Their makers are top carvers who practiced for years to attain their renowned reputation. Red-Breasted Merganser Hen Carving, by Lothrop Holmes, 3. Ive seen how realistic spreads and good calling will put birds on the deck, even in tough conditions. Theyre light and durable. It is not particularly ornate, just a hand-carved, single-reed call that's really good at tricking ducks and signed by this legendary craftsman. And if you give them just the smallest amount of care, they will last you many years of good hunting. Too much, and unnatural, movement is not good. Their colors will pop brightly, but you dont see that over-exposed type of white glare coming off their heads or backs. The market is continually evolving, so todays price may not be tomorrows. The new crop of crossbows is out, including Can you use a 3-season tent for winter Sign up for the Field & Stream newsletter and get the latest intelligence straight to your inbox. RANK: MAKER: STATE: DECOY: AUCTIONEER: DATE: PRICE: RECORD: 1: . You should also check the markings on the decoy. It was one of the largest amounts of money they made at their 2006 auction. So now, head on to eBay, Etsy, 1stDibs, Amazon, or any antique store close to you to buy or list your original vintage duck decoys. To date, hes reined in close to seven figures from beyond the grave in duck decoy auction sales. According to specialists, most decoys in a perfect state can be worth a fortune. Research past prices of Antique Duck Decoys to buy or bid confidently today! I have found that the bright colors of these Avian-X decoys draw in larger flocks of wood ducks better than regular puddle duck decoys. Ive also seen cheap decoys wear out after a single year. And of those 107 days, Ill hunt three-quarters of them. These decoys are ideal for migrating mallards on big waters. Also, the body positions are very accurate and lifelike. Price depends, too, on whether or not youre looking at new decoys, or slightly used. Carvers were making a few decoys of better quality with improved materials and more intricate designs for the wealthy. Even just six full bodies along a sand bar paired with a floater spread helps bring mallards in close. Yes, Im sure they can be effective at times; Ive just not had that off-the-charts hunt I could attribute to a SWD. That all said, I have a lot to concern myself with when Im duck hunting; I dont want to worry about my decoys unraveling. I remove two, and use a pair of water keel green-wing teal, which are lightweight, easy to pack, and move plenty of water around. For instance, the Mason Factory Wood Duckis one of the rarest unique models of wood decoy. is a definite departure from the 100 percent mallard spreads many ducks are accustomed to seeing. 'The most wonderful thing about this decoy,' Rosenberg continues, 'is that it wasn't created for humans to admire, but for other ducks the intention being to fool . Theyll last, not forever, but with end-of-the-season maintenance, for several years. (You will need to register / login for access). . Since 1984, "We have brought in a $134 million in decoy sales." The most expensive decoys ever solda preening Pintail Drake and a Canada goose by the late master carver Elmer Crowellwent for one million each in 2007. 6 6. Higdon offers a foam filled option for these decoys, which Id highly recommend. But these dekes can also take a beating unless stored properly. We and our partners use cookies to Store and/or access information on a device. 'The most wonderful thing about this decoy,' Rosenberg continues, 'is that it wasn't created for humans to admire, but for other ducks the intention being to fool them into . Stephen B. OBrien Jr with the record breaking pair of Duck Decoy by Elmer Crowell. An example of data being processed may be a unique identifier stored in a cookie. Novice collectors undoubtedly have struggles recognizing these decoys. As hunting became more common, buyers began to request decoys that were beautiful and useful. Is the keel rigid, or does it flex, meaning it might be relatively short-lived and a trouble spot? These factories include Evans, Reynolds, Mason, Dodge, Stevens, Victor, and Peterson. Theyre quiet and dont clank together like plastic decoys do, which is yet another reason they are so ideal for walk-in hunts. Will they crack in freezing conditions? Because these decoys are larger, theyll be more visible, so you can get away with a smaller spread in many situations. This simple mallard has an excellent definition, which is part of the reason that it fetched $214,000 and is considered one of the most valuable decoys. The "preening pintail drake" and the "sleeping Canada goose" were both sold to an anonymous buyer on 20 September 2007 in a sale brokered by Stephen O'Brien Jr Fine Arts in Boston, USA. Duck decoys are sometimes used in waterfowl hunting to attract real ducks.Duck decoys were historically . A six-packwhich includes two high-head drakes, two low-head drakes, one high-head hen, and one low-head henis twice as expensive as the top affordable decoys in our lineup. If youd like to see a graphical breakdown of expensive wooden decoys, we got you covered: Im calling it this because two decoys were sold together for a whopping $1,130,000. 1 1. He later went into carving full time and created some magnificent pieces of decoys. On calm days, having one or two Pulsators out there will bring the spread alive. Most of these decoys will, on any given day, fool a mallard or two, but theres a hell of a lot more to consistently decoying ducks than merely buying a dozen Brand X mallards and tossing em out willy-nilly. Graves Mallards. Both carvers are renowned for their excellent accomplishments in the carving industry. How tough? But if youre shooting into your decoys, something has gone wrong (with the exception of diver hunters). Bernie Madoff might just go down as this centurys biggest American villain, but his decoy fetched a rather handsome amount of money during the auctioning of his estate. 4 4. If youre hunting small water like a little pond or stream, six to a dozen is great. The Crowell Bundle. 5 5. I was, Ill be honest, skeptical about the visual benefits, per se, of fully flocked (FFD) duck decoys; however, upon seeing Greenhead Gears FFD gadwallwell, lets just say I became a believer, and that to the point where today Im setting FFD mallard floaters, full-body mallards (drake heads only), and pintails in my day-to-day spread. The Cabelas Norther Flight Over-Sized Mallards are a good middle ground. Unattributed Slot Neck Canada Goose Decoy. Dr. Here are three of my favorites. They get rained on and covered in snow and ice. That means the decoys tend to run on the more expensive side. Guinness World Records Kids (opens in a new window), Guinness World Records store (opens in a new window), Corporate Social Responsibility activities & fundraising ideas, Community engagement & tourism marketing activities. The Graves decoys cannot be compared to world-famous antique items. The Crowell Bundle. Duck decoys do not and cannot have a fixed price. Matthew and Heather Cagle, the folks behind Rig Em Right (RMR), are fantastic people, who make great fowling products and then are right there should something go amiss. All of these conditions work to ruin flocking. Any manufacturer worth his/her salt will make a point of explaining just how well the paint sticks to their decoys, and why it does that. Let me put it this way. Theyre inexpensive; in fact, they make quite an easy and even less expensive DIY project. Rule of thumb. Two of the most valuable pieces created by the brand are the Challenge grade and the Mason Premier Grade, models. Some of the master carvers of duck decoys such as Ben Schmidt, Joe Lincoln, Walter Ruppel, Adam Anger, Addie Nichol, Alain MacDonald, Albert Laing, Art Chilton, Babe Strubinger, Bert . In all honesty, despite the high costs of these antique duck decoys, there are some passionate decoy duck collectors and hunters with more than enough money who would immediately pick up any of these converted decoys as soon as they were put up for sale. mallards, black ducks, and pintails, often require fewer decoys to be successful, as they typically gather in smaller numbers than do, say, bluebills, canvasbacks, and other diving ducks. High end of the ballpark for DB, but not out of the ballpark. It all depends on the birds, the wind, the pressure, and more. Vintage and antique duck decoys look and feel old. GLOWYE Duck Decoy Realistic Plastic Floating Duck for Hunting Decoy Garden Decor Pond Decorations Holiday Decoration Mallard Decoy Goose Decoy Features : Extremely RealisticDuck decoy fine workmanship, the feather texture is carefully carved, and it floats on the water like real life. I want a variety of body postures per dozen. You may recognize it as being the center of the James McCleery collection until it was eventually sold. Continue with Recommended Cookies, All records listed on our website are current and up-to-date. And that, typically, isnt a bad thing. Join our exclusive 2,500+ email list to get tailored advice, product roundups, and be the first to see our new content. Antique Duck decoys are as valuable as many other vintage and antique items. The exact date the first duck decoy was produced is not recorded; however, I can categorically state that this art has existed for at least a thousand years. The right mix of iridescence and matte finish. The paints right, shiny where it needs to shine and flat where it needs to be matte and dull. Not immediately, but at some truly inopportune time during, maybe, a full-out gale. This is the most expensive decoy bundle ever sold to date. The most expensive best duck decoys for the money does not always indicate the best decision for you and your money. Give it some thought. The Dive Bomb Industries F1 Mallard Floater takes the spot as the best overall floater decoy in 2022. Recent research points to a man by the name of Eben Weed being the original creator of this decoy, but some of the evidence is inconclusive. To date, the record price for a decoy is $856,000, sold in 2007 by Guyette & Deeter in a joint auction with Christie's. The right colors. Stephen OBrien of Copley Fine Art Auctions, Boston, said studying Adele Earnests The Art of the Decoy would go a long way in familiarizing oneself with the fine details of duck decoys. And theyre tough. Face value, in part, but it never hurts to again do your homework. As for the price ($175/12), you can get a dozen mallards for $40, and you can find a dozen mallards pushing $200. Crowell began his carving career in the early 1900s and continued carving excessively till he kicked the bucket in 1952. If you are familiar with these items and their collectors, youd know that there is always a person or a group of persons willing to pay exorbitant prices for this piece. In my experience, fully flocked duck decoys are not worth it. Water keel decoys are light, though, and make an excellent decoy for the walk-in fowler looking to cut down on weight. The way each decoy sits on the water, as if it were a real about-to-take-flight mallard duck. Why It Made the Cut: Its simple. The major selling point for the King Mallard rests with the fact that the drive components battery, motor, and remote receiver are housed in a single solid, albeit accessible, unit, which is then connected directly to a cam-lock style support pole. Love it (! 6 6. Are they the most common duck in your neck of the woods? Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. I dont want my decoys to look like blobs of mud. Just getting started fowling and on a budget? Chambers is the only one on this list who wasnt American-born. Or five. the effectiveness of flats/skinnies on ducks. Though much of his earlier years arent recorded, he lived a simple life. No spam, we promise. Unattributed Slot Neck Canada Goose Decoy. Even though were a relatively young country, our rich heritage becomes valuable at an accelerated rate. Hence the reason why most of them are sold for $100 or less. Translation? And once again, does it lookyeplike a real duck? The Graves antiques are more recent than the Holmes or Crowell pieces. He oversees an ace team of writers, photographers, and editors who are scattered across the continent and cover everything from backcountry sheep hunting to trail running. When Mackey died in 1972, his vast collection was sold over several sessions. Ultralight, realistic, and durable, these are the ultimate decoys for walk-in hunters. 11 Most Expensive Duck Decoys Ever Sold 1 1. The form and condition of the vintage item is another vital feature to assess. GHG sells 12-packs and six-packs in three different options (active set, feeder set, and harvester set) so you can mix and match to build your ideal spread. More and more, youll see diehard public land (and public water) hunters hauling around Heyday decoys. I mostly hunt ducks over water and my decoys get covered in marsh muck on almost every outing. Keels wont break off. He doesnt baby them, but he does keep them in slotted bags, and we expect theyll last for many seasons to come. No spam, we promise. He was born in 1825, and he began carving at a young age. The Crowell Bundle. Cheap decoys typically have more issues with glare. 3 3. 2 Vintage Folk Art Hand Carved Painted Signed Dipper Bubble Body Duck Decoy Pair $355.00 16 bids $14.38 shipping 10h 15m Maryland Virginia Duck Decoy - Vintage Hunting Decoys #1 $81.00 15 bids $16.50 shipping 10h 50m carved duck decoy $300.00 25 bids $13.46 shipping 1h 38m or Buy It Now ANTIQUE JAMES T. HOLLY CANVASBACK DRAKE DECOY WITH BRAND A supposed vintage and antique decoy that looks new is most likely a modern replica. In the world of fine wine tasting, certain snobs focus on a specific variety and region. Theres not a ton of information available on Brant. Unlike many other vintage duck decoys curated here that were sold at least ten years ago, the Wilson Drake was sold in 2017. John Blair was a PA native and spent most of his time outdoors when he wasnt carving duck decoys. And it flat works. they work incredibly well for putting ripples and waves, i.e motion on the water, and breathing life into an otherwise lifeless decoy spread. Registration on or use of this site constitutes acceptance of our Terms of Service. Gus did not make hundreds of decoys like his counterparts, and the majority of the ones he carved did not possess the best beaks. Although it wasnt as expensive as the paired Crowell Bundle, this single pair sold for a whopping $856,000. Shop our selection of Duck Decoys from the world's premier auctions and galleries. The mason decoys were carved from white cedar, lathe patterned, and took pleasing shapes. Stick Ups were used to lift the body off the ground. Some of his pieces have been sold for less than $20,000. Bigger duck decoys are likely to cost more. Cant ask for more out of a decoy. So, first, the downside. On any given day, a dozen decoys will work or 100 dozen wont work. Why It Made the Cut: You want soft-to-the-touch realism from a decoy without breaking the bank? Hunting isnt easy. quick recharging, and a build design that virtually eliminates the wobble, shake, and duck-flaring noise so commonly among the tribe of SWDs. Today, he spends time writing critical hunting-related information and advice right here on Best Hunting Advice for his faithful audience. Often, the color used depends on the variety of ducks and fowls found within that region. Alex Robinson is Outdoor Lifes editor-in-chief. Although, these were mainly used for decorative purposes in the homes of the wealthy during the early years. Oh, it was therein the bottom of the shipping box. 8 8. The coolest thing about these decoysand the reason they stand out from the competitionis the material itself. Some decades ago, the Fine Arts of Boston picked up a few of his works and saved them in their museum. For practice, you can attend decoy auctions, and hunting shows to get on-hand experience. Most duck hunters start with a dozen, maybe two. Duck Decoys. Bottom line I want them to look like ducks. . Thats Greenhead Gears Fully-Flocked (FFD) Gadwalls. This brought in $553,600 back in 2007 when it was sold by Guyette, Schmidt, and Deeter. Nothing incredible, but for $4 a decoy, they get the job done. This piece pulled in enormous amounts of money at the 2006 G&S auction. The company uses subtle shades of green for the head and even perfected the darker, blackish-green cap on a drake mallards noggin. Gus Wilson may not be the first name that comes to mind when you think of famous decoy designers, but hes one of the most recent record-holders for duck decoy sales. Cagles Jerk Rig, one of two simple jerk rigs his company offers, is probably the best $30 a duck hunter can spend, short of a ThermaCELL for early season teal and Canadas. And while its tough to find an exact weight, a common denominator says roughly eight (8) pounds; not light, but not ridiculously heavy either. And thats what it was: art. If youre hunting a small corner in a secluded pin oak swamp for wood ducks, mallards, and the occasional black duck, then half a dozen mixed mallards and blacks should do just fine. In 2007 Christie's sold the world's most expensive duck decoy, modelled on a red-breasted merganser hen, for $856,000. And what about divers, the canvasbacks, redheads, bluebills, goldeneyes, and buffleheads? Search knutsondecoys.com or parkercoatings.com, buy some colors that suit you, and touch em up. Floater decoys are meant for use on the water. Or are you going to hunt dry fields, with an occasional foray onto six inches of temporary sheet water, where full-bodies and/or silhouettes can easily be used? Red-Breasted Merganser Hen Carving, by Lothrop Holmes. Their colors, detail, and body positions are all excellent. What is the most expensive duck decoy ever sold? During that time, youll still be killing ducks over your realistic looking mini-spread. Of the ones that he did make that were aware of, their beaks werent the best. They wont become brittle when the bottom falls out of the thermometer. And finally, theres the price. Just three years later, in Guyette & Deeter's own sale, a duck decoy sold for $803,000, and another example for $830,000 in 2006. Theres a lot of em out there, the good, the bad, and the downright ugly. Are they all bunched together feeding? They held onto these until their value escalated. And I like gadwalls. Hence, these items are regarded as antique and vintage. The beefy, weighted keel ensures it will handle any chop. 2 2. Duck decoys vary in value. My buddy and diehard duck hunter, Todd Gifford, has been hunting with those same test decoys for several years now, and they still look as good as new (even though we hunt the frigid waters of the upper Midwest year after year). Silhouettes are anything but new, having been in use for decades; however, fowlers are now discovering Rediscovering? Here are the new year's top models. 11 Most Expensive Duck Decoys Ever Sold 1 1. The only problem is that theyre very expensive. The Lincoln Hisser. Though as low as $80 and as high as $150 is common. Is the paint going to flake off almost immediately? Yeah, they look that good. All rights reserved. Theyre simple. And for those field hunts, a couple dozen flocked full-bodies. Interestingly, some John Blair decoys have gone for $12,000 or less, but this one mallard has been trading hands and increasing in value for years. You must carefully inspect the duck item. Some duck decoys were carved for hunting, some for decoration, while a few served both purposes. Subscribe to OL+ for our best feature stories and photography. Duck hunting is hard work, and its expensive. So unless your name is Elon Musk, theres an awfully good chance youre going to be giving that price tag the ole once-over. First, youll notice the colors. Not necessarily, but you have to understand that black duck hunting is a pastime. In the mid-1900s, duck decoys were as scarce as ever and were regarded as collectible items of folk art. The Crowell Bundle. Theyll last many seasons, and they are affordable. The decoys body profile and paint job are full of thoughtful details that Avian-X has made its name on. This simple mallard has an excellent definition, which is part of the reason that it fetched $214,000 and is considered one of the most valuable decoys. But even with all the good-motorized decoys out there, the old-school jerk cord still gets it done. Lothrop didnt start out with decoys; it was more of a side hobby that later turned into a career. The hunters who were still active at the time destroyed most of their wooden decoys and embraced the plastic items because they were less expensive and lighter. The Lincoln Hisser. An inseparable pair, but more than just a single decoy. Rig em individual, or on 40 droppers for long-lines; either way, these are the cats meow. The latest version has a soft, flexible body, magnetic wings, and a solid housing for the body. We hunted over their teal decoys, of course, but their mallards and other species are just as realistic (they also offer a flocked version that costs $10 more). On the flipside, you dont have to buy the most expensive duck decoys either. Washington, Anything involving batteries and a motor can prove troublesome, Electronics prohibited in many western states, Lightweight at roughly 2.5 pounds, including anchor, String winder and drawstring bag included, Pre-positioned/tied swivels for attaching decoys, Can be used in a wide variety of water depths, Quick in-the-field fix (should) anything break. These decoys are affordable and functional. Registration on or use of this site constitutes acceptance of our Terms of Service. In turn, the demand for decoys grind to a halt. On a sunny day ducks will spot it from long distance and avoid your spread, because it doesnt look natural. Hard. These decoys look killer. Below are the best duck decoys you can buy right now. A few of these floating decoys appear buoyant because they were hollowed out, while the rest maintained their solid features. $250 5 Bids. Replicate live birds the best you can and make sure you have a little landing zone (known as a kill hole) set about 20 yards out, right in front of the blind. Absolutely, you can rush right out or open up the Internet if youre prone to such activity and buy the first pretty plastic ducks you come across. 7 7. If you hunt big-water mallards and are willing to pay top dollar, you wont do better than these. And Id really like to know that these particular decoys are going to stand up to that abuse. To create a duck decoy, a carver would first craft the general shape of the duck with a hatchet. Vintage and antique duck decoys have different designs, depending on their intended purpose. Many people use a mix of mallards, black ducks, and pintails for their visibility and good pulling power. Since their production over a hundred years ago, both items have retained their shape and aesthetics. Today, Cory Foskett and the folks at Tanglefree still make that line, along with a lengthy list of other fowling products, including decoys. The paint scheme should also look realistic in a variety of light conditions. Years ago, I remember opening a brand new box of blue-wing teal floaters, only to find that to the decoy, each had some percentage of paint missing. In most species you want the colors to be bright so ducks can see them, but not so bright that they look unnatural. This was an auction record for the carver's pieces However, the majority had two-dimensional profiles. FacebookTwitterYouTubeInstagramLinkedInSnapchatPinterestTiktok, Registered Office: Ground Floor, The Rookery, 2 Dyott Street, London, WC1A 1DE, United Kingdom. Why It Made the Cut: Fifty bucks at The Walmart, and you can kill ducks over them, Im guessing, throughout the season. (here is another example of their work) Ill admit it. On highly pressured local ducks, I leave the spinners at home. Its rocky. Red-Breasted Merganser Hen Carving, by Lothrop Holmes. Otto - Longest human tunnel travelled through by a skateboarding dog, Ashrita Furman - Most Guinness World Records titles held. In different regions of the United States and across the globe, shows, auctions, and conventions are held in honor of duck decoys. Body shapes and profiles. Many low-cost models offer excellent performance and comfort. There are only two knocks on this decoy. The original carver of the work is unknown, and all indications point out that no one will ever find out. What is the most valuable duck decoy? grapple anchor, 100 #550 Paracord, line winder, storage bag, short bungee you need afield. Tanglefrees Flight Canvasback are all that, and more. Their lightweight design doesnt sacrifice durability, either. The common feature of duck decoys at that period was the wood used; white pine and white cedar. Lothrop Holmes is also a Massachusetts native-like Crowell. However, are mallards what youre primarily hunting? Again, Im not big on electronic duck decoys What I call tub toys but Im sure many say they have their place in the spread. This is often all it takes to convince wary ducks to commit. I like the way they sound. 5. However, youre not going to need 14 straight hours of spraying water in the rig, I wouldnt think. Product DescriptionThis is a magnum mallard decoy at its finest. What is the most valuable duck decoy? 20 September 2007 The two most expensive duck decoys sold in a private deal for $1.13 million (504,188) each and were carved by A Elmer Cromwell (USA, 1862-1952). Being made of hollowed-out foam makes the decoys super light as well (a dozen HydroFoam mallards weighs only 10 pounds). At the time, not all duck decoys had the same value. Avian-X offers industry leading duck decoys with unmatched quality and realism. This is the best-looking wood duck decoy on the market. Learning to identify vintage and antique duck decoys is an art lesson. Maybe you need to think of a pack setthree or four different species of dabblers combined into one multi-species package. Head and bill positions. Thats where they shine. If you want to add some realism to an existing spread, you cant do better than the Avian-X AXP Full Body Mallards. Wilsons decoy pulled in $330,000, partially because he didnt make a lot of decoys. Its fetching, and for its time, it shows a great level of attention to detail with the colors and shades. In 1965, decoy expert William J. Mackey Jr. published American Bird Decoys and Adele Earnest published The Art of the Decoy: American Bird Carvings, further legitimizing the folk artform. How many seasons will they last? Manage Settings Some manufacturers inscribe particular one-of-a-kind features to their duck decoys. If you didnt know, A. Elmer Crowell was a Massachusetts native, who had an eye for carving. The 750 gallon-per-hour bilge pump at the heart of the Pulsator is powered by a 12V lithium ion battery, which, says Higdon, will provide up to seven hours of service, and, whats better, will recharge in 180 minutes. What is the most expensive duck decoy ever sold? That all depends upon how seriously you target woodies. In 2007 Christie's sold the world's most expensive duck decoy, modelled on a red-breasted merganser hen, for $856,000. Your email address will not be published. Branding. But now theres a wide variety of motion decoys available. There are hundreds of valuable duck decoys worldwide. The word decoy is a dutch word that refers to the cages used by hunters in the Old World to tame wild animals, especially birds. The Eider Drake Decoy On Monhegan Island, 4. It would be best if you also inspected the eyes of the decoy. That said, MOJOs King Mallard SWD is, as a friend says, all that and a bag of chips, too. The legendary Lothrop Holmes carved this piece. Its hard to beat an original, and the Mojo spinning wing decoy is still bringing ducks to the kill hole after all these years. Amazon. As for hunting with spinning wing decoys, theyre not the silver bullet some hunters believe them to be, especially now that so many hunters use them and ducks see them all the time. Were still in New England guys, but this time were in Maine. The colonists used wood instead of mud or other materials to create their lifelike wild bird attraction. 2023. If you have one of these, you may be in possession of a treasured antique piece. Is 12 duck decoys enough? And thats where DB M1 mallard silhouettes come into their own. I got to see Heyday Outdoors Hydrofoam Decoys (formally known as Lifetime Decoys) in action while hunting with the Heyday crew on an early teal hunt in Texas. The Crowell two duck decoys were carved by Massachusetts native Elmer Crowell. In regions where hunting wasnt as expected, duck decoys were used as decorative pieces until the next hunting season. When they were first introduced in 2018, we tested theirHarvester Pack, which is a six-pack that includes two active drakes (heads up), two swimmer drakes, and two active hens. And if your intent is realistic on-the-water motion without the, what some might call, inconvenience of pulling on a jerk cord string, then Higdons XS Pulsator might just be what youre looking for. That concept holds true for the Avian-X AXP Full Body Mallards. In my humble opinion, duck decoys are all about two thingsvisual realism, and durability. Colors? Its a fetching decoy, but nothing like Crowell or Holmes could make, yet it still sold for a hefty price tag of $767,000 back in 2014. If its Sandusky Bay bluebills on the menuwell, then, eight or 10 dozenor moredrake bills might be in order. I take care of my gear I really do but I dont baby it. In all cases, I leaned toward decoys that look realistic in the field. Regardless of where you call home, mallard decoys are a safe bet, and will likely produce results. In the early days, most carvers engraved their initials and date on the bottom of the decoy. What are the most expensive duck decoys? The second is the price. Bert Graves was a more recent carver than Crowell or Holmes because he made his last decoy in 1956. We know the amount, and the date, but the buyer went completely undisclosed. Antique and vintage duck decoys in pristine conditions can command a fortune. If you have been duck hunting for a while and have more or less figured out what you are doing, then you probably want to invest in some higher quality floaters. And they look plenty good enough to kill ducks over. Both pieces were created between 1915 and 1917. Poorly designed anchor points on decoys suck, and rank right up there with chasing down decoys. They wont crack or immediately fade. Maybe someday. Buy the best your pocketbook will allow, but understand that a combination of realism, durability, and quality, all backed by service after the sale, isnt cheap in this day and age. To view the purposes they believe they have legitimate interest for, or to object to this data processing use the vendor list link below. They cost less than half the price of the most expensive full bodies. Its bottom of the boat beating around. All expert waterfowl hunters are good at the same four things: scouting, calling and decoying, hiding, and shooting. The Best Duck Decoys of 2023 Best Overall: GHG Pro Grade XD Series Mallards Best for the Money (Mallards): Cabela's Northern Flight Over-Sized Mallard Best for the Money (Divers): Higdon Standard Bufflehead Best Oversized Mallard Decoy: Avian-X Topflight Open Water Pack Best Lightweight Decoys: Heyday HydroFoam Mallards The Wilson Merganser Drake Duck Decoy. Some movement in your spread is good. Will their paint chip when theyre bounced around in a boat? This version from Avery is a standby for many veteran waterfowlers. Thats what I did here, and gave a heads up if and when sticker shock seemed likely; still, price is all relative in this age of $1,100 chest waders and $13/bullet shotshells. Is the body shape right? Myself, Im using the M1s to beef up shallow (4 6) water floater spreads in green fields, or more often, in tidal marshes at low slack when its impossible to run keeled floaters. You can buy jackets,, Your email address will not be published. Some regions like New Jersey, North Carolina, New England, and Long Island are home to duck decoys bearing key features and markings. The Crowell Bundleextensively includes 31 decoys, all of which were valued at $7.5 million. To create the head, the carver uses an ax to cut off a small woodblock. It has 21 feet of travel, 100 feet of heavy-duty line, a grapple anchor for deeper water, and attachments for six decoys, though you can use fewer if you like. Im not a fan of spinning wing decoys (SWD). 1 1. On record, this is the most expensive decoy purchase to date, but it comes with some interesting and unique details. They look real enough, if you take care of them. Finally, I repainted most, if not all, of them as drake bluebills, and they enjoyed another life as big water divers. The Wilson Merganser Drake Duck Decoy. Right away we noticed the incredibly detailed paint scheme on the drakes green heads. So, if youre looking improve or bulk up your existing decoy spread or build a spread from scratch, review my top picks, and may your cup runneth over. Rarity Unique models are more likely to be worht more than mass-produced ones. Comments below may relate to previous holders of this record. Paint wont erode. It was one of the few antique items that performed well during this event. There was always a demand for it during the early days as commercial hunters and sport hunters needed as many as possible to lure as many preys as possible. That means they will take up less space in a decoy bag and youll be able to load your spread into a truck instead of needing a trailer. The guy we all know and hate. Now, a family man and dedicated man of God, Arthur shows his children how to live off the land while simultaneously hunting with his brothers and friends whenever the opportunity presents itself. Divers are typically not the wariest of ducks and they will come into a puddle duck spread. Anchor attachment points wont rip out. It has a remote thats Bluetooth compatible, so you can turn it on and off as you see fit. This is a foam-filled, one-piece decoy with a seven-hour run time. The Eider Drake Decoy On Monhegan Island. Theres a ton of mystery shrouding The Eider Drake because even to this day, I cant credit the original manufacturer. 11 Most Expensive Duck Decoys Ever Sold. The Wilson Merganser Drake Duck Decoy. 11 Most Expensive Duck Decoys Ever Sold 1 1. Water keel decoys that land on their sides stay on their sides. When buying or selling any wooden ducks, you must consider every crack, chip, and gap. Much like Crowell, Lothrop Holmes actually came from Massachusetts as well, where duck hunting was a common sport. Some of our partners may process your data as a part of their legitimate business interest without asking for consent. Add another six each year and soon youll have a nice-sized spread of solid decoys. In general, if you scout diligently and are hunting on the X (where the birds want to be) you will need fewer decoys.For many other hunting scenarios, two dozen to four dozen decoys will get the job done. Flocking eliminates glare, which is a killer on sunny days in the field. 'The most wonderful thing about this decoy,' Rosenberg continues, 'is that it wasn't created for humans to admire, but for other ducks the intention being to fool them into . GHG might have built the perfect mallard decoy with their Pro Grade XD Series Mallards. Ah, yesduck decoys. Constructed of tough corrugated plastic material Think political signs! John Blair was another small-timer in the decoy world, but his ability to carve a fantastic mallard earned him a top spot in the record books. Below, explore seven of the most sought-after decoy carvers for a better sense of what duck and shorebird decoys sell for in the market. Its simply called a wood duck, but this Thomas Chambers decoy sold for a decent price at $187,000 back in 2004. I hate No, I abhor feeble means of anchoring a decoy to the bottom. The Eider Drake Decoy on Monhegan Island. This wooden hen sold for an insane $856,000 and held a record as the most expensive decoy sale for quite some time. At the last listing, it cost up to $650,000. 8 8. Are they spread out loafing? Lothrop also has another notable duck decoy called the Ruddy Turnstone. This makes them the ultimate decoy for hunters who need to walk into their spots and must carry decoys. Antiques that have been altered, repaired, or have missing parts often cost less than the original piece. Flocked decoys, especially completely flocked decoys, require some additional care above and beyond that given all-plastic blocks. We may earn revenue from the products available on this page and participate in affiliate programs. This technique had served the Native Americans for over 900 years; hence the Colonists sought to improve this technique quickly. For a full list of record titles, please use our Record Application Search. He was renowned for his artistic vintage decoys that featured multiple intricate details. The moral of this story is Shopping around never hurts. It comprises two duck decoys, and both are worth $1,130,000. Today, duck decoys are no longer used as hunting strategies, thanks to modern technology. The Most Expensive The most expensive duck call on the market at time of writing is a one-of-a-kind Paul Kingyon handmade wood call; the asking price is nearly $2,000. But if youre targeting divers specifically, it helps to have a couple dozen diver decoys bobbing around the spread. Make it look really real. Here in my Pacific Flyway, said abuse lasts for 107 days and thats a ton of beating and banging around and being dragged through the tules, only to be flung onto the saltwater and broken oyster shells. You can always add more decoys; its what we do. 'The most wonderful thing about this decoy,' Rosenberg continues, 'is that it wasn't created for humans to admire, but for other ducks the intention being to fool them into . It was the highest ticket item at an $800,000 auction, bringing in $299,000 individually, which greatly surpassed the average for the dozens of other items in the auction. Singles and pairs will lock into a regular mallard spread. How many decoys youre going to use depends on different things. Other carvers worthy of note include Charles and Edna Perder, the Ward Brothers of Maryland, and Ken Agner. Or filler decoys, if youre looking to bulk up a smaller out-all-season spread. Meet Britain's most expensive duck - a drake that has sold at auction for a record-breaking 1,500. Vintage duck decoys can be ridiculously expensive. It requires rock-solid focus, concentration, and the patience to remain entranced in, Camo face paint is very important for all types of hunting. Here, decoys numbers equal what youre hunting, and where. Good duck decoys will swim naturally with a breeze or in the current. The RMR Jerk Rig comes factory with four snap swivels to attach four decoys; too many IMHO. Because most duck decoys of merit were made in the 1830s to the 1880s, documentation (especially for a hobby) was largely unavailable. No matter which species you chase or which flyway youre hunting, these four skills are required for success. The smoothing and fine-tuning aspect would be completed with a drawknife. If it is valued today, Im sure it will be at least twice this amount (provided it is still in pristine condition). Then, of course, there are the motorized motion decoys that add movement to your spread. With their affordable foam-filled design, theyre an excellent bargain. Articles may contain affiliate links which enable us to share in the revenue of any purchases made. Post author: Post published: October 5, 2022 Post category: high temp wood stove paint Post comments: pre built log cabins for sale in alaska pre built log cabins for sale in alaska Thats Greenhead Gears Fully-Flocked (FFD) Gadwalls. Jan 14, 10:00 AM EST Henri Laviolette Redhead Drake Duck Decoy by Auctioneers, Inc. Est: $0- $0. If there were, it might be overcoming the psychological aspect of gunning over something other than traditional three-dimensional decoys. Some factories also produced some notable vintage duck decoys in the 1900s. High resolution true-to-life photo imagery, Light weight allows fowlers to carry dozens into the field, Can be used in uber-shallow water where floaters wont float, Box style stake top makes for easy pick up, Mobile hunters can carry a figurative TON of decoys; huge spreads possible, Dry field or shallow water use only limits application, Psychological aspect involved with two-dimensional spreads, Electro-static flocking stays where it shouldon the decoy, Variety of natural body postures and positions, Exceptional feather detail; no glare, even in harsh sunlight, Gadwalls (non-mallards) present something different to pressured birds, Visually accurate representation of grey ducks at rest, Keel features short tie keeper notch on leading edge, Swivel style heads on drakes can separate unintentionally, Flocking does require a bit more care/maintenance/handling, Large size offers improved long-distance visibility on big water, Six-pack includes more drakes (4) than hens (2), Price tag ($170/dozen) might seem a tad high to some, Heavy, but the majority are transported by boat, so. Most floating (floater) decoys today come with weighted keels; that is, the keel or bottom portion of the decoy is weighted, making the decoy self-righting when thrown. Oh, and the square handle (box style) stake. Sometimes, it could depend on the pose of the decoy; some duck decoys are carved in feeding, swimming, and even sleeping positions. Ive hunted with many of these picks for several years and can attest to their durability. Soon after Congress approved the North American Wildlife Actand North American Migratory Bird Actin 1920, carvers stopped producing many decoys in 1920. Most duck hunters should be more concerned about how their dekes hold up to regular hunting conditions. One must instead learn to differentiate an actual bait from a modern decoy. Expert Answers: A duck decoy is a man-made object resembling a real duck. The two most expensive duck decoys sold in a private deal for $1.13 million (504,188) each and were carved by A Elmer Cromwell (USA, 18621952). They get bounced around the bottom of boats and in decoy bags. AXP mallards lead the category with a true-to-life flock of hens and drakes designed by world champion decoy carver Rick Johannsen. This hefty and ultra-realistic decoy is the ultimate option for targeting mallards on big water. However, Lothrop started as a Ship Carpenter and carved only as a hobby. Is it in a natural relaxed posture? Gus Wilson wasnt the best decoy carver, yet this item still generated over $300,000 at the point of sales. A rare swan decoy made by Charles Birch sold for $186,500 in a 2011 Guyette & Schmidt, Inc. auction. We have killed a lot of ducks over them through the years. 8 8. Youll still be money ahead. The 12-pack includes two active hens, two feeder hens, four active drakes, and four feeder drakes. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. 7 7. Take a glance at the top 50 decoys ever sold with Guyette a& Deeter, Inc. Top 50 Sold. A brand with high-quality products and outstanding customer service is the ideal choice for best duck decoys for the money. The current condition of an antique duck decoy plays a significant role in determining its value. Guyette of Guyette and Deeter auctions once explained that about 90% of the available antique duck decoys had been repainted or renailed. Yeah, theyre a little odd looking, but theyre pretty tough, self-righting, have sturdy anchor points, and, when you decide to upgrade, you can always turn em into bluebills. Mallards. Download our FREE pdf guide and learn what decoys you should be using. These are large, full-body decoys that look amazing in the field. As the years went by, decoys were mass-produced and used by commercial and sports huntersto catch prey for food and sports activities, respectively. The details of these ridiculously expensive vintage items are captivating. Of all the rabbit holes duck hunters get lost in, decoys might be the deepest, most labyrinthian. When youre scouting, pay close attention to how and where the ducks are positioned. Is there a downside to silhouettes? But that way madness lies. What is the most valuable duck decoy? Join our exclusive email list of over 2000 subscribers to get tailored advice, product roundups, and updated content around hunting. Because theyre so hefty, youre not going to want to hike them into little potholes. My very first duck decoys back in The Day, circa 1980, were old Flambeau decoys that I used for years and years. I want them to look as real as possible. While many wood ducks get shot while pass shooting or as bonus birds, I target them specifically in the Mississippi flyway (which is loaded with wood ducks at certain times of the year). 2. Bluetooth remote, long-life 6V lithium ion battery, magnetic wing attachments SCORE one for the home team there! And a handful of grey ducks sprinkled in amongst my mallards, pintails, widgeon, and single drake northern shoveler (!!) Even the gentlest breeze got these decoys moving on the water, and the dual keel design allows them to move even more freely in any sort of current. This wood duck was sold for $187,000 in 2004. And then it builds from there. Holmes spent his time as a ships carpenter for years, which allowed him to grow his proficiency in woodworking. Hunting divers often calls for big spreads on big waters, so if youre in a diver hot zone, Id recommend getting a few of the Standard Diver packs, which includes redhead, bluebill, and ringneck species. Everything a decoy should be. Both decoys have detailed paint designs, solid bodies, flat bottoms, and hollow centers. With the above information, you would be able to successfully delve into the vintage duck decoy ecosystem without any hindrance. Valuable Antique Duck Decoys 1.The Crowell Bundle 2.The Eider Drake Decoy 3.The Merganser Hen Carving 4.The Wilson Drake Duck Decoy 5.Cobb Brant Mallard Duck Decoys 6.The Blaird Mallard decoy 7.Graves Mallard Decoys 8.Simple Wood Duck by Thomas Chambers Final Note The History Of Antique Duck Decoys The measure immediately put a stop to commercial and sport hunting. But, are those what you really need for your brand of fowling? Shape. Orwhat the hellmaybe a dozen mallards, and then a half dozen pintails, gadwall, widgeon, and green-wing teal. During this period, it was more or less an art form practiced by adults and children alikesome carved duck decoys for commercial purposes. The rarest species of Mason Factory Wood Duck decoys in the best forms can cost up to $600,000. They sit on the water like real ducks. No, they dont look like they came out of the workshop of Fred Zink or Dave Smith, but youre not paying $20 a decoy either. The Eider Drake Decoy on Monhegan Island. The Duck Decoy is a less common antique object with a broad and exciting history. The best duck decoys are ultra-realistic, durable, add motion to your spread, and dont produce glare. Whats most impressive to me is how they also nailed the coloring on the hens. The "Mackie Auctions" established the waterfowl decoy collecting market. This is the most realistic looking full body duck decoy on the market. Its believed that this is because Americas history continues to go on and on. The hens have no damage whatsoever. Stability, low shake, and low noise. I also relied on my colleagues and other veteran waterfowl hunters to recommend their favorite decoys. Other books recommended by folk art experts include American Bird Decoys by William J. Mackey Jr. and Wild Fowl Decoys by Joel Barber. In 2007 Christie's sold the world's most expensive duck decoy, modelled on a red-breasted merganser hen, for $856,000. A spinning wing or two. Six decoys CAN be enough, if youre on a little body of water where the ducks want to be. Garage sale mallards may cost $2 each, a call-your-buddies bargain, especially if theyre in a condition where they can be immediately used. Ah, now its time to dust off the silhouettes and the full-bodies. What are you going to hunt? The unit includes everything1.5 pound folding (!!) . 3 3. 7 7. The primary reason why some duck decoys are highly-priced is not that theyre rare or produced by the best carvers; instead, it is because they are still in good condition. At this point, hunting was growing to be a pastime for privileged individuals in England. He made one of the most realistic goose decoys out there, showing a Canada goose in mid-motion that really makes it look like theyre scurrying along the water while the decoy bobs. 3 3. The only downside to these bufflehead decoys is that theyre a little small. Paint scheme isnt your cup o tea? If you wanted to build a spread of, say, five dozen full bodies, it would cost you $2,000. I dont know how much you paid for your antique duck decoy, but youre about to be frazzled by how much people have paid for them in the past. This technique helped families during the civil war to catch prey for feeding. These arent out-of-the-packaging duck decoys (and some are not even decoy ducks), but they all have one thing in common: they cost a ton of money. The Lincoln Hisser. For more information on duck decoys, including tips on buying or selling these vintage pieces, you can consult the extra references below. Most of them are good. 2 2. People who have fallen in love with the art of vintage duck decoys often find it difficult to value, identify, and determine the style of duck decoy theyd love to purchase. Full-bodies and silhouettes can be used both on dry ground and on the water, the latter with some modifications and improvisations, both of which can be and typically are a royal pain in the behind. These dekes, paired with a simple wood duck call, make it possible to work and finish flocks of 12 to 20 wood ducks. The carve (shape and detail of the body) should look like a real duck. They were carved sometime around 1915-1917, shortly after he began carving and have held their aesthetics and shape for over a century. You can always count on the . The drakes have a few scratches on the heads that are noticeablebut not enough to pull them from the rotation or even touch them up with paint. Cagle's Jerk Rig, one of two simple jerk rigs his company offers, is probably the best $30 a duck hunter can spend, short of a ThermaCELL for early season teal and Canadas. Non-mallards. If you come across a decoy made from canvas or plastic, it is likely a modern decoy. The Eider Drake Decoy on Monhegan . Foam-filled, these divers can and often do take a pounding. Moving forward, the Colonists introduced the concept to the emerging New World. Rare Mason Brant Decoy by Auctioneers, Inc. Est: $0- $0. In 2007 Christie's sold the world's most expensive duck decoy, modelled on a red-breasted merganser hen, for $856,000. Still, the Pulsator does muddle up the surface, making it look like an avian free-for-all. Other Crowell items should be on this list; however, lets assume all are included in this bundle. By the mid-19th century, the style and construction of decoys began to vary based on the region and the carver. Does this make them more usable or viable than inexpensive, brand-new models? 5 5. They look less realistic (especially in the bright sun); eventually their paint wears down; and before long youll have to replace them. Avian-X nailed that with this series. 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Of all bird decoys created, duck decoys were the most commonly made, however it wasn't unusual to produce other species, such as geese, turkeys, swans, grouse, partridge, and pigeons. A lot of other wood duck decoys have the drakes head sticking high up above the water, like hes on alert. Nice to know, though. Water keels are hollow, and fill with water once theyve landed, head-up. When the first colonists settled in North America, they observed that the natives of the land used bulrushes, fowl carcasses, and mud to create duck and fowl-like figures. Ive hunted with these decoys for several seasons now and I beat the ever-loving hell out of them. Are they realistic in appearance? Also, because you can remove the heads on these shells, you can stack them. Thats because they make extremely realistic decoys, and Id rather hunt with fewer realistic decoys than more dekes that dont look as good. Quite simply put, Cobb Brant was one of the oldest duck decoy crafters out there, being born in 1825, but his work still didnt gain quite the necessary amount of recognition that his peers did. They reported that these imitations served as prey to other live birds. What is the most valuable duck decoy? Some of the lures in this range were handpainted in eye-catching natural shades, which were easy to spot. So think: Are you going to hunt over a foot or more of water? The bottom line? Like all DB silhouettes, the M1 Mallards look great.
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