Thoughts On Taking A Bearded Hen

[hugonian1]

What are your thoughts on taking a bearded hen?

I have seen 1 twice while scouting.

She/ he/ it has a thin 4 to 5" beard.

Cool looking bird.

My E season is week plus out.

This bird intrigues me.

I think it would make a great full mount.

I have only been hunting turkeys for a few years and have taken 1 nice tom. Not interested in a jake.

How common are these?

Curious what others think.

[Archerysniper]

I passed one 2 years ago waiting for a big tom to show up wich never happend. If given the opportunity again I would drop it and get a full mount.

[DonBo]

I've shot a couple in the fall thinking they were jakes. It happens. I think with the high turkey populations most areas now enjoy, I'd have no problem taking a hen. Of coarse it all depends on how much time you've got to hunt, how much experience you've got, etc.

If you're just looking for an okay from a bunch of strangers on the interweb so you feel better about killing a hen, well you've got my blessing.

[Wanderer]

This is something I haven't personally witnessed yet. My brother had one pinned on one of the farms we're hunting but didn't take it. He knew she had a nest with eggs in it. I'd agree that many areas have enough birds it won't make much of an effect on the population but I doubt I would take one - just a personal thing.

If you're into collecting oddities and want that full body mount, it sure would be something to talk about though.

Good luck with whatever you decide to do.

[Borch]

I usually see a few every year. Had one flock of 13 hens last spring that had 2 bearded hens in it.

If I recall 10-20% of hens have beards. So not common by any means but not extremely rare either.

[Ray Esboldt]

I took one with a 7.5" beard. I didn't feel horribly great about it, since I honestly thought it was a skinny tom or super jake - I was peaking around a tree and didn't have the greatest view of it. I did it once, and will pass on it next time. It's an interesting story nonetheless.

[MNpurple]

I shot one 3 years ago, full well knowing it was a bearded hen. I thought it was pretty unique but when I started cleaning her and realized her chest and some of her belly was without feathers I felt bad. She clearly had a brood patch going and was sitting on eggs. I didnt like the thought of destroying a nest and wouldnt do it again personally.

[123fish]

I'm with Wanderer and MnPurple. I just don't need to kill a turkey bad enough to shoot a hen. They are legal though and if you are so inclined go for it. We had one with roughly an eight inch beard in the decoys last weekend in Nebraska. Seem to see at least one every year out there.

[sticknstring]

I've seen a good handful over the years, all in Nebraska. I've always wanted one for the wall and if I ever get an opportunity early in the season before they start nesting, I'd probably be pulling the bow back. I wouldn't hesitate to take one in the fall.

[Gopher_Guy]

Good question! It's a personal decision really. Even then you may question yourself. I had the chance a few years ago. It came in perfectly. I just couldn't do it, I regret it a little, but had I shot her I wouldn't have had the chance to blow the shot on the tom. Of course there is the high likelihood I would have missed the hen anyhow .

[sticknstring]

Cool video! I've got some sad tales stored on my video camera as well. Sometimes, feathers are the only souvenirs we get to take home!

[mrklean]

i saw a few this year, my goal next year is actually a bearded hen and nice tom to mount with it

[bigbucks]

I've never seen one, at least that I could identify. I wouldn't have any trouble shooting it. I've taken a couple of hens in the fall season.

[Hoyt4]

Taking one in the fall or real early like out of state when they are not nesting yet I have no problem. We hunt some tribal land in SD and some years they have hen only or your option of shooting a tom or hen. I have seen many bearded hens in NE and a few in MN. My dad has one mounted had like a 7 inch beard but does not show too good in the picture. Use you best judgement. No one should say anything if legal. If you get later in the spring most likely they have a nest so better to get one early.

[Outdoor Authority]

Opening day I had five hens one with a beard about 8 inches and a tom with a 10in beard. I decided that which ever one gave me the shot first I was going to take. The tom was the fist to do so and down he went. Friends with tags the first season went after her with no luck. I would say the first season in mn is the only time I would do it in the spring, however in the fall its a target.