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

Wild Turkey Population Trend in Indiana

All statesGeneralists

Wild Turkey in Indiana has surged: up 30× on the route-weighted index since 1986.

30×Since 1986TrendPercent 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 →
51Routes 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 →
39YearsYears 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 IndianaNotable 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 Indiana: up 30× on the route-weighted index since 1986.

Wild Turkey Population Forecast in Indiana

If the recent trend holds, Wild Turkey in Indiana is projected to fall about 26% by 2029 — from 1.7 in 2024 to a central estimate of 1.2 (95% range 0.85–1.6). A 5-year backtest shows a typical error of ±31.2%, with 40% of held-out values landing inside the 95% band.

-26%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 →
1.2Projected 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 →
0.85–1.695% 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 →
±31.2%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 Indiana is projected to fall about 26% by 2029 — from 1.7 in 2024 to a central estimate of 1.2 (95% range 0.85–1.6). A 5-year backtest shows a typical error of ±31.2%, with 40% of held-out values landing inside the 95% band.19832029
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 →
20251.10.741.5
20261.20.771.5
20271.20.801.6
20281.20.831.6
20291.20.851.6

Wild Turkey Survey Routes in Indiana

Routes recording Wild Turkey in Indiana.
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 →
Indian Spgs1920241999
Rensselaer1520242024
Kankakee Sands1220242002
Cuba920242017
Spencer820241998
Kewanna720212007
Clear Spring720231991
Georgia620242002
Cyprss620242006
Azalia520131988
Columbia Cty420242022
Ellis420232002
Fowler420152015
Newberry420191999
Hebron320222015
Pimento320222002
Jamestown320232002
Evansville320222010
Portage 2320192015
Middlebury220232001
Hoosier220241993
Monticello220242008
Belmont220231997
Friendswood220232023
Vevay220181985

Wild Turkey Population Trend in Other States

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

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