MADISON, Wis. (NWN) — Grouse and pheasant populations surveys are in from the DNR.
The agency said pheasant sightings were above the five-year average for the third year in a row, but the 2026 sightings were slightly below last year’s average.
Ruffed grouse surveys track drumming heard from the birds. Surveys showed an 11 percent decease from last year, following the 10-year population cycle trend, after higher numbers in 2024 and 2025.