COLUMBUS, Ohio (Oct. 16, 2025) — Ohio’s wild turkey population remains stable despite a small dip in this year’s reproductive index, according to the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) Division of Wildlife .

The 2025 wild turkey poult index — which estimates nesting success and young survival — measured 2.7 poults per hen , just below the 10-year average of 2.8 . The index is based on public reports of wild turkeys and their young observed during July and August.

“This year’s slightly below-average numbers come after four straight years of strong results,” ODNR said in its report. Previous averages were 3.1 in 2021 , 3.0 in 2022 , 2.8 in 2023 , and 2.9 in 2024 , all of which contributed to a healthy statewide population.

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