to withhold your personal 
identifying information from public review, we cannot guarantee that it 
will be done.

    Dated: September 21, 2011.
Tina A. Campbell,
Chief, Division of Policy and Directives Management, U.S. Fish and 
Wildlife Service.
[FR Doc. 2011-24630 Filed 9-23-11; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-55-P