collapse

Advertisement


Author Topic: How rare are bearded hens in NE WA  (Read 3487 times)

Offline jrebel

  • Non-Hunting Topics
  • Trade Count: (+20)
  • Explorer
  • ******
  • Join Date: Feb 2008
  • Posts: 10602
  • Location: East Wenatchee
How rare are bearded hens in NE WA
« on: April 18, 2021, 10:37:48 AM »
My son knocked one down this morning and was wondering how rare they are
« Last Edit: April 18, 2021, 10:55:23 AM by jrebel »

Offline buckcanyonlodge

  • Business Sponsor
  • Trade Count: (+9)
  • Sourdough
  • *****
  • Join Date: Jun 2011
  • Posts: 2313
  • Location: Gifford, Lake Roosevelt, Wa.
    • Buck Canyon Lodge
Re: Haw rare are bearded hens in NE WA
« Reply #1 on: April 18, 2021, 10:43:13 AM »
In my winter flock of 150 birds I saw 8 bearded hens
Thanks for all for your past support...We officially pulled the plug and have retired from the Biz. Still dabble a little in real estate.
Call Westergard Real Estate  for your REAL ESTATE needs in the Tri-County area. Hunting/Recreational or retirement properties. Tri County Area 509-722-3949

Offline Dan-o

  • Global Moderator
  • Trade Count: (+24)
  • Explorer
  • *****
  • Join Date: Jul 2010
  • Posts: 16716
Re: How rare are bearded hens in NE WA
« Reply #2 on: April 18, 2021, 11:11:00 AM »
I claim no expertise at all, but....

One spot we hunt seems like 20% bearded hens, while other spots seem closer to 0. 
Member:   Yakstrakgutp (or whatever we are)
I love the BFRO!!!
I wonder how many people will touch their nose to their screen trying to read this...

Online TriggerMike

  • Non-Hunting Topics
  • Trade Count: (+2)
  • Sourdough
  • *****
  • Join Date: Jan 2014
  • Posts: 1956
  • Location: Central WA
Re: How rare are bearded hens in NE WA
« Reply #3 on: April 18, 2021, 11:14:09 AM »
Depends on the area. Quite a few in some spots, practically none in others.

Offline MtnMuley

  • Site Sponsor
  • Political & Covid-19 Topics
  • Trade Count: (+3)
  • Old Salt
  • ******
  • Join Date: Aug 2009
  • Posts: 8635
  • Location: NCW
Re: How rare are bearded hens in NE WA
« Reply #4 on: April 18, 2021, 01:29:58 PM »
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.

Offline tgomez

  • Trade Count: (0)
  • Sourdough
  • *****
  • Join Date: Aug 2014
  • Posts: 1553
  • Location: SPOKANE , WA.
  • "IF IT BLEEDS, WE CAN KILL IT!"
  • Groups: Evergreen Archery Club, Spokane Rifle Club, NRA
Re: How rare are bearded hens in NE WA
« Reply #5 on: April 18, 2021, 01:41:03 PM »
 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.
☠🫀 ULTIMATE PREDATOR 🫀☠

Offline jrebel

  • Non-Hunting Topics
  • Trade Count: (+20)
  • Explorer
  • ******
  • Join Date: Feb 2008
  • Posts: 10602
  • Location: East Wenatchee
Re: How rare are bearded hens in NE WA
« Reply #6 on: April 18, 2021, 02:37:21 PM »
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.

Offline Limhangerslayer

  • Non-Hunting Topics
  • Trade Count: (+3)
  • Sourdough
  • *****
  • Join Date: Jul 2011
  • Posts: 1540
  • Location: Dryside
Re: How rare are bearded hens in NE WA
« Reply #7 on: April 18, 2021, 04:06:06 PM »
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.

Offline Jingles

  • WA State Trappers Association
  • Trade Count: (+2)
  • Frontiersman
  • *****
  • Join Date: Mar 2011
  • Posts: 3868
  • Location: Methow Valley 98862
Re: How rare are bearded hens in NE WA
« Reply #8 on: April 18, 2021, 05:50:46 PM »
My first and only turkey was a bearded hen. Reason only wild turkey is nobody in the home cares for the taste of them
HMC/USN/RET
1969 -1990
The comments of this poster do not reflect the opinions of HUNTWA Administrators or Moderators unless they so state.

The duty of a Patriot is to protect his country from it's government

Offline wannabhntr

  • Non-Hunting Topics
  • Trade Count: (+1)
  • Longhunter
  • *****
  • Join Date: Oct 2009
  • Posts: 677
  • Location: Deer Park
Re: How rare are bearded hens in NE WA
« Reply #9 on: April 18, 2021, 06:14:25 PM »
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.
"PETA" People Eating Tasty Animals

Offline tgomez

  • Trade Count: (0)
  • Sourdough
  • *****
  • Join Date: Aug 2014
  • Posts: 1553
  • Location: SPOKANE , WA.
  • "IF IT BLEEDS, WE CAN KILL IT!"
  • Groups: Evergreen Archery Club, Spokane Rifle Club, NRA
Re: How rare are bearded hens in NE WA
« Reply #10 on: April 18, 2021, 07:31:25 PM »
THE BEARDED LADY 😂
☠🫀 ULTIMATE PREDATOR 🫀☠

Offline 270Shooter

  • Trade Count: (0)
  • Frontiersman
  • *****
  • Join Date: Oct 2008
  • Posts: 3828
  • Location: Yakima
Re: How rare are bearded hens in NE WA
« Reply #11 on: April 18, 2021, 08:34:28 PM »
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.

Offline WapitiTalk1

  • Forum Sponsor
  • Trade Count: (+9)
  • Old Salt
  • *****
  • Join Date: Oct 2011
  • Posts: 7434
  • Location: Wet Side, Rainier, WA
  • Groups: RMEF, NRA, US Army (R)
Re: How rare are bearded hens in NE WA
« Reply #12 on: April 18, 2021, 08:39:05 PM »
In Seattle or Portland, not rare at all  :chuckle:
Darton Archery Maverick II
Traditions Vortek StrikeFire Smoke Pole
Weatherby VG-2 Boomstick
"Poking at a campfire with a stick is one of life's great satisfactions." Patrick F. McManus

Offline h2ofowlr

  • CHOKED UP TIGHT
  • Political & Covid-19 Topics
  • Trade Count: (+5)
  • Old Salt
  • ******
  • Join Date: Dec 2008
  • Posts: 9063
  • Location: In the "Blind"! Go Cougs!
Re: How rare are bearded hens in NE WA
« Reply #13 on: April 18, 2021, 08:47:13 PM »
Saw 2 bearded hens over the weekend.  Don’t think they are very rare as the refs allow you to shoot them.
Cut em!
It's not the shells!  It's the shooter!

Offline jrebel

  • Non-Hunting Topics
  • Trade Count: (+20)
  • Explorer
  • ******
  • Join Date: Feb 2008
  • Posts: 10602
  • Location: East Wenatchee
Re: How rare are bearded hens in NE WA
« Reply #14 on: April 18, 2021, 08:55:18 PM »
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.  :tup: 

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.  :chuckle: :chuckle:

 


* Advertisement

* Recent Topics

SimplePortal 2.3.7 © 2008-2024, SimplePortal