Yeah, a beard is nothing more than a mutated feather. Thats why you will have them on hens and multiples on turkeys too. I've seen actually where there was a beard or two on a turkey that was not where a beard should be. I think it was on the turkeys back and one on the side of it like around the side of the breast instead of the chest.

As said above they are fairly common. People shoot them all the time. As far as if I would shoot one ever. I'd say no maybe unless I was bored with my bow and it was late in my season. If ya do shoot one don't expect to get a whole lot of meat in return. Hens are very little typically and have verylittle breast meat. Not a whole lot to em compaired to a tom. Still fun to see a beardedhen walkin around sometimes though.WCL