BirdAnalyst
Species · West Virginia · BBS 2025 Release · 1966–2024

Ring-necked Pheasant Population Trend in West Virginia

All statesGrassland birds

Ring-necked Pheasant in West Virginia has fallen sharply: down 64% on the route-weighted index since 1968.

-64%Since 1968TrendPercent 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 →
18Routes 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 →
32YearsYears 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 West VirginiaNotable 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 declinecomputed 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 fallen sharply in West Virginia: down 64% on the route-weighted index since 1968.

Ring-necked Pheasant Population Forecast in West Virginia

If the recent trend holds, Ring-necked Pheasant in West Virginia is projected to stay roughly flat through 2026, near 0.00 (95% range 0.00–0.40). A 5-year backtest shows a typical error of ±123.4%, with 100% of held-out values landing inside the 95% band.

n/aChange by 2026TrendPercent 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 →
0.00Projected 2026 indexProjected indexThe central forecast of the abundance index if the recent trend continues. A projection of the current trajectory, not a prediction.Full methodology →
0.00–0.4095% 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 →
±123.4%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 West Virginia is projected to stay roughly flat through 2026, near 0.00 (95% range 0.00–0.40). A 5-year backtest shows a typical error of ±123.4%, with 100% of held-out values landing inside the 95% band.19662026
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 →
20220.000.000.40
20230.000.000.40
20240.000.000.40
20250.000.000.40
20260.000.000.40

Ring-necked Pheasant Survey Routes in West Virginia

Routes recording Ring-necked Pheasant in West Virginia.
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 →
Spencer220142014
Rio219861977
Sleepy Creek219821968
Dailey119831974
Slate120062006
Moundsville120121983
Bebee120051981
Greer119711971
Albright119721972
Meadland120212021
Yellow Spg119891983
Martinsburg120141970
Clinton119831966
Ruthbelle119931976
Canaan119851983
Three Forks119841984
Denmar119951994
Sugar Grove119751975

Ring-necked Pheasant Population Trend in Other States

alaskaarizonacaliforniacoloradoconnecticutdelawareidahoillinoisindianaiowakansasmainemarylandmassachusettsmichiganminnesotamissourimontananebraskanevadanew-hampshirenew-jerseynew-mexiconew-yorknorth-dakotaohiooklahomaoregonpennsylvaniarhode-islandsouth-dakotatexasutahvermontvirginiawashingtonwisconsinwyoming

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