Species · Maine · BBS 2025 Release · 1966–2024
Ruffed Grouse Population Trend in Maine
Ruffed Grouse in Maine has fallen sharply: down 54% on the route-weighted index since 1968.
-54%Since 1968
65Routes In State
56Years
Notable Ruffed Grouse Trends in Maine
long arc declinecomputed index
Ruffed Grouse has fallen sharply in Maine: down 54% on the route-weighted index since 1968.
Ruffed Grouse Population Forecast in Maine
If the recent trend holds, Ruffed Grouse in Maine is projected to rise about 82% by 2029 — from 0.10 in 2024 to a central estimate of 0.19 (95% range 0.00–0.43). A 5-year backtest shows a typical error of ±89.4%, with 100% of held-out values landing inside the 95% band.
+82%Change by 2029
0.19Projected 2029 index
0.00–0.4395% range
±89.4%Backtest error
| Year | Projected index | 95% low | 95% high |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 0.19 | 0.00 | 0.43 |
| 2026 | 0.19 | 0.00 | 0.43 |
| 2027 | 0.19 | 0.00 | 0.43 |
| 2028 | 0.19 | 0.00 | 0.43 |
| 2029 | 0.19 | 0.00 | 0.43 |
Ruffed Grouse Survey Routes in Maine
| Benedicta | 5 | 2019 | 1996 |
| Medway | 4 | 1998 | 1996 |
| Brooks | 3 | 1995 | 1979 |
| Weeks Brook | 3 | 2007 | 1997 |
| Searsport | 3 | 2019 | 2004 |
| Biddeford | 2 | 1985 | 1985 |
| Hartford | 2 | 2017 | 1981 |
| Manchester | 2 | 1982 | 1976 |
| Greenville | 2 | 2018 | 1983 |
| Stacyville | 2 | 2024 | 2024 |
| Andover | 2 | 2018 | 2017 |
| Ft Fairfield | 2 | 2004 | 1994 |
| St David | 2 | 2004 | 2004 |
| Yankeetuladi | 2 | 2004 | 2001 |
| Church Hill | 2 | 2006 | 1994 |
| Cape Neddick | 1 | 1977 | 1977 |
| Northfield 2 | 1 | 2019 | 1998 |
| Newcastle | 1 | 2004 | 1988 |
| Wilson Mills | 1 | 2023 | 1987 |
| Bethel | 1 | 1997 | 1972 |
| Turner | 1 | 2002 | 1973 |
| Greenwood | 1 | 1995 | 1966 |
| Reeds | 1 | 2022 | 2000 |
| South Arm | 1 | 2008 | 1977 |
| Otisfield Gr | 1 | 1986 | 1986 |
Ruffed Grouse Population Trend in Other States
Source: USGS North American Breeding Bird Survey, retrieved 2026-05-22.