BirdAnalyst
Species · Georgia · BBS 2025 Release · 1966–2024

Wild Turkey Population Trend in Georgia

All statesGeneralists

Wild Turkey in Georgia has surged: up 295% on the route-weighted index since 1981.

+295%Since 1981TrendPercent 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 →
87Routes 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 Wild Turkey Trends in GeorgiaNotable 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 increasecomputed 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 →

Wild Turkey has surged in Georgia: up 295% on the route-weighted index since 1981.

Wild Turkey Population Forecast in Georgia

If the recent trend holds, Wild Turkey in Georgia is projected to rise about 80% by 2029 — from 0.36 in 2024 to a central estimate of 0.66 (95% range 0.34–0.97). A 5-year backtest shows a typical error of ±68.6%, with 40% of held-out values landing inside the 95% band.

+80%Change by 2029TrendPercent 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 →
0.66Projected 2029 indexProjected indexThe central forecast of the abundance index if the recent trend continues. A projection of the current trajectory, not a prediction.Full methodology →
0.34–0.9795% 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 →
±68.6%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, Wild Turkey in Georgia is projected to rise about 80% by 2029 — from 0.36 in 2024 to a central estimate of 0.66 (95% range 0.34–0.97). A 5-year backtest shows a typical error of ±68.6%, with 40% of held-out values landing inside the 95% band.19722029
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 →
20250.610.290.93
20260.620.300.94
20270.630.310.95
20280.640.320.96
20290.660.340.97

Wild Turkey Survey Routes in Georgia

Routes recording Wild Turkey in Georgia.
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 →
Shannon520192007
Wadley520241996
Folkston520171999
Pineora519971997
Okefenokee419751975
Lincolnton420171994
Baldwin420211998
White Hill420072005
Fitzgerald320101995
Everett City320172017
Hawkinsville320152013
Cotton320212017
Rutledge320211993
Lincolnton 2320212021
Amos Mill320222011
Harrietts Bl220221972
Athens220241992
Jacksonboro220192001
Macon220221996
Bowdon220141995
Linwood220181988
Tazewell220212007
Baxter220171988
Ware Co220032003
Whitesburg220232012

Wild Turkey Population Trend in Other States

alabamaarizonaarkansascaliforniacoloradoconnecticutdelawarefloridaidahoillinoisindianaiowakansaskentuckylouisianamainemarylandmassachusettsmichiganminnesotamississippimissourimontananebraskanevadanew-hampshirenew-jerseynew-mexiconew-yorknorth-carolinanorth-dakotaohiooklahomaoregonpennsylvaniarhode-islandsouth-carolinasouth-dakotatennesseetexasutahvermontvirginiawashingtonwest-virginiawisconsinwyoming

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