Wild Turkey Population by State 2025
Mississippi
280,000
North Carolina
270,000
California
250,000
Kentucky
250,000
New York
170,000
Virginia
170,000
Iowa
150,000
Montana
120,000
West Virginia
116,500
South Carolina
95,000
Oklahoma
94,000
Arkansas
91,910
Maine
80,000
Idaho
53,000
Maryland
45,000
New Hampshire
45,000
Oregon
45,000
Vermont
45,000
Louisiana
40,000
Massachusetts
35,000
Colorado
30,000
Arizona
28,100
Utah
25,000
New Mexico
21,000
New Jersey
20,000
Delaware
6,000
Nevada
1,600
State | Minimum Wild Turkey Population (Est. 2024) ↓ | Maximum Wild Turkey Population (Est. 2024) | Avg Turkeys Harvested 2024 | Wild Turkey Population Trend 2023 | Annual Turkey Harvest Trend 2023 | Wild Turkey Population (Est. 1973) | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 | Mississippi | 280,000 | 280,000 | 36,337 | Stable | Decreasing | 53,000 |
 | North Carolina | 270,000 | 270,000 | 24,074 | Increasing | Increasing | 4,000 |
 | California | 250,000 | 8,000 | ||||
 | Kentucky | 250,000 | 300,000 | 33,460 | Increasing | Stable | 1,930 |
 | New York | 170,000 | 170,000 | Stable | Stable | 10,000 | |
 | Virginia | 170,000 | 190,000 | 21,988 | Stable | Increasing | 29,000 |
 | Iowa | 150,000 | 160,000 | 16,088 | Decreasing | Stable | |
 | Montana | 120,000 | 120,000 | 5,635 | Stable | Decreasing | |
 | West Virginia | 116,500 | 116,500 | 12,811 | Increasing | Stable | 15,000 |
 | South Carolina | 95,000 | 95,000 | 12,428 | Stable | Decreasing | 20,000 |
 | Oklahoma | 94,000 | 94,000 | 6,309 | Decreasing | Decreasing | |
 | Arkansas | 91,910 | 100,000 | Decreasing | Decreasing | 30,000 | |
 | Maine | 80,000 | 80,000 | 6,661 | Increasing | Decreasing | |
 | Idaho | 53,000 | 53,000 | 7,000 | Stable | ||
 | Maryland | 45,000 | 45,000 | 4,959 | Increasing | Increasing | 1,000 |
 | New Hampshire | 45,000 | 45,000 | 4,563 | Increasing | Increasing | |
 | Oregon | 45,000 | 45,000 | 5,619 | Increasing | 2,000 | |
 | Vermont | 45,000 | 45,000 | 6,516 | Increasing | Stable | |
 | Louisiana | 40,000 | 50,000 | Decreasing | Decreasing | 6,500 | |
 | Massachusetts | 35,000 | 35,000 | 2,965 | Increasing | Stable | 150 |
 | Colorado | 30,000 | 35,000 | Increasing | Increasing | 15,000 | |
 | Arizona | 28,100 | 28,100 | 1,178 | Stable | Increasing | 35,000 |
 | Utah | 25,000 | 30,000 | Increasing | Stable | ||
 | New Mexico | 21,000 | 21,000 | Increasing | 25,000 | ||
 | New Jersey | 20,000 | 20,000 | 4,563 | Stable | Stable | |
 | Delaware | 6,000 | 6,000 | 723 | Stable | Stable | |
 | Nevada | 1,600 | 2,400 | 65 | Increasing | Increasing | |
 | Alabama | 35,906 | Decreasing | Decreasing | 225,000 | ||
 | Connecticut | 1,219 | Decreasing | Increasing | |||
 | Florida | Decreasing | |||||
 | Georgia | 11,924 | 21,000 | ||||
 | Hawaii | 43 | |||||
 | Illinois | 17,208 | Increasing | ||||
 | Indiana | 15,548 | Increasing | Increasing | |||
 | Kansas | 11,134 | Decreasing | 750 | |||
 | Michigan | 3,700 | |||||
 | Minnesota | 16,714 | Decreasing | 15 | |||
 | Missouri | 47,119 | Decreasing | Decreasing | 12,700 | ||
 | Nebraska | 20,000 | Decreasing | 4,000 | |||
 | North Dakota | 3,336 | Decreasing | ||||
 | Ohio | 15,535 | Increasing | Decreasing | 2,100 | ||
 | Pennsylvania | 39,300 | 45,000 | ||||
 | Rhode Island | 331 | Stable | Increasing | |||
 | South Dakota | 6,180 | 7,000 | ||||
 | Tennessee | 63,856 | Stable | Increasing | 5,000 | ||
 | Texas | Increasing | Increasing | 575,000 | |||
 | Washington | Increasing | 2,000 | ||||
 | Wisconsin | 50,435 | 600 | ||||
 | Wyoming | Increasing |
- States which decline to report wild turkey population data have been left blank.
The wild turkey, an iconic symbol of American wildlife, roams across various states, each with its own unique population dynamics. According to the 2023 Spring Hunt Guide by the National Wild Turkey Federation, which serves as a comprehensive resource for enthusiasts and conservationists alike, the population of wild turkeys varies significantly from state to state.
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Texas: Leading the pack with an impressive population of 510,500 wild turkeys, Texas reflects a significant increase in numbers, showcasing the state’s commitment to wildlife conservation.
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California: Boasting a substantial population ranging between 300,000 to 400,000 turkeys, California’s diverse habitats provide ample opportunities for these birds to thrive despite various environmental challenges.
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Kentucky: With a wild turkey population also ranging between 250,000 to 400,000, Kentucky’s rich natural landscapes and conservation efforts contribute to the stability of its turkey population.
These figures provide insight into the dynamic nature of wild turkey populations across different states and underscore the importance of conservation efforts and wildlife management strategies. Historical data reveals fluctuations in populations influenced by factors such as habitat loss, hunting regulations, and environmental changes. Understanding these trends is crucial for ensuring the long-term sustainability of wild turkey populations nationwide.
