BirdAnalyst
Species · North Carolina · BBS 2025 Release · 1966–2024

Ruffed Grouse Population Trend in North Carolina

All statesGeneralists

Ruffed Grouse in North Carolina has declined: down 41% on the route-weighted index since 1995.

-41%Since 1995TrendPercent 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 →
11Routes 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 →
12YearsYears surveyedNumber of years with at least one standard-protocol run in this geography. A longer record makes the trend more reliable.Full methodology →

Notable Ruffed Grouse Trends in North CarolinaNotable 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 Ruffed Grouse in North Carolina. See the full index history below.

Ruffed Grouse Survey Routes in North Carolina

Routes recording Ruffed Grouse in North Carolina.
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 →
Waterville220152015
Fontana220052005
Todd119991999
Busick119951995
Highlands120102000
Kyle120212021
Andrews119941994
Cherokee120112011
Oteen119871987
Copeland120112011
Linville120162016

Ruffed Grouse Population Trend in Other States

alaskaarkansascaliforniaconnecticutgeorgiaidahoindianaiowakentuckymainemarylandmassachusettsmichiganminnesotamontananevadanew-hampshirenew-jerseynew-yorknorth-dakotaohiooregonpennsylvaniarhode-islandsouth-dakotatennesseeutahvermontvirginiawashingtonwest-virginiawisconsinwyoming

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