Bearded Hen Pic

[Hotspotter]

Working from home today, went to get a glass of water, and looked outside......

5 hens milling around the yard around some corn I had out. They've been there an hour and a half and still are. Decided to take a break from watching them (my eyes are going buggy) and make a post.

One of the hens has a pretty good beard, maybe 8" or so. it's a bit off-color (brown vs. grey-black) and is quite a bit thinner than most of the beards toms sport. All hens are about the same size, but preferred feeding/loafing sites are had by all but the bearded hen. She's frequently chased around, or at least pushed out of the feeding area.

Bearded hens seem few and far between in the areas I hunt, making this a real treat. I've observed many, many hens, scouting and hunting for quite a few years now, and this is only the second bearded hen I've ever seen. The first one I saw was 8 or 9 years ago when hunting, and I passed on her to take a tom that was taking up the rear. It seems local however, or at least regional, with friends hunting south of my location only about 10 miles seeing a bearded hen or two every couple of seasons. Even then, it seems to be a rarity; enjoy!

Sorry for the poor pic, hope the beard is still visible. It's the closest bird in the shot.

Joel

[LABS4ME]

Yeah right Joel... you expect us to believe that's a beard?! 'Fess up it's a leash and you got her tied down on the corn pile and you're just fattening her up for your season!!! hehehe

Good Luck!

Ken

[Hotspotter]

Had a buddy email me and tell me it was a stick. Wish I could've gotten a better pic.

Don't make me shoot a girl this spring and prove it to you.

Joel

[Gus]

A couple years ago my uncle shot a double bearded hen. It was quite cool. I'll see if he has some pictures I could post. I believe he may have even shot that one with a bow. I'll find out for ya. Man I can't wait to hear a gobble!

[Hotspotter]

Gus:

Did you get drawn this year? When/where are you heading out?

Joel

[CrappieJohn]

How do you know that this isn't just one of those "funny" birds? I suppose you ran out there and took a peek under the knickers, eh Joel? lol

[Gus]

Did not get drawn this year. Plan to hunt the Archery season in I think 347. I could be wrong on the zone off the top of my head. My uncle usually has a couple of farmers that allow us to hunt their land which is near Chattfield.

[Hotspotter]

Gus:

347 is primetime. Only hunted it once, but I remember gobbles ringing off of every hillside there seemed to be a tree just before fly-down. We found success near river bottoms in a field. I see quite a few birds in the area every time I'm down there.

The archery hunt will be great, I'm excited for you guys. Look into the guillotine for a broadhead (if you can call it that). If you use it, I'd love to see pics. Good luck and be sure and keep us "in the loop!"

Joel

[CornPirateKiller]

I seem to see bearded hens every year. I keep saying that I'm going to take one to compliment the strutting gobbler I'm having done, but haven't dropped the hammer on one yet. Have had the chance on 4 different hunts. Lined up on two of them when gobblers suddenly appeared and changed my mind. Some day, a mounted one will sit beside my gobbler.

Heading out season G again this year. My 11-year-old daughter gets first chance this year, though. Her first hunt!

[Hotspotter]

CPK:

That's wild! I'd love to see that many bearded hens. Pretty cool.

Good luck on hunting, make sure and post the results/pics from your hunt and your daughters'!

Joel