Quaker Boy Old Boss Hen Diaphragms Review

The Quaker Boy Old Boss Hen Diaphragms Made a Bold First Impression

Turkey hunting is a passion bordering on obsession for me, a pursuit that has taken me across countless landscapes and through every imaginable weather condition. Over the past decade, I’ve experimented with just about every turkey call imaginable, from box calls to slates, strikers to trumpets, and of course, diaphragms. Some have proven reliable, others have failed miserably in the heat of the moment. This is why I was eager to get my hands on the Quaker Boy Old Boss Hen Diaphragms, a call promising to reproduce all calls of the wild turkey.

For years, I had wrestled with finding a diaphragm call that consistently offered both realism and ease of use, a call that didn’t require the breath control of a seasoned opera singer to produce a convincing yelp. I needed a call that could reliably pull gobblers in close, regardless of my form on any given day. My search led me to the Quaker Boy brand, known for its legacy in the hunting world. The single split reed design of the Old Boss Hen seemed like a good starting point.

Upon receiving the Quaker Boy Old Boss Hen Diaphragms, I was immediately struck by its simplicity. The two medium thick reeds, with the signature split, looked promising. Holding it in my hand, the diaphragm felt well-constructed and ready for immediate deployment. Compared to some of the more complex, multi-reed calls I’ve used, the Old Boss Hen felt almost minimalist. I had recently tried a multi-reed call from a competitor, which, while offering a wide range of tones, proved difficult to master quickly. I also have a custom-made diaphragm from a local call maker. I chose the Quaker Boy Old Boss Hen due to the split reed design, aiming for ease of use without sacrificing realistic sounds.

My initial impression was one of cautious optimism. The Quaker Boy Old Boss Hen Diaphragms looked and felt promising. I was eager to see if its performance would live up to the hype, especially considering its affordable price of $6.99. If it can produce convincing turkey sounds without requiring expert-level breath control, then this could be a game-changer.

Real-World Testing: Putting Quaker Boy Old Boss Hen Diaphragms to the Test

First Use Experience

My first field test with the Quaker Boy Old Boss Hen Diaphragms took place during the spring turkey season in the rugged hills of eastern Kentucky. I was hunting a familiar patch of hardwood forest, an area known for its wary, late-season gobblers. The weather was typical for the region: damp and cool with a slight breeze.

Using the call required a short learning curve, but I quickly began to produce a variety of yelps, clucks, and purrs. I was genuinely surprised by the clarity and volume of the sounds I could generate with relatively little effort. The split reed design seemed to make it easier to achieve the raspy tones of a mature hen. Within the first hour of using it, I had a gobbler respond to my calls from about 200 yards away.

Initially, I got a little too excited and blew the call too hard, resulting in a few squeaks. After adjusting my air pressure, I could replicate the yelps perfectly. This issue was quickly rectified. The damp conditions didn’t seem to affect the call’s performance.

Extended Use & Reliability

After several weeks of consistent use throughout the turkey season, the Quaker Boy Old Boss Hen Diaphragms continued to impress. The call has shown remarkable durability. The reeds have maintained their shape and tone despite frequent exposure to moisture and temperature fluctuations.

Cleaning the call is simple. I just rinse it with water and let it air dry. I haven’t noticed any signs of wear or degradation in the materials. Compared to some other diaphragm calls I’ve used that quickly lose their tone or become difficult to control after a few weeks, the Quaker Boy Old Boss Hen has consistently delivered reliable performance.

Based on my personal experience, this call outperforms expectations for a diaphragm in its price range. It quickly became a trusted part of my turkey hunting arsenal.

Breaking Down the Features of Quaker Boy Old Boss Hen Diaphragms

Specifications

The Quaker Boy Old Boss Hen Diaphragms is designed with simplicity and effectiveness in mind. It features two medium-thick reeds, with one reed boasting a split on both ends. This design facilitates the reproduction of a wide range of wild turkey vocalizations.

The most important specification is the split reed design, which allows for easier production of raspy, realistic hen sounds. The two reeds offer a balanced combination of tonal range and volume, critical for calling in gobblers from various distances.

Performance & Functionality

The Quaker Boy Old Boss Hen Diaphragms excels in its ability to replicate the diverse vocalizations of wild turkeys. It effortlessly produces yelps, clucks, purrs, and even cutts, with a surprising level of realism. The split reed design makes it exceptionally easy to generate raspy, mature hen sounds.

This diaphragm’s strengths lie in its ease of use and consistent performance. It has limited range compared to some competition calls. The call meets and exceeds my expectations for a diaphragm call in its price range.

Design & Ergonomics

The Quaker Boy Old Boss Hen Diaphragms prioritizes functionality over flashy design. The construction is simple and straightforward. This is intended to provide a comfortable fit in the user’s mouth.

The call is lightweight and unobtrusive. It does require some practice to correctly position it in the mouth. Overall, the design is practical and effective.

Durability & Maintenance

The Quaker Boy Old Boss Hen Diaphragms is surprisingly durable. The latex reeds can withstand repeated use in varying weather conditions. Cleaning is simple: rinse with water and air dry.

With proper care, this call should last for at least one to two seasons of regular hunting. Its simplicity minimizes the risk of mechanical failure. This makes it a reliable tool in the field.

Accessories and Customization Options

The Quaker Boy Old Boss Hen Diaphragms comes as a standalone product and does not include additional accessories. There are no specific customization options available directly from the Quaker Boy. Some users might experiment with trimming the reeds to fine-tune the sound.

The call is designed to be used as-is and does not require any additional components. It is compatible with various call carriers for easy storage and access in the field. The lack of accessories is acceptable considering the call’s purpose and price point.

Pros and Cons of Quaker Boy Old Boss Hen Diaphragms