Bearded hen

[chadly]

I saw my first one today.  Beard was long.  I would guess 7 inches.  It was not near as thick as a tom's though.  I'm having a really rough go of the season and I've not shot a bird as of yet.  However, I could not shoot hen in the spring.  I know most of you would have let her go as well.  Have you seen one?

[J-Shaped]

Usually see at least one somewhere every year, and have seen some over the years with some pretty respectable beards. In some areas they seem to be more common than others.

[Wvgobbler]

Yeah I have seen two. Both in the spring time the one stayed on my uncles farm I would see her in his wheat/ oat field all spring and summer but she always dissapered in the fall. But would be right back the next spring I haven't seen her this year but seen her for 3 years.

[WiLL B]

I saw a bearded hen this morning with 7 quail sized poults in South Mississippi. I've seen a good many over the years in several states. But this was the first one I've seen with poults.

[fallhnt]

I havn't seen one this year but if I did I would shoot.

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[guesswho]

Good on you for passing on her.  I hope Karma shines on you.

I have seen many.  They are pretty common most places I hunt. 

[M Sharpe]

Good on you for passing on her.  I hope Karma shines on you.

I have seen many.  They are pretty common most places I hunt.

Ditto

I've seen several of them; however, bearded hens are not leagle in GA!!

[spaightlabs]

I havn't seen one this year but if I did I would shoot.

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Hell yeah, who needs more turkey eggs on the ground.  Turkey is like 2.99 a pound at the store...

[ol bob]

I have one behind my shop that has a beard that most toms would be proud of.

[Cottonmouth]

Bearded hens are pretty common around here. Would never shoot one cause its still a hen.

[TauntoHawk]

I don't even shoot hens in the fall, never have never will. Don't like eating wild turkey enough I guess

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[TRG3]

During the last Southern Illinois spring turkey season, I had a hen about 20' from me. She was clucking, etc. in an attempt to locate the "hen" that was just making those calls. While she didn't have a beard, I noticed how much smaller she was than a gobbler. She wouldn't make much of a meal. In addition, she just might have a clutch of eggs that would produce one of my next gobblers in a couple of years. I really doubt that I would ever shoot a hen because of those reasons.

[chatterbox]

I don't even shoot hens in the fall, never have never will. Don't like eating wild turkey enough I guess

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This^^^^^^^^
I cannot bring myself either. I just can't do it, no matter bearded in the spring (even though they're legal), or one in the fall. Just feels wrong to me.

[Cottonmouth]

I don't even shoot hens in the fall, never have never will. Don't like eating wild turkey enough I guess

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This^^^^^^^^
I cannot bring myself either. I just can't do it, no matter bearded in the spring (even though they're legal), or one in the fall. Just feels wrong to me.

I found a hen carcass this spring that somebody breasted out. They even took the fan. I've never been that hard up to say I got one this weekend. 

[chatterbox]

I don't even shoot hens in the fall, never have never will. Don't like eating wild turkey enough I guess

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This^^^^^^^^
I cannot bring myself either. I just can't do it, no matter bearded in the spring (even though they're legal), or one in the fall. Just feels wrong to me.

I found a hen carcass this spring that somebody breasted out. They even took the fan. I've never been that hard up to say I got one this weekend.

Disgusting........