First Impressions of Flextone Dirty Lil’ Hen Call
The Flextone Dirty Lil’ Hen Call arrives with a promise: to lure in that elusive tom with realistic hen sounds. Marketed by Flextone as an indispensable tool for hunters, it aims to bridge the gap between hunter and hunted.
I’ve been chasing spring gobblers for over a decade, and the call I use can be the difference between a successful hunt and going home empty-handed. My go-to diaphragm call recently gave out, so I needed a quick and affordable replacement for an upcoming hunt. The Flextone Dirty Lil’ Hen Call’s compact size and promise of producing clear kee-kees piqued my interest, especially at its budget-friendly price of $3.49.
The Flextone Dirty Lil’ Hen Call is deceptively simple upon unboxing. The small, molded plastic call felt lightweight but solid enough, and the double reed design was clean and appeared ready to produce those enticing hen sounds. Compared to my usual slate calls, the Dirty Lil’ Hen felt like a different beast altogether.
I considered a Primos Lil’ Deuce and a Quaker Boy Easy Yelper, but the double reed and small size of the Dirty Lil’ Hen made it seem better for close-range calling. I was excited to see if this little call could live up to the hype and bring some turkeys into my setup.
Real-World Testing: Putting Flextone Dirty Lil’ Hen Call to the Test
First Use Experience
I tested the Flextone Dirty Lil’ Hen Call during a weekend turkey hunt in the rolling hills of eastern Pennsylvania. The weather was cool and damp, perfect conditions for spring gobbling, and the woods were just starting to come alive with new foliage.
The Dirty Lil’ Hen required a bit of practice to get the hang of. At first, my calls sounded more like a strangled goose than a seductive hen. After about 30 minutes of experimenting, I found the sweet spot and started producing some decent yelps and clucks.
I noticed the call was sensitive to moisture. After a while, the reeds would stick slightly, altering the tone, which required me to clean them, affecting the calling sequence.
Extended Use & Reliability
After a full season of use, the Flextone Dirty Lil’ Hen Call held up reasonably well considering its price point. The plastic body showed no signs of cracking or breaking, even after being dropped a few times.
However, the reeds did show signs of wear and tear. The tone of the call became less consistent, and I found myself having to adjust my technique to get the desired sounds.
Compared to my higher-end calls, the Dirty Lil’ Hen definitely fell short in terms of sound quality and consistency. I found I needed to carry a back-up call.
Breaking Down the Features of Flextone Dirty Lil’ Hen Call
Specifications
The Flextone Dirty Lil’ Hen Call is a compact, double-reed mouth call designed for mimicking hen turkey sounds. It is made by Flextone in the USA, targeting hunters seeking an affordable and easy-to-use call.
- Manufacturer: Flextone
- Species: Hen
- Country of Origin: USA
- Type: Double Reed Mouth Call
- Intended Use: Turkey Hunting
- Features: Double reed without any cuts, Perfect fall call produces clear kee-kees, Clear tones for loud or soft calling
These specs are important because they dictate the type of sounds the call can produce and how easy it is to use. The double reed design is supposed to offer a versatile range of hen sounds, and the compact size makes it easy to carry and conceal.
Performance & Functionality
The Flextone Dirty Lil’ Hen Call’s primary function is to attract turkeys by mimicking hen sounds. It produces acceptable yelps, clucks, and kee-kees, but it lacks the richness and realism of higher-end calls.
Its strengths lie in its ease of use and affordability. However, its weaknesses are in its limited range of sounds and lack of consistent tone. It meets the basic expectations of a turkey call, but doesn’t exceed them.
Design & Ergonomics
The Dirty Lil’ Hen features a simple and functional design. The molded plastic body is lightweight and comfortable to hold in the mouth, and the reed placement is well-suited for producing a variety of sounds.
The call is relatively user-friendly, but it does require some practice to master. The double reed design can be tricky to control, and it takes some experimentation to find the right tongue and air pressure techniques.
Durability & Maintenance
The Flextone Dirty Lil’ Hen Call is reasonably durable for its price. The plastic body is resistant to cracking and breaking, and the reeds are relatively sturdy.
Maintenance is simple: just rinse the call with water after each use and allow it to air dry. However, the reeds may need occasional replacement depending on how often the call is used.
Accessories and Customization Options
The Flextone Dirty Lil’ Hen Call doesn’t come with any accessories, and customization options are limited. Due to it being a mouth call, there is not a way to customize it with different grips or attachments like some other calls.
Because it is a standard size, other brands of mouth call cases will be compatible. Since the reeds are replaceable, you could consider experimenting with reeds from other manufacturers.
Pros and Cons of Flextone Dirty Lil’ Hen Call
Pros
- Affordable price point, making it accessible to all hunters.
- Simple and easy to use, ideal for beginner turkey hunters.
- Compact and lightweight, making it easy to carry in the field.
- Double reed design provides a decent range of hen sounds.
- Made in the USA.
Cons
- Lacks the richness and realism of higher-end calls.
- Reeds can be inconsistent and require frequent adjustment.
- Limited range of sounds compared to more advanced calls.
Who Should Buy Flextone Dirty Lil’ Hen Call?
The Flextone Dirty Lil’ Hen Call is perfect for beginner turkey hunters or those on a tight budget. It’s also a good option for experienced hunters looking for a backup call or a simple, easy-to-use call for close-range situations.
Those who should skip this product are experienced hunters who demand the highest level of realism and sound quality. They should invest in a higher-end diaphragm or pot call.
A must-have accessory is a call case to keep it clean and protected, and potentially some reed conditioner to extend the life of the reeds.
Conclusion on Flextone Dirty Lil’ Hen Call
The Flextone Dirty Lil’ Hen Call is a budget-friendly option for turkey hunters seeking a simple and easy-to-use call. While it lacks the sophistication and realism of higher-end calls, it still provides a decent range of hen sounds at an affordable price.
At $3.49, the price is definitely justified for what you get. It’s a good entry-level call that can help beginners learn the basics of turkey calling.
I would recommend the Flextone Dirty Lil’ Hen Call to beginner hunters, those on a budget, or anyone needing a cheap backup. If you are just getting into turkey hunting, grab a Flextone Dirty Lil’ Hen Call and get out there!