BirdAnalyst
Species · West Virginia · BBS 2025 Release · 1966–2024

Wild Turkey Population Trend in West Virginia

All statesGeneralists

Wild Turkey in West Virginia has surged: up 436% on the route-weighted index since 1981.

+436%Since 1981TrendPercent 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 →
56Routes 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 →
43YearsYears 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 West VirginiaNotable 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 West Virginia: up 436% on the route-weighted index since 1981.

Wild Turkey Population Forecast in West Virginia

If the recent trend holds, Wild Turkey in West Virginia is projected to rise about 127% by 2029 — from 0.49 in 2024 to a central estimate of 1.1 (95% range 0.54–1.7). A 5-year backtest shows a typical error of ±53.3%, with 80% of held-out values landing inside the 95% band.

+127%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 →
1.1Projected 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 →
0.54–1.795% 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 →
±53.3%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 West Virginia is projected to rise about 127% by 2029 — from 0.49 in 2024 to a central estimate of 1.1 (95% range 0.54–1.7). A 5-year backtest shows a typical error of ±53.3%, with 80% of held-out values landing inside the 95% band.19722029
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 →
20251.00.461.6
20261.00.481.6
20271.10.501.6
20281.10.521.7
20291.10.541.7

Wild Turkey Survey Routes in West Virginia

Routes recording Wild Turkey in West Virginia.
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 →
Bowden1220222019
Cedarville920191988
Richwood720161992
Rockport620212001
Bismark520181988
Meadowville520191985
Ruthbelle520241999
Ghent420241991
Moundsville420231993
Josephs Mill420232000
Clinton420231994
Bramwell320221987
Hanover320162010
Breeden320071986
Clendenin320241993
Washburn320151986
Smithfield320241996
Stollings220072004
Welch220072003
Pt Pleasant220231995
Spencer220232000
Canaan220181995
Lost River220212006
Three Forks220151994
Denmar220191992

Wild Turkey Population Trend in Other States

alabamaarizonaarkansascaliforniacoloradoconnecticutdelawarefloridageorgiaidahoillinoisindianaiowakansaskentuckylouisianamainemarylandmassachusettsmichiganminnesotamississippimissourimontananebraskanevadanew-hampshirenew-jerseynew-mexiconew-yorknorth-carolinanorth-dakotaohiooklahomaoregonpennsylvaniarhode-islandsouth-carolinasouth-dakotatennesseetexasutahvermontvirginiawashingtonwisconsinwyoming

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