BirdAnalyst
Species · North Dakota · BBS 2025 Release · 1966–2024

Ring-necked Pheasant Population Trend in North Dakota

All statesGrassland birds

Ring-necked Pheasant in North Dakota has surged: up 11× on the route-weighted index since 1969.

11×Since 1969TrendPercent 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 →
49Routes 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 North DakotaNotable 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 increasecomputed 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 surged in North Dakota: up 11× on the route-weighted index since 1969.

Ring-necked Pheasant Population Forecast in North Dakota

If the recent trend holds, Ring-necked Pheasant in North Dakota is projected to fall about 11% by 2029 — from 71 in 2024 to a central estimate of 63 (95% range 46–80). A 5-year backtest shows a typical error of ±9.4%, with 100% of held-out values landing inside the 95% band.

-11%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 →
63Projected 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 →
46–8095% 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 →
±9.4%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 North Dakota is projected to fall about 11% by 2029 — from 71 in 2024 to a central estimate of 63 (95% range 46–80). A 5-year backtest shows a typical error of ±9.4%, with 100% of held-out values landing inside the 95% band.19672029
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 →
2025594276
2026604377
2027614478
2028624579
2029634680

Ring-necked Pheasant Survey Routes in North Dakota

Routes recording Ring-necked Pheasant in North Dakota.
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 →
Dickinson43220241969
Bentley18120241988
Carson14120241988
Douglas Crk12620241982
Bowman11920241967
Horsehead Lk9820241982
Wild Rose9820241982
Sheyenne Lk9320241982
Edgeley8420241982
Danzig 28120242019
Dunn Center7920241968
Zap7920241967
Golva6420231979
Powers Lake6420241980
Ft Yates5120041968
Tobacco4820191968
Regan4620221968
Solen4320242005
Glen Ullin3820221982
Braddock3720221988
Denbigh3620241969
Montpelier3520241990
Forman3020241968
Buchanan2920241976
Parshall2520131982

Ring-necked Pheasant Population Trend in Other States

alaskaarizonacaliforniacoloradoconnecticutdelawareidahoillinoisindianaiowakansasmainemarylandmassachusettsmichiganminnesotamissourimontananebraskanevadanew-hampshirenew-jerseynew-mexiconew-yorkohiooklahomaoregonpennsylvaniarhode-islandsouth-dakotatexasutahvermontvirginiawashingtonwest-virginiawisconsinwyoming

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