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

Wild Turkey Population Trend in Illinois

All statesGeneralists

Wild Turkey in Illinois has surged: up 25× on the route-weighted index since 1987.

25×Since 1987
91Routes In State
39Years

Notable Wild Turkey Trends in Illinois

long arc increasecomputed index

Wild Turkey has surged in Illinois: up 25× on the route-weighted index since 1987.

Wild Turkey Population Forecast in Illinois

If the recent trend holds, Wild Turkey in Illinois is projected to rise about 30% by 2029 — from 0.92 in 2024 to a central estimate of 1.2 (95% range 0.78–1.6). A 5-year backtest shows a typical error of ±40.9%, with 80% of held-out values landing inside the 95% band.

+30%Change by 2029
1.2Projected 2029 index
0.78–1.695% range
±40.9%Backtest error
19782029
Projection of the recent trend (dashed) with 80/95% bands — a projection, not a prediction. Habitat, climate, and land use are not modeled.
YearProjected index95% low95% high
20251.10.691.5
20261.10.711.5
20271.10.731.6
20281.20.761.6
20291.20.781.6

Wild Turkey Survey Routes in Illinois

Routes recording Wild Turkey in Illinois.
Pawnee820232019
Mt Vernon820141999
York820242014
Marshall820242003
Mill Creek720242000
Belknap620241978
Clarksdale520232008
Brownville520241995
Guilford420231990
Cameron420242024
Belleview420231987
Yale420231995
Lake Galena420212003
Grape Creek420242004
Buda320222013
Janesville320192019
Troy Grove320162016
Sandusky320222002
Fairdale320242019
Atkinson219961993
Sherburnvill220212011
Gulfport220241996
Mackinaw220112011
Dailey220191995
Melrose219981992

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 2026-05-22.