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Post by scrub-buster on Jan 22, 2010 1:20:48 GMT -5
Had this in the backyard today. I thought it was a tom, but after looking at the pictures, It looks like it could have been a hen.   |
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Post by schall53 on Jan 22, 2010 4:32:49 GMT -5
Looks like a hen to me. The only thing is the beard on a hen normally is alot thinner than in your picture, usually about the size of a pencil.
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Post by throbak on Jan 22, 2010 7:50:11 GMT -5
notice the feathers going all the wayto top of head.... HEN
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Post by Squealy on Jan 22, 2010 9:02:14 GMT -5
that's a hen... There's one running around on the farm on hunt on in KY. She's been in gun range several times over the last couple of years, but i just can't seem to pull the trigger on her....
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Post by HighCotton on Jan 22, 2010 9:24:43 GMT -5
Looking at the pics, I'd agree it is a bearded hen. There seems to be no prevalent snood, caruncles, or spurs. With that long a beard, it's not a jake. It is a fairly thick beard for a hen IMO. I've read that it is common for some flocks to hold up to 20% bearded hens, but I'd also say I've not seen that in our woods. The bigger question I had when looking at your pics was "Would I bust that bird in the Spring turkey woods (I'd have to make a quicker decision than looking at this thread) and would it be legal?" The way I read the regs. here in Indiana, it would be legal since you are allowed to take "one bearded OR male turkey for the entire spring season." Great Post! Also for interest see: www.youtube.com/watch?v=IqwCj1zoC0M |
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Post by vectrix on Jan 22, 2010 9:34:57 GMT -5
you guys sure thats not a small jake spur on the right leg. I agree with the head feathers but look close at the right leg.
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Post by vectrix on Jan 22, 2010 9:37:21 GMT -5
Also that bird is awful big and dark colored, heck I'm confused
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Post by vectrix on Jan 22, 2010 9:40:21 GMT -5
Well that is an awful long beard to be on a jake!?? Was this pic taken near a nuclear plant or wastewater plant? What you have there is a tom with hens head and jake spurs?
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Post by hornharvester on Jan 22, 2010 10:05:24 GMT -5
Its a bearded hen. I shot a bearded hen two years ago during turkey season that had and 8 1/2" full beard. h.h.
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Post by firelt72 on Jan 22, 2010 10:27:55 GMT -5
The spur looks like ground clutter/litter leaves or the such behind her.
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Post by freedomhunter on Jan 22, 2010 12:55:21 GMT -5
big old hen, I've passed a couple with nice beards like that
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Post by scrub-buster on Jan 22, 2010 20:19:40 GMT -5
Well that is an awful long beard to be on a jake!?? Was this pic taken near a nuclear plant or wastewater plant? What you have there is a tom with hens head and jake spurs? Not a Nuclear plant, but it was on the leach field. |
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Post by featherduster on Jan 24, 2010 7:19:09 GMT -5
To me it really wouldn't make that much difference if it is male or female. If it has a beard it could end up on my table.
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Post by huntingman on Jan 24, 2010 14:03:08 GMT -5
only one way to find out for certain ka-boom!
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Post by gobblerstopper on Jan 25, 2010 16:54:11 GMT -5
I'm not sure. I've seen jakes with 8" beards before. Looks like a hen, but also looks awful dark. Maybe cause it looks wet.
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Post by mullis56 on Jan 25, 2010 20:58:19 GMT -5
I'd say hen, but it looks black and hens aren't black! I'd say it is a hen....cool picture thanks for sharing!
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Post by Indyhunter on Jan 25, 2010 21:14:50 GMT -5
If hens can grow beards then i'd have to guess they could also have darker feathers.
Hermaphrodite!
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Post by ridgerunner on Jan 25, 2010 22:12:09 GMT -5
I agree awful dark to be a hen..but the head looks to be a hen...I have seen beards like that on hens before, but the size of the body and the color makes me think different...Hymorphadite?....
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Post by gobblerstopper on Jan 25, 2010 22:20:15 GMT -5
That is not that far fetched. My brother shot a bird several years ago that weighted 11 lbs., had one spur like you would expect on a jake, had an 8" beard, was black with all short tail fan feathers, but looked just like a hen. We still don't know what it was. |
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Post by freedomhunter on Jan 26, 2010 8:32:13 GMT -5
the same hormone that causes the beard could make the feathers darker, it is still a hen
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