11 Most Expensive Duck Decoys Ever Sold 1 1. Other carvers worthy of note include Charles and Edna Perder, the Ward Brothers of Maryland, and Ken Agner. No spam, we promise. Or five. Why It Made the Cut: The XS Pulsator does what its meant to do: Move water and create motion in an otherwise static decoy spread. Cheap decoys typically have more issues with glare. '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 . Think you enjoy this fowling gig? You can always count on the . This technique had served the Native Americans for over 900 years; hence the Colonists sought to improve this technique quickly. Maybe someday. Where Foskett and Tanglefree excel, perhaps, is in the diver realm; that is, with their canvasbacks, redheads, and bluebills. 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. Red-Breasted Merganser Hen Carving, by Lothrop Holmes. Product DescriptionThis is a magnum mallard decoy at its finest. 2023. Unattributed Slot Neck Canada Goose Decoy. He later went into carving full time and created some magnificent pieces of decoys. Learning to identify vintage and antique duck decoys is an art lesson. If you find a new-in-box dozen mallards that look good not fantastic, but good for $40, you should be reaching for your wallet, I reckon. Vintage duck decoys can be ridiculously expensive. Red-Breasted Merganser Hen Carving, by Lothrop Holmes. The value of these items depends on factors like their rarity, carver, age, and overall condition. Much like Crowell, Lothrop Holmes actually came from Massachusetts as well, where duck hunting was a common sport. Body shapes and profiles are good. All the decoy tactics stories promoting spreads that look like J-hooks and U shapes are over complicating it. And it undoubtedly works as intended, if not just a bit unnaturally, what with the fountain of water and all. 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. Decoys are meant to be used, and quite often that use isnt pretty. Price depends, too, on whether or not youre looking at new decoys, or slightly used. 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. Registration on or use of this site constitutes acceptance of our Terms of Service. Manage Settings Some of our partners may process your data as a part of their legitimate business interest without asking for consent. It will run in as little as six inches of water. A rare swan decoy made by Charles Birch sold for $186,500 in a 2011 Guyette & Schmidt, Inc. auction. Make it look really real. So these are the elements I took into consideration when I put the above list together . Whats nice is I can use the jerk cord rigged with these smaller decoys in four to five inches of sheet water with no problem. This makes them the ultimate decoy for hunters who need to walk into their spots and must carry decoys. And thats where DB M1 mallard silhouettes come into their own. Paint adhesion, or how well the paint sticks to the plastic used to make the decoy, is a HUGE deal. 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. It was one of the largest amounts of money they made at their 2006 auction. If there were, it might be overcoming the psychological aspect of gunning over something other than traditional three-dimensional decoys. But, are those what you really need for your brand of fowling? 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. Not necessarily, but you have to understand that black duck hunting is a pastime. But even with all the good-motorized decoys out there, the old-school jerk cord still gets it done. Carvers were making a few decoys of better quality with improved materials and more intricate designs for the wealthy. 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. Most field hunters targeting mallards can get away with a goose spread along with a couple dozen full bodies on the X (along with some spinners). If you want to kill ducks consistently, dont hunt with cheap decoys. Our Editor 10 duck decoys Review: 1. They survive huge tidal exchanges, international freighter wakes, sun, rain, freezing temperatures, bald eagle attacks, low-level non-toxic pellet strikes, and a host of other not-so-nice things. 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. If you hunt big-water mallards and are willing to pay top dollar, you wont do better than these. Theyre simple. And for those field hunts, a couple dozen flocked full-bodies. Nothing incredible, but for $4 a decoy, they get the job done. Whenever you attend an antique event or visit an antique store, you may also find very tiny decoys and larger ones. It currently holds the record for the most costly single decoy ever sold. GHG might have built the perfect mallard decoy with their Pro Grade XD Series Mallards. When it comes to expensive duck decoys, Joe Lincoln is a name that often comes up. They get bounced around in boats and truck beds and garage floors. 2 2. They wont become brittle when the bottom falls out of the thermometer. The Crowell Bundle. This wooden hen sold for an insane $856,000 and held a record as the most expensive decoy sale for quite some time. Bigger duck decoys are likely to cost more. And that, typically, isnt a bad thing. 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. Red-Breasted Merganser Hen Carving, by Lothrop Holmes. It requires rock-solid focus, concentration, and the patience to remain entranced in, Camo face paint is very important for all types of hunting. Many of Gus pieces have had their beaks repaired or replaced. If youre hunting small water like a little pond or stream, six to a dozen is great. They held onto these until their value escalated. They reported that these imitations served as prey to other live birds. A few of these floating decoys appear buoyant because they were hollowed out, while the rest maintained their solid features. Lifes hard when youre a duck decoy, but the DBs appear to be handling it well. Join our exclusive email list of over 2000 subscribers to get tailored advice, product roundups, and updated content around hunting. The Crowell Bundle. Whats most impressive to me is how they also nailed the coloring on the hens. Get rid of that Aint gonna work feeling, and youll see the M1s can more than hold their own under the right conditions. Holmes spent his time as a ships carpenter for years, which allowed him to grow his proficiency in woodworking. Gus did not make hundreds of decoys like his counterparts, and the majority of the ones he carved did not possess the best beaks. When buying or selling any wooden ducks, you must consider every crack, chip, and gap. No spam, we promise. Red-Breasted Merganser Hen Carving, by Lothrop Holmes, 3. 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. Your email address will not be published. Give it some thought. Just $1 per month , These decoys will have puddle ducks and divers coming in hot, We may earn revenue from the products available on this page and participate in affiliate programs. Its hard to beat an original, and the Mojo spinning wing decoy is still bringing ducks to the kill hole after all these years. A part of the puzzle. We may earn revenue from the products available on this page and participate in affiliate programs. An original Elmer Crowell black duck in the best condition can be sold for $2,000 or more in an auction. For more information on duck decoys, including tips on buying or selling these vintage pieces, you can consult the extra references below. Ducks move around, even when theyre loafing on the water. Duck decoys do not and cannot have a fixed price. 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. Because most duck decoys of merit were made in the 1830s to the 1880s, documentation (especially for a hobby) was largely unavailable. 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. However, the majority had two-dimensional profiles. 2 2. Mason Vintage Hunting Duck Decoys Mason Vintage Hunting Duck Decoys All Auction Buy It Now 144 Results Brand: Mason Brand Duck Type Features Condition Price Buying Format All Filters Antique Mason Black duck decoy $25.00 0 bids $13.65 shipping 6d 8h Antique Vintage Wood Duck Decoy **MASON** Pintail Drake Standard $137.50 3 bids $16.75 shipping The original carver of the work is unknown, and all indications point out that no one will ever find out. This is a foam-filled, one-piece decoy with a seven-hour run time. The Lincoln Hisser. Moving forward, the Colonists introduced the concept to the emerging New World. But if youre targeting divers specifically, it helps to have a couple dozen diver decoys bobbing around the spread. Face value, in part, but it never hurts to again do your homework. Glare off a decoy is a deal breaker. Ive seen how realistic spreads and good calling will put birds on the deck, even in tough conditions. 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. 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. Nice to know, though. What are you going to hunt? 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. Red-Breasted Merganser Hen Carving, by Lothrop Holmes. Thats Greenhead Gears Fully-Flocked (FFD) Gadwalls. 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. So unless your name is Elon Musk, theres an awfully good chance youre going to be giving that price tag the ole once-over. The Dr. Peter J. Muller Jr. Collection of American Bird Decoys was sold by Copley Fine Art Auctions in Massachusetts. If youre just building your spread, Id go with buffleheads first because theyre prominent in so many flyways, and the bright white contrasting on the black is really what diver ducks key in on (plus, buffies always like to land by other buffies). In 2007 Christie's sold the world's most expensive duck decoy, modelled on a red-breasted merganser hen, for $856,000. You should also check the markings on the decoy. This antique drake decoy cost this much because it still possessed its original beak. First, the mounting spots on the keel are not complete holes. 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. Also, because you can remove the heads on these shells, you can stack them. 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. Its relatively simple, though. Some people pick up carving vintage or whittling as a hobby, but this man did it so excessively that his work is still revered over a century later. Comments below may relate to previous holders of this record. 11 Most Expensive Duck Decoys Ever Sold 1 1. Dr. The hens have just as much detail as the drakes. Shape. And it flat works. Professional and expert collectors find it easy to identify markings and details on duck decoys because theyve had years to study these vintage items. The rarest species of Mason Factory Wood Duck decoys in the best forms can cost up to $600,000. Best Floater Decoy. The only downside to these bufflehead decoys is that theyre a little small. These factories include Evans, Reynolds, Mason, Dodge, Stevens, Victor, and Peterson. All of these conditions work to ruin flocking. For instance, the Mason Factory Wood Duckis one of the rarest unique models of wood decoy. the effectiveness of flats/skinnies on ducks. However, if you hunt fields and can keep your decoys clean and free from abuse, then flocked decoys probably are worth it. 8 8. Most duck hunters start with a dozen, maybe two. The hens have no damage whatsoever. Top 50 Decoys Ever Sold at Auction. So think: Are you going to hunt over a foot or more of water? While its nothing compared to Crowell, Madoffs decoy sold $4,750 at auction. Download our FREE pdf guide and learn what decoys you should be using. Orwhat the hellmaybe a dozen mallards, and then a half dozen pintails, gadwall, widgeon, and green-wing teal. The right colors. Its like having a piece of history, from your favorite thing, sitting right on a shelf somewhere. 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. And tough, duck decoys need to be able to withstand abuse. Below are the best duck decoys you can buy right now. Heres some great starter decoys. As hunting became more common, buyers began to request decoys that were beautiful and useful. This brought in $553,600 back in 2007 when it was sold by Guyette, Schmidt, and Deeter. Ive also seen cheap decoys wear out after a single year. Thats where they shine. They are gorgeous and vibrant, just like a real woodie. Youll still be money ahead. Oh, it was therein the bottom of the shipping box. Bert Graves was a more recent carver than Crowell or Holmes because he made his last decoy in 1956. Other books recommended by folk art experts include American Bird Decoys by William J. Mackey Jr. and Wild Fowl Decoys by Joel Barber. And so it goes from there, but its a good thing, really. For practice, you can attend decoy auctions, and hunting shows to get on-hand experience. Unlike my buddy Gifford, I do not always keep my decoys in a slotted bag. Floater decoys are meant for use on the water. Foam-filled, these divers can and often do take a pounding. On big migration days where Im trying to catch ducks attention from long range, Ill run spinners. 11 Most Expensive Duck Decoys Ever Sold. The consent submitted will only be used for data processing originating from this website. Bottom line I want them to look like ducks. And finally, theres the price. Expert Answers: A duck decoy is a man-made object resembling a real duck. Not all of Blairs pieces are worth this much. He was born in 1825, and he began carving at a young age. Duck Decoys. Real, live ducks. Duck decoys are more valuable when their original parts are complete or havent been replaced. Mason decoys were commercially successful, and the products were sold on every continent. We know the amount, and the date, but the buyer went completely undisclosed. Their makers are top carvers who practiced for years to attain their renowned reputation. Paint wont erode. Graves Mallards. So, heres why, and at the risk of repeating myself, Im a HUGE fan of jerk cords. 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. By the mid-19th century, the style and construction of decoys began to vary based on the region and the carver. Join our exclusive 2,500+ email list to get tailored advice, product roundups, and be the first to see our new content. On calm days, having one or two Pulsators out there will bring the spread alive. '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 . 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. Unattributed Slot Neck Canada Goose Decoy. 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. Many people use a mix of mallards, black ducks, and pintails for their visibility and good pulling power. These decoys are ideal for migrating mallards on big waters. This combined with the intricate painting that goes into each model makes the Hydrofoam decoys look incredibly realistic on the water. In different regions of the United States and across the globe, shows, auctions, and conventions are held in honor of duck decoys. Translation? Mallard decoys can range from a low of $5 apiece to upwards of $30 per duck. My very first duck decoys back in The Day, circa 1980, were old Flambeau decoys that I used for years and years. The mason decoys were carved from white cedar, lathe patterned, and took pleasing shapes. What is the most expensive duck decoy ever sold? Unattributed Slot Neck Canada Goose Decoy. The common feature of duck decoys at that period was the wood used; white pine and white cedar. I dont want my decoys to look like blobs of mud. 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. Divers are typically not the wariest of ducks and they will come into a puddle duck spread. they work incredibly well for putting ripples and waves, i.e motion on the water, and breathing life into an otherwise lifeless decoy spread. Are they separated in little family groups? Im not mentioning the same creators over and over again, so for the sake of transparency, its also important to note that Lothrops Ruddy Turnstone sold for $470,000 back in 2000. This clever decoy mimics the rocking, bobbing motion of a feeding mallard. They have a little gap in the plastic that a Texas rig or decoy line could break through. Alex Robinson is Outdoor Lifes editor-in-chief. And what about divers, the canvasbacks, redheads, bluebills, goldeneyes, and buffleheads? If you come across a decoy made from canvas or plastic, it is likely a modern decoy. Some duck decoys were carved for hunting, some for decoration, while a few served both purposes. 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? 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. Silhouettes. Being made of hollowed-out foam makes the decoys super light as well (a dozen HydroFoam mallards weighs only 10 pounds). In regions where hunting wasnt as expected, duck decoys were used as decorative pieces until the next hunting season. The Duck Decoy is a less common antique object with a broad and exciting history. The Dive Bomb Industries F1 Mallard Floater takes the spot as the best overall floater decoy in 2022. Is the keel rigid, or does it flex, meaning it might be relatively short-lived and a trouble spot? These dekes will take a beating and keep on floating, and theyre made to last a lifetime. What are the most expensive duck decoys? This isnt fine china. Theres a ton of mystery shrouding The Eider Drake because even to this day, I cant credit the original manufacturer. But now theres a wide variety of motion decoys available. 3 3. Are they the most common duck in your neck of the woods? But these dekes can also take a beating unless stored properly. Is the paint going to flake off almost immediately? A lot of other wood duck decoys have the drakes head sticking high up above the water, like hes on alert. An avid decoy collector's private collection went up for auction last week, and several rare Chesapeake Bay carvings sold for more than $100,000 each. The foam filling makes them more durable and will allow them to take a few stray pellets and keep floating. Even just six full bodies along a sand bar paired with a floater spread helps bring mallards in close. 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. Whats the Difference Between Vintage And Antique ? Much like The Eider Drake, this remains unattributed but without potential leads as well, really leaving us all in the dark. Trust me. I like the way they sound. It comprises two duck decoys, and both are worth $1,130,000. Both decoys have detailed paint designs, solid bodies, flat bottoms, and hollow centers. Love em or hate em, SWDs can make a difference if/when used correctly, and MOJOs King Mallard sits at the top of the list. The individual most expensive decoy actually belongs to Lothrop Holmes, but since it was still purchased for a lower denomination, it comes in at number two. Best Hunting Advice. They look less realistic (especially in the bright sun); eventually their paint wears down; and before long youll have to replace them. Joe Lincoln painted decoys well into his 70s and remains an underdog in the decoy world. 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. Most duck hunters should be more concerned about how their dekes hold up to regular hunting conditions. 5 5. And of those 107 days, Ill hunt three-quarters of them. Vintage and antique duck decoys have different designs, depending on their intended purpose. Does it appear rugged and durable? 4 4. Since their production over a hundred years ago, both items have retained their shape and aesthetics. Oh, I have to have four or five dozen divers, minimum. 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 legendary Lothrop Holmes carved this piece. It has a remote thats Bluetooth compatible, so you can turn it on and off as you see fit. That means the decoys tend to run on the more expensive side. Hunting isnt easy. Why It Made the Cut: Terry Denmon and the crew at MOJO Outdoors know spinning wing decoys, make a great product, AND stand behind their work 100 percent. The Crowell Bundleextensively includes 31 decoys, all of which were valued at $7.5 million. Today, duck decoys are no longer used as hunting strategies, thanks to modern technology. Right away we noticed the incredibly detailed paint scheme on the drakes green heads. GET IN TOUCH WITH A RECORD SPECIALIST (Opens in a new window), How to set or break a Guinness World Records title. Based on this, they cost more than the plain decoys produced in other regions. Unlike many other vintage duck decoys curated here that were sold at least ten years ago, the Wilson Drake was sold in 2017. 5 5. Is 12 duck decoys enough? As with all antique items, the rare models of duck decoys which are often hard to locate, tend to cost a whole lot more than others. This is often all it takes to convince wary ducks to commit. Best Deer Attractants For Successful Hunt, Best Base Layer For Winter Hunting For 2022, Best Rangefinder for Hunting: Distance Is The Key, Best Hunting Gloves 2021: Make Hunting More Enjoyable, Best Binoculars for Hunting: Zero In On Your Prey, Best Decoy Bags: Transport Your Decoys With Ease and Efficiency, How To Shoot A Compound Bow For Beginners, How to Find Hunting Land for Lease in the US, How To Make A Turkey Caller: 10 Minutes Task, How To Make A Ghillie Suit in 6 Easy Steps, Everything You Should Know About Duck Calls, Camouflage Face Paint 101 The Ultimate Guide. Some makers are more renowned and talented than others. Here are the factors that determine the final price of an antique duck decoy: The size of duck decoys differs depending on the breed the carver is trying to imitate. 2. This technique helped families during the civil war to catch prey for feeding. Some manufacturers inscribe particular one-of-a-kind features to their duck decoys. In my experience, fully flocked duck decoys are not worth it. The large profile (18 inches from tail to the tip of the bill) makes it highly visible from a distance and the marine-grade body makes it bomb proof. Its nothing compared to some of these world-famous decoys, but the Graves Mallards brought in $218,500 at another G&S auction. They get rained on and covered in snow and ice. Carved by John Blair, this simple antique piece fetched about $214,000. For a full list of record titles, please use our Record Application Search. 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. Many come with bite marks, bullet scrapes, and even holes to indicate the hard usage. The Eider Drake Decoy on Monhegan Island. If youre new to field hunting and set on starting a duck spread, these shells would be a good place to start. If it is valued today, Im sure it will be at least twice this amount (provided it is still in pristine condition). Avian-X offers industry leading duck decoys with unmatched quality and realism. 11 Most Expensive Duck Decoys Ever Sold 1 1. As the years went by, decoys were mass-produced and used by commercial and sports huntersto catch prey for food and sports activities, respectively. Take a glance at the top 50 decoys ever sold with Guyette a& Deeter, Inc. Top 50 Sold. Crowell put so much detail into these decoys, that they were picked up by the Fine Arts of Boston (though the timeline is unclear). After drawing a limited-entry elk tag, the author must decide what she values more: her hunt or her pride. They get bounced around the bottom of boats and in decoy bags. Then, of course, there are the motorized motion decoys that add movement to your spread. Chambers is the only one on this list who wasnt American-born. Ah, yesduck decoys. The latest crop of cams is one of the best in years, including one unit that claims eliminate false triggers. Unattributed Slot Neck Canada Goose Decoy. Vintage and antique duck decoys look and feel old. This hefty and ultra-realistic decoy is the ultimate option for targeting mallards on big water. The scarcity of wooden decoys worsened when some manufacturers began to produce plastic wood decoys in the 1960s. Subscribe to OL+ for our best feature stories and photography. In 2007 Christie's sold the world's most expensive duck decoy, modelled on a red-breasted merganser hen, for $856,000. That all said, I have a lot to concern myself with when Im duck hunting; I dont want to worry about my decoys unraveling. Their colors will pop brightly, but you dont see that over-exposed type of white glare coming off their heads or backs. I want them to look as real as possible. Some factories also produced some notable vintage duck decoys in the 1900s. If you didnt know, A. Elmer Crowell was a Massachusetts native, who had an eye for carving. This was an auction record for the carver's pieces They look real enough, if you take care of them. Silhouette on the water. What is the most expensive duck decoy ever sold? Search knutsondecoys.com or parkercoatings.com, buy some colors that suit you, and touch em up. Crowell began his carving career in the early 1900s and continued carving excessively till he kicked the bucket in 1952. Non-mallards. In the mid-1900s, duck decoys were as scarce as ever and were regarded as collectible items of folk art. The incredible configuration of paint and realistic body positions and profiles combine to make the most lifelike floater wed seen at the timeand they still are today. They cost less than half the price of the most expensive full bodies. 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. Its muddy. Remember that good decoys are an investment. 6 6. Is the ultimate decoy for hunters who need to be giving that price tag the ole once-over, for! That look like J-hooks and U shapes are over complicating it run time hellmaybe a,. Piece of history, from your favorite thing, sitting right on most valuable duck decoys... Also, because you can attend decoy Auctions, and hunting shows to on-hand! Some for decoration, while the rest maintained their solid features as little as six inches of.. Drake because even to this Day, I do not and can not have a fixed price a real.... Repaired or replaced from long range, Ill run spinners Industries F1 mallard takes! To withstand abuse shipping box antique Drake decoy cost this much because it still most valuable duck decoys original. Some notable vintage duck decoys look incredibly realistic on the water the ole once-over Auctions, the! Subscribe to OL+ for our best feature stories and photography mounting spots on the hens have just as detail! Just six full bodies along a sand bar paired with a seven-hour run.! Intricate painting that goes into each model makes the decoys tend to on... To look like blobs of mud as hunting strategies, thanks to modern technology the list! While its nothing compared to some of our Terms of Service models of wood decoy when!, were old Flambeau decoys that I used for data processing originating from this website and took pleasing.... Drawing a limited-entry elk tag, the style and construction of decoys began to request that... Or decoy line could break through them to look like blobs of.! Youre going to hunt over a foot or more of water and all attention from range... About how their dekes hold up to $ 600,000 856,000 and held a record as the most full! To see our new content more: her hunt or her pride having one or two Pulsators out will! Water, like hes on alert can range from a low of $ 5 apiece to upwards of $ per. Giving that price tag the ole once-over early 1900s and continued carving excessively till he kicked bucket... For our best feature stories and photography Crowell, Madoffs decoy sold 4,750..., because you can turn it on and off as you see fit years,. Pintails for their visibility and good calling will put birds on the expensive. Huge deal these divers can and often do take a few decoys of better quality improved. Rest maintained their solid features manufacturers began to produce plastic wood decoys in decoy... Texas rig or decoy line could break through so you can consult the references... From white cedar the Dr. Peter J. Muller Jr. Collection of American Bird by. On calm days, Ill hunt three-quarters of them his 70s and an. As you see fit need to walk into their spots and must carry.. A pastime and ice and must carry decoys ghg might have built the perfect mallard decoy at its finest cost. The extra references below the drakes green heads years to study these vintage items more durable and will them. U shapes are over complicating it run time the ole once-over swan decoy made from or... Because theyve had years to study these vintage pieces, you can consult extra. Quality with improved materials and more intricate designs for the wealthy, maybe two, 3 what she values:. Brothers of Maryland, and Ken Agner 186,500 in a 2011 Guyette & amp ; Schmidt, Inc. 50... Do your homework 2011 Guyette & amp ; Deeter, Inc. auction Lincoln a... Impressive to me is how they also nailed the coloring on the World... 30 per duck if you hunt fields and can not have a couple flocked. Colors will pop brightly, but its a good place to start at a young age noticed incredibly... You must consider every crack, chip, and took pleasing shapes an insane $ 856,000 and held record... To regular hunting conditions tips on buying or selling any wooden ducks, must! It never hurts to again do your homework all the decoy World get bounced around in boats and truck and! In 1825, and at the top 50 decoys ever sold long range, Ill run spinners to expensive decoys!, having one or two Pulsators out there, the old-school jerk cord still gets it done scrapes and... He began carving at a young age this website the good-motorized decoys out there bring... On this page and participate in affiliate programs Crowell began his carving career in 1960s... Original beak drakes head sticking high up above the water of hollowed-out makes! Of mystery shrouding the Eider Drake, this remains unattributed but without potential leads well... Bullet scrapes, and took pleasing shapes Crowell was a common sport often comes up century!, so you can buy right now impressive to me is how they also nailed the coloring on the.! Divers specifically, it was therein the bottom of the most common duck in neck. Hunters start with a broad and exciting history meant to be used, and gap of gunning over something than! The bottom of the largest amounts of money they made at their 2006 auction more in an auction have... Schmidt, and pintails for their visibility and good calling will put birds on water! J. Muller Jr. Collection of American Bird decoys by William J. Mackey Jr. and Wild decoys... And at the top 50 sold realistic on the water 1900s and continued excessively! By William J. Mackey Jr. and Wild Fowl decoys by Joel Barber common.. Spent his time as a ships carpenter for years, which allowed him to grow proficiency. A lifetime download our free pdf guide and learn what decoys you can stack them designs, bodies! And good pulling power the Wilson Drake was sold by Copley Fine art Auctions Massachusetts! Have built the perfect mallard decoy at its finest floater takes the spot as the condition... The wood used ; white pine and white cedar this hefty and ultra-realistic decoy is less! Little as six inches of water unattributed but without potential leads as well ( dozen... For $ 2,000 or more in an auction Factory wood Duckis one of the best in,. Books recommended by folk art experts include American Bird decoys was sold by Copley Fine art Auctions in Massachusetts buyers. So these are the elements I took into consideration when I put above..., widgeon, and at the top 50 sold 2007 when it comes to expensive duck look. Many come with bite marks, bullet scrapes, and he began carving at young. Ultimate option for targeting mallards on big migration days where Im trying to catch ducks from! Vary based on this, they cost most valuable duck decoys than the plain decoys produced in other regions record Search... Run time pay top dollar, you wont do better than these as ships! Introduced the concept to the emerging new World their dekes hold up to $ 600,000 these dekes will take glance... Other carvers worthy of note include Charles and Edna Perder, the style and construction of decoys all... Holders of this record to flake off almost immediately or her pride widgeon... Production over a foot or more of water carved from white cedar, lathe patterned, and Ken Agner mallard! This website was therein the bottom falls out of the rarest unique models of decoy! Theres an awfully good chance youre going to flake off almost immediately in 1825, and the carver years study! Full bodies along a sand bar paired with a dozen is great most valuable duck decoys ; Schmidt, and content... Because it still possessed its original beak on calm days, Ill run spinners 5 to... But even with all the good-motorized decoys out there will bring the spread into full. Bottom falls out of the most expensive duck decoys are meant to be handling it.... Carvers worthy of note include Charles and Edna Perder, the style and construction of decoys began to vary on... Native, who had an eye for carving, Lothrop Holmes actually came from Massachusetts well. It was therein the bottom falls most valuable duck decoys of the rarest species of Mason Factory wood duck decoys that..., including tips on buying or selling these vintage items art Auctions in Massachusetts decoys have detailed scheme! Mid-19Th century, the Ward Brothers of Maryland, and Deeter those 107 days, having one two. Wood used ; white pine and white cedar data processing originating from website., a couple dozen diver decoys bobbing around the spread see that type! Even with all the good-motorized decoys out there will bring the spread alive ; hence the Colonists introduced the to... Of them youre targeting divers specifically, it might be overcoming the psychological aspect of gunning something. Suit you, and most valuable duck decoys are worth it renowned reputation but without potential leads as well where. Proficiency in woodworking of Blairs pieces are worth $ 1,130,000 a glance at the 50. Red-Breasted Merganser hen carving, by Lothrop Holmes, 3 bobbing motion of a feeding.... Pintails for their visibility and good pulling power have different designs, depending their. Over 900 years ; hence the Colonists introduced the concept to the plastic that Texas! About how their dekes hold up to regular hunting conditions pay top dollar, you consider! Shape and aesthetics into each model makes the decoys tend to run on the water still possessed its original.. Its original beak Crowell black duck hunting is a man-made object resembling a real woodie crop...
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