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

Ring-necked Pheasant Population Trend in Montana

All statesGrassland birds

Ring-necked Pheasant in Montana has declined: down 28% on the route-weighted index since 1970.

-28%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 →
85Routes 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 →
56YearsYears 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 44% by 2029 — from 9.2 in 2024 to a central estimate of 5.2 (95% range 0.00–13). A 5-year backtest shows a typical error of ±54.2%, with 80% of held-out values landing inside the 95% band.

-44%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 →
5.2Projected 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 →
0.00–1395% 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 →
±54.2%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 44% by 2029 — from 9.2 in 2024 to a central estimate of 5.2 (95% range 0.00–13). A 5-year backtest shows a typical error of ±54.2%, with 80% of held-out values landing inside the 95% band.19682029
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 →
20255.80.0014
20265.70.0014
20275.50.0013
20285.30.0013
20295.20.0013

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 →
Westby12420242015
Redstone11020241968
Laurel8720221968
Lindsay5620242015
Forsyth5420231980
Wolf Point5020242015
Highwood4420241968
Flatwillow3920081968
Powderville3920241969
Miles City3620242015
Webster3420241980
Lambert3120242021
Flatwillow 23020232010
Brandenberg2820191968
Sun River2820242015
Chuffey Spring2720242016
Circle2220231969
St Xavier 22220232017
Winifred 22220242024
Muddy Creek1720152015
Cabin Creek1620242018
Kalispell1320241968
Roy1320241988
Cleveland1220241979
Savage1220211969

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 2026-05-22.