So think: Are you going to hunt over a foot or more of water? On a sunny day ducks will spot it from long distance and avoid your spread, because it doesnt look natural. 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. Mallard decoys can range from a low of $5 apiece to upwards of $30 per duck. What is the most valuable duck decoy? What is the most expensive duck decoy ever sold? 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). Its bottom of the boat beating around. They held onto these until their value escalated. Lothrop Holmes is also a Massachusetts native-like Crowell. He was renowned for his artistic vintage decoys that featured multiple intricate details. Its fetching, and for its time, it shows a great level of attention to detail with the colors and shades. 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. It might take you several years to build up a full spread, but thats fine. 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. The Wilson Merganser Drake Duck Decoy. The Crowell Bundle. Duck decoys are more valuable when their original parts are complete or havent been replaced. As mentioned earlier, all pre-modern duck decoys are carved from white cedarwood, cork, or white pine. Stick Ups were used to lift the body off the ground. 2023. I want a variety of body postures per dozen. The right colors. Unattributed Slot Neck Canada Goose Decoy. This pulled in almost $500,000 in 2000. A supposed vintage and antique decoy that looks new is most likely a modern replica. ), as it makes picking up said bunch of flats stupid quick and easy. Some duck decoys were carved for hunting, some for decoration, while a few served both purposes. The most expensive best duck decoys for the money does not always indicate the best decision for you and your money. During that time, youll still be killing ducks over your realistic looking mini-spread. BUT, and its a big BUT, they dont right themselves. AXP mallards lead the category with a true-to-life flock of hens and drakes designed by world champion decoy carver Rick Johannsen. Will they hold up to the rigors of day-to-day ducking? Although it wasnt as expensive as the paired Crowell Bundle, this single pair sold for a whopping $856,000. According to specialists, most decoys in a perfect state can be worth a fortune. The Avian-X body positions look much more natural and relaxed. Also, the body positions are very accurate and lifelike. You can always count on the . On big migration days where Im trying to catch ducks attention from long range, Ill run spinners. Oh, it was therein the bottom of the shipping box. '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 . But even with all the good-motorized decoys out there, the old-school jerk cord still gets it done. In different regions of the United States and across the globe, shows, auctions, and conventions are held in honor of duck decoys. What is the most expensive duck decoy ever sold? There is limited information on Brant. After drawing a limited-entry elk tag, the author must decide what she values more: her hunt or her pride. Its a rite of passage for a lot of young men. They wont crack or immediately fade. Trust me. most valuable duck decoys. For once, were not in New England with this origin story, either; Bert is actually from Peoria, IL, and has set the scene for high-quality duck decoys ever since. Keels wont break off. A rare swan decoy made by Charles Birch sold for $186,500 in a 2011 Guyette & Schmidt, Inc. auction. 11 Most Expensive Duck Decoys Ever Sold 1 1. On any given day, a dozen decoys will work or 100 dozen wont work. Are they all bunched together feeding? Duck Decoys. The decoys body profile and paint job are full of thoughtful details that Avian-X has made its name on. 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. Add up the cost of the best duck hunting shotguns, the best duck hunting waders, and throw in shells and licenses; suddenly it seems like you should try to save money by buying cheap decoys. Many of Gus pieces have had their beaks repaired or replaced. Body shapes and profiles are good. You can always add more decoys; its what we do. Some of his pieces have been sold for less than $20,000. You want soft-to-the-touch realism from a decoy without breaking the bank? It has a remote thats Bluetooth compatible, so you can turn it on and off as you see fit. Decoys are meant to be used, and quite often that use isnt pretty. Because theyre so hefty, youre not going to want to hike them into little potholes. Today, he spends time writing critical hunting-related information and advice right here on Best Hunting Advice for his faithful audience. In 2007, his pintail drake and Canada goose decoys sold as a bundle. 6 6. quick recharging, and a build design that virtually eliminates the wobble, shake, and duck-flaring noise so commonly among the tribe of SWDs. All expert waterfowl hunters are good at the same four things: scouting, calling and decoying, hiding, and shooting. Water keel decoys are light, though, and make an excellent decoy for the walk-in fowler looking to cut down on weight. They get bounced around the bottom of boats and in decoy bags. A part of the puzzle. There are a lot of companies producing duck decoys nowadays. 4 4. 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. This combined with the intricate painting that goes into each model makes the Hydrofoam decoys look incredibly realistic on the water. Some manufacturers inscribe particular one-of-a-kind features to their duck decoys. Rarity Unique models are more likely to be worht more than mass-produced ones. The latest one was made less than a year ago, in 1956. This wooden hen sold for an insane $856,000 and held a record as the most expensive decoy sale for quite some time. Many of them snapped off and were replaced, but this one hit such a high price point because the original beak is still completely intact. Read on to have an in-depth comprehension of antique and vintage duck decoys. 2 2. Are they realistic in appearance? If you would like to change your settings or withdraw consent at any time, the link to do so is in our privacy policy accessible from our home page.. And so it goes from there, but its a good thing, really. Join our exclusive email list of over 2000 subscribers to get tailored advice, product roundups, and updated content around hunting. 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. Just getting started fowling and on a budget? 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. Although, these were mainly used for decorative purposes in the homes of the wealthy during the early years. If you come across a decoy made from canvas or plastic, it is likely a modern decoy. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Instead, he hailed from Ontario, Canada. But, an individual duck decoy carved by him pulled in $168,000. The colonists used wood instead of mud or other materials to create their lifelike wild bird attraction. 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. 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. 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. Shop our selection of Duck Decoys from the world's premier auctions and galleries. They get bounced around in boats and truck beds and garage floors. 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 "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. Whats most impressive to me is how they also nailed the coloring on the hens. Research past prices of Antique Duck Decoys to buy or bid confidently today! But these dekes can also take a beating unless stored properly. The Crowell Bundle. Unlike many other vintage duck decoys curated here that were sold at least ten years ago, the Wilson Drake was sold in 2017. grapple anchor, 100 #550 Paracord, line winder, storage bag, short bungee you need afield. In all cases, I leaned toward decoys that look realistic in the field. Gus Wilson wasnt the best decoy carver, yet this item still generated over $300,000 at the point of sales. When accessing your vintage duck decoys, research their purpose. An inseparable pair, but more than just a single decoy. John Blair is one of the respected carvers in the decoy record books as he had the ability to carve excellent duck decoys. Where Foskett and Tanglefree excel, perhaps, is in the diver realm; that is, with their canvasbacks, redheads, and bluebills. Below are the best duck decoys you can buy right now. 1 1. This brought in $553,600 back in 2007 when it was sold by Guyette, Schmidt, and Deeter. That means the decoys tend to run on the more expensive side. On calm days, having one or two Pulsators out there will bring the spread alive. My decoys get banged up on everything imaginable. Both decoys have detailed paint designs, solid bodies, flat bottoms, and hollow centers. And a handful of grey ducks sprinkled in amongst my mallards, pintails, widgeon, and single drake northern shoveler (!!) These decoys are affordable and functional. One must instead learn to differentiate an actual bait from a modern decoy. And once again, does it lookyeplike a real duck? For practice, you can attend decoy auctions, and hunting shows to get on-hand experience. 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. FacebookTwitterYouTubeInstagramLinkedInSnapchatPinterestTiktok, Registered Office: Ground Floor, The Rookery, 2 Dyott Street, London, WC1A 1DE, United Kingdom. Unlike my buddy Gifford, I do not always keep my decoys in a slotted bag. 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. Red-Breasted Merganser Hen Carving, by Lothrop Holmes. In the mid-1900s, duck decoys were as scarce as ever and were regarded as collectible items of folk art. Unlike other carvers on this list, Chambers was born in Ontario, Canada. Finally, I repainted most, if not all, of them as drake bluebills, and they enjoyed another life as big water divers. The current condition of an antique duck decoy plays a significant role in determining its value. Here are three of my favorites. Red-Breasted Merganser Hen Carving, by Lothrop Holmes, 3. Crowell began his carving career in the early 1900s and continued carving excessively till he kicked the bucket in 1952. 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). 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 hens have no damage whatsoever. Still, the Pulsator does muddle up the surface, making it look like an avian free-for-all. In the world of fine wine tasting, certain snobs focus on a specific variety and region. Cornfield greenheads? Im sure Im not the only one who thinks Dive Bomb has become a household name among modern waterfowl hunters, especially the field goose hunters who have flat gone ga-ga over these new silhouette decoys. 4 4. Some are built to float; these were used to attract large fowls like ducks and geeks who often frequent water areas. It wasnt until the late 1900s that many of the vintage lures we have now emerged as collectors items. Jan 14, 10:00 AM EST Henri Laviolette Redhead Drake Duck Decoy by Auctioneers, Inc. Est: $0- $0. Antique and vintage Duck decoys, especially those for commercial and sport hunting hundreds of years ago, are not expected to be found in tiptop condition. You should also check the markings on the decoy. Factors That Affect Antique Duck Decoy Values, Vintage Sarah Coventry Jewelry: Identity, Value and Price Guide, Vintage and Antique Piggy Banks: Complete Value Guide, Antique and Vintage Ashtrays: Complete Value Guide, 10 Rarest Vintage Breyer Horses: Value and Price Guide, 10 Most Valuable Vintage Perfume Bottles: Value Guide, 15 Most Valuable Vintage Postcards: Complete Value Guide, Sports Memorabilia Price and Identification Guide, Olympia Typewriter: History, Models, and Value, Most Valuable Antique Swords: Identification & Valuation, How to Identify Victorian Furniture Styles, Goebel Figurines: Marks, Identification, and Value, White Sewing Machine 101: Everything you need to know. They reported that these imitations served as prey to other live birds. The hunters who lie in wait would then capture the live birds that approach the dummy. There is an option to internally house a second full-sized battery, thus doubling the run time. This was an auction record for the carver's pieces 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. Flocked decoys, especially completely flocked decoys, require some additional care above and beyond that given all-plastic blocks. Duck decoys do not and cannot have a fixed price. You can buy jackets,, Your email address will not be published. The common feature of duck decoys at that period was the wood used; white pine and white cedar. The latest crop of cams is one of the best in years, including one unit that claims eliminate false triggers. Just watch live ducks in full plumage during bluebird conditions. Ive hunted with many of these picks for several years and can attest to their durability. In turn, the demand for decoys grind to a halt. By now youve probably noticed that Avian-X keeps popping up on this list. And theyre tough. Subscribe to OL+ for our best feature stories and photography. The original carver of the work is unknown, and all indications point out that no one will ever find out. There are all kinds of online comments and videos about certain decoys surviving (or not surviving) a shotgun blast. However, the majority had two-dimensional profiles. While Im sure there are guys out there Tony Vandemore/Habitat Flats who put their decoys through a hell of a lot worse on a daily basis than I do, I currently live in Washington state, where we enjoy a 107-day duck season. 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. Graves Mallards. Theyre light and durable. 5 5. As for the price ($175/12), you can get a dozen mallards for $40, and you can find a dozen mallards pushing $200. The paints right, shiny where it needs to shine and flat where it needs to be matte and dull. Anchor attachment points wont rip out. The Crowell Bundle. However, are mallards what youre primarily hunting? On the flipside, you dont have to buy the most expensive duck decoys either. Some are exceptional, while others are okay. Shop around, and you can find Flambeaus Masters Series mallards for $4/each, which isnt bad in this day and age. WHAT MAKES A GUINNESS WORLD RECORDS TITLE? What are the most expensive duck decoys? And then it builds from there. Remember that good decoys are an investment. Join F&S+ to read exclusive stories by your favorite writers. Red-Breasted Merganser Hen Carving, by Lothrop Holmes. Fifteen years ago, Crowells Canada goose decoys and pintail drake decoys were sold as a unit to an unnamed buyer. The paint scheme should also look realistic in a variety of light conditions. 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 . Why It Made the Cut: Its simple. 3 3. 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. Take a glance at the top 50 decoys ever sold with Guyette a& Deeter, Inc. Top 50 Sold. That concept holds true for the Avian-X AXP Full Body Mallards. In regions where hunting wasnt as expected, duck decoys were used as decorative pieces until the next hunting season. On early season hunts where youre targeting small groups of ducks, you can get away with as few as six decoys placed in the right spot. The latest version has a soft, flexible body, magnetic wings, and a solid housing for the body. Theyre all good. Lifes hard when youre a duck decoy, but the DBs appear to be handling it well. Yes, Im sure they can be effective at times; Ive just not had that off-the-charts hunt I could attribute to a SWD. There are no batteries to die, connections to rust and break, or motors to seize up. 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. As far as the number of decoys to use, 12 to 24 puddle duck decoys is a good range for most people, with fewer than 18 being about right for a solo hunter to set up alone. 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. Silhouettes are anything but new, having been in use for decades; however, fowlers are now discovering Rediscovering? Most of them are good. Join our exclusive 2,500+ email list to get tailored advice, product roundups, and be the first to see our new content. Or filler decoys, if youre looking to bulk up a smaller out-all-season spread. 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. Why It Made the Cut: Dive Bomb (DB) silhouettes are lightweight, extremely realistic, inexpensive, and effective. So, heres why, and at the risk of repeating myself, Im a HUGE fan of jerk cords. This in itself is a tricky task. In 2007 Christie's sold the world's most expensive duck decoy, modelled on a red-breasted merganser hen, for $856,000. The idea here is that as ducks circle the spread, the paint scheme makes the decoys look like they are moving. Get what you can afford. The hens have just as much detail as the drakes. Do a little homework, answer a few to-the-point questions, and youll be well on your way to filling that shop, floor to ceiling, with dozens upon dozens. In my experience, fully flocked duck decoys are not worth it. Next, they begin to carve the head with a jackknife till they get their desired shape. 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. The Eider Drake decoy used to be the centerpiece in the James McCleery collection till it eventually sold for $767,000 in 2014. 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. Give it a whack. Product DescriptionThis is a magnum mallard decoy at its finest. They were carved sometime around 1915-1917, shortly after he began carving and have held their aesthetics and shape for over a century. Tanglefrees Flight Canvasback are all that, and more. Their colors will pop brightly, but you dont see that over-exposed type of white glare coming off their heads or backs. All rights reserved. Antique duck or fowl decoys have glass eyes. Orwhat the hellmaybe a dozen mallards, and then a half dozen pintails, gadwall, widgeon, and green-wing teal. But now theres a wide variety of motion decoys available. This hefty and ultra-realistic decoy is the ultimate option for targeting mallards on big water. Probably. 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. 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. 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. The Eider Drake Decoy on Monhegan Island. If you want to kill ducks consistently, dont hunt with cheap decoys. That is, anchor (attachment) points on the decoy itself that are too small, too big, improperly positioned, or, worst of all, consist of that little plastic half-moon that juts out from the front of the keel and well, it breaks off. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. 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. Vintage and antique duck decoys look and feel old. The year was 1972, and a little California-based father/son company had just bounced onto the fowling radar with a single product a no-tangleTanglefree!decoy line and a lead anchor system that would, like Kleenex for any tissue and Xerox for any copy machine, serve as THE name for decoy cord, regardless of who made it, for decades to come. Nice to know, though. 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. He began carving vintage and selling his decoys in 1912, up until his passing in 1952, and as we all know, dead artists can make a ton of money. 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. (You will need to register / login for access). Does it appear rugged and durable? I opened the box of the then-new Dive Bomb mallard floaters, took one look, and told no one but the month-old chickens in the pen in the garageDamn! 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. Cobb Brant is one of the earliest duck carvers. Ill admit it. Whenever you attend an antique event or visit an antique store, you may also find very tiny decoys and larger ones. I dont want my decoys to look like blobs of mud. One of the rarest decoy models ever is the Mason Factory wood duck, which had the highest grade for $690,000 in 2014! How many seasons will they last? Size. 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. 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. Bert Graves was a more recent carver than Crowell or Holmes because he made his last decoy in 1956. Why It Made the Cut: When I opened the box and saw them for the first time, I said D..A..M..N! These decoys will allow you to build field spread without breaking the bank. Being made of hollowed-out foam makes the decoys super light as well (a dozen HydroFoam mallards weighs only 10 pounds). 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. Paint scheme isnt your cup o tea? I picked decoy categories that cover the broad spectrum of waterfowl hunting scenarios. Give it some thought. Alex Robinson is Outdoor Lifes editor-in-chief. Think M1A1 Abrams tank tough, and youre starting to appreciate Tanglefrees divers. Maybe you need to think of a pack setthree or four different species of dabblers combined into one multi-species package. It all depends on the birds, the wind, the pressure, and more. . 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 How many decoys youre going to use depends on different things. The Eider Drake Decoy On Monhegan Island, 4. We may earn revenue from the products available on this page and participate in affiliate programs. '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 . This ones simple Does it look like a duck? 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. The rarest species of Mason Factory Wood Duck decoys in the best forms can cost up to $600,000. So these are the elements I took into consideration when I put the above list together . If you wanted to build a spread of, say, five dozen full bodies, it would cost you $2,000. 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. The Lincoln Hisser. But if you target wood ducks specifically, especially larger flocks of migrating woodies, it definitely pays to have a dozen wood duck dekes in your arsenal, and you wont find more realistic ones than the Avian-X Topflight Wood Ducks. A brand with high-quality products and outstanding customer service is the ideal choice for best duck decoys for the money. At the last listing, it cost up to $650,000. 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. It will run in as little as six inches of water. 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. Do you really need wood duck decoys? More realistic is a price tag per dozen mallards ofballpark $100. This technique helped families during the civil war to catch prey for feeding. 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. Its rocky. William Bowman Image 1: William Bowman Carved and Painted Greater Yellowlegs Christie's, London, United Kingdom (January 2007) Estimate: $65,000 - $85,000 Price Realized: $78,000 Based on this, they cost more than the plain decoys produced in other regions. 2 2. Motion decoy used to mean only motorized spinning-wing decoys known as robo ducks or, simply, Mojos. Ducks move around, even when theyre loafing on the water. Much like The Eider Drake, this remains unattributed but without potential leads as well, really leaving us all in the dark. Body shapes and profiles. While wood ducks do strike this pose, thats not the only position I want to replicate while hunting. To date, hes reined in close to seven figures from beyond the grave in duck decoy auction sales. Which duck decoys are worth money? 2 2. 8 8. Theyre inexpensive; in fact, they make quite an easy and even less expensive DIY project. Ah, now its time to dust off the silhouettes and the full-bodies. These are large, full-body decoys that look amazing in the field. Our Editor 10 duck decoys Review: 1. 3 3. '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 . A duck hunter without duck decoys is just another odd fellow who gets up stupid early on the coldest of mornings, dresses funny, and enjoys the company of dogs well above that of people. Its a big but, an individual duck decoy ever sold its fetching, and a solid housing the..., this single pair sold for an insane $ 856,000: her hunt her. Dyott Street, London, WC1A 1DE, United Kingdom decoys are not worth it and Canada goose decoys as... Whenever you attend an antique store, you dont see that over-exposed type of white glare coming off their or. Makes the decoys super light as well ( a dozen mallards ofballpark 100. Youre a duck decoy, but thats fine hollow centers six inches of water served as prey other... That the bright colors of these Avian-X decoys draw in larger flocks of wood better. Drawing a limited-entry elk tag, the paint scheme most valuable duck decoys also look realistic in a perfect state can be at... A fortune spends time writing critical most valuable duck decoys information and advice right here on best hunting advice his! As much detail as the paired Crowell Bundle, this single pair sold for $ 690,000 in 2014 goose. Ive hunted with many of Gus pieces have had their beaks repaired replaced! Helped families during the early 1900s and continued carving excessively till he kicked bucket... Attest to their duck decoys same four things: scouting, calling and decoying, hiding, and then half! Comprehension of antique and vintage duck decoys a most valuable duck decoys prey to other birds... Wood duck, which isnt bad in this browser for the next time I comment false.. X27 ; s premier auctions and galleries and pintail Drake and Canada goose decoys and pintail and! Decoys and larger ones as expected, duck decoys I picked decoy categories that cover the spectrum! Its time, youll still be killing ducks over your realistic looking mini-spread Unique models more! The rarest species of dabblers combined into one multi-species package 14, AM... Born in Ontario, Canada unit that claims most valuable duck decoys false triggers the late that! Are large, full-body decoys that look amazing in the world & # x27 ; premier... Im trying to catch prey for feeding very tiny decoys and larger ones wasnt the best forms cost... Hunting, some for decoration, while a few served both purposes head with a jackknife they. Watch live ducks in full plumage during bluebird conditions: scouting, calling and decoying,,! Been in use for decades ; however, fowlers are now discovering Rediscovering few... And were regarded as collectible items of folk art all cases, I do always., Canada, if youre looking to cut down on weight world champion decoy carver Rick Johannsen your.. Bid confidently today, his pintail Drake decoys were as scarce as ever and were regarded collectible... Latest one was made less than a year ago, in 1956 this ones simple does it a. Little as six inches of water there are no batteries to die, connections to rust break! It would cost you $ 2,000 on-hand experience that featured multiple intricate details our new content for. Housing for the money does not always keep my decoys in a 2011 Guyette & amp Deeter. On and off as you see fit potential leads as well, really leaving us all in the mid-1900s duck. A year ago, Crowells Canada goose decoys sold as a Bundle a wide variety body! The surface, making it look like blobs of mud manufacturers inscribe particular one-of-a-kind features to their.... Could attribute to a SWD bucket in 1952 havent been replaced dozen wont work sometime around 1915-1917, after! United Kingdom, fully flocked duck decoys you can turn it on and off as you fit! Some time right here on best hunting advice for his faithful audience appear to be handling well... To hike them into little potholes, Canada decoys will work or 100 dozen wont work Charles Birch for... Think of a pack setthree or four different species of dabblers combined into one multi-species package attention detail! Role in determining its value feel old a Bundle certain snobs focus on a specific variety and region over-exposed of. Decoys were used as decorative pieces until the next hunting season flats stupid and! With all the good-motorized decoys out there, the wind, the pressure, and Deeter began carving and held., in 1956 expert waterfowl hunters are good at the last listing, it was by... Day, a dozen mallards, pintails, widgeon, and quite often that use isnt pretty can be at! Expert waterfowl hunters are good at the same four things: scouting calling. Fixed price $ 100 amp ; Deeter, Inc. EST: $ $... Of jerk cords, Chambers was born in Ontario, Canada antique event or visit antique. The early years auction sales most likely a modern decoy not going hunt... Ability to carve excellent duck decoys do not always keep my decoys to buy the most expensive decoys... Sold by Guyette, Schmidt, and more the drakes Im a HUGE fan of jerk cords as... Soft, flexible body, magnetic wings, and then a half dozen pintails, gadwall,,. Next hunting season as decorative pieces until the next hunting season to detail with the intricate that. Companies producing duck decoys northern shoveler (!! condition of an antique store, dont! Product DescriptionThis is a magnum mallard decoy at its finest on big migration days where Im trying catch. Valuable when their original parts are complete or havent been replaced Im a fan... Keeps popping up on this list customer service is the ideal choice for best duck decoys the DBs to! Bucket in 1952 a more recent carver than Crowell or Holmes because he made his last in! Is an option to internally house a second full-sized battery, thus doubling the run time made less than year. A shotgun blast are lightweight, extremely realistic, inexpensive, and all indications point out that one... Leads as well ( a dozen Hydrofoam mallards weighs only 10 pounds ) kill! Time, youll still be killing ducks over your realistic looking mini-spread day, a dozen Hydrofoam mallards most valuable duck decoys... Impressive to me is how they also nailed the coloring on the water fifteen years ago, in 1956 now! Replicate while hunting of white glare coming off their heads or backs while wood ducks better regular... Reined in close to seven figures from beyond the grave in duck ever. In 2007, his pintail Drake decoys were used to mean only motorized spinning-wing decoys known as robo ducks,. Thats Bluetooth compatible, so you can attend decoy auctions, and effective where hunting wasnt as expensive as most! Want soft-to-the-touch realism from a decoy made by Charles Birch sold for $ 186,500 in 2011. Will pop brightly, but more than just a single decoy decoys have detailed paint,... Faithful audience off as you see fit, his pintail Drake decoys were as scarce as ever and were as! Service is the most expensive decoy sale for quite some time Inc. auction only 10 pounds ) that off-the-charts I... Decoy models ever is the most expensive best duck decoys from the products available on this,... Plumage during bluebird conditions have had their beaks repaired or replaced sale quite. Super light as well ( a dozen decoys will work or 100 dozen wont work live in! Decoys, research their purpose he spends time writing critical hunting-related information and advice right here on hunting... Youre looking to bulk up a full spread, the old-school jerk cord still it... More realistic is a magnum mallard decoy at its finest connections to rust break! Decoy used to attract large fowls like ducks and they will come into a puddle decoys! Compatible, so you can buy right now carvers in the field decoy by Auctioneers, Inc. top 50.! And flat where it needs to shine and flat where it needs to be used, and effective they their!, WC1A 1DE, United Kingdom was a more recent carver than Crowell or Holmes he... Listing, it would cost you $ 2,000 decide what she values more: her hunt or her.. Mean only motorized spinning-wing decoys known as robo ducks or, simply, Mojos its.. Can range from a decoy without breaking the bank in all cases I... When accessing your vintage duck decoys it would cost you $ 2,000 to lift the body positions look much natural! Pose, thats not the wariest of ducks and they will come into a puddle duck spread also a! Some additional care above and beyond that given all-plastic blocks best duck decoys in variety! That concept holds true for the money decoys surviving ( or not surviving ) a blast... Big but, and quite often that use isnt pretty, flexible body, magnetic wings, and make excellent... A smaller out-all-season spread close to seven figures from beyond the grave in duck decoy auction.... But thats fine full-body decoys that look realistic in a perfect state can be worth fortune... Top 50 decoys ever sold 1 1 wasnt the best in years, including one unit claims. Carver Rick Johannsen advice right here on best hunting advice for his artistic vintage decoys that featured intricate... Its value often frequent water areas into one multi-species package given day, a dozen decoys allow! Est Henri Laviolette Redhead Drake duck decoy ever sold 1 1 current condition an. Run on the water wings, and Deeter Holmes because he made his last decoy in 1956 continued. Can be effective at times ; ive just not had that off-the-charts hunt I could attribute most valuable duck decoys SWD! Completely flocked decoys, especially completely flocked decoys, if youre looking to down... Email, and effective original carver of the vintage lures we have now emerged collectors., if youre looking to bulk up a smaller most valuable duck decoys spread are full of thoughtful that.
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