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Thread: Bearded Hens

  1. #1
    maytom's Avatar
    maytom is offline 12-Pointer
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    Default Re: Bearded Hens

    Bearded hens are legal in our state as well, but I don't think I could bring myself to take one during the spring season. A Mature gobbler is what I'm after at that time, but come the fall season, that bearded hen sure would be in trouble!! I have seen a few over the years as well myself.

  2. #2
    robk is offline 10-Pointer
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    Default Re: Bearded Hens

    you know i haven't ever thought of taking a bearded hen and have seen a few here in oklahoma but i have always passed during the spring but if one came out during openign of bow season i would definately take a shot at her. that would make a grea full mount
    rob k

  3. #3
    Gus's Avatar
    Gus
    Gus is offline Monster Buck
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    Default Re: Bearded Hens

    In the spring here in TX we can only take toms. In the fall we can take either sex, but if a hen she has to have a beard. I would not hesitate in the fall to shoot a bearded hen, but I have never seen one myself.

  4. #4
    RyanH is offline Banned
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    Default Re: Bearded Hens

    My buddy shot one last year! Had about a 4 inch beard! The bird is being mounted!

  5. #5
    RyanH is offline Banned
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    Default Re: Bearded Hens

    My buddy shot one last year! Had about a 4 inch beard! The bird is being mounted!

  6. #6
    huntn4bucks's Avatar
    huntn4bucks is offline Monster Buck
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    Default Re: Bearded Hens

    I saw a bearded hen several times last spring and chose not to shoot her. We don't have a season for hens and the regs state "Gobblers Only" so I don't know if a bearded hen would be legal or not. It doesn't really matter anyways because I wouldn't have shot her even if it was legal...but that's just me.

  7. #7
    VaTechHunter's Avatar
    VaTechHunter is offline 4-Pointer
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    Default Re: Bearded Hens

    I wouldn't think you would get in trouble if you killed a hen with a beard during spring gobbler, but I am not sure. I would think it would be like shooting a doe with antlers on only buck days. Does any one know about this in VA?

  8. #8
    beardsNspurs Guest

    Default Re: Bearded Hens

    Back when I was first startin out turkey hunting, my brother shot a bearded hen. I couldn't even see her beard and about messed myself when I heard and saw him shoot that hen. But sure enough she had a 6-7 inch beard. We found an egg in her when we were dressing her out, and for that reason alone I wouldn't shoot one during the spring. But like everyone else has said.....she better make herself scarce during the fall season

  9. #9
    Nut's Avatar
    Nut
    Nut is offline Turkey Sensei
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    Default Re: Bearded Hens

    I have seen a few here and would like to have one as a mount some day but it will not break my heart if I don't. I think it would be according to the situation if I took one or not.

  10. #10
    Covehnter is offline Monster Buck
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    Default Re: Bearded Hens

    I've seen several while hunting but it against the law in Ga, dont believe i'd shoot her anyways though.

  11. #11
    wishinone is offline Monster Buck
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    Default Re: Bearded Hens

    I could have shot one two years ago here in CT where the law says bearded turkeys are legal in the spring, instead I shot the 20lb gobbler following her and her girlfriends across the field. If I saw her during the fall season without a gobbler in tow she would have been down.

  12. #12
    13littleones is offline 8-Pointer
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    Default Re: Bearded Hens

    shooting a hen witha beard would be like kissing your sister with the slip of the tongue, wouldn't it?

  13. #13
    Bow Hunter Derek is offline 12-Pointer
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    Default Re: Bearded Hens

    I shot an Osceolla bearded hen last year. Wasn't exactly what I had gone clear to the Glades to shoot, but she tasted better than that tag. Besides, her tail and beard on the wall make a great conversation piece.

  14. #14
    Rhino's Avatar
    Rhino is online now Monster Buck
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    Default Re: Bearded Hens

    They aren't legal here anymore. They used to be before we went to adult gobblers only being legal. I've had a few chances in the past but they aren't gobblers so I wouldn't kill them. If hens (bearded or not) are close enough to shoot, there's a good chance a gobbler is close by too.

  15. #15
    13littleones is offline 8-Pointer
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    Default Re: Bearded Hens

    where did u find that info. on turkeys in Indiana
    ....i cant find it...

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