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. Thats because the Pulsators themselves are moving, but they also create little ripples that move the decoys close to them. This technique helped families during the civil war to catch prey for feeding. 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. Silhouette on the water. Lothrop Holmes is also a Massachusetts native-like Crowell. 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. Being made of hollowed-out foam makes the decoys super light as well (a dozen HydroFoam mallards weighs only 10 pounds). Some of the master carvers of duck decoys such as Ben Schmidt, Joe Lincoln, Walter Ruppel, Adam Anger, Addie Nichol, Alain MacDonald, Albert Laing, Art Chilton, Babe Strubinger, Bert . The original carver of the work is unknown, and all indications point out that no one will ever find out. 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. Duck decoys are more valuable when their original parts are complete or havent been replaced. Colors? And I like gadwalls. 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. 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. How many seasons will they last? Nice to know, though. Lothrop also has another notable duck decoy called the Ruddy Turnstone. Novice collectors undoubtedly have struggles recognizing these decoys. But these dekes can also take a beating unless stored properly. '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 . Cornfield greenheads? 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. FacebookTwitterYouTubeInstagramLinkedInSnapchatPinterestTiktok, Registered Office: Ground Floor, The Rookery, 2 Dyott Street, London, WC1A 1DE, United Kingdom. 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. Most of them are good. Registration on or use of this site constitutes acceptance of our Terms of Service. The RMR Jerk Rig comes factory with four snap swivels to attach four decoys; too many IMHO. Continue with Recommended Cookies, All records listed on our website are current and up-to-date. Most duck hunters start with a dozen, maybe two. The best duck decoys are ultra-realistic, durable, add motion to your spread, and dont produce glare. Its a rite of passage for a lot of young men. There are no batteries to die, connections to rust and break, or motors to seize up. Required fields are marked *. Add up the cost of the best duck hunting shotguns, the best duck hunting waders, and throw in shells and licenses; suddenly it seems like you should try to save money by buying cheap decoys. Not necessarily, but you have to understand that black duck hunting is a pastime. For example, duck decoys carved by Elmer Crowell and Joseph Lincoln are more worthy in terms of value. Im not a fan of spinning wing decoys (SWD). Red-Breasted Merganser Hen Carving, by Lothrop Holmes, 3. Their colors will pop brightly, but you dont see that over-exposed type of white glare coming off their heads or backs. 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. These are hunks of plastic that are going to be abused. Antiques that have been altered, repaired, or have missing parts often cost less than the original piece. You may recognize it as being the center of the James McCleery collection until it was eventually sold. You want soft-to-the-touch realism from a decoy without breaking the bank? The form and condition of the vintage item is another vital feature to assess. 11 Most Expensive Duck Decoys Ever Sold 1 1. Shop around, and you can find Flambeaus Masters Series mallards for $4/each, which isnt bad in this day and age. 6 6. 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 Duck decoys do not and cannot have a fixed price. Quite simply put, Cobb Brant was one of the oldest duck decoy crafters out there, being born in 1825, but his work still didnt gain quite the necessary amount of recognition that his peers did. This wooden hen sold for an insane $856,000 and held a record as the most expensive decoy sale for quite some time. Often, the color used depends on the variety of ducks and fowls found within that region. 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. It will run in as little as six inches of water. Head and bill positions. No matter which species you chase or which flyway youre hunting, these four skills are required for success. And so it goes from there, but its a good thing, really. 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. Crowell has been the only one to fetch over a million for a decoy purchase, but that was a pair even then. 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. Theyre nice, but theyre heavy. Shape. And if you give them just the smallest amount of care, they will last you many years of good hunting. Some are built to float; these were used to attract large fowls like ducks and geeks who often frequent water areas. They get bounced around in boats and truck beds and garage floors. Stability, low shake, and low noise. Learning to identify vintage and antique duck decoys is an art lesson. As it bobs, it sprays water across the spread like ducks are really getting after it. Because these decoys are larger, theyll be more visible, so you can get away with a smaller spread in many situations. 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. Many low-cost models offer excellent performance and comfort. And they look plenty good enough to kill ducks over. And thats where DB M1 mallard silhouettes come into their own. Of the ones that he did make that were aware of, their beaks werent the best. The Crowell Bundle. Unlike my buddy Gifford, I do not always keep my decoys in a slotted bag. $140 5 Bids. 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. The best rule for decoying is to set up your dekes just how you see real ducks sitting in a marsh or field. Just watch live ducks in full plumage during bluebird conditions. Its like having a piece of history, from your favorite thing, sitting right on a shelf somewhere. Duck hunting is hard work, and its expensive. 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. In the mid-1900s, duck decoys were as scarce as ever and were regarded as collectible items of folk art. By the mid-19th century, the style and construction of decoys began to vary based on the region and the carver. Subscribe to OL+ for our best feature stories and photography. The Lincoln Hisser. Some are exceptional, while others are okay. The moral of this story is Shopping around never hurts. 8 8. 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. A rare swan decoy made by Charles Birch sold for $186,500 in a 2011 Guyette & Schmidt, Inc. auction. To date, the record price for a decoy is $856,000, sold in 2007 by Guyette & Deeter in a joint auction with Christie's. And theyre tough. Will they hold up to the rigors of day-to-day ducking? Its relatively simple, though. The current condition of an antique duck decoy plays a significant role in determining its value. Real, live ducks. Even while dead, Crowell is still taking in tons of money. It wasnt until the late 1900s that many of the vintage lures we have now emerged as collectors items. Though as low as $80 and as high as $150 is common. Buy the best duck decoys you can afford, just start by buying fewer of them. Antique Duck decoys are as valuable as many other vintage and antique items. Still, he brought in $168,000 almost a century later for this single duck decoy. '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. If youre hunting small water like a little pond or stream, six to a dozen is great. Even though were a relatively young country, our rich heritage becomes valuable at an accelerated rate. Although it wasnt as expensive as the paired Crowell Bundle, this single pair sold for a whopping $856,000. It is inexpensive. When accessing your vintage duck decoys, research their purpose. 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. When buying or selling any wooden ducks, you must consider every crack, chip, and gap. We and our partners use data for Personalised ads and content, ad and content measurement, audience insights and product development. In 2007, his pintail drake and Canada goose decoys sold as a bundle. Stephen B. OBrien Jr with the record breaking pair of Duck Decoy by Elmer Crowell. After drawing a limited-entry elk tag, the author must decide what she values more: her hunt or her pride. Is 12 duck decoys enough? GHG might have built the perfect mallard decoy with their Pro Grade XD Series Mallards. 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 Eider Drake decoy used to be the centerpiece in the James McCleery collection till it eventually sold for $767,000 in 2014. 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. Think you enjoy this fowling gig? It all depends on the birds, the wind, the pressure, and more. As hunting became more common, buyers began to request decoys that were beautiful and useful. The Avian-X body positions look much more natural and relaxed. 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. RANK: MAKER: STATE: DECOY: AUCTIONEER: DATE: PRICE: RECORD: 1: . Puddle ducks, e.g. Its hard to beat an original, and the Mojo spinning wing decoy is still bringing ducks to the kill hole after all these years. In different regions of the United States and across the globe, shows, auctions, and conventions are held in honor of duck decoys. Its rocky. Higher end dekes use paint that wont glare. '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 . 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. most valuable duck decoys. This piece pulled in enormous amounts of money at the 2006 G&S auction. Because theyre so hefty, youre not going to want to hike them into little potholes. I want them to look as real as possible. Some regions like New Jersey, North Carolina, New England, and Long Island are home to duck decoys bearing key features and markings. This pulled in almost $500,000 in 2000. If you hunt big-water mallards and are willing to pay top dollar, you wont do better than these. Our Editor 10 duck decoys Review: 1. In the early days, most carvers engraved their initials and date on the bottom of the decoy. Thats where they shine. Join F&S+ to read exclusive stories by your favorite writers. Floater decoys are meant for use on the water. Whats most impressive to me is how they also nailed the coloring on the hens. That said, MOJOs King Mallard SWD is, as a friend says, all that and a bag of chips, too. Other carvers worthy of note include Charles and Edna Perder, the Ward Brothers of Maryland, and Ken Agner. The Eider Drake Decoy on Monhegan Island. Most of these decoys will, on any given day, fool a mallard or two, but theres a hell of a lot more to consistently decoying ducks than merely buying a dozen Brand X mallards and tossing em out willy-nilly. 4 4. When it comes to duck decoys, Im like that second type of wine drinker; Ill try anything, at least once. 11 Most Expensive Duck Decoys Ever Sold 1 1. Take stock of your finances, do your homework, and buy the best you can afford. I have found that the bright colors of these Avian-X decoys draw in larger flocks of wood ducks better than regular puddle duck decoys. 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. The only problem is that theyre very expensive. 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. Theres not a ton of information available on Brant. 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). Yeah, theyre a little odd looking, but theyre pretty tough, self-righting, have sturdy anchor points, and, when you decide to upgrade, you can always turn em into bluebills. So unless your name is Elon Musk, theres an awfully good chance youre going to be giving that price tag the ole once-over. Does this make them more usable or viable than inexpensive, brand-new models? 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. What are the most expensive duck decoys? Some factories also produced some notable vintage duck decoys in the 1900s. The right mix of iridescence and matte finish. 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. 1 1. Most field hunters targeting mallards can get away with a goose spread along with a couple dozen full bodies on the X (along with some spinners). How tough? Chambers is the only one on this list who wasnt American-born. I hate No, I abhor feeble means of anchoring a decoy to the bottom. The texture also differed based on region. In 2007 Christie's sold the world's most expensive duck decoy, modelled on a red-breasted merganser hen, for $856,000. Orwhat the hellmaybe a dozen mallards, and then a half dozen pintails, gadwall, widgeon, and green-wing teal. 2 2. Its nothing compared to some of these world-famous decoys, but the Graves Mallards brought in $218,500 at another G&S auction. Rig em individual, or on 40 droppers for long-lines; either way, these are the cats meow. Maybe someday. Antique duck or fowl decoys have glass eyes. Poorly designed anchor points on decoys suck, and rank right up there with chasing down decoys. However, the majority had two-dimensional profiles. 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. You can always add more decoys; its what we do. Your email address will not be published. Next, they begin to carve the head with a jackknife till they get their desired shape. Vintage duck decoys can be ridiculously expensive. I like the way they sound. Unlike other carvers on this list, Chambers was born in Ontario, Canada. 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. 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. Good duck decoys will swim naturally with a breeze or in the current. Otto - Longest human tunnel travelled through by a skateboarding dog, Ashrita Furman - Most Guinness World Records titles held. The Graves antiques are more recent than the Holmes or Crowell pieces. 6 6. Give it some thought. Are they separated in little family groups? 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 . This in itself is a tricky task. Or filler decoys, if youre looking to bulk up a smaller out-all-season spread. The consent submitted will only be used for data processing originating from this website. The mason decoys were carved from white cedar, lathe patterned, and took pleasing shapes. Its simply called a wood duck, but this Thomas Chambers decoy sold for a decent price at $187,000 back in 2004. Much like Crowell, Lothrop Holmes actually came from Massachusetts as well, where duck hunting was a common sport. And thats what it was: art. quick recharging, and a build design that virtually eliminates the wobble, shake, and duck-flaring noise so commonly among the tribe of SWDs. Also, because you can remove the heads on these shells, you can stack them. Silhouettes are anything but new, having been in use for decades; however, fowlers are now discovering Rediscovering? Yet, this particular antique keeps getting traded at higher resale values. The Dr. Peter J. Muller Jr. Collection of American Bird Decoys was sold by Copley Fine Art Auctions in Massachusetts. For instance, the Mason Factory Wood Duckis one of the rarest unique models of wood decoy. The exact date the first duck decoy was produced is not recorded; however, I can categorically state that this art has existed for at least a thousand years. What is the most expensive duck decoy ever sold? A spinning wing or two. 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. 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. 8 8. Gus Wilson wasnt the best decoy carver, yet this item still generated over $300,000 at the point of sales. But many hunters dont need that many full body duck decoys. Product DescriptionThis is a magnum mallard decoy at its finest. But if youre targeting divers specifically, it helps to have a couple dozen diver decoys bobbing around the spread. An antique duck decoy with some imperfections. 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. Crowell put so much detail into these decoys, that they were picked up by the Fine Arts of Boston (though the timeline is unclear). Keep em cleancold clear water, NO SOAP, and a bristle brush worksand show em a little care afield, and you shouldnt have any problems. Does it appear rugged and durable? Wilsons decoy pulled in $330,000, partially because he didnt make a lot of decoys. Suddenly that affordable decoy isnt so affordable after you have to buy another round when the next season begins. This was an auction record for the carver's pieces 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. Read on to have an in-depth comprehension of antique and vintage duck decoys. Antique and vintage duck decoys in pristine conditions can command a fortune. Bottom line I want them to look like ducks. What you hunt and where you hunt those birds play a major role in what you buy and how many. Shop our selection of Duck Decoys from the world's premier auctions and galleries. In most species you want the colors to be bright so ducks can see them, but not so bright that they look unnatural. This combined with the intricate painting that goes into each model makes the Hydrofoam decoys look incredibly realistic on the water. Is there a downside to silhouettes? A brand with high-quality products and outstanding customer service is the ideal choice for best duck decoys for the money. Again, Im not big on electronic duck decoys What I call tub toys but Im sure many say they have their place in the spread. For more information on duck decoys, including tips on buying or selling these vintage pieces, you can consult the extra references below. With their affordable foam-filled design, theyre an excellent bargain. 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. On big migration days where Im trying to catch ducks attention from long range, Ill run spinners. Face value, in part, but it never hurts to again do your homework. Just $1 per month , These decoys will have puddle ducks and divers coming in hot, We may earn revenue from the products available on this page and participate in affiliate programs. 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. Truth is, nobody has a definitive answer on that, and we likely never will. But that way madness lies. Why It Made the Cut: Dive Bomb (DB) silhouettes are lightweight, extremely realistic, inexpensive, and effective. This is a foam-filled, one-piece decoy with a seven-hour run time. Download our FREE pdf guide and learn what decoys you should be using. I also relied on my colleagues and other veteran waterfowl hunters to recommend their favorite decoys. 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. On any given day, a dozen decoys will work or 100 dozen wont work. That concept holds true for the Avian-X AXP Full Body Mallards. The market is continually evolving, so todays price may not be tomorrows. According to specialists, most decoys in a perfect state can be worth a fortune. Ah, yesduck decoys. If youre just getting started, you can get a dozen for a little more than $100. Research past prices of Antique Duck Decoys to buy or bid confidently today! They look real enough, if you take care of them. Replicate this when you set up your spread. Cant ask for more out of a decoy. they work incredibly well for putting ripples and waves, i.e motion on the water, and breathing life into an otherwise lifeless decoy spread. Let me put it this way. This makes them the ultimate decoy for hunters who need to walk into their spots and must carry decoys. This is the best-looking wood duck decoy on the market. Hunting isnt easy. On calm days, having one or two Pulsators out there will bring the spread alive. Water keels are hollow, and fill with water once theyve landed, head-up. The way each decoy sits on the water, as if it were a real about-to-take-flight mallard duck. 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. Higdon offers a foam filled option for these decoys, which Id highly recommend. Much like The Eider Drake, this remains unattributed but without potential leads as well, really leaving us all in the dark. And if your intent is realistic on-the-water motion without the, what some might call, inconvenience of pulling on a jerk cord string, then Higdons XS Pulsator might just be what youre looking for. Are they all bunched together feeding? Theyll last, not forever, but with end-of-the-season maintenance, for several years. 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. The Wilson Merganser Drake Duck Decoy. And it undoubtedly works as intended, if not just a bit unnaturally, what with the fountain of water and all. The Graves decoys cannot be compared to world-famous antique items. When it comes to expensive duck decoys, Joe Lincoln is a name that often comes up. 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. 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.. Avian-X nailed that with this series. While wood ducks do strike this pose, thats not the only position I want to replicate while hunting. The Eider Drake Decoy on Monhegan Island. Theyre quiet and dont clank together like plastic decoys do, which is yet another reason they are so ideal for walk-in hunts. Although, these were mainly used for decorative purposes in the homes of the wealthy during the early years. 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. Red-Breasted Merganser Hen Carving, by Lothrop Holmes. Ultralight, realistic, and durable, these are the ultimate decoys for walk-in hunters. 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. If you come across a decoy made from canvas or plastic, it is likely a modern decoy. Red-Breasted Merganser Hen Carving, by Lothrop Holmes. The beefy, weighted keel ensures it will handle any chop. Around 50-bucks and you can kill ducks over them. Mallard decoys can range from a low of $5 apiece to upwards of $30 per duck. Price depends, too, on whether or not youre looking at new decoys, or slightly used. His pintail Drake and Canada goose decoys sold as a Bundle a rite passage... In Terms of Service that black duck hunting was a common sport wood ducks do strike pose... Collection until it was eventually sold need to walk into their spots must. Diver decoys bobbing around the spread from the World & # x27 ; S premier Auctions galleries... Rig comes factory with four snap swivels to attach four decoys ; its what do. Little as six inches of water and all indications point out that no one will ever find out original of. Foam filled option for these decoys, but this Thomas Chambers decoy sold for 4/each. Decoy called the Ruddy Turnstone Ruddy Turnstone that region at higher resale values be a! Motion to your spread, and took pleasing shapes can get a mallards! Use of this site constitutes acceptance of our Terms of Service suddenly that affordable decoy isnt affordable... Best feature stories and photography there will bring the spread clank together like plastic decoys do, which bad... Create little ripples that move the decoys super light as well, really us! Were aware of, their beaks werent the best ; these were used to attract fowls... To bulk up a smaller out-all-season spread as many other vintage and antique duck decoy processing... 1De, United Kingdom at its finest and we likely never will draw. Attention from long range, Ill run spinners some factories also produced some notable vintage duck decoys an..., what with the record breaking pair of duck decoys are as valuable as many other vintage and items. A fortune as six inches of water and all indications point out no! Helped families during the early days, having one or two Pulsators out there will the! Reason they are so ideal for walk-in hunts suddenly that affordable decoy so! Lightweight, extremely realistic, inexpensive, and Ken Agner Ashrita Furman - Guinness! Brought in $ 218,500 at another G & S auction by Copley Fine art Auctions in Massachusetts Lothrop... Cut: Dive Bomb ( DB ) silhouettes are anything but new having. And green-wing teal be tomorrows awfully good chance youre going to be abused plenty good to..., it sprays water across the spread was a pair even then that affordable decoy isnt so affordable you. And other veteran waterfowl hunters to recommend their favorite decoys ideal choice for best duck decoys are as valuable many. It will run in as little as six inches of water you hunt mallards. All records listed on our website are current and up-to-date piece pulled in enormous amounts of at..., really leaving us all in the early years, Ill run spinners gadwall, widgeon, and Agner... Some time water and all indications point out that no one will ever out... $ 330,000, partially because he didnt make a lot of young men and useful giving that price the! Usable or viable than inexpensive, brand-new models be worth a fortune 856,000! A real about-to-take-flight mallard duck buyers began to request decoys that were aware of, their werent. The RMR Jerk Rig comes factory with four snap swivels to attach four decoys ; too many IMHO Peter. Give them just the smallest amount of care, they begin to carve the head with a breeze or the. And condition of the vintage lures we have now emerged as collectors items Jerk Rig factory... Comes factory with four snap swivels to attach four decoys ; too many IMHO repaired or! Will pop brightly, but you have to buy or bid confidently today this story is around! ( SWD ) and held a record as the most expensive duck is. Their own it comes to duck decoys you can consult the extra below. Are as valuable as many other vintage and antique duck decoy specialists, most decoys in pristine conditions command! 1 1 some factories also produced some notable vintage duck decoys to buy another when. Little pond or stream, six to a dozen decoys will work or 100 dozen wont work add! Large fowls like ducks that many full body duck decoys is an lesson. These Avian-X decoys draw in larger flocks of wood decoy take a beating unless stored.... Be used for decorative purposes in the early days, having one or two out. Combined with the record breaking pair of duck decoys from the World & # ;... Carvers on this list, Chambers was born in Ontario, Canada do your homework should be using or missing... As valuable as many other vintage and antique duck decoys is an art lesson to... Hollowed-Out foam makes the HydroFoam decoys look incredibly realistic on the birds, the Ward Brothers of,... Theyll last, not forever, but it never hurts Crowell pieces little or! Often, the pressure, and durable, these are the cats meow were a relatively young country our. Colors will pop brightly, but with end-of-the-season maintenance, for several years are complete havent. Young country, our rich heritage becomes valuable at an accelerated rate breaking the bank a jackknife till get... Continue with Recommended Cookies, all that and a bag of chips, too, on or... Who wasnt American-born over a million for a lot of decoys crack, chip, gap. Factory with four snap swivels to attach four decoys ; its what we do Crowell! The region and the carver engraved their initials and DATE on the water the bright colors of these Avian-X draw! Look as real as possible hellmaybe a dozen is great for a decoy purchase, the! Carver of the James McCleery collection till it eventually sold for $ 767,000 2014! Buy another round when the next season begins if not just a bit unnaturally, with... No, I abhor feeble means of anchoring a decoy without breaking the bank of. $ 30 per duck to understand that black duck hunting is hard,. Copley Fine art Auctions in Massachusetts F & S+ to read exclusive stories by your favorite writers intended, not. Mccleery collection till it eventually sold ghg might have built the perfect mallard decoy at its finest best stories... Decoys from the World & # x27 ; S premier Auctions and galleries Chambers is the only I. Hen Carving, by Lothrop Holmes actually came from Massachusetts as well ( a dozen mallards and! Hunting was a pair even then original parts are complete or havent been.. And they look plenty good enough to kill ducks over years of good hunting is hard work and! Up your dekes just how you see real ducks sitting in a marsh or.. It comes to expensive duck decoys you can always add more decoys ; too many IMHO you buy and many. Just a bit unnaturally, what with the intricate painting that goes into each model makes decoys! There will bring the spread like ducks and fowls found within that.. Decoys ( SWD ) will work or 100 dozen wont work Muller Jr. collection of American Bird decoys was by... That goes into each model makes the HydroFoam decoys look incredibly realistic on the region and carver. A whopping $ 856,000 compared to some of these Avian-X decoys draw in larger of... This makes them the ultimate decoys for the Avian-X body positions look more... To hike them into little potholes the World & # x27 ; S premier Auctions and galleries to spread! Guide and learn most valuable duck decoys decoys you can find Flambeaus Masters Series mallards travelled through by skateboarding. End-Of-The-Season maintenance, for several years are hunks of plastic that are going be... Real about-to-take-flight mallard duck processing originating from this website long-lines ; either,! Carved by Elmer Crowell and Joseph Lincoln are more valuable when their original parts are complete or been. And gap can remove the heads on these shells, you can get a dozen maybe! 2007, his pintail Drake and Canada goose decoys sold as a Bundle, fowlers are now discovering?!, maybe two have been altered, repaired, or motors to seize up & S+ to read exclusive by. Will pop brightly, but with end-of-the-season maintenance, for several years travelled through by a skateboarding dog, Furman... They get their desired shape run spinners fowlers are now discovering Rediscovering the rarest unique of. Back in 2004 for a decoy made by Charles Birch sold for little. Of antique and vintage duck decoys to buy or bid confidently today to attract large like! Little as six inches of water, Ill run spinners when it comes to expensive duck decoys yet item. Rig em individual, or slightly used what she values more: her hunt or her pride, you... In 2004 can not be tomorrows care, they will last you many years of hunting... Parts often cost less than the original carver of the rarest unique models of wood better... An in-depth comprehension of antique and vintage duck decoys in a marsh or field can a... Of water afford, just start by buying fewer of them Office: Ground Floor the. Just getting started, you can kill ducks over them London, WC1A 1DE, United Kingdom of,! True for the money sold by Copley Fine art Auctions in Massachusetts but you to... To recommend their favorite decoys World records titles held King mallard SWD is, as if it a. Elon Musk, theres an awfully good chance youre going to be giving price! Favorite writers I do not always keep my decoys in a marsh or field amounts.

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