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

Ruffed Grouse Population Trend in West Virginia

All statesGeneralists

Ruffed Grouse in West Virginia has fallen sharply: down 60% on the route-weighted index since 1972.

-60%Since 1972TrendPercent 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 →
36Routes 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 →
42YearsYears 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 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 →

Ruffed Grouse has fallen sharply in West Virginia: down 60% on the route-weighted index since 1972.

Ruffed Grouse Population Forecast in West Virginia

If the recent trend holds, Ruffed Grouse in West Virginia is projected to stay roughly flat through 2028, near 0.05 (95% range 0.00–0.25). A 5-year backtest shows a typical error of ±130%, with 100% of held-out values landing inside the 95% band.

n/aChange by 2028TrendPercent 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 →
0.05Projected 2028 indexProjected indexThe central forecast of the abundance index if the recent trend continues. A projection of the current trajectory, not a prediction.Full methodology →
0.00–0.2595% 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 →
±130%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, Ruffed Grouse in West Virginia is projected to stay roughly flat through 2028, near 0.05 (95% range 0.00–0.25). A 5-year backtest shows a typical error of ±130%, with 100% of held-out values landing inside the 95% band.19702028
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 →
20240.060.000.25
20250.060.000.25
20260.060.000.25
20270.050.000.25
20280.050.000.25

Ruffed Grouse Survey Routes in West Virginia

Routes recording Ruffed Grouse 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 →
Wymer920141995
Bebee519771977
Canaan419911982
Sugar Grove320071999
Shanghai320001995
Clear Creek219981995
Hix120121972
Pedro120142008
Stollings120212007
Ghent120071995
Bowden120211999
Glady120162002
Bemis120232015
Nicut120182008
Bismark120051982
Olcott119711971
Valley Head120031984
Three Forks120112011
Lost River119991999
Cedarville119921992
Denmar120161994
Strange Crk120081994
Richwood120161980
Green Bank120041985
Dailey120091986

Ruffed Grouse Population Trend in Other States

alaskaarkansascaliforniaconnecticutgeorgiaidahoindianaiowakentuckymainemarylandmassachusettsmichiganminnesotamontananevadanew-hampshirenew-jerseynew-yorknorth-carolinanorth-dakotaohiooregonpennsylvaniarhode-islandsouth-dakotatennesseeutahvermontvirginiawashingtonwisconsinwyoming

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