Bearded hen
 

I have some great pics of this bearded hen that I will take, given the chance. Here, they are legal. I would love to make a wingbone call and I believe that they really need a hen bone and a tom bone. This would help make that happen.

I don't know what has happened with photobucket, but when I resized my pics for message board size they were still like 216 kb...So I had to go smaller. I'll see if I can figure it out. Anyway, enjoy.

RE: Bearded hen
 

another

RE: Bearded hen
 

Had my hands around the neck of a bearded hen last yr! And she is going ont he wall - hope to get he back soon!

Was the 3rd one I have seen in my lifetime and so I took the shot!

JW

RE: Bearded hen
 

Cool pic! Thats a heck of a beard for a hen!

RE: Bearded hen
 

That is cool. Last year in Kansas I saw three bearded hens in 3 days of hunting. Did not shoot any of them even though they are legal there.

RE: Bearded hen
 

I got one last year in Nebraska. Didn't get pics of her though.

RE: Bearded hen
 

my dads killed 3 in the past 5 years, none in the previous 25:eek:. theyre legal here in MO also.

RE: Bearded hen
 

I shot a bearded hen this past rifle season honestly thinkink that is was a tom. The beard was not all that thick but it was 8 1/2" long

RE: Bearded hen
 

Those are some sweet pics and I wouldn't of shot one either.

RE: Bearded hen
 

From what I understand they are still hens, lay eggs and raise poults.

RE: Bearded hen
 

Yes, I know...I would never shoot a "regular" hen. We have plenty of birds here. I just want to make an old time wingbone call. This would "kill one bird" and give two stones or so to speak...a neat and legal bird and a call.

RE: Bearded hen
 

got one here on camera last week looked as if her beard was 7 or 8 inches but thin. Had a buddy thats wife had a beard but then i thought only in alabama

RE: Bearded hen
 

and from what i understand, franklin and montgomery counties missouri are two of the top kill counties in the top kill state in the nation, id say we have enough birds here. and its also not your right to question a 100% legal kill

RE: Bearded hen
 

He has the right to hisopinion, You just dont have to agree with him.

But I do. Ive had the opportunity to shoot a couple bearded hens, but as Born to Hunt said, they are egg layers, and the get a pass.

RE: Bearded hen
 

Hey guys, I appreciate you looking at the pic. I sure didn't mean to get the ethics argument going. We all have to choose each shot at each animal as we pull the trigger. Most of us here are all members of a noble fraternity of hunters who believe in making ethical choices. We all know that legal and ethical aren't always on the same moral plane. However, if we want to get that thread started, I would rather someonelse start it. I just wanted to share a cool picture. I've probably gotten 20 or so of her over the last two months.

Happy hunting and God bless.

RE: Bearded hen
 

Three springs ago, I was dead 100% positive I was looking at a bearded hen. I watched that bird yelp, scratch, cluck, feed and carry on just like one of the girls. I shot it at 25 steps and damn it all if it wasn't the only jake I've ever killed in my life. Had a fan like a regular turkey, about three inches of beard... grey head.... and spurs about like a cock pheasant. Strangest thing I've ever seen. No more bearded hens for me.

RE: Bearded hen
 

Swamp, there is no doubt about this one...I mean I haven't gotten to examine certain organs, if you know what I mean, but there are no spurs, pale head, feathers up to the jaw. I must have 20 pics of this bird. Anyway, sorry about your story, but hey, that's hunting right?

RE: Bearded hen
 

I agree with you about the bird in your pics... but then again... I had myself convinced and I watched that bird at 80 yards with 10x binoculars. Burned me up because as a duck hunter, the line between a legal limit and being over on species (espeically in my black duck and mallard infested blinds) is a very very fine one. I rather pride myself on my bird/game ID.... and this was one time where I would have bet the farm and lost. Makes me a little gun shy I guess. Never hurts to be careful. That is definately hunting I suppose. I suspect the bird tasted better than a nasty ol' bearded hen anyway....;)

RE: Bearded hen
 

Any hen, bearded or not, is illegal to shoot in Louisiana.

RE: Bearded hen
 

Well, thanks to a friend of mine on this site, I have re-read the rules on turkeys and have found out that any hen is illegal in Alabama as well.(Idon't know what I was thinking:()I sure am glad I found out now. Thanks guys for a great discussion and comments. I now will have to shoot this bird with a camera instead of the gun. Thanks again for the comments guys. Happy Hunting and God bless.

RE: Bearded hen
 

Arjuna you still have a either sex fall season though right? justt take it then

RE: Bearded hen
 

In VA where I hunt the rules simply state beared turkeys may be taken. Same for NC, states Male or Bearded turkeys only in spring, Fall is either sex.

RE: Bearded hen
 

We only have a few counties with a fall season. Still, the rule is GOBBLERS ONLY. When I thought I could take her, I was wrong and I'll admit it! For those that can it's great.

RE: Bearded hen
 

I live in MO and we have alot of bearded hens. I have no problem shooting one b/c they are a LEGAL bird here. I only shoot bearded hens in the spring if I am bow hunting, won't shoot one with a shotgun, just my choice. However in our fall archery or shotgun season I have no problem shooting them.

RE: Bearded hen
 

I have seen a bearded hen, but it wasn't wild.

RE: Bearded hen
 

HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA LMAO Now thats funny:D:D:D:D:D:D:D:D:D:D

RE: Bearded hen
 

heres a few pictures of Bearded hens we've mounted in the past.
The Turkey Roost,
Drake Morris

RE: Bearded hen
 

#2

RE: Bearded hen
 

3

RE: Bearded hen
 

4

RE: Bearded hen
 

5

RE: Bearded hen
 

Those are some beautiful mounts TurkeyRoost.

RE: Bearded hen
 

we have a flock of 34 birds at my house with three bearded hens. i dont have any pics that i know how to put on here. we try not to shoot them tho becausei have heard with bearded hens you have a good chance of getting multiple bearded birds.

RE: Bearded hen
 

Thank you superstrutter. Beared hens usually always turn out good, unless they are missing a large amount of feathers when we receive them.

RE: Bearded hen
 

That's great...thanks for sharing.

RE: Bearded hen
 

Here's mine got in 06 - 6 in. beard- the only reason I shot it was because it was also a smokey gray.. I hope the pic comes up..

RE: Bearded hen
 

neat looking bird, beervo2.

RE: Bearded hen
 

I shot a smoke colored hen a few years ago too. I was going to have her mounted but have not done it yet. Had to crop the picture so it would fit.

RE: Bearded hen
 

thats awesome, i never seen 1 before

RE: Bearded hen
 

Thats pretty cool you got a picture of one. In Michigan, were allowed to shoot one, not sure if i would or not though.