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

Wild Turkey Population Trend in Kentucky

All statesGeneralists

Wild Turkey in Kentucky has surged: up 908% on the route-weighted index since 1990.

+908%Since 1990
47Routes In State
36Years

Notable Wild Turkey Trends in Kentucky

long arc increasecomputed index

Wild Turkey has surged in Kentucky: up 908% on the route-weighted index since 1990.

Wild Turkey Population Forecast in Kentucky

If the recent trend holds, Wild Turkey in Kentucky is projected to rise about 45% by 2029 — from 1.5 in 2024 to a central estimate of 2.2 (95% range 1.2–3.2). A 5-year backtest shows a typical error of ±94.3%, with 20% of held-out values landing inside the 95% band.

+45%Change by 2029
2.2Projected 2029 index
1.2–3.295% range
±94.3%Backtest error
19862029
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
20252.00.953.0
20262.01.03.0
20272.11.13.1
20282.11.13.1
20292.21.23.2

Wild Turkey Survey Routes in Kentucky

Routes recording Wild Turkey in Kentucky.
Apex1320192005
Riverqueen1020242007
Lovelacevile720242011
Pleasurevill720242001
Mammoth Cave720141997
Johnsonville620211995
Mammoth Cave North520132009
Shiloh420111997
East Union420161991
Levee 2420192010
Cumberlnd Gp320181994
Keysburg320241998
Hegira320242005
Buena Vista320172003
Morganfield320242022
Million 2320242010
Lebanon Junction320182001
Sulphur Lick220232005
Sunnybrook220211994
Merrimac220231989
Eastview220242008
Dixie220192007
Plum220232008
Bays Fork220172000
Hodgenville 2220222008

Wild Turkey Population Trend in Other States

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

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