Turkeygirl Posted April 30, 2006 Report Share Posted April 30, 2006 I went out tonight about a little after 6pm to go to the top of this gravel pit overlooking the farm land I hunt, above a field where I spooked turkeys from the night before. I see a turkey feeding so I sneak to get to the top to look at it through the binocs. I look at it and notice it is rusty brown like a hen, and it's behavior is like a hen but then I notice it has about an 8-9 inch beard! So I look for spurs and though I saw some but wasn't sure. Well the turkey flies up to roost about 45 yards from me and after while it steps out into a clearer few on a branch and this time I don't see any spurs, and it's head and neck do not have the red/white/blue of a gobbler. When a crow flew over and hollered, it didn't gobbled, just went alert, so unless I'm mistaken, I think I found a bearded hen! I also saw another turkey, which was darker colored than this hen, come out into the field later, but I didn't see a beard. So do you think I found a bearded hen who is unusually rusty brown? Also, are bearded hens legal to shoot in the spring in NY? I've heard of people shooting bearded hens but wasn't sure if NY allows that or not. I know there is a gobbler in the land somewhere since I heard it gobbling about 2 weeks ago. I guess I won't sleep in tomorrow and will get up and find out where the hen flies down and if I hear any gobbles from anywhere. If no luck in the morning, I'll try to roost some birds on the state land tomorrow night. So what do you all think?? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
VermontHunter Posted April 30, 2006 Report Share Posted April 30, 2006 Re: Maybe a unique bird?? Definately sounds like you found yourself a bearded hen.... As for being able to shoot a bearded hen,, I can't tell you about NY law but it's sure legal here in Vermont... GREAT Sighting,, I hope that thing gives you a crack at it,,, if it's legal.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jbeck Posted April 30, 2006 Report Share Posted April 30, 2006 Re: Maybe a unique bird?? I have a bearded hen here at the house, and yes they are leagal in Pa also. Of course we have a gobbler with a full fan and spurs, but no beard, which makes him illegal to shoot. Go figure. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Squirrelhunter91 Posted April 30, 2006 Report Share Posted April 30, 2006 Re: Maybe a unique bird?? Yep they're legal here in NY to take. Our tags are good for two bearded turkeys. Bearded meaning any turkey that has a beard. Hen's included. But bearded hens also breed so I don't know if I would shoot one. Also, I read this on another board, bearded hens are more common than you think. 2 in 100 hens are bearded. Which is common/uncommon depending on your regional population. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
huntinguide Posted April 30, 2006 Report Share Posted April 30, 2006 Re: Maybe a unique bird?? a 9 inch bearded hen is huge ive seen a few and killed a 7 inch but 9 man thats a nice bird, sure would be a trophy if its legal. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HuntnMa Posted April 30, 2006 Report Share Posted April 30, 2006 Re: Maybe a unique bird?? take it, lol........... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
slaw Posted April 30, 2006 Report Share Posted April 30, 2006 Re: Maybe a unique bird?? you know how to kill a unique bird.......... You neak up on him... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wishinone Posted April 30, 2006 Report Share Posted April 30, 2006 Re: Maybe a unique bird?? Most states, NY-CT-PA included regulations say bearded turkey so it's a legal bird. I had a bearded hen come by my blind several years ago and got one on film last year when she ran by some gobblers I was videoing. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wtnhunt Posted April 30, 2006 Report Share Posted April 30, 2006 Re: Maybe a unique bird?? [ QUOTE ] Most states, NY-CT-PA included regulations say bearded turkey so it's a legal bird. [/ QUOTE ] Same way here, just says bearded birds are legal. Good luck TG. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Turkeygirl Posted April 30, 2006 Author Report Share Posted April 30, 2006 Re: Maybe a unique bird?? Thanks everyone! I was going to get up this morning and see where she was flying down and if I could hear that gobbler that is around but I couldn't do it,lol. I'm going to go out in a couple hours and see if I can find where that gobbler is and if the hen is in the field because it seems like turkeys are using this field alot and there is a major dusting area right beside it. Tonight I might try to get over to my state land spot and see if I can roost any gobblers over there. If I don't, then I'll probably hunt the land by home hear in the morning since I have to be to campus by 9:30am. The joys of hunting:-) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rhino Posted April 30, 2006 Report Share Posted April 30, 2006 Re: Maybe a unique bird?? The only state that I've heard of where bearded hens are not legal is here in MS. They used to be but the law was changed about 10 years ago. Your decision Ruth but a 9" bearded hen is a very unique bird. I've seen only one bearded hen before that was pushing the 9" mark. The others I've seen had beards similar to a jake on up to about 7" long. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest INHunterman Posted April 30, 2006 Report Share Posted April 30, 2006 Re: Maybe a unique bird?? I wouldn't shoot it. They still breed and nest like other hens. Shooting one just takes dozens of future turkeys out of the population. But it's still your choice. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BowtechTurkeyHunter Posted April 30, 2006 Report Share Posted April 30, 2006 Re: Maybe a unique bird?? I would deffinately take that 9" bearded hen outa the flock ... and mount him on my wall ... no question. Steve Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
huntinguide Posted April 30, 2006 Report Share Posted April 30, 2006 Re: Maybe a unique bird?? I would too. BOOM!!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
doubleA Posted May 1, 2006 Report Share Posted May 1, 2006 Re: Maybe a unique bird?? I have seen quite a few bearded hens here is South Texas this spring. I always see several of them throughout the year so I suppose they are somewhat common here. I have a couple near my camp house that would push 9" and if my eyes wernt getting so bad I swear I saw a double bearded hen a couple of weeks ago. In Texas bearded hens are only legal birds in the fall season, I dont know why? Gobblers only in the spring and the bag limit is 4 birds per license year. Life is good, Give God the Glory....doubleA Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
huntn4bucks Posted May 1, 2006 Report Share Posted May 1, 2006 Re: Maybe a unique bird?? [ QUOTE ] The only state that I've heard of where bearded hens are not legal is here in MS. They used to be but the law was changed about 10 years ago. [/ QUOTE ] Alabama's regulations states "Gobblers Only" so I've always presumed that bearded hens were off limits. I don't think I would shoot one even if it were legal. JMO. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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