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 1969
49Routes In State
57Years

Notable Ring-necked Pheasant Trends in North Dakota

long arc increasecomputed index

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 2029
63Projected 2029 index
46–8095% range
±9.4%Backtest error
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 index95% low95% high
2025594276
2026604377
2027614478
2028624579
2029634680

Ring-necked Pheasant Survey Routes in North Dakota

Routes recording Ring-necked Pheasant in North Dakota.
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.