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Species · Montana · BBS 2026 Release · 1966–2025

Ring-necked Pheasant Population Trend in Montana

All statesGame birds

Ring-necked Pheasant in Montana has declined: down 26% on the route-weighted index since 1970.

-26%Since 1970TrendPercent 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 →
86Routes 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 →
57YearsYears 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 MontanaNotable signalsLong-arc shifts the engine flags automatically — sustained declines or increases large enough to stand out from year-to-year noise.Full methodology →

No notable trend signals for Ring-necked Pheasant in Montana. See the full index history below.

Ring-necked Pheasant Population Forecast in Montana

If the recent trend holds, Ring-necked Pheasant in Montana is projected to fall about 50% by 2030 — from 11 in 2025 to a central estimate of 5.4 (95% range 0.00–13). A 5-year backtest shows a typical error of ±56.7%, with 80% of held-out values landing inside the 95% band.

-50%Change by 2030TrendPercent 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 →
5.4Projected 2030 indexProjected indexThe central forecast of the abundance index if the recent trend continues. A projection of the current trajectory, not a prediction.Full methodology →
0.00–1395% 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 →
±56.7%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 Montana is projected to fall about 50% by 2030 — from 11 in 2025 to a central estimate of 5.4 (95% range 0.00–13). A 5-year backtest shows a typical error of ±56.7%, with 80% of held-out values landing inside the 95% band.19682030
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 →
20266.00.0014
20275.80.0014
20285.70.0014
20295.50.0013
20305.40.0013

Ring-necked Pheasant Survey Routes in Montana

Routes recording Ring-necked Pheasant in Montana.
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 →
Redstone17720251968
Westby12620252015
Lambert6020252021
Lindsay5620242015
Forsyth5420231980
Highwood5020251968
Wolf Point5020242015
Webster4520251980
Sun River4220252015
Flatwillow3920081968
Brandenberg3820251968
Glasgow3220251968
Savage3220251969
Flatwillow 23020232010
Winifred 23020252024
Circle2220231969
St Xavier 22220232017
Muddy Creek1720152015
Chinook1520252015
Chuffey Spring1520252016
Miles City1420252015
Dinosaurs H.M.1320252018
Church Hill1320252017
Locate1220251981
Winifred1220232023

Ring-necked Pheasant Population Trend in Other States

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

Source: USGS North American Breeding Bird Survey, retrieved 2026-08-14.