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Species · Illinois · BBS 2026 Release · 1966–2025

Wild Turkey Population Trend in Illinois

All statesGame birds

Wild Turkey in Illinois has surged: up 26× on the route-weighted index since 1987.

26×Since 1987TrendPercent 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 →
91Routes 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 →
40YearsYears 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 IllinoisNotable signalsLong-arc shifts the engine flags automatically — sustained declines or increases large enough to stand out from year-to-year noise.Full methodology →

No notable trend signals for Wild Turkey in Illinois. See the full index history below.

Wild Turkey Population Forecast in Illinois

If the recent trend holds, Wild Turkey in Illinois is projected to rise about 27% by 2030 — from 0.95 in 2025 to a central estimate of 1.2 (95% range 0.79–1.6). A 5-year backtest shows a typical error of ±45.8%, with 80% of held-out values landing inside the 95% band.

+27%Change by 2030TrendPercent 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 →
1.2Projected 2030 indexProjected indexThe central forecast of the abundance index if the recent trend continues. A projection of the current trajectory, not a prediction.Full methodology →
0.79–1.695% 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 →
±45.8%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 Illinois is projected to rise about 27% by 2030 — from 0.95 in 2025 to a central estimate of 1.2 (95% range 0.79–1.6). A 5-year backtest shows a typical error of ±45.8%, with 80% of held-out values landing inside the 95% band.19782030
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 →
20261.10.701.5
20271.10.721.5
20281.20.751.6
20291.20.771.6
20301.20.791.6

Wild Turkey Survey Routes in Illinois

Routes recording Wild Turkey in Illinois.
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 →
Marshall920252003
Pawnee820232019
York820252014
Belknap620241978
Clarksdale520232008
Bradbury520252003
Brownville520241995
Royalton520252001
Guilford420231990
Cameron420242024
Brnt Prairie420252017
Yale420251995
Lake Galena420212003
Grape Creek420242004
Buda320222013
Chandlervill320252003
Janesville320192019
Sherrard320251993
Troy Grove320162016
Sandusky320222002
Eubanks320252001
Concord West320252001
Karnak320252002
Mill Creek220252000
Atkinson219961993

Wild Turkey Population Trend in Other States

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

Source: USGS North American Breeding Bird Survey, retrieved 2026-08-14.