Bearded Hens!
- Thread starter SJS
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Southern Sportsman
Well-Known Member
They're not terribly uncommon. Statistically I think 5-10% are bearded. It's a shame TN allows them to be killed.
Setterman
Well-Known Member
I see numerous bearded hens each year, they should never be killed especially with the current issues facing our flock. However TWRA in their infinite wisdom still allows it. Can't really judge a hunter for taking a legal bird, even if it is less poults as a result
megalomaniac
Well-Known Member
I've only seen 3 this year, despite 25 days afield. Way lower than my normal averages.
I do think TN has the worst definition of a legal bird... doesn't matter if it's an adult or juvenile, male or female... just a 3in beard and it's legal (making bearded hens legal, yet adult males with beard rot illegal)
I do think TN has the worst definition of a legal bird... doesn't matter if it's an adult or juvenile, male or female... just a 3in beard and it's legal (making bearded hens legal, yet adult males with beard rot illegal)
I checked to make sure they hadn't changed something. There is no beard length requirement. It just says bearded bird. You may be thinking about the antler length limit.
I agree that bearded hens should not be legal.
Dennis
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Where I used to hunt, about half the hens I saw had beards. I would never shoot one.
thirdwilliam
Well-Known Member
5 to 6 on our farm every year
megalomaniac
Well-Known Member
you are right!, just 'visible' beard. I think I came up with the 3 inches in my head as that is ususally the beard length for it to obviously protrude past the thick layer of breast feathers.
The first turkey I ever took was a jake whose beard just barely protruded past the breast feathers. After I pulled the beard, I was surprised to find it was almost 3 inches long. I had no idea there was that much beard under the feathers at the time. (Still have that beard!)
I have seen very few in areas I hunt. I have never shot one, but have seen others that have. I am sure the rules say bearded turkey just because a lot of people cannot differentiate between male and female. Much like Democrats in regular society.
saw one wed on a farm that had like a 9inch beard lol. Ive never shot one personally and never understood the desire to do so just due to the lack of meat and it being a hen but to each his own I guess.
Not that uncommon but I can't bring myself to shoot one. Just my personal taste.
Huntaholic
Well-Known Member
NOBODY that hunts with me shoots the bearded ladies! I forbid it! Unlike some, I can remember when there weren't ANY turkeys within 50 miles of here. If we don't manage the resources ourselves then we have nobody to blame except ourselves when we no longer have birds to hunt.
woodsman04
Well-Known Member
I usually see one or two every season. I don't shoot them though.
The man our hunt club leases land from asked that we not shoot bearded hens. He swears the bearded hens are the ones that lay the eggs that produce the multiple bearded Toms. Anyone ever heard that? Sounds like a wives tale to me, but he asked, so we comply. (I don't think any of us would shoot a bearded hen anyway—-whether he asked or not).
Carlos
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Exactly.
Carlos
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Yes! I have to say anybody who even considers shooting a Hen, with the challenges Turkeys are facing today, doesn't have a clue about conservation.
(It's the ID -ten -tee factor coming out once again.)
Seen a few in middle Tn, but never in all my years on the plateau.
Not interested in killing one.
Not interested in killing one.
Congratulations to your son !!!
SJS
Well-Known Member
Thx Ruger! Tough crowd on this topic!
sorry SJS I didn't mean for my comments to come off as bad. It's your area to hunt and have no issues with how you decide to do so. Congrats to the young man
it is a very touchy subject though
