BirdAnalyst
Species · South Dakota · BBS 2026 Release · 1966–2025

Ring-necked Pheasant Population Trend in South Dakota

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Ring-necked Pheasant in South Dakota has held roughly steady: down 9% on the route-weighted index since 1969.

-9%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 →
58YearsYears 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 2030, near 30 (95% range 13–46). A 5-year backtest shows a typical error of ±8.8%, with 100% of held-out values landing inside the 95% band.

+8%Change by 2030TrendPercent 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 2030 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 →
±8.8%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 2030, near 30 (95% range 13–46). A 5-year backtest shows a typical error of ±8.8%, with 100% of held-out values landing inside the 95% band.19672030
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 →
2026291245
2027291345
2028291346
2029291346
2030301346

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 →
Howard12520251970
Britton8520231967
Forbes7920251967
Fort Pierre7720251968
Gorman7620101979
Volga7420251967
Wilmot6920251967
Turton6920251985
Roswell6520141967
Broadland6220171967
Promise6120151971
Isabel6120151990
Hayes6020241989
Lane5719991967
Crow Creek5620231967
Lacreek5620251991
Gettysburg5520231969
Raymond5120211967
Conde4519841967
Eagle Butte4520151990
White Lake4420111967
Lodgepole4220251990
Chamberlain4120111967
Ottumwa3520251967
Geddes3420251967

Ring-necked Pheasant Population Trend in Other States

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

Source: USGS North American Breeding Bird Survey, retrieved 2026-08-14.