Bearded Hen!!!

Tree climber · 12-13-2003, 04:54 PM

went with a buddy to the deer woods this morning.didn't see anything,only a couple squirrles.
My buddy shot and I heard him on the radio , so I went to the camp , it was time to go anyway(had to come to work).
He had shot a bearded hen.she was full grown(I think 11 lbs.) had a 9" beard.
I have saw only three with a beard, I took one only 5" beard,and saw one more 3" beard. this one was as good as most gobblers.it was also fairly thick.most are real thin.

MOTurkeyTamer · 12-13-2003, 05:10 PM

I was seeing a flock of turkeys back in October while bowhunting and 2 hens in the bunch had beards like the one you speak of, Tree climber. I rarely ever see a bearded hen period, let alone two in a single flock, plus they both had fairly thick 8" or 9" beards too. I don't know how rare a sight that is in general, but in my neck of the woods, you don't see a sight like that every day, that's for sure!

Adrian J Hare · 12-13-2003, 05:50 PM

Bearded hens are quite interesting. Over the years there has been so much talk about not shooting them and one seemed to be looked down at if he did. I've been lucky enough to have and could have taken a Wild Turkey Grandslam of bearded hens over the years. Something I wish now I had of done. My wife shot a bearded Eastern a couple of falls back and it is at the Taxidermys now.

I only wish I had of then the room would have looked neet...BT

maytom · 12-13-2003, 09:34 PM

I agree, a bearded hen would sure make a fine trophy indeed!! I was very fortunate to see a few of them over the years, maybe one of these fall seasons I can connect on one for the wall!!

halcon · 12-13-2003, 10:37 PM

We have a couple that we see around the feeder we just put out . They look to be about 5-6 inches long . If I can get a decent photo I will post it .

jalvja · 12-14-2003, 06:23 AM

Here's a bearded hen I shot a couple of falls ago,she had a 7 3/4 in beard

Bobgobble2 · 12-14-2003, 07:38 AM

Very cool guys..Great pic and mount Jim!![8D]Years back I killed a hen with a double beard.If I remember it right she had 2 four inch beards.I'll have to grub around for a pic if I can find it.Right now we have a flock on our lease with 5 bearded hens in it.A few of em have pretty long beards too.I should be able to get some pic's in the future and I'll post em if I do!!

turkeyhunter_15 · 12-16-2003, 12:52 PM

My First Fall Turkey Was A Bearded Hen or tom iduno if you seen my post many posts ago but im thinking hen

9 inch Beard