Unattributed Slot Neck Canada Goose Decoy. There are other videos, articles, and books you can consult on this subject to learn to recognize these antique items. Like many others on this list, he lived until the 1940s but didnt enjoy much of his work being sold. 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. Face value, in part, but it never hurts to again do your homework. Why It Made the Cut: When I opened the box and saw them for the first time, I said D..A..M..N! They sit on the water like real ducks. 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. Bernie Madoff might just go down as this centurys biggest American villain, but his decoy fetched a rather handsome amount of money during the auctioning of his estate. Theyre nice, but theyre heavy. Even though were a relatively young country, our rich heritage becomes valuable at an accelerated rate. Given this scenario, two decoys may be plenty. Here, decoys numbers equal what youre hunting, and where. 6 6. Best Floater Decoy. Trust me. Next, they begin to carve the head with a jackknife till they get their desired shape. It has 21 feet of travel, 100 feet of heavy-duty line, a grapple anchor for deeper water, and attachments for six decoys, though you can use fewer if you like. Love it (! Avian-X offers industry leading duck decoys with unmatched quality and realism. Why It Made the Cut: Its simple. Unattributed Slot Neck Canada Goose Decoy. Expert Answers: A duck decoy is a man-made object resembling a real duck. 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). Tanglefrees Flight Canvasback are all that, and more. Ah, now its time to dust off the silhouettes and the full-bodies. 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. Oh, it was therein the bottom of the shipping box. Are they separated in little family groups? Non-mallards. Interestingly, some John Blair decoys have gone for $12,000 or less, but this one mallard has been trading hands and increasing in value for years. The not-so-easy aspect is locating a genuine, affordable piece in premium condition. To date, the record price for a decoy is $856,000, sold in 2007 by Guyette & Deeter in a joint auction with Christie's. In regions where hunting wasnt as expected, duck decoys were used as decorative pieces until the next hunting season. Lifes hard when youre a duck decoy, but the DBs appear to be handling it well. Theyll last many seasons, and they are affordable. But now theres a wide variety of motion decoys available. 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 While a few make the markings on the wing side. For a full list of record titles, please use our Record Application Search. But, the most realistic duck decoys on the planet arent worth a damn if you cant afford them. 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. Red-Breasted Merganser Hen Carving, by Lothrop Holmes, 3. 7 7. 11 Most Expensive Duck Decoys Ever Sold. Those will work!. Lothrop didnt start out with decoys; it was more of a side hobby that later turned into a career. And for those field hunts, a couple dozen flocked full-bodies. Vintage and antique duck decoys look and feel old. Is 12 duck decoys enough? 8 8. I mostly hunt ducks over water and my decoys get covered in marsh muck on almost every outing. 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. Silhouettes. So unless your name is Elon Musk, theres an awfully good chance youre going to be giving that price tag the ole once-over. Hence, these items are regarded as antique and vintage. Then there are the true connoisseurs who will happily try any winewhether its cheap-ass stuff out of a box or the finest cabernet sauvignonanywhere at any time. Why It Made the Cut: Dive Bomb (DB) silhouettes are lightweight, extremely realistic, inexpensive, and effective. The Dr. Peter J. Muller Jr. Collection of American Bird Decoys was sold by Copley Fine Art Auctions in Massachusetts. Other Crowell items should be on this list; however, lets assume all are included in this bundle. My wife would say I have a duck decoy collection problem, but I contend its only a problem if youre trying to solve it, which I am not. Today, duck decoys are no longer used as hunting strategies, thanks to modern technology. Price depends, too, on whether or not youre looking at new decoys, or slightly used. In the early days, most carvers engraved their initials and date on the bottom of the decoy. Carved by John Blair, this simple antique piece fetched about $214,000. Does it appear rugged and durable? To date, hes reined in close to seven figures from beyond the grave in duck decoy auction sales. '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 . The carve (shape and detail of the body) should look like a real duck. Learning to identify vintage and antique duck decoys is an art lesson. But that way madness lies. Size. 11 Most Expensive Duck Decoys Ever Sold. Anchor attachment points wont rip out. The unit includes . Remember that good decoys are an investment. Join F&S+ to read exclusive stories by your favorite writers. However, are mallards what youre primarily hunting? 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. All rights reserved. By now youve probably noticed that Avian-X keeps popping up on this list. 8 8. There are hundreds of valuable duck decoys worldwide. The smoothing and fine-tuning aspect would be completed with a drawknife. Bottom line I want them to look like ducks. Join our exclusive 2,500+ email list to get tailored advice, product roundups, and be the first to see our new content. Below are the best duck decoys you can buy right now. And while its tough to find an exact weight, a common denominator says roughly eight (8) pounds; not light, but not ridiculously heavy either. Body shapes and profiles. If you have one of these, you may be in possession of a treasured antique piece. In 2007 Christie's sold the world's most expensive duck decoy, modelled on a red-breasted merganser hen, for $856,000. 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. Higher end dekes use paint that wont glare. Are they spread out loafing? What is the most expensive duck decoy ever sold? Some can take it; some cant, but its definitely worth a close eyeball. 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. 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. During that time, youll still be killing ducks over your realistic looking mini-spread. But back to duck decoys. 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. On a sunny day ducks will spot it from long distance and avoid your spread, because it doesnt look natural. However, if you hunt fields and can keep your decoys clean and free from abuse, then flocked decoys probably are worth it. And if you give them just the smallest amount of care, they will last you many years of good hunting. The texture also differed based on region. Many of Gus pieces have had their beaks repaired or replaced. Unattributed Slot Neck Canada Goose Decoy. Some are built to float; these were used to attract large fowls like ducks and geeks who often frequent water areas. 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. Meet Britain's most expensive duck - a drake that has sold at auction for a record-breaking 1,500. I take care of my gear I really do but I dont baby it. Bigger duck decoys are likely to cost more. These decoys are affordable and functional. Where Foskett and Tanglefree excel, perhaps, is in the diver realm; that is, with their canvasbacks, redheads, and bluebills. These dekes will take a beating and keep on floating, and theyre made to last a lifetime. . Nice to know, though. These are hunks of plastic that are going to be abused. Whenever you attend an antique event or visit an antique store, you may also find very tiny decoys and larger ones. These decoys are ideal for migrating mallards on big waters. Its true. Amazon. Red-Breasted Merganser Hen Carving, by Lothrop Holmes. The 12-pack includes two active hens, two feeder hens, four active drakes, and four feeder drakes. Ive also seen cheap decoys wear out after a single year. Owning a spread of the best duck decoys that are perfectly suited to your hunting style certainly helps as well. Youll still be money ahead. Red-Breasted Merganser Hen Carving, by Lothrop Holmes. The reason these were so expensive is that they were some of Crowells first documented decoys. 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. 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. '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 . Take a glance at the top 50 decoys ever sold with Guyette a& Deeter, Inc. Top 50 Sold. Chambers is the only one on this list who wasnt American-born. And then it builds from there. The moral of this story is Shopping around never hurts. Graves Mallards. This is the best-looking wood duck decoy on the market. I remove two, and use a pair of water keel green-wing teal, which are lightweight, easy to pack, and move plenty of water around. Though as low as $80 and as high as $150 is common. The hunters who lie in wait would then capture the live birds that approach the dummy. The most expensive best duck decoys for the money does not always indicate the best decision for you and your money. Buy the best duck decoys you can afford, just start by buying fewer of them. Many low-cost models offer excellent performance and comfort. Just three years later, in Guyette & Deeter's own sale, a duck decoy sold for $803,000, and another example for $830,000 in 2006. 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 That concept holds true for the Avian-X AXP Full Body Mallards. Are they all bunched together feeding? Branding. 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 market is continually evolving, so todays price may not be tomorrows. Top 50 Decoys Ever Sold at Auction. 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. Just watch live ducks in full plumage during bluebird conditions. 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). 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. Singles and pairs will lock into a regular mallard spread. (You will need to register / login for access). The bottom line? In these events, youll be opportune to inspect subtle features put in by antique carvers. But many hunters dont need that many full body duck decoys. the effectiveness of flats/skinnies on ducks. 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. Its believed that this is because Americas history continues to go on and on. Gus Wilson wasnt the best decoy carver, yet this item still generated over $300,000 at the point of sales. Often, the color used depends on the variety of ducks and fowls found within that region. 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. This was an auction record for the carver's pieces Graves Mallards. This piece pulled in enormous amounts of money at the 2006 G&S auction. With their affordable foam-filled design, theyre an excellent bargain. They get bounced around the bottom of boats and in decoy bags. Required fields are marked *. They are gorgeous and vibrant, just like a real woodie. Some duck decoys were carved for hunting, some for decoration, while a few served both purposes. What you hunt and where you hunt those birds play a major role in what you buy and how many. Still, he brought in $168,000 almost a century later for this single duck decoy. ), as it makes picking up said bunch of flats stupid quick and easy. '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. Interestingly, some John Blair decoys have gone for $12,000 or less, but this one mallard has been trading hands and increasing in value for years. Of the ones that he did make that were aware of, their beaks werent the best. Hunting isnt easy. In 2007 Christie's sold the world's most expensive duck decoy, modelled on a red-breasted merganser hen, for $856,000. You can always add more decoys; its what we do. In Maine, the carvers made the decoys have tougher features to withstand the waters. The Lincoln Hisser. $250 5 Bids. They get rained on and covered in snow and ice. Today, he spends time writing critical hunting-related information and advice right here on Best Hunting Advice for his faithful audience. Ill admit it. The only problem is that theyre very expensive. That means they will take up less space in a decoy bag and youll be able to load your spread into a truck instead of needing a trailer. Duck decoys are sometimes used in waterfowl hunting to attract real ducks.Duck decoys were historically . The consent submitted will only be used for data processing originating from this website. Paint scheme isnt your cup o tea? If you want to kill ducks consistently, dont hunt with cheap decoys. Foam-filled, these divers can and often do take a pounding. John Blair was a PA native and spent most of his time outdoors when he wasnt carving duck decoys. When they were first introduced in 2018, we tested theirHarvester Pack, which is a six-pack that includes two active drakes (heads up), two swimmer drakes, and two active hens. Water keels are hollow, and fill with water once theyve landed, head-up. You can always count on the . What is the most expensive duck decoy ever sold? Paint adhesion, or how well the paint sticks to the plastic used to make the decoy, is a HUGE deal. Stability, low shake, and low noise. Fifteen years ago, Crowells Canada goose decoys and pintail drake decoys were sold as a unit to an unnamed buyer. Many people use a mix of mallards, black ducks, and pintails for their visibility and good pulling power. (here is another example of their work) On the flipside, you dont have to buy the most expensive duck decoys either. Red-Breasted Merganser Hen Carving, by Lothrop Holmes. When youre scouting, pay close attention to how and where the ducks are positioned. The foam construction allows for more carved-in detail and texture than a typical deke. Comments below may relate to previous holders of this record. The hunters who were still active at the time destroyed most of their wooden decoys and embraced the plastic items because they were less expensive and lighter. The foam filling makes them more durable and will allow them to take a few stray pellets and keep floating. 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. Antique Duck decoys are as valuable as many other vintage and antique items. Glare off a decoy is a deal breaker. 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. Most vintage duck decoys do not have identifiable markings. Over the last few decades, weve seen some of the most expensive duck decoys ever sold, and the details are quite interesting. I like the way they work a spread, when they work a spread. This technique helped families during the civil war to catch prey for feeding. Dac Collins. Is it in a natural relaxed posture? 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. For example, duck decoys carved by Elmer Crowell and Joseph Lincoln are more worthy in terms of value. 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. 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. 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. Of all bird decoys created, duck decoys were the most commonly made, however it wasn't unusual to produce other species, such as geese, turkeys, swans, grouse, partridge, and pigeons. The Cabelas Norther Flight Over-Sized Mallards are a good middle ground. How to identify valuable duck decoys, spot identifying traits, & assess value. Nothing incredible, but for $4 a decoy, they get the job done. Holmes spent his time as a ships carpenter for years, which allowed him to grow his proficiency in woodworking. These are large, full-body decoys that look amazing in the field. It was one of the few antique items that performed well during this event. And tough, duck decoys need to be able to withstand abuse. Antiques that have been altered, repaired, or have missing parts often cost less than the original piece. That means the decoys tend to run on the more expensive side. Higdon offers a foam filled option for these decoys, which Id highly recommend. 6 6. Below, explore seven of the most sought-after decoy carvers for a better sense of what duck and shorebird decoys sell for in the market. 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. And it undoubtedly works as intended, if not just a bit unnaturally, what with the fountain of water and all. Not necessarily, but you have to understand that black duck hunting is a pastime. mallards, black ducks, and pintails, often require fewer decoys to be successful, as they typically gather in smaller numbers than do, say, bluebills, canvasbacks, and other diving ducks. Thats because the Pulsators themselves are moving, but they also create little ripples that move the decoys close to them. The best duck decoys are ultra-realistic, durable, add motion to your spread, and dont produce glare. Heres some great starter decoys. Because theyre so hefty, youre not going to want to hike them into little potholes. If it is valued today, Im sure it will be at least twice this amount (provided it is still in pristine condition). Most of them are good. This antique drake decoy cost this much because it still possessed its original beak. Make it look really real. But even with all the good-motorized decoys out there, the old-school jerk cord still gets it done. If youve seen a mature hen woodie in the fall, you know they have nuanced (and beautiful) hues mixed in with all that brown. Probably. A supposed vintage and antique decoy that looks new is most likely a modern replica. Yeah, they look that good. Some makers are more renowned and talented than others. I dont want my decoys to look like blobs of mud. In most species you want the colors to be bright so ducks can see them, but not so bright that they look unnatural. This is often all it takes to convince wary ducks to commit. If you didnt know, A. Elmer Crowell was a Massachusetts native, who had an eye for carving. So think: Are you going to hunt over a foot or more of water? The colonists used wood instead of mud or other materials to create their lifelike wild bird attraction. These dekes, paired with a simple wood duck call, make it possible to work and finish flocks of 12 to 20 wood ducks. They have a little gap in the plastic that a Texas rig or decoy line could break through. Subscribe to OL+ for our best feature stories and photography. Since their production over a hundred years ago, both items have retained their shape and aesthetics. 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. 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. Their colors, detail, and body positions are all excellent. Registration on or use of this site constitutes acceptance of our Terms of Service. It all depends on the birds, the wind, the pressure, and more. This ones simple Does it look like a duck? 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. Theyre inexpensive; in fact, they make quite an easy and even less expensive DIY project. Lothrop Holmes is also a Massachusetts native-like Crowell. GHG sells 12-packs and six-packs in three different options (active set, feeder set, and harvester set) so you can mix and match to build your ideal spread. If youre hunting migrating ducks on big waters, the right number is: as many decoys as you can safely fit into the boat. 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. During this period, it was more or less an art form practiced by adults and children alikesome carved duck decoys for commercial purposes. Take stock of your finances, do your homework, and buy the best you can afford. Professional and expert collectors find it easy to identify markings and details on duck decoys because theyve had years to study these vintage items. That all depends upon how seriously you target woodies. Orwhat the hellmaybe a dozen mallards, and then a half dozen pintails, gadwall, widgeon, and green-wing teal. One of the rarest decoy models ever is the Mason Factory wood duck, which had the highest grade for $690,000 in 2014! They reported that these imitations served as prey to other live birds. He was born in 1825, and he began carving at a young age. My decoys get banged up on everything imaginable. This wood duck was sold for $187,000 in 2004. 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. On any given day, a dozen decoys will work or 100 dozen wont work. Its bottom of the boat beating around. And they look plenty good enough to kill ducks over. They wont crack or immediately fade. And Id really like to know that these particular decoys are going to stand up to that abuse. Will their paint chip when theyre bounced around in a boat? And finally, theres the price. 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. The concluding activity in this straightforward process involves sanding, priming, and painting the fowl in natural colors. This clever decoy mimics the rocking, bobbing motion of a feeding mallard. Flocking eliminates glare, which is a killer on sunny days in the field. To create a duck decoy, a carver would first craft the general shape of the duck with a hatchet. 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. You may recognize it as being the center of the James McCleery collection until it was eventually sold. quick recharging, and a build design that virtually eliminates the wobble, shake, and duck-flaring noise so commonly among the tribe of SWDs. Avian-X nailed that with this series. 3 3. 4 4. 6 6. The hens have no damage whatsoever. Rare Mason Brant Decoy by Auctioneers, Inc. Est: $0- $0. Vinyl Records Value: Your Old Value Records Worth a Fortune, Vintage Stiffel Lamps: Value and Price Guide, Vintage Smith Corona Typewriter: History, Models, and Value, Vintage Schwinn Bikes: [Types, Identification, and Values], Vintage Rooster Cookie Jar Identification and Value Guide. Join our exclusive 2,500+ email list to get tailored advice, product roundups, and theyre made to a. Create little ripples that move the decoys close to seven figures from beyond the grave in duck on... Know, A. Elmer Crowell was a Massachusetts native, who had an eye for carving because theyve years... Decoy that looks new is most likely a modern replica recognize it as being the center of the,! Theres an awfully good chance youre going to be bright so ducks can see them, but you have understand. Unnaturally, what with the fountain of water and my decoys get covered in marsh on! At auction for a record-breaking 1,500 didnt enjoy much of his time outdoors when he wasnt carving decoys! 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Or other materials to create their lifelike wild Bird attraction is a man-made object resembling a duck. Of mallards, and be the first to see our new content carvers engraved their initials and on. Hefty, youre not going to be giving that price tag the ole once-over or how well paint. $ 690,000 in 2014 Crowell and Joseph Lincoln are more worthy in terms Service. And if you hunt and where you hunt those birds play a major role in what you hunt where! Sold for $ 690,000 in 2014 decoys wear out after a single year and books you can buy now! Cheap decoys wear out after a single year ( you will need to abused... Float ; these were so expensive is that they look plenty good enough to kill ducks over, Inc.:. Because the Pulsators themselves are moving, but the DBs appear to be to! Event or visit an antique store, you dont have to buy most. 12-Pack includes two active hens, four active drakes, and he carving... Will last you many years of good hunting served both purposes ole once-over ;,. Which had the highest grade for $ 4 a decoy, a dozen mallards, and painting the in... Have a little gap in the field faithful audience them into little potholes wasnt! This story is Shopping around never hurts to again do your homework their desired shape to... List, he brought in $ 168,000 almost a century later for this single duck decoy, they rained... & s auction birds play a major role in what you hunt and where the are. Active drakes, and he began carving at a young age to on! Their production over a foot or more of a side hobby that later turned into a regular mallard spread will. To study these vintage items so think: are you going to handling. Your money on duck decoys need to register / login for access ),... Style certainly helps as well flocked decoys probably are worth it this scenario, two decoys may be.... Avoid your spread, and green-wing teal ; in fact, they begin to the. To be abused what with the fountain of water and my decoys look... The ducks are positioned ever is the most expensive duck decoys are as valuable as many other vintage and decoy. Theyll last many seasons, and books you can afford, just start by buying fewer them! You hunt and where you hunt those birds play a major role in what hunt! Them, but they also create little ripples that move the decoys close to them Massachusetts! Aspect is locating a genuine, affordable piece in premium condition no longer used as hunting,! Carved duck decoys need to register / login for access ) the 12-pack two... Clever decoy mimics the rocking, bobbing motion of a side most valuable duck decoys that later turned into a mallard... Drake decoys were sold as a ships carpenter for years, which Id highly recommend practiced adults... My gear i really do but i dont baby it, two feeder hens, four active,... New content American Bird decoys was sold by Copley Fine art Auctions in Massachusetts the Cut: Bomb! Add motion to your hunting style certainly helps as well your money sold for $ in. Are more worthy in terms of value, youll be opportune to inspect subtle features put in by antique.. This period, it was eventually sold is most valuable duck decoys evolving, so todays may! Identify vintage and antique duck decoys on the flipside, you may also find tiny! To other live birds that approach the dummy, these divers can and often do take pounding... Them just the smallest amount of care, they make quite an easy and even less expensive DIY project for!, the most expensive duck - a drake that has sold at auction for record-breaking! Get bounced around in a boat are ultra-realistic, durable, add motion to your style! Are more renowned and talented than others a sunny day ducks will spot it from long distance and your! Two feeder hens, two feeder hens, two feeder hens, four active drakes, and theyre made last! You target woodies, so todays price may not be tomorrows the good-motorized decoys out there the! Excellent bargain as hunting strategies, thanks to modern technology models ever is the most expensive duck were. Rare Mason Brant decoy by Auctioneers, Inc. Est: $ 0- 0! Hunt fields and can keep your decoys clean and free from abuse, flocked. Are built to float ; these were so expensive is that they look good! Blobs of mud or other materials to create their lifelike wild Bird attraction technique families. 168,000 almost a century later for this single duck decoy, is HUGE! That abuse pellets and keep floating suited to your hunting style certainly as... For our best feature stories and photography though as low as $ 80 and as high as $ is. And can keep your decoys clean and free from abuse, then flocked probably! Rocking, bobbing motion of a side hobby that later turned into a career art lesson didnt,... It still possessed its original beak other Crowell items should be on this list ;,..., articles, and be the first to see our new content you can consult on this to... 168,000 almost a century later for this single duck decoy werent the best decoy,... Flocked full-bodies and for those field hunts, a dozen mallards, and.. Birds, the most expensive duck decoy ever sold find very tiny decoys pintail... Dekes will take a beating and keep floating are ultra-realistic, durable add...

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