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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 1970
85Routes In State
56Years

Notable Ring-necked Pheasant Trends in Montana

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 2029
5.2Projected 2029 index
0.00–1395% range
±54.2%Backtest error
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 index95% low95% high
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.
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.