i was out scouting this morning and saw a bearded hen with a nice 6 or 7 inch beard that was really thick if given the chance i would shoot her how do u guys feel about shooting a bearded hen
I wouldn't have a problem with it. That's a pretty rare trophy in my opinion. Good luck!
If I ever get the chance at one she'd be headed to the taxi!
:fud: :OGani:
Their failrly common around here. I killed one several years ago that had a 9 1/2" beard, but I won't shoot another one.
I got a bearded hen a few years ago and made wingbone calls from it. They sound good, she tasted good, and the beard was a pretty good size.
I'd let her go.......need every egg layer we can get after the rough drought we had.
Quote from: ohiostrutter on April 01, 2012, 08:13:51 PM
i was out scouting this morning and saw a bearded hen with a nice 6 or 7 inch beard that was really thick if given the chance i would shoot her how do u guys feel about shooting a bearded hen
Legal bird in Ohio. Go for it if the time is right! :icon_thumright:
let her go so i can shoot it. ;D
In my spots I have cam pics of 4 or 5 different bearded hens. I also passed on a couple last spring.
I'd let her go. Just not the reason I go turkey hunting in the spring.
Quote from: guesswho on April 01, 2012, 09:54:37 PM
Their failrly common around here. I killed one several years ago that had a 9 1/2" beard, but I won't shoot another one.
I too have shot one with a good beard and I don't think I would shoot another , the reason being I cant help but thinking that she would put good genes in the flock ,,,IF shes a layer .
Do you think she would be capable of being successfully bred and successfully nest/lay eggs?
I had a girl friend, once, that had a nicer beard than I did..She bred fine..
Dead hens lay no eggs....
Saw maybe a dozen bearded hens over the past weekend, what's the big deal?
mudhen
I've shot 2 bearded hens including one last spring. I was going to let her walk but decided that since I was carrying 2 youth, my son-in-law, my daughter, my brother, and a couple of friends, I'd better not look a gift turkey in the beak. Only bird I harvested.
I have seen a half dozen or so bearded hens over the last 30 years of turkey hunting and let everyone of them walk. No challenge killin hens in my opinion. To each his own I guess. I am after those big ole long bearded gobblers only.
its got to gobble for me!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Hognutz, did the beard itch, or irritate your skin??? LoL
Mudhen, I am aware that DEAD hens lay no eggs!!! I asked the question because I remember reading a study regarding bearded hens were not able to be bred and lay eggs as they are infertile.
The BIG deal is in some areas some people are not as lucky to see bearded hens everyday!!!
I am not going to judge as long as it is a LEGAL kill!!! It is the hunter's decision!!!
Quote from: tyelper on April 03, 2012, 10:03:12 PM
its got to gobble for me!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r0BSNwaiTe0
So this one fair game then? :TrainWreck1:
I say it up to you. They all taste good!
I've had 3 opportunities to shoot a bearded hen, but unfortunately, each time I was in a state that didn't allow me to harvest them. I would like to shoot one and mount it, just to add to the collection.