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Turkey Hunting Tips => Fall Turkey Hunters Forum => Topic started by: Uncle Nicky on October 30, 2017, 05:25:18 AM

Title: First Ever Bearded Hen
Post by: Uncle Nicky on October 30, 2017, 05:25:18 AM
Killed this bird hunting with my dog Maizy this weekend. Strange bird, had a 7 1/2" beard. I'm 99% convinced it's a bearded hen, but it had a VERY large head, larger carnucles, VERY small nubs where it's spurs would grow, and irregular length on the tail feathers. Brown tips on the breast feathers, so I'm going with bearded hen. I usually let them go in the spring when I see them, but not much gets past me in the fall if I can help it. :OGani:
Title: Re: First Ever Bearded Hen
Post by: fallhnt on October 30, 2017, 08:31:58 PM
Quote from: Uncle Nicky on October 30, 2017, 05:25:18 AM
Killed this bird hunting with my dog Maizy this weekend. Strange bird, had a 7 1/2" beard. I'm 99% convinced it's a bearded hen, but it had a VERY large head, larger carnucles, VERY small nubs where it's spurs would grow, and irregular length on the tail feathers. Brown tips on the breast feathers, so I'm going with bearded hen. I usually let them go in the spring when I see them, but not much gets past me in the fall if I can help it. :OGani:
Yup...bearded hen. Approx 10% of hens are bearded. Congrats on a fine bird.

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Title: Re: First Ever Bearded Hen
Post by: crow on October 30, 2017, 10:51:41 PM
nice one, congrats to you and maizy
did you save your wing bones?
Title: Re: First Ever Bearded Hen
Post by: Uncle Nicky on October 31, 2017, 05:24:46 AM
Hey Ken, yes sir, I saved them.  :icon_thumright:
Title: Re: First Ever Bearded Hen
Post by: daddyduke on October 31, 2017, 02:10:26 PM
Congrats! The first bird I ever shot was a bearded hen.