Was just wondering how everyone feels about this,killing hen in the fall.I know everyone has his or her own opinion and I just want to hear what you think.I for one think it shouldn't be allowed.I know they say the land can only handle so many birds but the counties that I hunt isn't close to the overstocked level.I was glad when they stopped all killing during the gun season and they should stop killing hens at all.Well guys dont want to start a war just want to hear what you think.

I am glad that hens are legal in the fall. Biologists know what they are doing managing the birds. Bird numbers have gone up and down a lot over 20 years and it doesn't have anything to do with hens shot in the fall. Weather plays a bigger role than anything in turkey #'s. There is a high natural mortality even with adult birds. So legal hunting should have minimal impact on overall turkey #'s.

That said I don't fall turkey hunt in VA. When I make it home to hunt I focus on deer. I do fall turkey hunt in KY and prefer to shoot a hen to a jake. There is a robust turkey population where I live and even this year when #'s are due to a bad hatch there are still lots of turkeys.

I have never had the oppurtunity but probably would pass a bearded hen in the spring. Just don't have any interest in a spring hen. But I really enjoy fall hunting and if given the choice will take a hen over a jake every time.

I would agree with neil, i hunt georgia where you cant take a turkey in the fall or even a bearded hen in the spring, also do some hunting in carolina and va, and think the ratio of hens to gobblers is about the same in georgia as it is in virginia. I did shoot a bearded hen once, and will say its a one time deal im glad i did but wont do it again, her feathers were gone from where she had been setting i presume, just didnt sit right with me, but probally would be different in the spring. I have a great deal of respect for turkey hunters in the fall that do it the right way, i kind of dont like the thought of a squirrel hunter or deer hunter taking one with a rifle by chance. But thats just me and certainly they are entitled to do it, besides that accounts for about half the deer i kill, just dumb luck.

I wish they'd have open season on em, no bag limit........harlots!