ajp12
Junior Member
Posts: 25
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Post by ajp12 on Apr 23, 2015 13:59:58 GMT -5
What are your feelings towards bearded hens. I'm pretty new to turkey hunting and thought I shot a small Jake. DNR informed me that it is a bearded hen. A friend of mine said I should mount it cause they are rare. Just trying to feel out the crowd on what I should do. Thanks for the feed back in advance.
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Post by dbd870 on Apr 23, 2015 14:13:23 GMT -5
JDUB got one last season so I looked into harvest results for the prior year. Seems to me 2% were bearded hens. As for mounting - that's up to you.
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Deleted
Deleted Member
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Post by Deleted on Apr 23, 2015 14:38:32 GMT -5
While they are not "common" they are also not what I would call rare. My first two turkey harvests were bearded hens. They both had nice thick 8 inch beards. Killed off same farm. I still have the beards hanging on display.
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Post by woodmaster on Apr 23, 2015 15:48:47 GMT -5
I've always heard that 1 in 20 hens will have a beard. Seems like I see one every year.
The beard on a turkey is a type of feather so it doesn't surprise me that it's not that uncommon
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Post by featherduster on Apr 23, 2015 16:33:07 GMT -5
Seen one today.
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Post by stevein on Apr 23, 2015 17:13:21 GMT -5
I think this is a personal decision. Like shooting a button buck, a yearling buck or game in your yard as DRS's post. I don't think it would hurt the population by taking the occasional bearded hen and this way they are not wasted by being left lay in the field. I have had hens come to my calling and I sure looked them over for beards. AJP congrats on your bird
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Post by Genesis 27:3 on Apr 23, 2015 21:51:39 GMT -5
As previously stated, I also think it's a personal choice. Doubt you'll get too much flack over it. There's been times I wanted to shoot hens without beards bc they kept cutting my toms off! Lol! I'm sure others have felt the same way!
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Post by Woody Williams on Apr 24, 2015 6:08:41 GMT -5
To shoot or not to shoot is a personal choice. I wont shoot one in the spring as she is more than likely nesting. Shame on her if she comes by in the fall.
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ajp12
Junior Member
Posts: 25
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Post by ajp12 on Apr 24, 2015 10:43:54 GMT -5
Thanks guys for the input.
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Post by omegahunter on Apr 27, 2015 12:13:39 GMT -5
Same as an antlered doe, it is perfectly legal. But it is only up to you if you shoot one.
I, for one, would not feel bad about shooting a bearded hen. I am color blind and I guess I have pretty much deprogrammed my mind to look for colors, but I can spot beards very well. If it has a beard, the Remington goes bang. There are not a whole lot of turkeys were I hunt, so I am not picky.
If you had the money to spare, have her mounted. If not, save the money for mounting up a big tom.
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