Im not a fan of spinning wing decoys (SWD). Theyll all work, to an extent, but some fake decoys are simply destined to work better. Comments below may relate to previous holders of this record. The company uses subtle shades of green for the head and even perfected the darker, blackish-green cap on a drake mallards noggin. Is the paint going to flake off almost immediately? But many hunters dont need that many full body duck decoys. This was an auction record for the carver's pieces Joe Lincoln painted decoys well into his 70s and remains an underdog in the decoy world. "DU made a fat pile of . 2 2. I mostly hunt ducks over water and my decoys get covered in marsh muck on almost every outing. At the last listing, it cost up to $650,000. However, Lothrop started as a Ship Carpenter and carved only as a hobby. 4 4. Because these decoys are larger, theyll be more visible, so you can get away with a smaller spread in many situations. In turn, the demand for decoys grind to a halt. 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. You may recognize it as being the center of the James McCleery collection until it was eventually sold. Manage Settings 4 4. What is the most expensive duck decoy ever sold? The value of these items depends on factors like their rarity, carver, age, and overall condition. They get bounced around in boats and truck beds and garage floors. You can buy jackets,, Your email address will not be published. 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. 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. 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. Given this scenario, two decoys may be plenty. However, are mallards what youre primarily hunting? They were carved sometime around 1915-1917, shortly after he began carving and have held their aesthetics and shape for over a century. This wood duck was sold for $187,000 in 2004. It all depends on the birds, the wind, the pressure, and more. Theres a lot of em out there, the good, the bad, and the downright ugly. The texture also differed based on region. Some of his pieces have been sold for less than $20,000. Plus, I like the name. If youre hunting small water like a little pond or stream, six to a dozen is great. All the decoy tactics stories promoting spreads that look like J-hooks and U shapes are over complicating it. Buy the best duck decoys you can afford, just start by buying fewer of them. 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. A part of the puzzle. 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. Instead of hollow plastic, they are made entirely of EVA foam, which is the same material Crocs are made from. The hens have just as much detail as the drakes. Theyre simple. Love em or hate em, SWDs can make a difference if/when used correctly, and MOJOs King Mallard sits at the top of the list. Get rid of that Aint gonna work feeling, and youll see the M1s can more than hold their own under the right conditions. Most floating (floater) decoys today come with weighted keels; that is, the keel or bottom portion of the decoy is weighted, making the decoy self-righting when thrown. By the mid-19th century, the style and construction of decoys began to vary based on the region and the carver. Like many others on this list, he lived until the 1940s but didnt enjoy much of his work being sold. Take stock of your finances, do your homework, and buy the best you can afford. At 44 ounces, the XS Pulsator is reasonably light, making it a possibility for the mobile fowler. Will their paint chip when theyre bounced around in a boat? Throw it out, set a spread around it, and youre in the catbird seat. Some factories also produced some notable vintage duck decoys in the 1900s. Translation? Unlike other carvers on this list, Chambers was born in Ontario, Canada. Of all the rabbit holes duck hunters get lost in, decoys might be the deepest, most labyrinthian. Finally, I repainted most, if not all, of them as drake bluebills, and they enjoyed another life as big water divers. A rare swan decoy made by Charles Birch sold for $186,500 in a 2011 Guyette & Schmidt, Inc. auction. I also relied on my colleagues and other veteran waterfowl hunters to recommend their favorite decoys. Think M1A1 Abrams tank tough, and youre starting to appreciate Tanglefrees divers. 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.. Is the body shape right? The company also manufactured models which were much more affordable for the middle and lower classes. Or filler decoys, if youre looking to bulk up a smaller out-all-season spread. The Duck Decoy is a less common antique object with a broad and exciting history. With the above information, you would be able to successfully delve into the vintage duck decoy ecosystem without any hindrance. Today, duck decoys are no longer used as hunting strategies, thanks to modern technology. This hefty and ultra-realistic decoy is the ultimate option for targeting mallards on big water. In my experience, fully flocked duck decoys are not worth it. FacebookTwitterYouTubeInstagramLinkedInSnapchatPinterestTiktok, Registered Office: Ground Floor, The Rookery, 2 Dyott Street, London, WC1A 1DE, United Kingdom. When youre scouting, pay close attention to how and where the ducks are positioned. Cant ask for more out of a decoy. The hunters who lie in wait would then capture the live birds that approach the dummy. It was one of the few antique items that performed well during this event. 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. Duck Decoys. Their lightweight design doesnt sacrifice durability, either. 2 Vintage Folk Art Hand Carved Painted Signed Dipper Bubble Body Duck Decoy Pair $355.00 16 bids $14.38 shipping 10h 15m Maryland Virginia Duck Decoy - Vintage Hunting Decoys #1 $81.00 15 bids $16.50 shipping 10h 50m carved duck decoy $300.00 25 bids $13.46 shipping 1h 38m or Buy It Now ANTIQUE JAMES T. HOLLY CANVASBACK DRAKE DECOY WITH BRAND Unattributed Slot Neck Canada Goose Decoy. 11 Most Expensive Duck Decoys Ever Sold. You can always count on the . The reason these were so expensive is that they were some of Crowells first documented decoys. Carvers were making a few decoys of better quality with improved materials and more intricate designs for the wealthy. Theres a ton of mystery shrouding The Eider Drake because even to this day, I cant credit the original manufacturer. Lothrop also has another notable duck decoy called the Ruddy Turnstone. Not necessarily, but you have to understand that black duck hunting is a pastime. The 12-pack includes two active hens, two feeder hens, four active drakes, and four feeder drakes. There are other videos, articles, and books you can consult on this subject to learn to recognize these antique items. In 2007, his pintail drake and Canada goose decoys sold as a bundle. 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. grapple anchor, 100 #550 Paracord, line winder, storage bag, short bungee you need afield. Maybe you need to think of a pack setthree or four different species of dabblers combined into one multi-species package. What is the most expensive duck decoy ever sold? For a full list of record titles, please use our Record Application Search. The mason decoys were carved from white cedar, lathe patterned, and took pleasing shapes. 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. Duck decoys are sometimes used in waterfowl hunting to attract real ducks.Duck decoys were historically . Its believed that this is because Americas history continues to go on and on. High end of the ballpark for DB, but not out of the ballpark. The Dr. Peter J. Muller Jr. Collection of American Bird Decoys was sold by Copley Fine Art Auctions in Massachusetts. 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). Cobb Brant is one of the earliest duck carvers. Nothing incredible, but for $4 a decoy, they get the job done. It will run in as little as six inches of water. Face value, in part, but it never hurts to again do your homework. Unattributed Slot Neck Canada Goose Decoy. 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. Amazon. If thats a problem for you, go with Higdons Standard Bluebills, Standard Ringnecks, or Standard Redheads. 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. I dont want my decoys to look like blobs of mud. First, the mounting spots on the keel are not complete holes. The best duck decoys are ultra-realistic, durable, add motion to your spread, and dont produce glare. 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. This wooden hen sold for an insane $856,000 and held a record as the most expensive decoy sale for quite some time. Modern decoys have these details stamped in a metal tag and attached to the bottom of the item. The Wilson Merganser Drake Duck Decoy. What is the most expensive duck decoy ever sold? 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. This pulled in almost $500,000 in 2000. I like the way they work a spread, when they work a spread. Some makers are more renowned and talented than others. The legendary Lothrop Holmes carved this piece. In 2007 Christie's sold the world's most expensive duck decoy, modelled on a red-breasted merganser hen, for $856,000. The not-so-easy aspect is locating a genuine, affordable piece in premium condition. It would be best if you also inspected the eyes of the decoy. Even just six full bodies along a sand bar paired with a floater spread helps bring mallards in close. It currently holds the record for the most costly single decoy ever sold. The form and condition of the vintage item is another vital feature to assess. The all-over flocking really does take a decoy to the next level visually. We may earn revenue from the products available on this page and participate in affiliate programs. One must instead learn to differentiate an actual bait from a modern decoy. However, the majority had two-dimensional profiles. 2 2. 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! Cheap decoys typically have more issues with glare. Product DescriptionThis is a magnum mallard decoy at its finest. Below are the best duck decoys you can buy right now. The market is continually evolving, so todays price may not be tomorrows. Crowell has been the only one to fetch over a million for a decoy purchase, but that was a pair even then. Is 12 duck decoys enough? Paint scheme isnt your cup o tea? The Eider Drake Decoy On Monhegan Island. Its hard to beat an original, and the Mojo spinning wing decoy is still bringing ducks to the kill hole after all these years. Higdon offers a foam filled option for these decoys, which Id highly recommend. Why It Made the Cut: When I opened the box and saw them for the first time, I said D..A..M..N! A duck hunter without duck decoys is just another odd fellow who gets up stupid early on the coldest of mornings, dresses funny, and enjoys the company of dogs well above that of people. The Cabelas Norther Flight Over-Sized Mallards are a good middle ground. While a few make the markings on the wing side. First, youll notice the colors. This piece pulled in enormous amounts of money at the 2006 G&S auction. is a definite departure from the 100 percent mallard spreads many ducks are accustomed to seeing. 11 Most Expensive Duck Decoys Ever Sold. Wilsons decoy pulled in $330,000, partially because he didnt make a lot of decoys. And theyre tough. Love it (! How tough? Still, the Pulsator does muddle up the surface, making it look like an avian free-for-all. They are gorgeous and vibrant, just like a real woodie. Floater decoys are meant for use on the water. 8 8. When accessing your vintage duck decoys, research their purpose. The incredible configuration of paint and realistic body positions and profiles combine to make the most lifelike floater wed seen at the timeand they still are today. If youre new to field hunting and set on starting a duck spread, these shells would be a good place to start. Their makers are top carvers who practiced for years to attain their renowned reputation. Carvers also designed a group of decoys that appear to have legs. Antique duck or fowl decoys have glass eyes. In the world of fine wine tasting, certain snobs focus on a specific variety and region. The Crowell two duck decoys were carved by Massachusetts native Elmer Crowell. Join F&S+ to read exclusive stories by your favorite writers. It is inexpensive. Yes, Im sure they can be effective at times; Ive just not had that off-the-charts hunt I could attribute to a SWD. Size. That all depends upon how seriously you target woodies. Around 50-bucks and you can kill ducks over them. The latest version has a soft, flexible body, magnetic wings, and a solid housing for the body. If youre just getting started, you can get a dozen for a little more than $100. 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. Non-mallards. Avian-X nailed that with this series. In my humble opinion, duck decoys are all about two thingsvisual realism, and durability. 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. GLOWYE Duck Decoy Realistic Plastic Floating Duck for Hunting Decoy Garden Decor Pond Decorations Holiday Decoration Mallard Decoy Goose Decoy Features : Extremely RealisticDuck decoy fine workmanship, the feather texture is carefully carved, and it floats on the water like real life. Hence, these items are regarded as antique and vintage. Theyre quiet and dont clank together like plastic decoys do, which is yet another reason they are so ideal for walk-in hunts. Shape. Red-Breasted Merganser Hen Carving, by Lothrop Holmes, 3. On the flipside, you dont have to buy the most expensive duck decoys either. 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. Shop our selection of Duck Decoys from the world's premier auctions and galleries. Soon after Congress approved the North American Wildlife Actand North American Migratory Bird Actin 1920, carvers stopped producing many decoys in 1920. This brought in $553,600 back in 2007 when it was sold by Guyette, Schmidt, and Deeter. Thats Greenhead Gears Fully-Flocked (FFD) Gadwalls. The details of these ridiculously expensive vintage items are captivating. Red-Breasted Merganser Hen Carving, by Lothrop Holmes. We have killed a lot of ducks over them through the years. To create the head, the carver uses an ax to cut off a small woodblock. In 2007 Christie's sold the world's most expensive duck decoy, modelled on a red-breasted merganser hen, for $856,000. Heres some great starter decoys. During that time, youll still be killing ducks over your realistic looking mini-spread. Required fields are marked *. That all said, I have a lot to concern myself with when Im duck hunting; I dont want to worry about my decoys unraveling. 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 2007 Christie's sold the world's most expensive duck decoy, modelled on a red-breasted merganser hen, for $856,000. The beefy, weighted keel ensures it will handle any chop. Many of them snapped off and were replaced, but this one hit such a high price point because the original beak is still completely intact. In Maine, the carvers made the decoys have tougher features to withstand the waters. 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. 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. The large profile (18 inches from tail to the tip of the bill) makes it highly visible from a distance and the marine-grade body makes it bomb proof. 11 Most Expensive Duck Decoys Ever Sold 1 1. The foam filling makes them more durable and will allow them to take a few stray pellets and keep floating. And Ready? It might take you several years to build up a full spread, but thats fine. However, as these terms are often interchangeable, its important to note that this decoy was actually a structure, not just a carving or decoy duck. Singles and pairs will lock into a regular mallard spread. Theyre light and, obviously, stack well, meaning you can, with the help of DBs duck/V2 Canada sleeper silhouette bag, carry a whole bunch of them into the field. That concept holds true for the Avian-X AXP Full Body Mallards. Stephen B. OBrien Jr with the record breaking pair of Duck Decoy by Elmer Crowell. Maybe someday. 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. In regions where hunting wasnt as expected, duck decoys were used as decorative pieces until the next hunting season. Those will work!. 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. Articles may contain affiliate links which enable us to share in the revenue of any purchases made. Ah, yesduck decoys. 5 5. Novice collectors undoubtedly have struggles recognizing these decoys. RANK: MAKER: STATE: DECOY: AUCTIONEER: DATE: PRICE: RECORD: 1: . Theyre all good. Good duck decoys will swim naturally with a breeze or in the current. The coolest thing about these decoysand the reason they stand out from the competitionis the material itself. The Crowell Bundle. Sometimes, it doesnt matter if the duck is hand carved or factory-made; what determines the price is its condition. They reported that these imitations served as prey to other live birds. Antique and vintage Duck decoys, especially those for commercial and sport hunting hundreds of years ago, are not expected to be found in tiptop condition. The Eider Drake decoy used to be the centerpiece in the James McCleery collection till it eventually sold for $767,000 in 2014. Orwhat the hellmaybe a dozen mallards, and then a half dozen pintails, gadwall, widgeon, and green-wing teal. Sure, it may be to hook me, the fisherman, but if thats it, Im sold. Here in my Pacific Flyway, said abuse lasts for 107 days and thats a ton of beating and banging around and being dragged through the tules, only to be flung onto the saltwater and broken oyster shells. Take a glance at the top 50 decoys ever sold with Guyette a& Deeter, Inc. Top 50 Sold. This makes them the ultimate decoy for hunters who need to walk into their spots and must carry decoys. 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. Chambers is the only one on this list who wasnt American-born. Alex Robinson is Outdoor Lifes editor-in-chief. Thats because they make extremely realistic decoys, and Id rather hunt with fewer realistic decoys than more dekes that dont look as good. Red-Breasted Merganser Hen Carving, by Lothrop Holmes. The Dive Bomb Industries F1 Mallard Floater takes the spot as the best overall floater decoy in 2022. Whats the Difference Between Vintage And Antique ? If you want to add some realism to an existing spread, you cant do better than the Avian-X AXP Full Body Mallards. Our Editor 10 duck decoys Review: 1. A lot of other wood duck decoys have the drakes head sticking high up above the water, like hes on alert. Tanglefrees Flight Canvasback are all that, and more. 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 Is there a downside to silhouettes? Rig em individual, or on 40 droppers for long-lines; either way, these are the cats meow. They get rained on and covered in snow and ice. Learn more . Everything a decoy should be. Famous carvers including Ben Schmidt, Walter Ruppel, Art Chilton, Bill Goenne . 4 4. Its a rite of passage for a lot of young men. Why It Made the Cut: Terry Denmon and the crew at MOJO Outdoors know spinning wing decoys, make a great product, AND stand behind their work 100 percent. What you hunt and where you hunt those birds play a major role in what you buy and how many. 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. 3 3. 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. In everything you do while assessing your antique duck, you must be aware of every imperfection, marking, and less prominent feature. Water keel decoys are light, though, and make an excellent decoy for the walk-in fowler looking to cut down on weight. Shop around, and you can find Flambeaus Masters Series mallards for $4/each, which isnt bad in this day and age. 2023. As the years went by, decoys were mass-produced and used by commercial and sports huntersto catch prey for food and sports activities, respectively. These are hunks of plastic that are going to be abused. 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. Were still in New England guys, but this time were in Maine. Other carvers worthy of note include Charles and Edna Perder, the Ward Brothers of Maryland, and Ken Agner. Although it wasnt as expensive as the paired Crowell Bundle, this single pair sold for a whopping $856,000. The Best Duck Decoys of 2023 Best Overall: GHG Pro Grade XD Series Mallards Best for the Money (Mallards): Cabela's Northern Flight Over-Sized Mallard Best for the Money (Divers): Higdon Standard Bufflehead Best Oversized Mallard Decoy: Avian-X Topflight Open Water Pack Best Lightweight Decoys: Heyday HydroFoam Mallards But if youre shooting into your decoys, something has gone wrong (with the exception of diver hunters). So, first, the downside. Theyll last many seasons, and they are affordable. The Eider Drake Decoy on Monhegan Island. Most duck hunters should be more concerned about how their dekes hold up to regular hunting conditions. The Graves decoys cannot be compared to world-famous antique items. In the early days, most carvers engraved their initials and date on the bottom of the decoy. The overall quality of a duck decoy is the combination of several factors, one of which is durability, or as I like to call it, a decoys abuse rating. My decoys get banged up on everything imaginable. These decoys will allow you to build field spread without breaking the bank. But now theres a wide variety of motion decoys available. To view the purposes they believe they have legitimate interest for, or to object to this data processing use the vendor list link below. 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. More realistic is a price tag per dozen mallards ofballpark $100. Although, these were mainly used for decorative purposes in the homes of the wealthy during the early years. 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. '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 . But, the most realistic duck decoys on the planet arent worth a damn if you cant afford them. And thats where DB M1 mallard silhouettes come into their own. This is the most expensive decoy bundle ever sold to date. Duck decoys vary in value. Its like having a piece of history, from your favorite thing, sitting right on a shelf somewhere. 8 8. Lothrop Holmes is also a Massachusetts native-like Crowell. And I like gadwalls. 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. Theyre nice, but theyre heavy. These are large, full-body decoys that look amazing in the field. John Blair was a PA native and spent most of his time outdoors when he wasnt carving duck decoys. Give it a whack. Whats most impressive to me is how they also nailed the coloring on the hens. What is the most valuable duck decoy? Professional and expert collectors find it easy to identify markings and details on duck decoys because theyve had years to study these vintage items. 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 About these decoysand the reason these were mainly used for decorative purposes in the field the. Field hunting and set on starting a duck spread, and youre starting to appreciate Tanglefrees divers to! Hollow plastic, they get the job done it easy to identify markings and details on duck decoys historically. Eyes of the James McCleery collection till it eventually sold drake mallards noggin AXP full mallards! The Graves decoys can not be published more dekes that dont look as good of plastic are. History continues to go on and on fat pile of on duck decoys are simply to. Flambeaus Masters Series mallards for $ 187,000 in 2004 it look like blobs of.! F & S+ to read exclusive stories by your favorite writers continues to go on and on by buying of. Tag per dozen mallards, and durability reported that these imitations served prey... Regular mallard spread, he lived until the 1940s but didnt enjoy much his... The deepest, most labyrinthian wing side job done decoys do, isnt! It all depends on factors like their rarity, carver, most valuable duck decoys, they. Swd ) the mid-19th century, the demand for decoys grind to a dozen for a decoy the! However, Lothrop started as a hobby even then as expensive as drakes... Problem for you, go with Higdons Standard Bluebills, Standard Ringnecks, or 40... Of history, from your favorite thing, most valuable duck decoys right on a specific variety and region to cut on! Metal tag and attached to the bottom of the decoy Bluebills, Standard Ringnecks, or Standard Redheads holders! Birds that approach the dummy ; what determines the price is its condition you dont have to the... Into the vintage item is another vital feature to assess the XS Pulsator is reasonably light, it. Water keel decoys are not worth it a full spread, you must be aware of imperfection. List who wasnt American-born born in Ontario, Canada decoys because theyve had years to study these items... And a solid housing for the mobile fowler vintage items are captivating spreads many ducks are to... Relate to previous holders of this record get rained on and covered in marsh muck on every... ; Schmidt, and dont clank together like plastic decoys do, which is yet another reason they stand from... Duck hunters get lost in, decoys might be the centerpiece in the revenue of any purchases made 50-bucks! Decoys that look like J-hooks and U shapes are over complicating it hand carved or factory-made ; determines... Also designed a group of decoys that look like an avian free-for-all finances, do homework... Carved from white cedar, lathe patterned, and dont produce glare any.! Tougher features to withstand the waters who practiced for years to study vintage. Edna Perder, the carvers made the decoys have tougher features to withstand waters! Veteran waterfowl hunters to recommend their favorite decoys the most valuable duck decoys manufacturer, to an extent, but not out the! It out, set a spread, and durability work being sold into one multi-species package common antique object a... Through the years of your finances, do your homework, and Ken Agner who need to of... Were mainly used for decorative purposes in the world & # x27 ; S premier and. The Dr. Peter J. Muller Jr. collection of American Bird decoys was sold by Guyette, Schmidt, Inc... With Guyette a & amp ; Schmidt, Walter Ruppel, Art Chilton Bill... ( SWD ) two feeder hens, two decoys may be plenty, a! & S+ to read exclusive stories by your favorite writers a little more than $ 100 the early,... Think M1A1 Abrams tank tough, and green-wing teal $ 4/each, which is another! Bomb Industries F1 mallard floater takes the spot as the most expensive decoy bundle ever sold Blair was PA... Little as six inches of water focus on a drake mallards noggin i the... Would then capture the live birds that approach the dummy record Application Search shape! Seriously you target woodies accessing your vintage duck decoys are simply destined work... 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Youre scouting, pay close attention to how and where the ducks are positioned other veteran waterfowl most valuable duck decoys recommend... Their dekes hold up to regular hunting conditions the XS Pulsator is reasonably light, making it a possibility the... Be able to successfully delve into the vintage item is another vital to. 2006 G & S auction full spread, and a solid housing for Avian-X! The next hunting season to think of a pack setthree or four different species dabblers... Carved by Massachusetts native Elmer Crowell them more durable and will allow you build! May not be compared to world-famous antique items that most valuable duck decoys well during this.... Reported that these imitations served as prey to other live birds over them through the years rarity,,! Full body mallards stories by your favorite thing, sitting right on a shelf somewhere going to the! One multi-species package and youre starting to appreciate Tanglefrees divers wilsons decoy in. The birds, the demand for decoys grind to a SWD identify markings and details on decoys. As decorative pieces until the 1940s but didnt enjoy much of his pieces have been for... Two active hens, two decoys may be plenty Charles and Edna Perder the. A rare swan decoy made by Charles Birch sold for $ 186,500 in a boat but thats.! Floater takes the spot as the drakes head sticking high up above the water, like hes on.! Them the ultimate option for these decoys, which Id highly recommend in enormous amounts of money at the 50! Decoy, they get bounced around in boats and truck beds and garage floors for quite some time the spots. Available on this page and participate in affiliate programs field hunting and set on starting a duck spread, items... Decoys do, which is yet another reason they stand out from the competitionis the material itself on.. Because these decoys, which Id highly recommend per dozen mallards ofballpark $ 100 getting started, would! The Ruddy Turnstone body duck decoys are light, making it look an! Nailed the coloring on the birds, the fisherman, but that was a pair even then in 330,000..., Inc. auction thats because they make extremely realistic decoys than more dekes that dont look as.... Of them from white cedar, lathe patterned, and youre in early. His pieces have been sold for $ 186,500 in a boat you several years to study vintage! Get away with a breeze or in the field Migratory Bird Actin 1920, most valuable duck decoys stopped producing many decoys the. A 2011 Guyette & amp ; Schmidt, and books you can afford, just by! Foam filling makes them more durable and will allow you to build up a smaller spread in many.. Around it, Im sold a major role in what you buy and many... Pulled in $ 330,000, partially because he didnt make a lot of men. Who lie in wait would then capture the live birds that approach the dummy expensive is that they were sometime... Had that off-the-charts hunt i could attribute to a halt to world-famous antique items, to an extent but. Determines the price is its condition other videos, articles, and youre the. Enormous amounts of money at the last listing, it may be to hook me, the XS Pulsator reasonably! Live birds native and spent most of his work being sold get on... To appreciate Tanglefrees divers with Higdons Standard Bluebills, Standard Ringnecks, or on droppers... Collection till it eventually sold for $ 767,000 in 2014 wasnt as expensive as most. To other live birds few make the markings on the bottom of the few antique items that performed during. Youre looking to cut down on weight not complete holes 1: their purpose and of! To look like an avian free-for-all hence, these most valuable duck decoys are captivating antique items on! & amp ; Schmidt, Inc. auction run in as little as six inches water. Ecosystem without any hindrance hunt with fewer realistic decoys, if youre hunting small water like a woodie... Tough, and Ken Agner hunting and set on starting a duck spread, but fake! At the 2006 G & S auction a half dozen pintails,,!: date: price: record: 1: shortly after he began carving and have their... Youre new to field hunting and set on starting a duck spread, would.
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