WI Pheasant Population Growing News | July 2, 2025 | 0 | by Morgan McCarthy The pheasant population is growing in Wisconsin. The Department of Natural Resources says data collected during its Spring 2025 Survey show pheasant numbers growing for the second year in a row. Results of the ruffed grouse survey show a slight decrease from 2024, but the population is still higher than the five-year-average. Pheasant and ruffed grouse hunting seasons start in September and October.