BirdAnalyst
Species · Indiana · BBS 2025 Release · 1966–2024

Ring-necked Pheasant Population Trend in Indiana

All statesGrassland birds

Ring-necked Pheasant in Indiana has collapsed: down 91% on the route-weighted index since 1968.

-91%Since 1968TrendPercent change in the route-weighted abundance index between a smoothed baseline window and the most recent one. It tracks direction, not absolute population.Full methodology →
34Routes In StateSurvey routesHow many standard-protocol BBS routes contributed counts. More routes means a steadier, better-sampled index; very thin coverage is suppressed.Full methodology →
58YearsYears surveyedNumber of years with at least one standard-protocol run in this geography. A longer record makes the trend more reliable.Full methodology →

Notable Ring-necked Pheasant Trends in IndianaNotable signalsLong-arc shifts the engine flags automatically — sustained declines or increases large enough to stand out from year-to-year noise.Full methodology →

long arc declinecomputed indexTrend sourceWhether the figure is our own computed route-weighted index or an official USGS modeled estimate. The current build labels every trend as computed.Full methodology →

Ring-necked Pheasant has collapsed in Indiana: down 91% on the route-weighted index since 1968.

Ring-necked Pheasant Population Forecast in Indiana

If the recent trend holds, Ring-necked Pheasant in Indiana is projected to fall about 57% by 2029 — from 0.44 in 2024 to a central estimate of 0.19 (95% range 0.00–2.8). A 5-year backtest shows a typical error of ±160.8%, with 100% of held-out values landing inside the 95% band.

-57%Change by 2029TrendPercent change in the route-weighted abundance index between a smoothed baseline window and the most recent one. It tracks direction, not absolute population.Full methodology →
0.19Projected 2029 indexProjected indexThe central forecast of the abundance index if the recent trend continues. A projection of the current trajectory, not a prediction.Full methodology →
0.00–2.895% range95% rangeThe 95% uncertainty band around the projection at the forecast horizon. The true value should land inside it most of the time.Full methodology →
±160.8%Backtest errorBacktest errorTypical error when we hold out the most recent years, forecast them, and compare to what actually happened. Lower means a more trustworthy projection.Full methodology →
If the recent trend holds, Ring-necked Pheasant in Indiana is projected to fall about 57% by 2029 — from 0.44 in 2024 to a central estimate of 0.19 (95% range 0.00–2.8). A 5-year backtest shows a typical error of ±160.8%, with 100% of held-out values landing inside the 95% band.19662029
Projection of the recent trend (dashed) with 80/95% bands — a projection, not a prediction. Habitat, climate, and land use are not modeled.
YearProjected indexProjected indexThe central forecast of the abundance index if the recent trend continues. A projection of the current trajectory, not a prediction.Full methodology →95% low95% rangeThe 95% uncertainty band around the projection at the forecast horizon. The true value should land inside it most of the time.Full methodology →95% high95% rangeThe 95% uncertainty band around the projection at the forecast horizon. The true value should land inside it most of the time.Full methodology →
20250.570.003.1
20260.470.003.0
20270.380.002.9
20280.280.002.9
20290.190.002.8

Ring-necked Pheasant Survey Routes in Indiana

Routes recording Ring-necked Pheasant in Indiana.
Recent countThe raw number of individuals recorded on this route in its most recent survey year. A single-route tally, not a trend.Full methodology →
Kankakee Sands1020242000
Monticello420241981
Wabash420242006
Thorntown320061982
Frankfort320112003
South Bend219811966
Packertown220041967
Fowler220241966
Jamestown219901990
Spencer220011988
Sexton220061986
Corydon219911991
Lakeville220111993
Gary119971982
Hebron120171967
Knox120221990
Kewanna120211981
Middlebury120221990
Columbia Cty120211994
Ellis120241966
W Lafayette120241981
Galveston119881981
Middletown120032003
Berne120011966
Azalia119861986

Ring-necked Pheasant Population Trend in Other States

alaskaarizonacaliforniacoloradoconnecticutdelawareidahoillinoisiowakansasmainemarylandmassachusettsmichiganminnesotamissourimontananebraskanevadanew-hampshirenew-jerseynew-mexiconew-yorknorth-dakotaohiooklahomaoregonpennsylvaniarhode-islandsouth-dakotatexasutahvermontvirginiawashingtonwest-virginiawisconsinwyoming

Source: USGS North American Breeding Bird Survey, retrieved 2026-05-22.