BirdAnalyst
Species · South Carolina · BBS 2026 Release · 1966–2025

Wild Turkey Population Trend in South Carolina

All statesGame birds

Wild Turkey in South Carolina has surged: up 928% on the route-weighted index since 1983.

+928%Since 1983TrendPercent 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 →
40Routes 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 South CarolinaNotable 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 South Carolina: up 928% on the route-weighted index since 1983.

Wild Turkey Population Forecast in South Carolina

If the recent trend holds, Wild Turkey in South Carolina is projected to rise about 21% by 2030 — from 0.93 in 2025 to a central estimate of 1.1 (95% range 0.58–1.7). A 5-year backtest shows a typical error of ±46.6%, with 80% of held-out values landing inside the 95% band.

+21%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 →
1.1Projected 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 →
0.58–1.795% 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 →
±46.6%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 South Carolina is projected to rise about 21% by 2030 — from 0.93 in 2025 to a central estimate of 1.1 (95% range 0.58–1.7). A 5-year backtest shows a typical error of ±46.6%, with 80% of held-out values landing inside the 95% band.19712030
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 →
20261.00.501.6
20271.10.521.6
20281.10.541.6
20291.10.561.6
20301.10.581.7

Wild Turkey Survey Routes in South Carolina

Routes recording Wild Turkey in South Carolina.
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 →
Campobello1420252012
Hardeeville1020211987
Chesnee820152003
Sandhills620241994
Adams Run620251988
Green Sea520242019
Coward420252005
Anderson420152000
Kingstree320102010
Nixville320212001
Battlecreek320232000
Bishopville220162011
Salem Xrd220141986
Mount Pisgah220171998
Bennettsville220122002
Olar220192002
Dale220161999
Jamestown119951971
Rome120232005
Holly Hill120222017
Foreston120252008
New Holland120221988
Wagener120081988
Dillon120212009
Walterboro120032003

Wild Turkey Population Trend in Other States

alabamaarizonaarkansascaliforniacoloradoconnecticutdelawarefloridageorgiaidahoillinoisindianaiowakansaskentuckylouisianamainemarylandmassachusettsmichiganminnesotamississippimissourimontananebraskanevadanew-hampshirenew-jerseynew-mexiconew-yorknorth-carolinanorth-dakotaohiooklahomaoregonpennsylvaniarhode-islandsouth-dakotatennesseetexasutahvermontvirginiawashingtonwest-virginiawisconsinwyoming

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