most valuable duck decoys. For a full list of record titles, please use our Record Application Search. An inseparable pair, but more than just a single decoy. Suddenly that affordable decoy isnt so affordable after you have to buy another round when the next season begins. What is the most valuable duck decoy? Whenever you attend an antique event or visit an antique store, you may also find very tiny decoys and larger ones. They get bounced around in boats and truck beds and garage floors. 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. Duck Decoys. Silhouettes. In these events, youll be opportune to inspect subtle features put in by antique carvers. Often, the color used depends on the variety of ducks and fowls found within that region. Duck decoys do not and cannot have a fixed price. I want a variety of body postures per dozen. At the time, not all duck decoys had the same value. Branding. Join our exclusive email list of over 2000 subscribers to get tailored advice, product roundups, and updated content around hunting. It also includes a carry bag so you can keep the whole thing organized. The moral of this story is Shopping around never hurts. Whats the Difference Between Vintage And Antique ? 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. This technique had served the Native Americans for over 900 years; hence the Colonists sought to improve this technique quickly. Many of Gus pieces have had their beaks repaired or replaced. As for the price ($175/12), you can get a dozen mallards for $40, and you can find a dozen mallards pushing $200. These decoys will allow you to build field spread without breaking the bank. It might take you several years to build up a full spread, but thats fine. In 2007 Christie's sold the world's most expensive duck decoy, modelled on a red-breasted merganser hen, for $856,000. Theyre all good. In regions where hunting wasnt as expected, duck decoys were used as decorative pieces until the next hunting season. 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. This was an auction record for the carver's pieces And it undoubtedly works as intended, if not just a bit unnaturally, what with the fountain of water and all. Trust me. 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. Best Deer Attractants For Successful Hunt, Best Base Layer For Winter Hunting For 2022, Best Rangefinder for Hunting: Distance Is The Key, Best Hunting Gloves 2021: Make Hunting More Enjoyable, Best Binoculars for Hunting: Zero In On Your Prey, Best Decoy Bags: Transport Your Decoys With Ease and Efficiency, How To Shoot A Compound Bow For Beginners, How to Find Hunting Land for Lease in the US, How To Make A Turkey Caller: 10 Minutes Task, How To Make A Ghillie Suit in 6 Easy Steps, Everything You Should Know About Duck Calls, Camouflage Face Paint 101 The Ultimate Guide. So, heres why, and at the risk of repeating myself, Im a HUGE fan of jerk cords. The reason these were so expensive is that they were some of Crowells first documented decoys. Why It Made the Cut: When I opened the box and saw them for the first time, I said D..A..M..N! Think you enjoy this fowling gig? Mallard decoys can range from a low of $5 apiece to upwards of $30 per duck. If youre hunting migrating ducks on big waters, the right number is: as many decoys as you can safely fit into the boat. 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. grapple anchor, 100 #550 Paracord, line winder, storage bag, short bungee you need afield. The Crowell two duck decoys were carved by Massachusetts native Elmer Crowell. Below are the best duck decoys you can buy right now. Based on this, they cost more than the plain decoys produced in other regions. Most duck hunters start with a dozen, maybe two. Is there a downside to silhouettes? Oh, and the square handle (box style) stake. Subscribe to OL+ for our best feature stories and photography. You should also check the markings on the decoy. Are they realistic in appearance? $140 5 Bids. By now youve probably noticed that Avian-X keeps popping up on this list. If its Sandusky Bay bluebills on the menuwell, then, eight or 10 dozenor moredrake bills might be in order. Things to consider when determining the value range of vintage duck decoys include: One of the most popular and highly sought-after antique duck decoy brands is the Mason Decoy company. Learn more . Motion decoy used to mean only motorized spinning-wing decoys known as robo ducks or, simply, Mojos. It wasnt until the late 1900s that many of the vintage lures we have now emerged as collectors items. 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. I mostly hunt ducks over water and my decoys get covered in marsh muck on almost every outing. Hence the reason why most of them are sold for $100 or less. Or five. Ducks move around, even when theyre loafing on the water. Two of the most valuable pieces created by the brand are the Challenge grade and the Mason Premier Grade, models. 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. Ive hunted with many of these picks for several years and can attest to their durability. Oh, I have to have four or five dozen divers, minimum. In my experience, fully flocked duck decoys are not worth it. The RMR Jerk Rig comes factory with four snap swivels to attach four decoys; too many IMHO. When Mackey died in 1972, his vast collection was sold over several sessions. Finally, I repainted most, if not all, of them as drake bluebills, and they enjoyed another life as big water divers. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Hard. Theres a lot of em out there, the good, the bad, and the downright ugly. In 2007 Christie's sold the world's most expensive duck decoy, modelled on a red-breasted merganser hen, for $856,000. 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. I dont want my decoys to look like blobs of mud. Gus Wilson wasnt the best decoy carver, yet this item still generated over $300,000 at the point of sales. 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. Dac Collins. He was born in 1825, and he began carving at a young age. Unlike my buddy Gifford, I do not always keep my decoys in a slotted bag. Avian-X offers industry leading duck decoys with unmatched quality and realism. Mason Vintage Hunting Duck Decoys Mason Vintage Hunting Duck Decoys All Auction Buy It Now 144 Results Brand: Mason Brand Duck Type Features Condition Price Buying Format All Filters Antique Mason Black duck decoy $25.00 0 bids $13.65 shipping 6d 8h Antique Vintage Wood Duck Decoy **MASON** Pintail Drake Standard $137.50 3 bids $16.75 shipping 8 8. The decoys body profile and paint job are full of thoughtful details that Avian-X has made its name on. I picked decoy categories that cover the broad spectrum of waterfowl hunting scenarios. The most expensive best duck decoys for the money does not always indicate the best decision for you and your money. Poorly designed anchor points on decoys suck, and rank right up there with chasing down decoys. Thats because they make extremely realistic decoys, and Id rather hunt with fewer realistic decoys than more dekes that dont look as good. Clich? Mason decoys were commercially successful, and the products were sold on every continent. Continue with Recommended Cookies, All records listed on our website are current and up-to-date. You can always add more decoys; its what we do. It has a remote thats Bluetooth compatible, so you can turn it on and off as you see fit. Some regions like New Jersey, North Carolina, New England, and Long Island are home to duck decoys bearing key features and markings. The foam filling makes them more durable and will allow them to take a few stray pellets and keep floating. Their lightweight design doesnt sacrifice durability, either. 11 Most Expensive Duck Decoys Ever Sold 1 1. Duck decoys are sometimes used in waterfowl hunting to attract real ducks.Duck decoys were historically . Colors? They survive huge tidal exchanges, international freighter wakes, sun, rain, freezing temperatures, bald eagle attacks, low-level non-toxic pellet strikes, and a host of other not-so-nice things. Why It Made the Cut: The XS Pulsator does what its meant to do: Move water and create motion in an otherwise static decoy spread. And it flat works. This is often all it takes to convince wary ducks to commit. 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. Some decades ago, the Fine Arts of Boston picked up a few of his works and saved them in their museum. Its hard to beat an original, and the Mojo spinning wing decoy is still bringing ducks to the kill hole after all these years. Full-bodies and silhouettes can be used both on dry ground and on the water, the latter with some modifications and improvisations, both of which can be and typically are a royal pain in the behind. These dekes will take a beating and keep on floating, and theyre made to last a lifetime. Will their paint chip when theyre bounced around in a boat? Its relatively simple, though. 1 1. 6 6. This pulled in almost $500,000 in 2000. The right colors. 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. But many hunters dont need that many full body duck decoys. This wooden hen sold for an insane $856,000 and held a record as the most expensive decoy sale for quite some time. 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. AXP mallards lead the category with a true-to-life flock of hens and drakes designed by world champion decoy carver Rick Johannsen. So these are the elements I took into consideration when I put the above list together . 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. 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. 3 3. These dekes, paired with a simple wood duck call, make it possible to work and finish flocks of 12 to 20 wood ducks. Add another six each year and soon youll have a nice-sized spread of solid decoys. Heres some great starter decoys. Required fields are marked *. 6 6. Their colors, detail, and body positions are all excellent. Other than that, theyre great. An antique duck decoy with some imperfections. The best duck decoys are ultra-realistic, durable, add motion to your spread, and dont produce glare. As mentioned earlier, all pre-modern duck decoys are carved from white cedarwood, cork, or white pine. Cheap decoys typically have more issues with glare. You want soft-to-the-touch realism from a decoy without breaking the bank? The Crowell Bundle. To create the head, the carver uses an ax to cut off a small woodblock. This combined with the intricate painting that goes into each model makes the Hydrofoam decoys look incredibly realistic on the water. They held onto these until their value escalated. When accessing your vintage duck decoys, research their purpose. And a handful of grey ducks sprinkled in amongst my mallards, pintails, widgeon, and single drake northern shoveler (!!) 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. The unit includes . 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. 3 3. Some can take it; some cant, but its definitely worth a close eyeball. 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. It is inexpensive. Truth is, nobody has a definitive answer on that, and we likely never will. Those will work!. Can you easily and securely attach an anchor line clip to the keel? Antique duck or fowl decoys have glass eyes. 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). They utilize what GHG calls DuraFeather, which is a soft, more flexible plastic that wont crack easily. 3 3. Size. 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. The Duck Decoy is a less common antique object with a broad and exciting history. 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. Registration on or use of this site constitutes acceptance of our Terms of Service. Theyre quiet and dont clank together like plastic decoys do, which is yet another reason they are so ideal for walk-in hunts. Why It Made the Cut: Its simple. Download our FREE pdf guide and learn what decoys you should be using. This brought in $553,600 back in 2007 when it was sold by Guyette, Schmidt, and Deeter. Keels wont break off. Some people pick up carving vintage or whittling as a hobby, but this man did it so excessively that his work is still revered over a century later. The Eider Drake Decoy on Monhegan Island. The Dr. Peter J. Muller Jr. Collection of American Bird Decoys was sold by Copley Fine Art Auctions in Massachusetts. Head and bill positions. Cornfield greenheads? Graves Mallards. He doesnt baby them, but he does keep them in slotted bags, and we expect theyll last for many seasons to come. 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. The 12-pack includes two active hens, two feeder hens, four active drakes, and four feeder drakes. Over the last few decades, weve seen some of the most expensive duck decoys ever sold, and the details are quite interesting. Are they all bunched together feeding? A spinning wing or two. Graves Mallards. 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. 8 8. 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. Its rocky. Because these decoys are larger, theyll be more visible, so you can get away with a smaller spread in many situations. For example, duck decoys carved by Elmer Crowell and Joseph Lincoln are more worthy in terms of value. Tanglefrees Flight Canvasback are all that, and more. Body shapes and profiles. Even just six full bodies along a sand bar paired with a floater spread helps bring mallards in close. 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. 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. While wood ducks do strike this pose, thats not the only position I want to replicate while hunting. The not-so-easy aspect is locating a genuine, affordable piece in premium condition. If youve seen a mature hen woodie in the fall, you know they have nuanced (and beautiful) hues mixed in with all that brown. Since their production over a hundred years ago, both items have retained their shape and aesthetics. On big migration days where Im trying to catch ducks attention from long range, Ill run spinners. 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. 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. It was one of the few antique items that performed well during this event. Otto - Longest human tunnel travelled through by a skateboarding dog, Ashrita Furman - Most Guinness World Records titles held. If youre a novice collector, get prepared to be blown away by the costs of the following antique duck decoys. We and our partners use data for Personalised ads and content, ad and content measurement, audience insights and product development. This piece pulled in enormous amounts of money at the 2006 G&S auction. Guyette of Guyette and Deeter auctions once explained that about 90% of the available antique duck decoys had been repainted or renailed. Any vintage duck decoy, regardless of its availability, details, manufacturers (carvers), or age, can be worth lots of dollars. I hate No, I abhor feeble means of anchoring a decoy to the bottom. To create a duck decoy, a carver would first craft the general shape of the duck with a hatchet. So now, head on to eBay, Etsy, 1stDibs, Amazon, or any antique store close to you to buy or list your original vintage duck decoys. Are they the most common duck in your neck of the woods? Plus, I like the name. 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. If youre hunting small water like a little pond or stream, six to a dozen is great. What is the most expensive duck decoy ever sold? Red-Breasted Merganser Hen Carving, by Lothrop Holmes. On record, this is the most expensive decoy purchase to date, but it comes with some interesting and unique details. 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. On the flipside, you dont have to buy the most expensive duck decoys either. . 6 6. Unattributed Slot Neck Canada Goose Decoy. Here, decoys numbers equal what youre hunting, and where. Read on to have an in-depth comprehension of antique and vintage duck decoys. In the early days, most carvers engraved their initials and date on the bottom of the decoy. RANK: MAKER: STATE: DECOY: AUCTIONEER: DATE: PRICE: RECORD: 1: . And theyre tough. However, if you hunt fields and can keep your decoys clean and free from abuse, then flocked decoys probably are worth it. Our Topflight floating duck decoys feature a weight-forward swim keel for realistic movement across the water. And thats where DB M1 mallard silhouettes come into their own. 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.
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