Bearded Hens / Have You?

[Vabirddog]

I've killed 2, 1 fall, 1 spring. Interesting story on the spring bird. Years ago I hadn't hunted spring birds long a buddy and I were walking out down the edge of a clearcut when a bird erupts from a slash pile. I say "hen" and lower my gun but he hollers "it's a gobbler, shoot, shoot" so I swing and kill the bird. I said "dang it, that was a hen". he replied " I know I saw a beard on that bird". Sure enough the hen had a 6 inch beard. I've always told him he was lucky, 'there's no way you saw that little beard on that turkey!" I was sure we had busted a nest but there wasn't one, at least there. I wouldn't kill a hen in spring maybe in fall but haven't for 30 yrs. Other one had 8" beard btw.