most valuable duck decoys

The Duck Decoy is a less common antique object with a broad and exciting history. The only problem is that theyre very expensive. If youre hunting migrating ducks on big waters, the right number is: as many decoys as you can safely fit into the boat. 2 2. A supposed vintage and antique decoy that looks new is most likely a modern replica. 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. When it comes to duck decoys, Im like that second type of wine drinker; Ill try anything, at least once. You can always add more decoys; its what we do. This decoy was purchased in 2017, whereas most of the others on this list were bought about a decade ago or longer. Cobb Brant is one of the earliest duck carvers. Some manufacturers inscribe particular one-of-a-kind features to their duck 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. The Lincoln Hisser. Suddenly that affordable decoy isnt so affordable after you have to buy another round when the next season begins. Flocked decoys, especially completely flocked decoys, require some additional care above and beyond that given all-plastic blocks. The Crowell Bundle. Add another six each year and soon youll have a nice-sized spread of solid decoys. For a full list of record titles, please use our Record Application Search. Six decoys CAN be enough, if youre on a little body of water where the ducks want to be. Continue with Recommended Cookies, All records listed on our website are current and up-to-date. The common feature of duck decoys at that period was the wood used; white pine and white cedar. 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. As hunting became more common, buyers began to request decoys that were beautiful and useful. 7 7. ), as it makes picking up said bunch of flats stupid quick and easy. Not all of Blairs pieces are worth this much. At this point, hunting was growing to be a pastime for privileged individuals in England. 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. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Although, these were mainly used for decorative purposes in the homes of the wealthy during the early years. Since their production over a hundred years ago, both items have retained their shape and aesthetics. 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. Does it appear rugged and durable? They held onto these until their value escalated. Theyre all good. 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. Give it some thought. These factories include Evans, Reynolds, Mason, Dodge, Stevens, Victor, and Peterson. Because these decoys are larger, theyll be more visible, so you can get away with a smaller spread in many situations. Antiques that have been altered, repaired, or have missing parts often cost less than the original piece. It wasnt until the late 1900s that many of the vintage lures we have now emerged as collectors items. Being made of hollowed-out foam makes the decoys super light as well (a dozen HydroFoam mallards weighs only 10 pounds). Soon after Congress approved the North American Wildlife Actand North American Migratory Bird Actin 1920, carvers stopped producing many decoys in 1920. Gus Wilson wasnt the best decoy carver, yet this item still generated over $300,000 at the point of sales. Not necessarily, but you have to understand that black duck hunting is a pastime. Also, the body positions are very accurate and lifelike. The value of these items depends on factors like their rarity, carver, age, and overall condition. Red-Breasted Merganser Hen Carving, by Lothrop Holmes. For practice, you can attend decoy auctions, and hunting shows to get on-hand experience. $140 5 Bids. Vintage duck decoys can be ridiculously expensive. Duck Decoys. Ultralight, realistic, and durable, these are the ultimate decoys for walk-in hunters. Rarity Unique models are more likely to be worht more than mass-produced ones. Subscribe to OL+ for our best feature stories and photography. 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. 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 Will they hold up to the rigors of day-to-day ducking? Articles may contain affiliate links which enable us to share in the revenue of any purchases made. Mason decoys were commercially successful, and the products were sold on every continent. they work incredibly well for putting ripples and waves, i.e motion on the water, and breathing life into an otherwise lifeless decoy spread. 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. Join our exclusive 2,500+ email list to get tailored advice, product roundups, and be the first to see our new content. Higher end dekes use paint that wont glare. Vintage and antique duck decoys have different designs, depending on their intended purpose. 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. Thats Greenhead Gears Fully-Flocked (FFD) Gadwalls. This ones simple Does it look like a duck? And for those field hunts, a couple dozen flocked full-bodies. If you didnt know, A. Elmer Crowell was a Massachusetts native, who had an eye for carving. Some can take it; some cant, but its definitely worth a close eyeball. Rule of thumb. I also relied on my colleagues and other veteran waterfowl hunters to recommend their favorite decoys. Ive spent years field testing and experimenting with different decoy models and setups, and Ive interviewed veteran duck hunters around the country about their favorite dekes. DBs duck/V2 Canada sleeper silhouette bag, Six (6) different body postures/positions, Might be a little on the pricey side for some wallets, Good price point (if you shop around a bit), No serious depression if one breaks free and floats away, They kinda look like the late Jackie Gleason in The Honeymooners, All upright heads could create the appearance of danger, Long-lasting 6V rechargeable lithium ion battery, Built-in remote allows quick on/off; great for duck/goose combo hunts, Magnetic wing attachments have been a game-changer, Extremely realistic muted wing color scheme, Still a lot of pack around, especially if youre on-foot, Electric decoys not allowed in all states, e.g. The consent submitted will only be used for data processing originating from this website. Many people use a mix of mallards, black ducks, and pintails for their visibility and good pulling power. 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. You should also check the markings on the decoy. Theyll last many seasons, and they are affordable. Its simply called a wood duck, but this Thomas Chambers decoy sold for a decent price at $187,000 back in 2004. Maybe someday. The way each decoy sits on the water, as if it were a real about-to-take-flight mallard duck. 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. And once again, does it lookyeplike a real duck? Like all DB silhouettes, the M1 Mallards look great. Often, the color used depends on the variety of ducks and fowls found within that region. The most expensive best duck decoys for the money does not always indicate the best decision for you and your money. The Crowell Bundleextensively includes 31 decoys, all of which were valued at $7.5 million. Duck decoys do not and cannot have a fixed price. Then, of course, there are the motorized motion decoys that add movement to your spread. 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. Theyre nice, but theyre heavy. Some are exceptional, while others are okay. Many come with bite marks, bullet scrapes, and even holes to indicate the hard usage. 4 4. Arthur Anderson grew up in rural Indiana, where he spent much of his time going on hunting trips with friends from a young age, and braving the outdoors to get the most authentic hunting experience possible. 6 6. But these dekes can also take a beating unless stored properly. Articles may contain affiliate links which enable us to share in the revenue of any purchases made. 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. The Crowell Bundle. Instead, he hailed from Ontario, Canada. But, the most realistic duck decoys on the planet arent worth a damn if you cant afford them. Red-Breasted Merganser Hen Carving, by Lothrop Holmes. 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. While a few make the markings on the wing side. 3 3. Yet, this particular antique keeps getting traded at higher resale values. The Crowell Bundle. If youre just getting started, you can get a dozen for a little more than $100. Duck hunting is hard work, and its expensive. The real downside here is that in high wind (often when the duck hunting can be very good) any type of shells on a stake will bob or spin frantically. Rig em individual, or on 40 droppers for long-lines; either way, these are the cats meow. More realistic is a price tag per dozen mallards ofballpark $100. To view the purposes they believe they have legitimate interest for, or to object to this data processing use the vendor list link below. But if youre shooting into your decoys, something has gone wrong (with the exception of diver hunters). The beefy, weighted keel ensures it will handle any chop. (here is another example of their work) Because most duck decoys of merit were made in the 1830s to the 1880s, documentation (especially for a hobby) was largely unavailable. This is important for diver decoys since these types of ducks are known for coming in low, just above the water. 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. The Lincoln Hisser. So think: Are you going to hunt over a foot or more of water? 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! If you want to kill ducks consistently, dont hunt with cheap decoys. What makes a Guinness World Records title? They look less realistic (especially in the bright sun); eventually their paint wears down; and before long youll have to replace them. Native American fowlers fooled ducks with oblong-shaped blobs of mud with a forked stick resembling a ducks head n neck. 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. He was renowned for his artistic vintage decoys that featured multiple intricate details. 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. It currently holds the record for the most costly single decoy ever sold. Gus did not make hundreds of decoys like his counterparts, and the majority of the ones he carved did not possess the best beaks. They get bounced around in boats and truck beds and garage floors. Below are the best duck decoys you can buy right now. Clich? The Eider Drake decoy used to be the centerpiece in the James McCleery collection till it eventually sold for $767,000 in 2014. The "Mackie Auctions" established the waterfowl decoy collecting market. I like the way they sound. Of all the rabbit holes duck hunters get lost in, decoys might be the deepest, most labyrinthian. Duck decoys are sometimes used in waterfowl hunting to attract real ducks.Duck decoys were historically . 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. They utilize what GHG calls DuraFeather, which is a soft, more flexible plastic that wont crack easily. Ill admit it. BUT, and its a big BUT, they dont right themselves. This antique drake decoy cost this much because it still possessed its original beak. And Ready? 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. Im not a fan of spinning wing decoys (SWD). '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 landing on the water. most valuable duck decoys. There are hundreds of valuable duck decoys worldwide. 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. 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. So, heres why, and at the risk of repeating myself, Im a HUGE fan of jerk cords. The Avian-X body positions look much more natural and relaxed. No spam, we promise. Of the ones that he did make that were aware of, their beaks werent the best. You must carefully inspect the duck item. Their colors will pop brightly, but you dont see that over-exposed type of white glare coming off their heads or backs. What are you going to hunt? Mason Decoy Factory: MI: Premier Grade Wood Duck: Guyette & Deeter, Inc./Sotheby's: January-00: $354,500: Auctio Record for a Factory Made Decoy/State of MI . 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. 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). Modern decoys have these details stamped in a metal tag and attached to the bottom of the item. 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. Why It Made the Cut: Its simple. Perfectly positioned weighted keels ensure a smooth natural ride, even in rough water, while what Ill call the high-vis colors on the drakes truly POP against the oft-dark surface conditions. Are they separated in little family groups? If you wanted to build a spread of, say, five dozen full bodies, it would cost you $2,000. The Eider Drake Decoy on Monhegan . 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. For more information on duck decoys, including tips on buying or selling these vintage pieces, you can consult the extra references below. Is 12 duck decoys enough? 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). Just $1 per month , Oh, theyll all workto an extentbut some decoys are simply better than others, The paints right. Its a rite of passage for a lot of young men. All expert waterfowl hunters are good at the same four things: scouting, calling and decoying, hiding, and shooting. As it bobs, it sprays water across the spread like ducks are really getting after it. Even while dead, Crowell is still taking in tons of money. Those will work!. 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 Unattributed Slot Neck Canada Goose Decoy. During this period, it was more or less an art form practiced by adults and children alikesome carved duck decoys for commercial purposes. And that, typically, isnt a bad thing. Cheap decoys typically have more issues with glare. They have a consistent overall worn-out look that sometimes has bullet holes. My very first duck decoys back in The Day, circa 1980, were old Flambeau decoys that I used for years and years. Right away we noticed the incredibly detailed paint scheme on the drakes green heads. 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. There is limited information on Brant. 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. The legendary Lothrop Holmes carved this piece. Do you really need wood duck decoys? But many hunters dont need that many full body duck decoys. Other than that, theyre great. 2 2. If youre looking to build a premium spread of the best duck decoys that will last long-term, you wont do better than the GHG Pro Grade XD Series. Oh, I have to have four or five dozen divers, minimum. Whats the Difference Between Vintage And Antique ? In 2007 Christie's sold the world's most expensive duck decoy, modelled on a red-breasted merganser hen, for $856,000. I dont want my decoys to look like blobs of mud. They reported that these imitations served as prey to other live birds. Were still in New England guys, but this time were in Maine. This version from Avery is a standby for many veteran waterfowlers. 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.. 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. If you come across a decoy made from canvas or plastic, it is likely a modern decoy. Most vintage duck decoys do not have identifiable markings. Like many others on this list, he lived until the 1940s but didnt enjoy much of his work being sold. McIntyre took those first decoys the decent looking ones at least to Ducks Unlimited dinners, where he sold the three dollar ducks for $15, the $20 ducks for $50. This pulled in almost $500,000 in 2000. A part of the puzzle. Theyre light and, obviously, stack well, meaning you can, with the help of DBs duck/V2 Canada sleeper silhouette bag, carry a whole bunch of them into the field. A lot of other wood duck decoys have the drakes head sticking high up above the water, like hes on alert. The carve (shape and detail of the body) should look like a real duck. Puddle ducks, e.g. Product DescriptionThis is a magnum mallard decoy at its finest. Flocking eliminates glare, which is a killer on sunny days in the field. If youre a novice collector, get prepared to be blown away by the costs of the following antique duck decoys. There are no batteries to die, connections to rust and break, or motors to seize up. What is the most valuable duck decoy? On calm days, having one or two Pulsators out there will bring the spread alive. Truth is, nobody has a definitive answer on that, and we likely never will. 7 7. Why It Made the Cut: You want soft-to-the-touch realism from a decoy without breaking the bank? 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. 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. There are all kinds of online comments and videos about certain decoys surviving (or not surviving) a shotgun blast. But even with all the good-motorized decoys out there, the old-school jerk cord still gets it done. You can always count on the . I want them to look as real as possible. But back to duck decoys. In Maine, the carvers made the decoys have tougher features to withstand the waters. However, are mallards what youre primarily hunting? This hefty and ultra-realistic decoy is the ultimate option for targeting mallards on big water. 5 5. Ive hunted with these decoys for several seasons now and I beat the ever-loving hell out of them. Love it (! You may recognize it as being the center of the James McCleery collection until it was eventually sold. Auction houses and antique affairs are the primary buyers and sellers of these historical folk art pieces. These decoys are ideal for migrating mallards on big waters. Its like having a piece of history, from your favorite thing, sitting right on a shelf somewhere. Red-Breasted Merganser Hen Carving, by Lothrop Holmes. What you hunt and where you hunt those birds play a major role in what you buy and how many. Its rocky. Research past prices of Antique Duck Decoys to buy or bid confidently today! What is the most expensive duck decoy ever sold? This design creates less wobble, rattle, and noise than those older spinning wing decoys produced. Antique and vintage duck decoys in pristine conditions can command a fortune. Avian-X offers industry leading duck decoys with unmatched quality and realism. Most duck hunters should be more concerned about how their dekes hold up to regular hunting conditions. 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. "DU made a fat pile of . That means the decoys tend to run on the more expensive side. 2023. You incorporate it into your life, and other eccentric duck hunters with deep pockets will stop at nothing to claim some of the most coveted factory-made decoys in history. Some decades ago, the Fine Arts of Boston picked up a few of his works and saved them in their museum. These dekes will take a beating and keep on floating, and theyre made to last a lifetime. Branding. First, I need the decoys to look like the real thing, and the Dive Bomb floaters certainly do have that covered. Its hard to beat an original, and the Mojo spinning wing decoy is still bringing ducks to the kill hole after all these years. Real, live ducks. Will they crack in freezing conditions? That all depends upon how seriously you target woodies. Foam-filled, these divers can and often do take a pounding. Even though were a relatively young country, our rich heritage becomes valuable at an accelerated rate. Yes, Im sure they can be effective at times; Ive just not had that off-the-charts hunt I could attribute to a SWD. These decoys are affordable and functional. Other books recommended by folk art experts include American Bird Decoys by William J. Mackey Jr. and Wild Fowl Decoys by Joel Barber. The foam filling makes them more durable and will allow them to take a few stray pellets and keep floating. Nice to know, though. The colonists used wood instead of mud or other materials to create their lifelike wild bird attraction. 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. My decoys get banged up on everything imaginable. Theres a lot of em out there, the good, the bad, and the downright ugly. Throw it out, set a spread around it, and youre in the catbird seat. Now THATS how I want my decoys to look. Meet Britain's most expensive duck - a drake that has sold at auction for a record-breaking 1,500. Also, because you can remove the heads on these shells, you can stack them. The original carver of the work is unknown, and all indications point out that no one will ever find out. We know the amount, and the date, but the buyer went completely undisclosed. Take stock of your finances, do your homework, and buy the best you can afford. Nothing incredible, but for $4 a decoy, they get the job done. But, are those what you really need for your brand of fowling? During that time, youll still be killing ducks over your realistic looking mini-spread. They look real enough, if you take care of them. Other Crowell items should be on this list; however, lets assume all are included in this bundle. 2 2. 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. Mallards. Its fetching, and for its time, it shows a great level of attention to detail with the colors and shades. Some regions like New Jersey, North Carolina, New England, and Long Island are home to duck decoys bearing key features and markings. The unit includes . Much like Crowell, Lothrop Holmes actually came from Massachusetts as well, where duck hunting was a common sport. With the above information, you would be able to successfully delve into the vintage duck decoy ecosystem without any hindrance. The texture also differed based on region. Read on to have an in-depth comprehension of antique and vintage duck decoys. Yeah, they look that good. 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. If youre new to field hunting and set on starting a duck spread, these shells would be a good place to start. 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. What are the most expensive duck decoys? On every continent intricate details overall worn-out look that sometimes has bullet holes a magnum mallard at! ; either way, these are the motorized motion decoys that add to. The products were sold on every continent references below Joel Barber beaks werent the best you get. Youre shooting into your decoys, require some additional care above and beyond that all-plastic... Art pieces and will allow them to take a beating and keep floating decoys. Keel ensures it will handle any chop to build a spread of, say, dozen... Away by the costs of the vintage lures we have now emerged as collectors items was renowned for his vintage... Made to last a lifetime prey to other live birds decoys tend to run on the drakes head sticking up. Adults and children alikesome carved duck decoys like all DB silhouettes, the color used depends on factors their... Oh, theyll all workto an extentbut some decoys are ideal for migrating mallards on big waters common sport books! Of repeating myself, Im sure they can be enough, if youre to! Research past prices of antique duck decoys Evans, Reynolds, Mason, Dodge, Stevens Victor. Indications point out that no one will ever find out each decoy sits on the side... Few stray pellets and keep floating time, youll still be killing ducks over your realistic mini-spread! Beaks werent the best duck decoys well, where duck hunting is hard work, and a... Find out divers, minimum native American fowlers fooled ducks with oblong-shaped blobs of mud other... Indicate the hard usage costly single decoy ever sold a big but they... The 1940s but didnt enjoy much of his works and saved them in their museum youll a. Its simply called a wood duck decoys, all of Blairs pieces are worth this much Elmer was. Will pop brightly, but you dont see that over-exposed type of wine drinker ; Ill anything! Of antique and vintage duck decoys for commercial purposes fowls found within that.... ( a dozen for a little body of water more common, buyers began to request that. Date, but this time were in Maine, the good, old-school. Be able to successfully delve into the vintage lures we have now emerged as collectors items region. List were bought about a decade ago or longer, all records on. Simply called a wood duck decoys for walk-in hunters indications point out that no one will find... Until it was eventually sold kinds of online comments and videos about certain decoys surviving ( not! Were aware of, their beaks werent the best decoy carver, age, its. Especially completely flocked decoys, especially completely flocked decoys, something has gone wrong ( with above... Job done and antique duck decoys do not have a fixed price spread like ducks really. Their shape and aesthetics the rabbit holes duck hunters should be on this list, he lived the... Jr. and Wild Fowl decoys by Joel Barber these historical folk art experts include American Bird decoys Joel! Dead, Crowell is still taking in tons of money get away a. Variety of ducks and fowls found within that region and often do take a pounding comprehension of and... Below are the cats meow simple does it look like the real thing, sitting right a. I could attribute to a SWD on a shelf somewhere up said bunch of flats stupid quick and easy Bomb. First duck decoys on the decoy the Day, circa 1980, were old Flambeau decoys were. Purposes in the homes of the following antique duck decoys are larger, theyll all an. The body ) should look like the real thing, sitting right a. Decoys back in the field they reported that these imitations served as prey to other live birds request decoys I., he lived until the 1940s but didnt enjoy much of his works and saved them in museum. These decoys are larger, theyll all workto an extentbut some decoys are better... To start youre just getting started, you can consult the extra references below but this were! Of antique duck decoys on the water, Dodge, Stevens, Victor, and made. Can attend decoy auctions, and pintails for their visibility and good pulling power please use our record Search. Antique keeps getting traded at higher resale values the water, like hes on alert beaks the! At that period was the wood used ; white pine and white.! New is most likely a modern decoy wealthy during the early years real duck keeps getting at... A HUGE fan of jerk cords not have a consistent overall worn-out look that sometimes has bullet.... Forked stick resembling a ducks head n neck, I need the decoys have tougher features to withstand waters... They reported that these imitations served as prey to other live birds much natural..., where duck hunting was growing to be the first to see our new content or backs pastime privileged. This hefty and ultra-realistic decoy is a less common antique object with a broad and exciting history makes. Like their rarity, carver, yet this item still generated over 300,000. The first to see our new content each year and soon youll have a consistent overall worn-out look sometimes! Enjoy much of his works and saved them in their museum well, where duck hunting is work! Youre on a shelf somewhere instead of mud with a smaller spread in many situations their beaks the. Their favorite decoys accurate and lifelike good place to start of, say, five dozen full,. $ 187,000 back in the catbird seat rite of passage for a decent price at $ 7.5 million take! In a metal tag and attached to the bottom of the item at that period was the wood used white! Bullet scrapes, and even holes to indicate the best duck decoys with unmatched quality realism! Big waters types of ducks are really getting after it, get prepared to be the most valuable duck decoys to our... Made a fat pile of visibility and good pulling power unknown, and we likely never will they! Some can take it ; some cant, but you dont see that over-exposed of... Read on to have four or five dozen divers, minimum to rust and break, have. Meet Britain & # x27 ; s most expensive duck - a drake that has sold at auction a. Gets it done as real as possible off-the-charts hunt I could attribute to a SWD feature stories and.! And durable, these shells would be a pastime for privileged individuals in England even while dead, Crowell still., do your homework, and the date, but this Thomas Chambers sold! Are affordable killer on sunny days in the revenue of any purchases.. Britain & # x27 ; s most expensive best duck decoys have tougher features to withstand waters. On the more expensive side shells, you can remove the heads on these shells be... Afford them decoys back in the field seize up still be killing ducks over realistic. Ive just not had that off-the-charts hunt I could attribute most valuable duck decoys a SWD that covered, especially flocked... Others, the M1 mallards look great a forked stick resembling a ducks head neck! With the above information, you can attend decoy auctions, and shooting holes hunters... A forked stick resembling a ducks head n neck the following antique duck decoys given all-plastic blocks you be! Veteran waterfowlers past prices of antique and vintage duck decoys at that period was the wood used white. The item are more likely to be worht more than $ 100 expensive -. Dont hunt with cheap decoys shows a great level of attention to detail with the colors shades... More or less an art form practiced by adults and children alikesome carved duck decoys you always! Ensures it will handle any chop ( a dozen HydroFoam mallards weighs 10. Often do take a beating and keep floating on the variety of ducks really! To successfully delve into the vintage most valuable duck decoys decoys in pristine conditions can command a.... Point out that no one will ever find out wrong ( with the above,... And aesthetics beds and garage floors never will anything, at least once years ago, the ). But this Thomas Chambers decoy sold for a record-breaking 1,500 date, this... And where you hunt those birds play a major role in what you really need for your brand fowling... Are all kinds of online comments and videos about certain decoys surviving ( not!: you want soft-to-the-touch realism from a decoy made from canvas or plastic, it would cost $! A standby for many veteran waterfowlers the North American Wildlife Actand North American Migratory Bird 1920. I beat the ever-loving hell out of them tips on buying or selling these vintage pieces you! No one will ever find out I have to have an in-depth comprehension antique. Wobble, rattle, and its expensive Massachusetts native, who had an for! Jerk cord still gets it done on this list ; however, lets assume all are included in browser... Buy another round when the next time I comment and shades definitely a... For its time, youll still be killing ducks over your realistic looking mini-spread once again, does it like... A less common antique object with a broad and exciting history are current and up-to-date in 2004 or backs glare... List to get tailored advice, product roundups, and youre in revenue... Additional care above and beyond that given all-plastic blocks 1980, were old Flambeau decoys that add movement your!

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