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Species · South Dakota · BBS 2025 Release · 1966–2024

Ring-necked Pheasant Population Trend in South Dakota

All statesGrassland birds

Ring-necked Pheasant in South Dakota has edged down: down 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 →
54Routes 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 South DakotaNotable 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 South Dakota. See the full index history below.

Ring-necked Pheasant Population Forecast in South Dakota

If the recent trend holds, Ring-necked Pheasant in South Dakota is projected to stay roughly flat through 2029, near 30 (95% range 13–46). A 5-year backtest shows a typical error of ±10.2%, with 100% of held-out values landing inside the 95% band.

+5%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 →
30Projected 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 →
13–4695% 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 →
±10.2%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 South Dakota is projected to stay roughly flat through 2029, near 30 (95% range 13–46). A 5-year backtest shows a typical error of ±10.2%, 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 →
2025291245
2026291245
2027291346
2028291346
2029301346

Ring-necked Pheasant Survey Routes in South Dakota

Routes recording Ring-necked Pheasant in South 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 →
Forbes11120241967
Howard9320241970
Britton8520231967
Gorman7620101979
Wilmot7320241967
Turton6720241985
Roswell6520141967
Broadland6220171967
Promise6120151971
Isabel6120151990
Hayes6020241989
Lane5719991967
Crow Creek5620231967
Gettysburg5520231969
Ottumwa5220221967
Volga5120241967
Raymond5120211967
Lacreek5120231991
Fort Pierre4620241968
Lodgepole4620241990
Conde4519841967
Eagle Butte4520151990
White Lake4420111967
Chamberlain4120111967
Marcus3120151999

Ring-necked Pheasant Population Trend in Other States

alaskaarizonacaliforniacoloradoconnecticutdelawareidahoillinoisindianaiowakansasmainemarylandmassachusettsmichiganminnesotamissourimontananebraskanevadanew-hampshirenew-jerseynew-mexiconew-yorknorth-dakotaohiooklahomaoregonpennsylvaniarhode-islandtexasutahvermontvirginiawashingtonwest-virginiawisconsinwyoming

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