§ 80.31 — How Does A State Fish And Wildlife Agency Certify The Number Of Paid License Holders?

(a) A State fish and wildlife agency certifies the number of paid license holders by responding to the Director's annual request for the following information:

(1) The number of individual paid hunting license holders in the State during the State-specified certification period (certification period); and

(2) The number of individual paid fishing license holders in the State during the certification period.

(b) The State fish and wildlife agency director or their designee:

(1) Must certify the information described at paragraph (a) of this section in the format that the Director specifies;

(2) Must provide documentation to support the accuracy of this information at the Director's request;

(3) Is responsible for eliminating multiple counting of the same individuals in the information that they certify and may use statistical sampling, automated record consolidation, or other techniques approved by the Director for this purpose.

(c) If a State fish and wildlife agency director uses statistical sampling to eliminate multiple counting of the same individuals, they must ensure that the sampling is complete by the earlier of the following:

(1) Five years after the last statistical sample; or

(2) Before completing the first certification following any change in the licensing system that could affect the number of license holders.