BirdAnalyst
Species · South Dakota · BBS 2025 Release · 1966–2024

Wild Turkey Population Trend in South Dakota

All statesGeneralists

Wild Turkey in South Dakota has surged: up 15× on the route-weighted index since 1978.

15×Since 1978
50Routes In State
46Years

Notable Wild Turkey Trends in South Dakota

long arc increasecomputed index

Wild Turkey has surged in South Dakota: up 15× on the route-weighted index since 1978.

Wild Turkey Population Forecast in South Dakota

If the recent trend holds, Wild Turkey in South Dakota is projected to rise about 32% by 2029 — from 1.3 in 2024 to a central estimate of 1.7 (95% range 1.0–2.5). A 5-year backtest shows a typical error of ±30.5%, with 80% of held-out values landing inside the 95% band.

+32%Change by 2029
1.7Projected 2029 index
1.0–2.595% range
±30.5%Backtest error
19732029
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
20251.60.882.4
20261.70.912.4
20271.70.942.4
20281.70.972.5
20291.71.02.5

Wild Turkey Survey Routes in South Dakota

Routes recording Wild Turkey in South Dakota.
Badlands2920231997
Wilmot1720241979
Cedar Pass1020192000
Pleasant Val920231992
White Lake820082000
Marcus820122001
Hazelrodt820221992
Rockyford720192003
Ardmore620031977
Lacreek620232012
Rochford620181996
Promise520121973
Englewood520211992
Norbeck520012001
Silver City520001992
French Creek420031995
Geddes320221999
Winner320242003
Indian320231994
Wind Cave Np320241999
White River320111994
Hill City320131994
Lennox220232007
Tripp220241986
Gettysburg220181996

Wild Turkey Population Trend in Other States

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

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