Turkey Trading: A Remarkable Conservation Success Story

Thu Nov 27 2025 18:37:37 GMT+0200 (Eastern European Standard Time)

Once a common practice, trading wild turkeys led to a remarkable revival of the species in North America, illustrating the importance of unconventional conservation efforts.

Wild turkeys were nearly extinct by the late 1800s due to habitat loss and hunting. However, trading turkeys among states for the purpose of wildlife restoration became a creative solution to revitalize the population. Currently, the wild turkey population stands at around 7 million across the U.S., significantly aided by past trade agreements among states. These restoration efforts not only saved the turkeys but also promoted the survival of other wildlife species, highlighting the pivotal role of cooperative conservation efforts.

CONCORD, N.H. — Despite the common disdain for a weasel making its way to Thanksgiving dinner, swapping turkeys for other wildlife was once a widespread practice across North America. The trading of these birds played a crucial role in one of the continent's most noteworthy conservation success stories.

In the late 1880s, the wild turkey numbers plummeted to a mere few thousand. However, thanks to innovative conservation strategies and the willingness of states to trade turkeys as part of a restoration effort, their population has surged to approximately 7 million today, across 49 states, as well as parts of Canada and Mexico, according to the National Wild Turkey Federation.

Trade agreements varied by state; for example, Oklahoma traded walleye and prairie chickens for turkeys from Arkansas and Missouri, while Colorado exchanged mountain goats for turkeys from Idaho. Notably, Ontario received 274 turkeys from various states in return for species such as moose and river otters.

“Wildlife biologists don’t suffer from a lack of creativity,” stated Patt Dorsey, conservation director for the National Wild Turkey Federation’s western region.

West Virginia was particularly generous, sending dozens of turkeys to states like New Hampshire and trading them for fur-bearing animals such as fishers and bobwhite quail.

“They were like our currency for all our wildlife that we restored,” explained Holly Morris, furbearer project leader at West Virginia's Division of Natural Resources. “It’s just a way to help out other agencies.”

This creative conservation effort began in the 1940s and 50s when raising turkeys on farms fell short. Instead, capturing wild turkeys and relocating them proved to be much more effective. New Hampshire saw its first flock of these birds in over 100 years in 1975, and under careful management, their population has now reached around 40,000.

The wild turkey, an essential species within the ecosystem, plays a significant role as both predator and prey. Its resurgence is not only beneficial for hunting enthusiasts but vital for maintaining ecological balance. According to biologist Dan Ellingwood, the adaptability of turkeys has seen this population thrive despite changing environments.

Dorsey highlights the broader benefits of turkey restoration projects, which have played a significant role in boosting the numbers of other species, marking the bewitching impact of collaborative conservation efforts in local ecosystems.