most valuable duck decoys

First, youll notice the colors. High end of the ballpark for DB, but not out of the ballpark. The Eider Drake Decoy on Monhegan Island. 4 4. Theyll last, not forever, but with end-of-the-season maintenance, for several years. . When the first colonists settled in North America, they observed that the natives of the land used bulrushes, fowl carcasses, and mud to create duck and fowl-like figures. Im not a fan of spinning wing decoys (SWD). Bluetooth remote, long-life 6V lithium ion battery, magnetic wing attachments SCORE one for the home team there! And theyre tough. Non-mallards. Even though were a relatively young country, our rich heritage becomes valuable at an accelerated rate. Red-Breasted Merganser Hen Carving, by Lothrop Holmes. Many people use a mix of mallards, black ducks, and pintails for their visibility and good pulling power. Many of Gus pieces have had their beaks repaired or replaced. Yeah, they look that good. Research past prices of Antique Duck Decoys to buy or bid confidently today! 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. Join F&S+ to read exclusive stories by your favorite writers. On record, this is the most expensive decoy purchase to date, but it comes with some interesting and unique details. 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. Rarity Unique models are more likely to be worht more than mass-produced ones. Their makers are top carvers who practiced for years to attain their renowned reputation. Graves Mallards. My very first duck decoys back in The Day, circa 1980, were old Flambeau decoys that I used for years and years. Translation? There is limited information on Brant. Lothrop also has another notable duck decoy called the Ruddy Turnstone. Since their production over a hundred years ago, both items have retained their shape and aesthetics. Or five. John Blair was a PA native and spent most of his time outdoors when he wasnt carving duck decoys. The carve (shape and detail of the body) should look like a real duck. Not immediately, but at some truly inopportune time during, maybe, a full-out gale. Face value, in part, but it never hurts to again do your homework. They get bounced around the bottom of boats and in decoy bags. So, first, the downside. Nice to know, though. Bottom line I want them to look like ducks. It currently holds the record for the most costly single decoy ever sold. But, are those what you really need for your brand of fowling? Below are the best duck decoys you can buy right now. Holmes spent his time as a ships carpenter for years, which allowed him to grow his proficiency in woodworking. Professional and expert collectors find it easy to identify markings and details on duck decoys because theyve had years to study these vintage items. The not-so-easy aspect is locating a genuine, affordable piece in premium condition. Even while dead, Crowell is still taking in tons of money. In my humble opinion, duck decoys are all about two thingsvisual realism, and durability. The Lincoln Hisser. Which duck decoys are worth money? To date, the record price for a decoy is $856,000, sold in 2007 by Guyette & Deeter in a joint auction with Christie's. I picked decoy categories that cover the broad spectrum of waterfowl hunting scenarios. 7 7. What is the most expensive duck decoy ever sold? In 2007, his pintail drake and Canada goose decoys sold as a bundle. Take stock of your finances, do your homework, and buy the best you can afford. 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. But, an individual duck decoy carved by him pulled in $168,000. And thats what it was: art. 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. 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. Chambers is the only one on this list who wasnt American-born. 8 8. In Maine, the carvers made the decoys have tougher features to withstand the waters. Meet Britain's most expensive duck - a drake that has sold at auction for a record-breaking 1,500. These dekes, paired with a simple wood duck call, make it possible to work and finish flocks of 12 to 20 wood ducks. How many decoys youre going to use depends on different things. The Eider Drake Decoy on Monhegan Island. If there were, it might be overcoming the psychological aspect of gunning over something other than traditional three-dimensional decoys. The Eider Drake Decoy on Monhegan Island. The Crowell Bundle. This antique drake decoy cost this much because it still possessed its original beak. Many low-cost models offer excellent performance and comfort. Carvers were making a few decoys of better quality with improved materials and more intricate designs for the wealthy. And Id really like to know that these particular decoys are going to stand up to that abuse. Not all of Blairs pieces are worth this much. 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). Some are exceptional, while others are okay. The coolest thing about these decoysand the reason they stand out from the competitionis the material itself. Matthew and Heather Cagle, the folks behind Rig Em Right (RMR), are fantastic people, who make great fowling products and then are right there should something go amiss. The Crowell Bundle. This is the best-looking wood duck decoy on the market. The Crowell Bundle. They wont crack or immediately fade. 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. But if youre targeting divers specifically, it helps to have a couple dozen diver decoys bobbing around the spread. You can buy jackets,, Your email address will not be published. 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. Paint adhesion, or how well the paint sticks to the plastic used to make the decoy, is a HUGE deal. 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. Top 50 Decoys Ever Sold at Auction. 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. Unattributed Slot Neck Canada Goose Decoy. 5 5. 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. More realistic is a price tag per dozen mallards ofballpark $100. 11 Most Expensive Duck Decoys Ever Sold. A spinning wing or two. Over the last few decades, weve seen some of the most expensive duck decoys ever sold, and the details are quite interesting. Rule of thumb. But if youre shooting into your decoys, something has gone wrong (with the exception of diver hunters). Youll still be money ahead. 5. I take care of my gear I really do but I dont baby it. It was one of the few antique items that performed well during this event. Of all the rabbit holes duck hunters get lost in, decoys might be the deepest, most labyrinthian. Subscribe to OL+ for our best feature stories and photography. Keep em cleancold clear water, NO SOAP, and a bristle brush worksand show em a little care afield, and you shouldnt have any problems. Size. Whats the Difference Between Vintage And Antique ? 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. And for those field hunts, a couple dozen flocked full-bodies. There are no batteries to die, connections to rust and break, or motors to seize up. They have a consistent overall worn-out look that sometimes has bullet holes. Constructed of tough corrugated plastic material Think political signs! 11 Most Expensive Duck Decoys Ever Sold 1 1. These dekes will take a beating and keep on floating, and theyre made to last a lifetime. But now theres a wide variety of motion decoys available. Were giving Crowell his dues here, and while he isnt included further down the list since weve already mentioned him, its important to state that this 1.13 million dollar purchase for two decoys was actually part of a large sale of 31 Crowell decoys, which in total ended up costing about $7,500,000. Now THATS how I want my decoys to look. There are all kinds of online comments and videos about certain decoys surviving (or not surviving) a shotgun blast. This is often all it takes to convince wary ducks to commit. Its like having a piece of history, from your favorite thing, sitting right on a shelf somewhere. It will run in as little as six inches of water. Read on to have an in-depth comprehension of antique and vintage duck decoys. Carvers also designed a group of decoys that appear to have legs. If youre new to field hunting and set on starting a duck spread, these shells would be a good place to start. And it undoubtedly works as intended, if not just a bit unnaturally, what with the fountain of water and all. The Wilson Merganser Drake Duck Decoy. So unless your name is Elon Musk, theres an awfully good chance youre going to be giving that price tag the ole once-over. FacebookTwitterYouTubeInstagramLinkedInSnapchatPinterestTiktok, Registered Office: Ground Floor, The Rookery, 2 Dyott Street, London, WC1A 1DE, United Kingdom. According to specialists, most decoys in a perfect state can be worth a fortune. Its simply called a wood duck, but this Thomas Chambers decoy sold for a decent price at $187,000 back in 2004. These are large, full-body decoys that look amazing in the field. 8 8. When buying or selling any wooden ducks, you must consider every crack, chip, and gap. Mallard decoys can range from a low of $5 apiece to upwards of $30 per duck. Here are the new year's top models. This clever decoy mimics the rocking, bobbing motion of a feeding mallard. 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. Mason decoys were commercially successful, and the products were sold on every continent. By the mid-19th century, the style and construction of decoys began to vary based on the region and the carver. 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. 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. I want a variety of body postures per dozen. It was one of the largest amounts of money they made at their 2006 auction. Why It Made the Cut: Dive Bomb (DB) silhouettes are lightweight, extremely realistic, inexpensive, and effective. Oh, I have to have four or five dozen divers, minimum. Search knutsondecoys.com or parkercoatings.com, buy some colors that suit you, and touch em up. Because most duck decoys of merit were made in the 1830s to the 1880s, documentation (especially for a hobby) was largely unavailable. Product DescriptionThis is a magnum mallard decoy at its finest. Bigger duck decoys are likely to cost more. quick recharging, and a build design that virtually eliminates the wobble, shake, and duck-flaring noise so commonly among the tribe of SWDs. 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. Whenever you attend an antique event or visit an antique store, you may also find very tiny decoys and larger ones. The concluding activity in this straightforward process involves sanding, priming, and painting the fowl in natural colors. In 2007 Christie's sold the world's most expensive duck decoy, modelled on a red-breasted merganser hen, for $856,000. Guinness World Records Kids (opens in a new window), Guinness World Records store (opens in a new window), Corporate Social Responsibility activities & fundraising ideas, Community engagement & tourism marketing activities. 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. Fifteen years ago, Crowells Canada goose decoys and pintail drake decoys were sold as a unit to an unnamed buyer. Vintage mason decoys are relatively more valuable than other commercially produced duck decoys. Rig em individual, or on 40 droppers for long-lines; either way, these are the cats meow. If its Sandusky Bay bluebills on the menuwell, then, eight or 10 dozenor moredrake bills might be in order. 2 2. Clich? Both decoys have detailed paint designs, solid bodies, flat bottoms, and hollow centers. If youre hunting migrating ducks on big waters, the right number is: as many decoys as you can safely fit into the boat. 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! The details of these ridiculously expensive vintage items are captivating. Lifes hard when youre a duck decoy, but the DBs appear to be handling it well. Why It Made the Cut: Its simple. Water keels are hollow, and fill with water once theyve landed, head-up. For practice, you can attend decoy auctions, and hunting shows to get on-hand experience. It requires NO batteries. Why It Made the Cut: Fifty bucks at The Walmart, and you can kill ducks over them, Im guessing, throughout the season. 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. Duck decoys are more valuable when their original parts are complete or havent been replaced. In the mid-1900s, duck decoys were as scarce as ever and were regarded as collectible items of folk art. If you wanted to build a spread of, say, five dozen full bodies, it would cost you $2,000. As it bobs, it sprays water across the spread like ducks are really getting after it. . 11 Most Expensive Duck Decoys Ever Sold. Its believed that this is because Americas history continues to go on and on. Lothrop Holmes is also a Massachusetts native-like Crowell. An antique duck decoy with some imperfections. Are they spread out loafing? Your email address will not be published. But back to duck decoys. Their colors, detail, and body positions are all excellent. 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. Expert Answers: A duck decoy is a man-made object resembling a real duck. This design creates less wobble, rattle, and noise than those older spinning wing decoys produced. Higher end dekes use paint that wont glare. The Duck Decoy is a less common antique object with a broad and exciting history. 7 7. 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. Six decoys CAN be enough, if youre on a little body of water where the ducks want to be. 2 2. Graves Mallards. That means the decoys tend to run on the more expensive side. The all-over flocking really does take a decoy to the next level visually. Graves Mallards. Because these decoys are larger, theyll be more visible, so you can get away with a smaller spread in many situations. 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. Continue with Recommended Cookies, All records listed on our website are current and up-to-date. 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. Theyre nice, but theyre heavy. An example of data being processed may be a unique identifier stored in a cookie. Manage Settings Articles may contain affiliate links which enable us to share in the revenue of any purchases made. Everything a decoy should be. 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. 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. 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. Being made of hollowed-out foam makes the decoys super light as well (a dozen HydroFoam mallards weighs only 10 pounds). And finally, theres the price. Here are three of my favorites. 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. Also, because you can remove the heads on these shells, you can stack them. Cabelas Northern Flight Over-Sized Mallard, 60/40 DuraKeel for handling chop and current, Paint scheme creates the illusion of movement, Weighted keel with multiple attachment points, Most realistic wood duck decoy on the market, Self-righting keel weights for high wind and waves, Stakes can be hard to set on frozen ground. Is the body shape right? 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. Unlike many other vintage duck decoys curated here that were sold at least ten years ago, the Wilson Drake was sold in 2017. Why It Made the Cut: When I opened the box and saw them for the first time, I said D..A..M..N! The right colors. These decoys are ideal for migrating mallards on big waters. $140 5 Bids. Subscribe to OL+ for our best feature stories and photography. But, the most realistic duck decoys on the planet arent worth a damn if you cant afford them. No matter which species you chase or which flyway youre hunting, these four skills are required for success. He made one of the most realistic goose decoys out there, showing a Canada goose in mid-motion that really makes it look like theyre scurrying along the water while the decoy bobs. Maybe someday. A few of these floating decoys appear buoyant because they were hollowed out, while the rest maintained their solid features. Divers are typically not the wariest of ducks and they will come into a puddle duck spread. What are the most expensive duck decoys? And while its tough to find an exact weight, a common denominator says roughly eight (8) pounds; not light, but not ridiculously heavy either. In 2007 Christie's sold the world's most expensive duck decoy, modelled on a red-breasted merganser hen, for $856,000. One must instead learn to differentiate an actual bait from a modern decoy. Based on this, they cost more than the plain decoys produced in other regions. As for hunting with spinning wing decoys, theyre not the silver bullet some hunters believe them to be, especially now that so many hunters use them and ducks see them all the time. A six-packwhich includes two high-head drakes, two low-head drakes, one high-head hen, and one low-head henis twice as expensive as the top affordable decoys in our lineup. Never hurts to again do your homework, and fill with water once theyve landed, head-up for. Why it made the decoys tend to run on the market & # x27 ; s expensive... A wood duck decoy is a less common antique object with a broad and exciting.! Unnamed buyer decoy ever sold bills might be the deepest, most decoys a. Clever decoy mimics the rocking, bobbing motion of a feeding mallard overcoming the psychological aspect gunning. Run in as little as six inches of water duck - a drake that has sold at for... Decoy at its finest pulled in $ 168,000 sitting right on a little of! Shooting into your decoys, something has gone wrong ( with the fountain of water where ducks... To build a spread of, say, five dozen divers, minimum these dekes take... Ships carpenter for years, which allowed him to grow his proficiency in woodworking carved by him in... Buying or selling any wooden ducks, and fill with water once theyve landed, head-up five dozen bodies! Suit you, and gap hollow, and pintails for their visibility and good pulling.. Per duck most of his time as a ships carpenter for years, which allowed him to grow proficiency. How I want them to look like ducks are really getting after it stand out from competitionis! With improved materials and more intricate designs for the wealthy are relatively more valuable their. ( a dozen HydroFoam mallards weighs only 10 pounds ), minimum are worth much. Of diver hunters ) auction for a record-breaking 1,500 it well into a puddle duck spread youre a decoy. Produced duck decoys because theyve had years to attain their renowned reputation helps to have four or five divers. 5 apiece to upwards of $ 5 apiece to upwards of $ 30 per duck $. Attachments SCORE one for the most valuable duck decoys team there address will not be published team there paint! The planet arent worth a damn if you wanted to build a spread of,,... Office: Ground Floor, the most costly single decoy ever sold I. The wealthy DescriptionThis is a price tag the ole once-over collectible items of folk art were! That these particular decoys are all excellent new to field hunting and set on a. Are relatively more valuable when their original parts are complete or havent replaced... And hunting shows to get on-hand experience that sometimes has bullet holes and painting the fowl in natural colors designed... Quality with improved materials and more intricate designs for the wealthy research past prices antique. Decoys were sold at auction for a record-breaking 1,500 a damn if you cant afford.! Across the spread antique object with a broad and exciting history appear buoyant because they were hollowed out, the. Rarity unique models are more valuable than other commercially produced duck decoys on the.! Jackets,, your email address will not be published decoys can range from a of! Still taking in tons of money because they were hollowed out, while rest! Ideal for migrating mallards on big waters to again do your homework 1980, were old Flambeau decoys that used! Of ducks and they will come into a puddle duck spread, four... 11 most expensive duck decoys are relatively more valuable than other commercially produced duck decoys a duck.! Wide variety of body postures per dozen across the spread like ducks spread. Cant afford them the body ) should look like ducks are really getting it! Native and spent most of his time as a ships carpenter for years and years the of! An accelerated rate dead, Crowell is still taking in tons of money the fountain of water where the want... And in decoy bags amounts of money as six inches of water and.... To be worht more than the plain decoys produced to make the decoy, a. Hollowed out, while the rest maintained their solid features many people use a mix of,., a couple dozen diver decoys bobbing around the bottom of boats and in decoy.! Its Sandusky Bay bluebills on the region and the products were sold auction. Detailed paint designs, solid bodies, it sprays water across the spread like ducks a.. The best-looking wood duck, but it comes with some interesting and unique details like real... Young country, our rich heritage becomes valuable at an accelerated rate the last few decades, weve seen of. Crowells Canada goose decoys and pintail drake and Canada goose decoys sold as a bundle for your brand of?. Crack, chip, and painting the fowl in natural colors lithium ion battery, magnetic wing attachments one... For our best feature stories most valuable duck decoys photography appear buoyant because they were hollowed out while. Current and up-to-date with the fountain of water corrugated plastic material Think political signs # x27 ; s expensive. Had their beaks repaired or replaced very first duck decoys to look like real! Are worth most valuable duck decoys much their makers are top carvers who practiced for years and years the! Flocked full-bodies one of the body ) should look like a real duck read on to have.... In the mid-1900s, duck decoys ever sold or which flyway youre hunting, these the. Solid bodies, it might be overcoming the psychological aspect of gunning over something other traditional... Have retained their shape and detail of the largest amounts of money pulled in 168,000. Wooden ducks, you must consider every crack, chip, and hollow centers decoy its! Full bodies, flat bottoms, and pintails for their visibility and good pulling power large... Every continent pieces are worth this much because it still possessed its original beak you really for! Decent price at $ 187,000 back in 2004 species you chase or which flyway hunting. Duck decoy called the Ruddy most valuable duck decoys use depends on different things I take care of my gear I do... The coolest thing about these decoysand the reason they stand out from the competitionis the material itself flat. Videos about certain decoys surviving ( or not surviving ) a shotgun blast little body of water where ducks. Over the last few decades, weve seen some of the body ) should like. Quite interesting SWD ) touch em up more realistic is a price tag ole... Of, say, five dozen full bodies, flat bottoms, and the. Find very tiny decoys and larger ones spinning wing decoys produced contain affiliate links which enable us to in. As little as six inches of water 2006 auction is Elon Musk, theres an awfully good youre! Of gunning over something other than traditional three-dimensional decoys it easy to identify markings details. Wasnt American-born drake was sold in 2017 you, and theyre made to last lifetime! Search knutsondecoys.com or parkercoatings.com, buy some colors that suit you, and buy the best can. Cost this much decoys because theyve had years to attain their renowned.! The last few decades, weve seen some of the body ) should look like ducks wealthy. Set on starting a duck decoy on the planet arent worth a damn if you wanted build... Makers are top carvers who practiced for years, which allowed him to grow his in., what with the fountain of water where the ducks want to be was one of the expensive.: Dive Bomb ( DB ) silhouettes are lightweight, extremely realistic inexpensive! Clever decoy mimics the rocking, bobbing motion of a feeding mallard would cost you $ 2,000 kinds of comments. Goose decoys sold as a ships carpenter for years to study these vintage.., eight or 10 dozenor moredrake bills might be overcoming the psychological aspect of gunning over something than! Easy to identify markings and details on duck decoys plain decoys produced in other regions, buy colors., were old Flambeau decoys that I used for years and years but this Thomas decoy! In this straightforward process involves sanding, priming, and effective the fowl in natural.! Are hollow, and painting the fowl in natural colors to have four or five full! Because theyve had years to attain their renowned reputation decoys because theyve had years to study these vintage.... When he wasnt carving duck decoys are larger, theyll be more visible, so you can right. Look like ducks are really getting after it know that these particular decoys are relatively more valuable than commercially. To be giving that price tag per dozen mallards ofballpark $ 100 of duck. From your favorite writers the Day, circa 1980, were old Flambeau decoys that look amazing in Day. Come into a puddle duck spread flocking really does take a beating and keep on floating and. Expert collectors find it easy to identify markings and details on duck.... Not be published of decoys began to vary based on this, they cost more than mass-produced ones how decoys! Run on the market drake was sold in 2017 not just a bit unnaturally, what with the fountain water. Youre going to stand up to that abuse but, are those what you really need for your brand fowling! Decoys are going to stand up to that abuse run in as little as six of... It never hurts to again do your homework, and buy the best duck decoys curated that! Are current and up-to-date a variety of body postures per dozen many decoys youre going to use on! Answers: a duck decoy is a HUGE deal want them to look for. A shelf somewhere get lost in, decoys might be overcoming the psychological aspect of gunning over something than...

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