How rare are bearded hens in NE WA

[jrebel]

My son knocked one down this morning and was wondering how rare they are

[buckcanyonlodge]

In my winter flock of 150 birds I saw 8 bearded hens

[Dan-o]

I claim no expertise at all, but....

One spot we hunt seems like 20% bearded hens, while other spots seem closer to 0. 

[TriggerMike]

Depends on the area. Quite a few in some spots, practically none in others.

[MtnMuley]

See a few every year. I'm betting I miss several as well, because once I realize it's a hen, I never pay attention for a beard. Definable a lot more common that most think.

[tgomez]

 I shot one before myself. If I had to put a percentage on it I'd say 7-8% of hens will have a beard, 92-93% will not. Like others had said it depends on the area and genetics of the flock.

[jrebel]

See a few every year. I'm betting I miss several as well, because once I realize it's a hen, I never pay attention for a beard. Definable a lot more common that most think.

Yeah we generally don’t pay attention after seeing they are hens.  We likely miss a few as well.  We knew this one was around as we have had her on trail cam for two years.   She is a very pretty bird with about a six inch beard.  Needless to say it was on the hit list this year due to rarity (relative I guess).  She is gonna get mounted and will wait for a majestic Tom to join her on the wall.  We have one marked but he is elusive.  Hoping my daughters luck will bring him in. 

Thanks for the replies guys.

[Limhangerslayer]

The first slam my dad ever got in this state he finished with a bearded hen eastern.  It slipped in on him in front of the Tom in heavy brush and all he could see was a beard hanging down andit spotted him and stated to go.  When it showed its head he shot.  When they got up to it they discovered it was a hen with a 7 1/2” beard.  Which isn’t normal. 

I see more in a certain area of the blues for sure.  Not many in Goldendale and a decent amount up north.  Saw one in Washington and one in Idaho this year.

[Jingles]

My first and only turkey was a bearded hen. Reason only wild turkey is nobody in the home cares for the taste of them

[wannabhntr]

I went to a seminar years ago at Sportsmans and they said about 1 out of every 100 hens in the northeast have a beard. I don't know where they got their data but that's what they said.

[tgomez]

THE BEARDED LADY 😂

[270Shooter]

I saw one the other day near klickitat with a pretty good sized beard for a hen, 7 inches. I didn’t shoot her though. Seems like I see a few every year and while they are not common I wouldn’t say they are extremely rare by any stretch.

[WapitiTalk1]

In Seattle or Portland, not rare at all 

[h2ofowlr]

Saw 2 bearded hens over the weekend.  Don’t think they are very rare as the refs allow you to shoot them.

[jrebel]

I would agree after searching the super web.....rare is a relative term.   I see more mature Tom’s than bearded hens so they are rare....but not super rare....which makes them super cool.   

The three hour ride home today after he shot the bearded ....... we had some good conversations about what to avoid as he starts looking for girls to chase.   Beards on ladies.....we will leave it at that. 

[HillHound]

Haha I love the life lessons kids learn while hunting. That’s what I tell my boy when he says I would never do “that” dad I say yeah you would never do it just like that smart old  buck would never come walking out in front of us in the middle of the day either..... until he gets girls on his mind. Then all of a sudden we’re(bucks and boys alike) dumb enough to wander out in the middle of traffic on I 5 chasing them.

[MtnMuley]

See a few every year. I'm betting I miss several as well, because once I realize it's a hen, I never pay attention for a beard. Definable a lot more common that most think.

Yeah we generally don’t pay attention after seeing they are hens.  We likely miss a few as well.  We knew this one was around as we have had her on trail cam for two years.   She is a very pretty bird with about a six inch beard.  Needless to say it was on the hit list this year due to rarity (relative I guess).  She is gonna get mounted and will wait for a majestic Tom to join her on the wall.  We have one marked but he is elusive.  Hoping my daughters luck will bring him in. 

Thanks for the replies guys.

I just about did the same thing in Idaho several years back on the last day of our trip. We found this hen with a solid 8+" super thin beard. I discussed it with a buddy as incorporating her in with a big tom in a life-size scene. After much debate, we passed and tried the last few hours for a tom with no luck LOL

[vandeman17]

Lots of them in greater king county