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

Wild Turkey Population Trend in Wisconsin

All statesGeneralists

Wild Turkey in Wisconsin has surged: up 228× on the route-weighted index since 1987.

228×Since 1987TrendPercent 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 →
95Routes 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 WisconsinNotable 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 Wisconsin: up 228× on the route-weighted index since 1987.

Wild Turkey Population Forecast in Wisconsin

If the recent trend holds, Wild Turkey in Wisconsin is projected to rise about 11% by 2029 — from 3.5 in 2024 to a central estimate of 3.9 (95% range 2.7–5.1). A 5-year backtest shows a typical error of ±15.7%, with 100% of held-out values landing inside the 95% band.

+11%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 →
3.9Projected 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 →
2.7–5.195% 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 →
±15.7%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 Wisconsin is projected to rise about 11% by 2029 — from 3.5 in 2024 to a central estimate of 3.9 (95% range 2.7–5.1). A 5-year backtest shows a typical error of ±15.7%, with 100% of held-out values landing inside the 95% band.19792029
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 →
20253.62.44.7
20263.62.44.8
20273.72.54.9
20283.82.65.0
20293.92.75.1

Wild Turkey Survey Routes in Wisconsin

Routes recording Wild Turkey in Wisconsin.
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 →
Hudson3020241999
Gresham3020242000
Brownsville1520241996
Clintonville1420241989
Princeton1420241993
Kiel1320222002
Cumberland1220242007
Beaver Dam1220232004
Unity1120241997
Stetsonville1120242000
Gilman1020242002
Bashaw1020242002
Dresser920232003
Rhinelander920232004
Briggsville920241999
Beloit920241998
Wis Rapids820231998
Stevens Pt820231999
Exeland720241992
Irma720242000
Cadott720241998
Mather720231979
Stratford620232001
Omro 2620222006
Buena Vista620241998

Wild Turkey Population Trend in Other States

alabamaarizonaarkansascaliforniacoloradoconnecticutdelawarefloridageorgiaidahoillinoisindianaiowakansaskentuckylouisianamainemarylandmassachusettsmichiganminnesotamississippimissourimontananebraskanevadanew-hampshirenew-jerseynew-mexiconew-yorknorth-carolinanorth-dakotaohiooklahomaoregonpennsylvaniarhode-islandsouth-carolinasouth-dakotatennesseetexasutahvermontvirginiawashingtonwest-virginiawyoming

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