DNR Reports Positive Spring Survey Results for Pheasants and Ruffed Grouse
According to the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR), recent spring survey findings indicate encouraging prospects for fall hunting, particularly for pheasants and ruffed grouse.
The DNR has released data from its annual spring surveys, revealing that pheasant observations have surpassed the five-year average for the second consecutive year. The 2025 average for pheasant sightings was recorded at 0.81 pheasants per stop, an increase from 0.62 pheasants per stop in 2024. This count remains above the recent five-year average of 0.52 pheasants per stop.
“DNR wildlife biologists utilize an abundance index to evaluate the wild pheasant population in the state each year,” the DNR explained. “As in previous years, the abundance was highest in the northwestern region of Wisconsin’s pheasant range and lowest in the east-central area.”
For more details on pheasant hunting and management, check out the DNR’s Pheasant Hunting and Management webpage.
Ruffed Grouse Survey Insights
The DNR also shared results from its annual Roadside Ruffed Grouse Drumming Survey, which assessed drumming activity along roadsides across Wisconsin this spring. The survey indicated a 6% decrease in statewide drumming activity compared to 2024.
“While we noted a decrease in drumming activity statewide, this slight decline still exceeded our expectations for the year,” said Alaina Roth, DNR Ruffed Grouse Specialist. “In 2024, we experienced an unexpected 57% increase in drumming activity, so a modest 6% decrease from that figure is still positive news and suggests good hunting opportunities this fall.”
The DNR noted that the exceptionally dry and favorable nesting and brooding conditions may have contributed to the increased drumming activity in 2023 and 2024.
Since 2021, survey data has been organized and analyzed by ruffed grouse priority areas to monitor key populations throughout the state, as outlined in the Wisconsin Ruffed Grouse Management Plan 2020-2030.
Comparing the 2025 survey results for priority areas to those from 2024, the following changes were observed:
- An 11% increase in drumming, averaging 0.46 drums per stop, in the Central priority area.
- An 8% decrease in drumming, averaging 2.13 drums per stop, in the Northern priority area.
- A 250% increase in drumming, averaging 0.09 drums per stop, in the Driftless priority area.
“Due to low sample sizes in the Driftless priority area, significant percentage fluctuations are likely to occur from year to year,” the DNR stated. “Recent research suggests that 10-year population cycles are less pronounced at the edges of the ruffed grouse’s range, which aligns with the DNR’s observations in the Driftless region.”
For further information on grouse hunting or habitat management for ruffed grouse in Wisconsin, visit the DNR’s Ruffed Grouse Hunting webpage.
Source: https://tomahawkleader.com/stories/dnr-spring-surveys-show-increase-in-pheasant-while-ruffed-grouse-numbers-remain-strong,279352
