Turkey Question - Only Toms?

[Oh Shoot]

Obviously, my turkeys have always come from Kroger...

Question is: why only after toms and not hens, too?

Just because of size and looks?

Legal to shoot hens?

If so, same limit as toms?

I looked on TWRA and couldn't get any real answer, only thing mentioned are Toms that I could find.

Would think for the pot, a hen would be just as good, if not more so?

- OS

[Guest Fenris]

I believe it's only toms in the spring season because the hens might be ready to lay eggs. You can kill hens in the fall season. I couldn't find the 2010 pdf hunting guide, but on page 34 of the 2009 guide it states that the fall numbers are for either sex.

[ShaunM]

State law only states that a bearded turkey may be taken. Hens can sometimes have a beard and therefore are legal to shoot (Only if they have a beard). They do have an either sex hunt in the fall which you can kill a tom or hen.

Statewide Spring Turkey Season

April 3 - May 16, 2010

Bag Limits

One (1) bearded turkey per day, not to exceed four (4) per season. Turkeys taken on all quota hunts and specially designated WMAs are bonus turkeys.

[oldogy]

My thoughts are that since the female of the species is where the following generation comes from, in many cases it is just wrong to reduce those numbers. One old tom will service many hens so they are fair game. But you know that, OS:). And like someone else pointed out, the hens are nesting this time of year.

And you are right, that old tom is going to be tougher than a nice young hen. I can attest to that. Just like that old trophy buck is going to be tougher than that two YO spike. You knew that too.

Same with antlered and antler less deer, when the herd needs thinning you kill off some doe.

Side story: A few years back I had the privilege of accompanying a PA wildlife officer on a field trip into a friend's private property. The deer population was getting way out of hand, trees and most foliage eaten as high as the deer could reach. My friend knew, the wildlife officer knew, we all knew that the herd should be thinned but the WO could not get his superiors to allow the thinning of the herd by having open season on doe in that area.

So I would guess that game laws/regulations do work sometimes.

Shucks, there I go rambling again.........raining out so nothing else to do.......too wet :poop:to shoot my new Glock.

oldogy

[Oh Shoot]

... One old tom will service many hens so they are fair game. But you know that, OS:).

.........raining out so nothing else to do.......too wet to shoot my new Glock.

Be sure and wear yer ass armor till you get used to it!

- OS

[roverboy]

Yeah hens sometimes have beards. But I would leave the old girls alone. Like Oldogy said thats where the next generation comes from. If you like hunting turkeys I'd let them walk. I saw a bearded hen a few days ago and enjoyed seeing her and as far as I know shes still alive. Its your choice.

[ShaunM]

I don't mind taking a hen but she would have to have a really good beard. I've seen people kill hens with 8 plus inch beards.

[TripleDigitRide]

There's just something about females with beards.

[Oh Shoot]

There's just something about females with beards.

- OS

[memphismason]

OhShoot, that aint right.

The things I would do to Salma is unreal, and then you had to show me a picture with her looking like Bin Laden. Shame, Shame, Shame.

lol

[Guest clutepc]

[DaveS]

Ya'll one crazy bunch of folks!

[ShaunM]

Ya'll one crazy bunch of folks!

I'm not crazy but phil my other personality.....well he is crazy.

[Guest mosinon]

I don't know Tom's from hens or anything but the very best thing I've ever eaten is a wild turkey breast. If I was going to hunt one thing it would be wild turkey. And no,I don't prepare wild turkey breast like a some weird version of chicken nuggets. i roast that thing whole and it is delicious.

[Guest redbarron06]

Too add to the fall turkey hunts (that are either sex) most of them are quota hunts with guns. The excpetion is with archery equipment during an archer season. You can take one bird either sex with your bow without a quota depending on the county you are in.

[strickj]

OhShoot, that aint right.

The things I would do to Salma is unreal, and then you had to show me a picture with her looking like Bin Laden. Shame, Shame, Shame.

lol

I'd still hit it.

Er, I mean...derka derka derka

[Chucktshoes]

OhShoot, that aint right.

The things I would do to Salma is unreal, and then you had to show me a picture with her looking like Bin Laden. Shame, Shame, Shame.

lol

Me thinks more like Chris Costa...

[Guest Spurhunter]

As been covered, any bearded turkey is legal. A bearded hen is a cool trophy, if I shoot one, I will mount it for sure. Dont fret about destroying the population of turkeys by allowing hens to be shot during the spring, it aint gonna matter with the outstanding numbers we have in the state now, and the relativly low numbers of bearded hens out there. That is why there is a fall season allowing either sex hunts, we have enough birds, and in some areas too many birds.

[Mad_Squirrell]

As been covered, any bearded turkey is legal. A bearded hen is a cool trophy, if I shoot one, I will mount it for sure. Dont fret about destroying the population of turkeys by allowing hens to be shot during the spring, it aint gonna matter with the outstanding numbers we have in the state now, and the relativly low numbers of bearded hens out there. That is why there is a fall season allowing either sex hunts, we have enough birds, and in some areas too many birds.

Where you hunting that's got too many birds i'll help ya take a few outta the population .

[Guest Spurhunter]

LOL...Cleveland is about the only place in the state that isnt run over with birds! I hunt Mid-Tn mostly, from Sparta, to Murfreesboro. and anywhere else I can find!

[Guest Spurhunter]

Although I do have one place close by that is covered up, but I am too fat to climb that mountain after them! LOL