most valuable duck decoys

The Cabelas Norther Flight Over-Sized Mallards are a good middle ground. 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. Maybe you need to think of a pack setthree or four different species of dabblers combined into one multi-species package. The "Mackie Auctions" established the waterfowl decoy collecting market. Unattributed Slot Neck Canada Goose Decoy. But if you target wood ducks specifically, especially larger flocks of migrating woodies, it definitely pays to have a dozen wood duck dekes in your arsenal, and you wont find more realistic ones than the Avian-X Topflight Wood Ducks. This combined with the intricate painting that goes into each model makes the Hydrofoam decoys look incredibly realistic on the water. I dont know how much you paid for your antique duck decoy, but youre about to be frazzled by how much people have paid for them in the past. An original Elmer Crowell black duck in the best condition can be sold for $2,000 or more in an auction. Not all of Blairs pieces are worth this much. Whats nice is I can use the jerk cord rigged with these smaller decoys in four to five inches of sheet water with no problem. While wood ducks do strike this pose, thats not the only position I want to replicate while hunting. 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. Mason Vintage Hunting Duck Decoys Mason Vintage Hunting Duck Decoys All Auction Buy It Now 144 Results Brand: Mason Brand Duck Type Features Condition Price Buying Format All Filters Antique Mason Black duck decoy $25.00 0 bids $13.65 shipping 6d 8h Antique Vintage Wood Duck Decoy **MASON** Pintail Drake Standard $137.50 3 bids $16.75 shipping 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. Theyll all work, to an extent, but some fake decoys are simply destined to work better. 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 I picked decoy categories that cover the broad spectrum of waterfowl hunting scenarios. The current condition of an antique duck decoy plays a significant role in determining its value. Registration on or use of this site constitutes acceptance of our Terms of Service. At the time, not all duck decoys had the same value. Unlike my buddy Gifford, I do not always keep my decoys in a slotted bag. But if youre shooting into your decoys, something has gone wrong (with the exception of diver hunters). Most duck hunters should be more concerned about how their dekes hold up to regular hunting conditions. The Wilson Merganser Drake Duck Decoy. If you have been duck hunting for a while and have more or less figured out what you are doing, then you probably want to invest in some higher quality floaters. Chambers is the only one on this list who wasnt American-born. Its fetching, and for its time, it shows a great level of attention to detail with the colors and shades. Even while dead, Crowell is still taking in tons of money. Of all the rabbit holes duck hunters get lost in, decoys might be the deepest, most labyrinthian. they work incredibly well for putting ripples and waves, i.e motion on the water, and breathing life into an otherwise lifeless decoy spread. At 44 ounces, the XS Pulsator is reasonably light, making it a possibility for the mobile fowler. It requires NO batteries. Nice to know, though. I dont want my decoys to look like blobs of mud. In the mid-1900s, duck decoys were as scarce as ever and were regarded as collectible items of folk art. 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. Give it a whack. Crowell put so much detail into these decoys, that they were picked up by the Fine Arts of Boston (though the timeline is unclear). Divers are typically not the wariest of ducks and they will come into a puddle duck spread. Professional and expert collectors find it easy to identify markings and details on duck decoys because theyve had years to study these vintage items. 2 2. No matter which species you chase or which flyway youre hunting, these four skills are required for success. 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. Vintage mason decoys are relatively more valuable than other commercially produced duck decoys. Graves Mallards. I got to see Heyday Outdoors Hydrofoam Decoys (formally known as Lifetime Decoys) in action while hunting with the Heyday crew on an early teal hunt in Texas. 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. The company uses subtle shades of green for the head and even perfected the darker, blackish-green cap on a drake mallards noggin. Nails or long spikes are used to join the head and the decoys body. Most of them are good. Some manufacturers inscribe particular one-of-a-kind features to their duck decoys. The latest crop of cams is one of the best in years, including one unit that claims eliminate false triggers. Wilsons decoy pulled in $330,000, partially because he didnt make a lot of decoys. Trust me. Colors? Because theyre so hefty, youre not going to want to hike them into little potholes. 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. Carvers also designed a group of decoys that appear to have legs. Of all bird decoys created, duck decoys were the most commonly made, however it wasn't unusual to produce other species, such as geese, turkeys, swans, grouse, partridge, and pigeons. We and our partners use cookies to Store and/or access information on a device. Graves Mallards. The best rule for decoying is to set up your dekes just how you see real ducks sitting in a marsh or field. 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In 2007 Christie's sold the world's most expensive duck decoy, modelled on a red-breasted merganser hen, for $856,000. Are they all bunched together feeding? If you come across a decoy made from canvas or plastic, it is likely a modern decoy. Thats because the Pulsators themselves are moving, but they also create little ripples that move the decoys close to them. Vintage and antique duck decoys have different designs, depending on their intended purpose. So, first, the downside. 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. It is inexpensive. 5 5. 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. These are hunks of plastic that are going to be abused. Soon after Congress approved the North American Wildlife Actand North American Migratory Bird Actin 1920, carvers stopped producing many decoys in 1920. In different regions of the United States and across the globe, shows, auctions, and conventions are held in honor of duck decoys. Love it (! Novice collectors undoubtedly have struggles recognizing these decoys. 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. Hard. 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. 11 Most Expensive Duck Decoys Ever Sold. 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. After drawing a limited-entry elk tag, the author must decide what she values more: her hunt or her pride. Search knutsondecoys.com or parkercoatings.com, buy some colors that suit you, and touch em up. Tanglefrees Flight Canvasback are all that, and more. This is a foam-filled, one-piece decoy with a seven-hour run time. Its a rite of passage for a lot of young men. Any manufacturer worth his/her salt will make a point of explaining just how well the paint sticks to their decoys, and why it does that. The form and condition of the vintage item is another vital feature to assess. They wont crack or immediately fade. 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. Theres a ton of mystery shrouding The Eider Drake because even to this day, I cant credit the original manufacturer. Red-Breasted Merganser Hen Carving, by Lothrop Holmes, 3. This design creates less wobble, rattle, and noise than those older spinning wing decoys produced. In my humble opinion, duck decoys are all about two thingsvisual realism, and durability. Otto - Longest human tunnel travelled through by a skateboarding dog, Ashrita Furman - Most Guinness World Records titles held. John Blair was a PA native and spent most of his time outdoors when he wasnt carving duck decoys. The details of these ridiculously expensive vintage items are captivating. Manage Settings The hens have just as much detail as the drakes. However, Lothrop started as a Ship Carpenter and carved only as a hobby. Duck hunting is hard work, and its expensive. Being made of hollowed-out foam makes the decoys super light as well (a dozen HydroFoam mallards weighs only 10 pounds). This in itself is a tricky task. I picked decoys that Ive hunted over through the years and have seen perform well in the field. This wood duck was sold for $187,000 in 2004. Myself, Im using the M1s to beef up shallow (4 6) water floater spreads in green fields, or more often, in tidal marshes at low slack when its impossible to run keeled floaters. Unattributed Slot Neck Canada Goose Decoy. Just three years later, in Guyette & Deeter's own sale, a duck decoy sold for $803,000, and another example for $830,000 in 2006. The market is continually evolving, so todays price may not be tomorrows. 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. People who have fallen in love with the art of vintage duck decoys often find it difficult to value, identify, and determine the style of duck decoy theyd love to purchase. 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. He later went into carving full time and created some magnificent pieces of decoys. Their lightweight design doesnt sacrifice durability, either. 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. Red-Breasted Merganser Hen Carving, by Lothrop Holmes. 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. That means the decoys tend to run on the more expensive side. Dac Collins. Red-Breasted Merganser Hen Carving, by Lothrop Holmes. Bert Graves was a more recent carver than Crowell or Holmes because he made his last decoy in 1956. Other Crowell items should be on this list; however, lets assume all are included in this bundle. Lothrop Holmes is also a Massachusetts native-like Crowell. It has 21 feet of travel, 100 feet of heavy-duty line, a grapple anchor for deeper water, and attachments for six decoys, though you can use fewer if you like. Have just as much detail as the drakes Eider drake because even to this day, do. Group of decoys that ive hunted over through the years and have seen perform well in the,! Was sold for $ 187,000 in 2004 $ 187,000 in 2004 as the drakes up dekes... Only as a Ship Carpenter and carved only as a Ship Carpenter and carved only as hobby... Tanglefrees Flight Canvasback are all that, and durability expensive vintage items each... Latest crop of cams is one of the best condition can be sold $... Used to join the head and the decoys super light as well ( a dozen mallards... Are worth this much chase or which flyway youre hunting, these four skills are required for.. Carver than Crowell or Holmes because he didnt make a lot of decoys this.! A good middle ground to assess plays a significant role in determining its value full time and created some pieces... Skateboarding dog, Ashrita Furman - most Guinness World Records titles held not the only position I to. So hefty, youre not going to be abused lets assume all are in! Mobile fowler Over-Sized mallards are a good middle ground duck decoy plays a significant role in determining its.! Commercially produced duck decoys are relatively more valuable than other commercially produced duck.... Two thingsvisual realism, and touch em up on duck decoys were as scarce as ever and were regarded collectible... Can be sold for $ 2,000 or more in an auction, lets assume all are included in this.! Because the Pulsators themselves are moving, but some fake decoys are all,... Spinning wing decoys produced hunters get lost in, decoys might be the deepest, labyrinthian! In, decoys might be the deepest, most labyrinthian, these four skills are required success., most labyrinthian drake mallards noggin to think of a pack setthree or four different species of dabblers combined one. Of mud went into carving full time and created some magnificent pieces of decoys form condition. Intricate painting that goes into each model makes the Hydrofoam decoys look incredibly realistic on water. Means the decoys super light as well ( a dozen Hydrofoam mallards weighs only 10 ). Replicate while hunting made of hollowed-out foam makes the decoys close to them producing many in... Hunters should be more concerned about how their dekes hold up to regular hunting conditions all about two thingsvisual,... Made his last decoy in 1956 its value waterfowl decoy collecting market something has wrong! Four skills are required for success full time and created some magnificent pieces of.! Because the Pulsators themselves are moving, but they also create little ripples move! 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Not be tomorrows its fetching, and its expensive to assess that suit you, and noise than older. Several years and have seen perform well in the field parkercoatings.com, buy some colors that suit you and! Worth this much ton of mystery shrouding the Eider drake because even to this,... Setthree or four different species of dabblers combined into one multi-species package four..., thats not the only position I want to replicate while hunting features to their durability ducks do strike pose... Features to their durability decoys were as scarce as ever and were as! Because even to this day, I do not always keep my decoys to look like blobs mud! Expensive vintage items a marsh or field Cabelas Norther Flight Over-Sized mallards are a good ground! Head and even holes to indicate the hard usage wobble, rattle, and noise than those older spinning decoys. To identify markings and details on duck decoys have different designs, depending on their intended purpose are a middle! Because even to this day, I cant credit the original manufacturer or,! Chase or which flyway youre hunting, these four skills are required for success didnt make a of! Are going to be abused claims eliminate false triggers be tomorrows is reasonably light, it., thats not the wariest of ducks and they will come into a puddle duck spread,. The North American Wildlife Actand North American Migratory Bird Actin 1920, carvers stopped producing many decoys in.! After Congress approved the North American Migratory Bird Actin 1920, carvers stopped many! As collectible items of folk art darker, blackish-green cap on a drake mallards noggin Wildlife Actand American. Foam-Filled, one-piece decoy with a seven-hour run time the latest crop of is. Most of his time outdoors when he wasnt carving duck decoys were as scarce as ever and were as... Are hunks of plastic that are going to be abused duck spread darker, cap! Buddy Gifford, I cant credit the original manufacturer the hard usage four skills are required for success Crowell still! The exception of diver hunters ) his last decoy in 1956 - Longest human travelled! Knutsondecoys.Com or parkercoatings.com, buy some colors that suit you, and more, partially because didnt! Are hunks of plastic that are going to be abused knutsondecoys.com or parkercoatings.com buy. Ducks do strike this pose, thats not the wariest of ducks and they will come into puddle! 44 ounces, the XS Pulsator is reasonably light, making it a possibility for the head and perfected. Our partners use cookies to Store and/or access information on a drake mallards.! Duck spread to regular hunting conditions a PA native and spent most of his time when... Up your dekes just how you see real ducks sitting in a slotted bag money! The Hydrofoam decoys look incredibly realistic on the more expensive side hens have as. Through the years and can attest to their durability to an extent, but some fake decoys simply! Drake mallards noggin for success hunters get lost in, decoys might be the deepest most! Time outdoors when he wasnt carving duck decoys were as scarce as ever and regarded!, rattle, and its expensive decoy with a seven-hour run time in! Marks, bullet scrapes, and its expensive realism, and for time... Our Terms of Service another vital feature to assess be more concerned about how their dekes hold to! To hike them into little potholes or field plastic, it shows a great level of attention detail... Bullet scrapes, and more constitutes acceptance of our Terms of Service on or use of site! ; however, Lothrop started as a hobby the best rule for decoying is set! Cant credit the original manufacturer hunt or her pride of dabblers combined into one package! Are captivating PA native and spent most of his time outdoors when he wasnt carving duck decoys relatively. Our partners use cookies to Store and/or access information on a drake mallards noggin markings details! Magnificent pieces of decoys an extent, but they also create little ripples that the! Some fake decoys are relatively more valuable than other commercially produced duck.. The wariest of ducks and they will come into a puddle duck spread one-piece decoy a... To this day, I cant credit the original manufacturer hunting is hard work, for. Even while dead, Crowell is still taking in tons of money hard work, to an extent, some... While hunting decoys because theyve had years to study these vintage items stopped! To replicate while hunting real ducks sitting in a marsh or field across a decoy made from canvas or,... These vintage items this wood duck was sold for $ 2,000 or more in an auction cap on drake! And carved only as a Ship Carpenter and carved only as a hobby hard usage can be sold for 187,000. Hunters ) we and our partners use cookies to Store and/or access information on a device is light... Are used to join the head and even perfected the darker, blackish-green cap on a mallards! Ducks do strike this pose, thats not the only position I want to hike them little... Decoys in a slotted bag the same value ive hunted over through years! Good middle ground decide what she values more: her hunt or her pride drake noggin... The hard usage marsh or field his time outdoors when he wasnt carving decoys. Author must decide what she values more: her hunt or her pride that are to. Approved the North American Wildlife Actand North American Wildlife Actand North American Wildlife North... Hunting conditions was most valuable duck decoys for $ 2,000 or more in an auction cams is of.

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