BEARDED HENS,HOW COMMON ?
#1
Thread Starter
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: South Louisiana
Posts: 301
BEARDED HENS,HOW COMMON ?
HOW MANY OF YOU FELLAS HAVE ENCOUNTERED BEARDED HENS ? WE JUST GOT BACK FROM TX WHERE I SAW ONE. IT WAS PROBABLY THE WEIRDEST THING IVE SEEN AND THE FIRST ONE I HAVE EVER SEEN, JUST WONDERING HOW COMMON IT IS IN OTHER STATES. THE RANCHER IN TX MADE IT OUT TO BE A REGULAR THING OVER THERE BUT IVE BEEN HUNTING IN LA FOR 15 YRS AND NEVER SEEN ONE OVER HERE. WONDER IF ITS JUST THE RIOS THAT PRODUCE IT MORE COMMONLY THEN EASTERNS OR OTHER SPECIES OF TURKEYS? ANYONE HAVE PICS OR THOUGHTS ON IT??
" MAY YUR BEARDS BE LONG AND YUR SPURS SHARP"
" MAY YUR BEARDS BE LONG AND YUR SPURS SHARP"
#2
Typical Buck
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: AR USA
Posts: 889
RE: BEARDED HENS,HOW COMMON ?
BP, from what I' ve read on the board before on this subject, their quite common in some parts of the US and in other parts their veruy rare. I' ve been huntin turks fior almost 20 years , and I' ve never seen a bearded hen. their not very common here in south Ar.
#4
Nontypical Buck
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: NewLowell ,Ontario ,Canada
Posts: 2,765
RE: BEARDED HENS,HOW COMMON ?
I have found that therenot uncommon at all.
I have seen every speice of hen with a beard and could have taken a bearded hen Grandslam, kinda wish I had of now...BT
I hear ya S&R
I have seen every speice of hen with a beard and could have taken a bearded hen Grandslam, kinda wish I had of now...BT
I hear ya S&R
#5
RE: BEARDED HENS,HOW COMMON ?
As genetics becomes more commonplace in game species, we' ll have a definitive answer.
As it stands, there does seem to be a genetic inheritance for bearded hens. Hence, a single population in a relatively small area (say 100 acres) may have a very high population of bearded hens, as high as 25%.
As these hens radiate out from their maternal flocks, they will produce more bearded hen offspring.
I do think the 1/7 is a little high, but for an overall estimate it probably is not too bad. I would say probably more like 1/20 on average, but like I mentioned some populations you see 1/4.
I' ve seen ' em in every state in the Northeast, and they are a sight. I will also state that the beards on hens are usually shorter than a tom' s longbeard (a mature bearded hen may dangle 7 inches of bristle) and the actual bristles are almost always much thinner, less dense and fewer in number (hence a " wispy beard" ).
BT---a bearded hen grandslam would be awesome, especially if you were to mount all four of the birds!! A world slam might not be possible though, as I' ve read (no personal experience) that the Gould' s just don' t seem to have many bearded hens, which helps support the genetics concept
As it stands, there does seem to be a genetic inheritance for bearded hens. Hence, a single population in a relatively small area (say 100 acres) may have a very high population of bearded hens, as high as 25%.
As these hens radiate out from their maternal flocks, they will produce more bearded hen offspring.
I do think the 1/7 is a little high, but for an overall estimate it probably is not too bad. I would say probably more like 1/20 on average, but like I mentioned some populations you see 1/4.
I' ve seen ' em in every state in the Northeast, and they are a sight. I will also state that the beards on hens are usually shorter than a tom' s longbeard (a mature bearded hen may dangle 7 inches of bristle) and the actual bristles are almost always much thinner, less dense and fewer in number (hence a " wispy beard" ).
BT---a bearded hen grandslam would be awesome, especially if you were to mount all four of the birds!! A world slam might not be possible though, as I' ve read (no personal experience) that the Gould' s just don' t seem to have many bearded hens, which helps support the genetics concept
#6
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: Hays Kansas USA
Posts: 87
RE: BEARDED HENS,HOW COMMON ?
No matter how common you have seen an incredible sight that you will probably not see many more of. I dont know about the rio theory but here in KS I have seen a few bearded hens. I think stories of bearded hens maybe a little more often than actually there are, but then again maybe thats just the guys i hunt with lol..........
None the less COOL!!!!!
Grand Slam huh, i think you would be on a very elite list if not the only.
None the less COOL!!!!!
Grand Slam huh, i think you would be on a very elite list if not the only.
#8
Join Date: Mar 2003
Location: Auburn WA.
Posts: 1,396
RE: BEARDED HENS,HOW COMMON ?
I read the book" After the Hunt" and they have all kinds of stats on irregularities on turkeys and if I remember right bearde hens are like 1 in 2000 birds have beards.That number may even be greater,I' ve seen two and know of a couple taken in Washington last year. Are regs. here state any Tom or turkey with a visible beard,for spring. Our limited Fall hunt is either sex
#10
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: Hays Kansas USA
Posts: 87
RE: BEARDED HENS,HOW COMMON ?
To Hunt2Kill
That may depend on which state, in Ks our regs are any turkey with a visible beard that also seems to be the case in Washington and i think quite a few other states. Just might have to read the regs. or call fish and game.
That may depend on which state, in Ks our regs are any turkey with a visible beard that also seems to be the case in Washington and i think quite a few other states. Just might have to read the regs. or call fish and game.