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Species · Wisconsin · BBS 2026 Release · 1966–2025

Ring-necked Pheasant Population Trend in Wisconsin

All statesGame birds

Ring-necked Pheasant in Wisconsin has fallen sharply: down 66% on the route-weighted index since 1968.

-66%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 →
84Routes 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 →
59YearsYears 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 WisconsinNotable 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 Wisconsin: down 66% on the route-weighted index since 1968.

Ring-necked Pheasant Population Forecast in Wisconsin

If the recent trend holds, Ring-necked Pheasant in Wisconsin is projected to rise about 16% by 2030 — from 1.7 in 2025 to a central estimate of 2.0 (95% range 0.00–4.7). A 5-year backtest shows a typical error of ±78.6%, with 100% of held-out values landing inside the 95% band.

+16%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 →
2.0Projected 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 →
0.00–4.795% 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 →
±78.6%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 Wisconsin is projected to rise about 16% by 2030 — from 1.7 in 2025 to a central estimate of 2.0 (95% range 0.00–4.7). A 5-year backtest shows a typical error of ±78.6%, with 100% of held-out values landing inside the 95% band.19662030
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 →
20262.10.004.8
20272.10.004.7
20282.10.004.7
20292.00.004.7
20302.00.004.7

Ring-necked Pheasant Survey Routes in Wisconsin

Routes recording Ring-necked Pheasant in Wisconsin.
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 →
Weyerhauser1920251970
Wiota1420251966
Omro1220011966
Dresser1120251966
River Falls1120251998
Unity1020251967
Annaton1020251998
Hudson720251966
Loraine720251966
Cumberland620251966
Washington I420251967
Rolling Pr420221966
Hazel Green420251967
Union Twp320251973
Esdaile320251966
Viroqua320241971
Pardeeville320231967
Pt Washingtn320181966
Meridean320251998
Beloit320251998
Holland320162004
Iron River219991999
Bayfield220011969
Gilman220251973
Merrill220022002

Ring-necked Pheasant Population Trend in Other States

alaskaarizonacaliforniacoloradoconnecticutdelawareidahoillinoisindianaiowakansasmainemarylandmassachusettsmichiganminnesotamissourimontananebraskanevadanew-hampshirenew-jerseynew-mexiconew-yorknorth-dakotaohiooklahomaoregonpennsylvaniarhode-islandsouth-dakotatexasutahvermontvirginiawashingtonwest-virginiawyoming

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