Wisconsin 2025 Pheasant Survey count up 30% from 2024

WI 2025 Spring Pheasant Survey

The DNR reported the 2025 average pheasant observations at 0.81 pheasants per stop, an increase from 2024 at 0.62 pheasants per stop. For the second year in a row, the count remains above the most recent five-year average (0.52 pheasants per stop).

DNR wildlife biologists use a measurement known as an abundance index to assess the state's wild pheasant population each year. On trend from past years, abundance was highest in the northwestern part of Wisconsin's pheasant range and lowest in the east-central region.

The DNR thanks the agencies and groups that helped collect data via roadside surveys. For more information regarding pheasant hunting and management, visit the DNR's Pheasant Hunting and Management webpage.

WISCONSIN DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES


Spring Ring-Necked Pheasant Survey
2025


By Chris Pollentier, Taylor Finger, Jes Rees Lohr, and Paul Frater


Abstract
Eighty-one of 83 spring ring-necked pheasant (Phasianus colchicus) survey routes were completed in 2025. The average number of pheasants recorded during the 6-minute survey at each stop was 0.81 pheasants/stop, which was an increase over 2024 (0.62 pheasants/stop) and was above the 5-year average from 2019–2024 (0.52 pheasants/stop). 

The estimated statewide abundance index was 1,115 roosters in 2025 and was higher than the 2024 abundance index of 852 roosters.  Abundance
indices remained highest in the northwestern counties compared to counties in east-central and southern Wisconsin.


Results


Trend analysis – In 2025, 81 of 83 (97.6%) pheasant survey routes throughout the state were completed during the spring survey period. The average number of pheasants recorded during each 6-minute survey stop in 2025 was 0.81 pheasants/stop (SE =
0.05) and was greater than results from 2024 (0.62 pheasants/stop, SE = 0.04; Table 1).


The statewide average number of pheasants per stop in 2025 was 55% higher than the 5-year average of 0.52 pheasants/stop from 2019–2024 (95% CI = 0.49–0.55; Figure 2).


Detection rates and abundance estimates – Probability of detection varied among regions of the state, ranging from 75.4% to 92.2% (Table 2).Estimated pheasant 
abundance indices along survey routes were highest in the northwest portion of the state and lowest in east-central Wisconsin (Table 2). The statewide pheasant abundance index derived from the 2025 survey was 1,115 roosters (95% CI = 1,075.5–
1,171.2) and was greater than the 2024 survey estimate of 852 roosters (95% CI = 830.8–879.7; Table 3). 

Statistical modeling at the statewide scale indicated that pheasant detectability varied across regions and was most influenced by stop number and noise disturbance. Pheasants were encountered more often in Region 1 (northwest Wisconsin) compared to other regions of the state and were most likely to be detected early in the morning nearest to sunrise (i.e., during the first 5 stops of a
route) and absent any noise interference (i.e., passing vehicles). At the regional scale, stop number and noise disturbance influenced detection of pheasants in Region 1. In Region 2, stop number and wind speed (i.e., pheasants were better detected when there was little to no wind) influenced pheasant detection probability. And in Region
3, stop number and sky conditions (i.e., lesser amounts of cloud cover) had the most impact on pheasant detection probability. 

Read the full study

WI Pheasant Hunting Public Land Video

 

Pheasant hunting public land in southern Wisconsin. While it's no where near some states with wild bird populations, there is enough to give the upland hunter some sport. You have to work for them a bit harder in late season but you can have some luck. The Wisconsin DNR releases cock pheasants to give opportunity in our area. Get some good boots and get out in the field. My 4 year old Vizsla, Kaizer, always loves chasing some roosters on the weekends and so do I. We also bagged a bonus woodcock on the closing weekend for them. I hope you enjoy the footage and I'll try to keep it UnderFortyYards.

Wisconsin Interactive Pheasant Hunting Tool - Mapping

The Fields & Forest Lands Interactive Gamebird Hunting Tool (FFLIGHT) was designed to help upland gamebird hunters locate cover suitable for ruffed grouse and woodcock, managed dove fields and properties stocked with game farm pheasants.

In recognition of the passion with which these hunters pursue upland birds and to help make their time in Wisconsin's outdoors more productive and enjoyable, the Wisconsin DNR has developed the Fields and Forest Lands Inventory Gamebird Hunting Tool.

Launch desktop

Launch mobile

This tool allows hunters to quickly locate:

• cover suitable for ruffed grouse and woodcock
• fields managed for mourning doves
• properties stocked with pheasants by the DNR

For instruction on how to use this great new tool please view this brief tutorial that highlights and shows how to use all these features.

Launch tutorial

Mapping application features

DNR stocked pheasant properties - This feature identifies state-owned properties that are stocked with game farm pheasants. For additional information on pheasant hunting and stocking please visit pheasant hunting.

See the original WI DNR site

WI Learn to Pheasant Hunt programs offered this fall

By Paul A. Smith 

The Friends of the Poynette Game Farm will host free Learn to Hunt pheasant programs this fall at theMacKenzie Education Center in Poynette, Richard Bong State Recreation Area in Kansasville and Wern Valley Sportsman’s Club in Waukesha.

Each two-day program will focus on the basics of pheasant hunting in a fun, supportive and relaxed atmosphere, according to organizers.

The free programs include classroom instruction, dog training demonstrations, trap shooting and a mentored pheasant hunt.

Programs at MacKenzie include overnight lodging at the center's dormitories and a tour of the Poynette Game Farm.

The programs are designed to help recruit hunters, including females. 

Dates and target audiences for the MacKenzie Center pheasant programs include:

Find out all of the dates and other info at the original article

It was a tough winter for Wisconsin's pheasants

It was a tough winter for Wisconsin's pheasants

Madison.com

The state has two ring-necked pheasant populations that concern the Department of Natural Resources game bird biologists: wild pheasants and ...

Where's the best place in the U.S. for pheasant hunting? Wisconsin?

Written by

Mark LaBarbera

Wisconsin pheasant hunting is attracting national attention and helping local business owners, their employees and communities. Tourism industry, get ready.

Hunters that normally travel to the Dakotas and other states now talk about declining bird populations there while enjoying greater success in Wisconsin, and they are creating an economic ripple effect here. Chat rooms, web forums and word-of-mouth among avid bird hunters and dog handlers are saying the Badger State is now producing great wing-shooting opportunities for pheasant. Why keep driving westward when Wisconsin’s natural resources are closer and fully deliver the satisfying experience hunters desire?

“I’ve heard it from hunters who hunt the Bong public land in southeastern Wisconsin and from non-resident hunters from the eastern and southern U.S.,” said veterinarian Jim Rieser of the North American Versatile Hunting Dog Association. “Word is spreading that hunters don’t need to drive further west,” he said, “when they can save the gas money and have as good or better hunting in Wisconsin.”

At Pheasant Forever’s 2014 Pheasant Fest in Milwaukee, hunters from across America made a point of thanking the volunteers working the Friends of Poynette Game Farm booth. Poynette is the site of the DNR’s state game farm that raises roosters and releases them on public lands accessible to everyone. The current DNR leadership increased production of the aging facility from about 50,000 to approximately 75,000 birds, with extra effort from the over-worked staff and volunteers. They also increased to 91 the number of public hunting sites where they released birds, usually twice a week on most properties to serve both weekday and weekend hunters. And the public noticed the positive results.

Read the rest of the Wisconsin Outdoor Fun article