The 15 States Bustling With the Most Wild Turkeys

AZ Animals ^ | 7/28/25 | Hannah Crawford

[DallasBiff]

The 15 States Bustling With the Most Wild Turkeys

Wild turkeys were almost wiped out over 120 years ago. But, thanks to unregulated hunting and habitat loss, they’ve made a huge comeback across the U.S.

There are even some states absolutely bursting with flocks of turkeys. Thanks to conservation and smart habitat management, wild turkeys have returned to forests and farmyards. Let’s break down the 15 states where you’ll absolutely see turkeys in.

---

TOPICS: Chit/Chat
KEYWORDS: adblocker; turkey

[DallasBiff]

When I was a kid never saw a wild turkey, and then some 25 years ago almost plowed over a flock which were in the road by my car.

Still having turkey for Thanksgiving.

[Tijeras_Slim]

My Mom had 24 in her drive yesterday. Eastern Shore of Maryland.

[Celtic Conservative]

They are ubiquitous in the thumb area farming communities. There are some backroads you need to keep an eagle eye out for them. I got stopped for a good 10 minutes on a dirt road for a big flock of turkey hens, they just didn’t want to move.

CC

[crusty old prospector]

We have a lot in Texas but there are all in the western half of the state. Every time they try to re-introduce them to East Texas, the rednecks shoot them.

[2111USMC]

But, thanks to unregulated hunting and habitat loss, they’ve made a huge comeback across the U.S.

Had to do a double-take on that one.

[fidelis]

See them all the time in Arizona, mostly up near the high country in the south.

[bankwalker]

So ... What are the 15 states?

[Bonemaker]

I have a flock or two damn near everyday in my NE exurban illannoy back yard.

[DFG]

Washington DC is full of turkeys. /s

[SunkenCiv]

Out here in The Boonies we had an outbreak of wild turkeys some years back. We a simultaneous outbreak of coyotes. Coincidence.

[9YearLurker]

Oh, come on. There’ve got to be more turkeys in DC than in any individual state.

[maddog55]

I shoot turkeys and deer from my deck.. a very comfortable stand so to speak.

[bobcat62]

So is Beacon Hill in Boston.

[ComputerGuy]

Some of my hens are almost tame.

[woodbutcher1963]

Same story here in NH.
Fifty years ago they were virtually extinct here.
Now, they are everywhere.
They brought in about 25 birds from WV.
Now, there are 30K.

I have to net my blueberry bushes or the turkeys will pick them all clean in a couple days.
They live right in the suburbs five miles outside of downtown Boston now.
They make the Boston news sometimes because they get pretty aggressive when there are lady turkeys around.

[SunkenCiv]

It wants the adblocker down, so the website needs to be fruitful and multiply, just not in those words.

Extracted the list from the “alt” tags in the source listing, which doesn’t have a way to block ya.

1. Texas Has Endless Gobbles
2. Missouri Has Made a Turkey Comeback
3. Alabama Is a Turkey Hunter’s Dream
4. Pennsylvania Has Turkeys Roaming the Hills
5. Georgia Has Gobblers in This Peach State
6. Kentucky Is a Turkey Success Story
7. Tennessee’s Land is Full of Feathers
8. Michigan Has Turkey Everywhere Now
9. Arkansas Is Full of Turkey Wings
10. New York Has Plenty of Gobblers
11. Turkeys Still Roam Free in Mississippi
12. Oklahoma Has Some Wild Turkeys
13. North Carolina Has Feathers on the Rise
14. Florida Has Osceola Wild Turkeys
15. South Carolina Is a Gobbler’s Stronghold

[PIF]

1. Texas
2. Missouri
3. Alabama
4. Pennsylvania
5. Georgia
6. Kentucky
7. Tennessee
8. Michigan
9. Arkansas
10. New York
11. Mississippi
12. Oklahoma
13. North Carolina
14. Florida
15. South Carolina

Wisconsin has so many of turkeys, its almost a State bird. We even have one in the Governor’s office.

[MtnClimber]

I can vouch for Florida’s turkey population. I grew up in Florida and in my first 30 years I never saw a single wild turkey. I have moved from Colorado back to Florida and in the last five years I have seen about 30 turkeys, all in residential neighborhoods. I saw one in my front yard and about 20, on different occasions in my brother’s yard about 3 miles away. All have been within the city limits and just in people’s yards.

[abigkahuna]

Had a flock of two dozen or so turkeys fly across the road here in Butte county yesterday. In the past we had a brood living on our acreage

[Leaning Right]

I live in a turkey-heavy state. I’ve never seen a turkey cross or block a road. But I’ve seen them fly over the road. Smart turkeys!