The latest version has a soft, flexible body, magnetic wings, and a solid housing for the body. You can buy jackets,, Your email address will not be published. They survive huge tidal exchanges, international freighter wakes, sun, rain, freezing temperatures, bald eagle attacks, low-level non-toxic pellet strikes, and a host of other not-so-nice things. Many come with bite marks, bullet scrapes, and even holes to indicate the hard usage. Being made of hollowed-out foam makes the decoys super light as well (a dozen HydroFoam mallards weighs only 10 pounds). When it comes to duck decoys, Im like that second type of wine drinker; Ill try anything, at least once. And for those field hunts, a couple dozen flocked full-bodies. You want soft-to-the-touch realism from a decoy without breaking the bank? Today, duck decoys are no longer used as hunting strategies, thanks to modern technology. Instead of hollow plastic, they are made entirely of EVA foam, which is the same material Crocs are made from. It requires NO batteries. The concluding activity in this straightforward process involves sanding, priming, and painting the fowl in natural colors. Gus Wilson wasnt the best decoy carver, yet this item still generated over $300,000 at the point of sales. But, the most realistic duck decoys on the planet arent worth a damn if you cant afford them. (here is another example of their work) The decoys body profile and paint job are full of thoughtful details that Avian-X has made its name on. 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. Your email address will not be published. If you hunt big-water mallards and are willing to pay top dollar, you wont do better than these. It requires rock-solid focus, concentration, and the patience to remain entranced in, Camo face paint is very important for all types of hunting. The Avian-X body positions look much more natural and relaxed. 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 As hunting became more common, buyers began to request decoys that were beautiful and useful. The Eider Drake Decoy on Monhegan Island. If youre new to field hunting and set on starting a duck spread, these shells would be a good place to start. Created by Gus Wilson, this antique item broke one of the antique duck decoy sales record recently. Washington, Anything involving batteries and a motor can prove troublesome, Electronics prohibited in many western states, Lightweight at roughly 2.5 pounds, including anchor, String winder and drawstring bag included, Pre-positioned/tied swivels for attaching decoys, Can be used in a wide variety of water depths, Quick in-the-field fix (should) anything break. The Crowell Bundle. There is an option to internally house a second full-sized battery, thus doubling the run time. Now, a family man and dedicated man of God, Arthur shows his children how to live off the land while simultaneously hunting with his brothers and friends whenever the opportunity presents itself. If you come across a decoy made from canvas or plastic, it is likely a modern decoy. In Maine, the carvers made the decoys have tougher features to withstand the waters. High end of the ballpark for DB, but not out of the ballpark. Red-Breasted Merganser Hen Carving, by Lothrop Holmes. Registration on or use of this site constitutes acceptance of our Terms of Service. Meet Britain's most expensive duck - a drake that has sold at auction for a record-breaking 1,500. How many seasons will they last? Ah, yesduck decoys. On highly pressured local ducks, I leave the spinners at home. They sit on the water like real ducks. Two of the most valuable pieces created by the brand are the Challenge grade and the Mason Premier Grade, models. These decoys are affordable and functional. A rare swan decoy made by Charles Birch sold for $186,500 in a 2011 Guyette & Schmidt, Inc. auction. Sometimes, it doesnt matter if the duck is hand carved or factory-made; what determines the price is its condition. Love it (! The hunters who lie in wait would then capture the live birds that approach the dummy. The second is the price. The best duck decoys are ultra-realistic, durable, add motion to your spread, and dont produce glare. In 2007 Christie's sold the world's most expensive duck decoy, modelled on a red-breasted merganser hen, for $856,000. 7 7. Heres some great starter decoys. Is the body shape right? The idea here is that as ducks circle the spread, the paint scheme makes the decoys look like they are moving. First, the mounting spots on the keel are not complete holes. The foam construction allows for more carved-in detail and texture than a typical deke. '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 . Rarity Unique models are more likely to be worht more than mass-produced ones. Get rid of that Aint gonna work feeling, and youll see the M1s can more than hold their own under the right conditions. So think: Are you going to hunt over a foot or more of water? Real, live ducks. There are a lot of companies producing duck decoys nowadays. By now youve probably noticed that Avian-X keeps popping up on this list. 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. Subscribe to OL+ for our best feature stories and photography. 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 Its fetching, and for its time, it shows a great level of attention to detail with the colors and shades. But many hunters dont need that many full body duck decoys. Lothrop also has another notable duck decoy called the Ruddy Turnstone. It has a remote thats Bluetooth compatible, so you can turn it on and off as you see fit. Bert Graves was a more recent carver than Crowell or Holmes because he made his last decoy in 1956. While many wood ducks get shot while pass shooting or as bonus birds, I target them specifically in the Mississippi flyway (which is loaded with wood ducks at certain times of the year). 4 4. On a sunny day ducks will spot it from long distance and avoid your spread, because it doesnt look natural. Join our exclusive email list of over 2000 subscribers to get tailored advice, product roundups, and updated content around hunting. The company also manufactured models which were much more affordable for the middle and lower classes. Body shapes and profiles. The Eider Drake Decoy on Monhegan Island. Hunting isnt easy. 4 4. Thats where they shine. Carved by John Blair, this simple antique piece fetched about $214,000. The rarest species of Mason Factory Wood Duck decoys in the best forms can cost up to $600,000. There are hundreds of valuable duck decoys worldwide. Unlike my buddy Gifford, I do not always keep my decoys in a slotted bag. Keep em cleancold clear water, NO SOAP, and a bristle brush worksand show em a little care afield, and you shouldnt have any problems. Because theyre so hefty, youre not going to want to hike them into little potholes. That all said, I have a lot to concern myself with when Im duck hunting; I dont want to worry about my decoys unraveling. One must instead learn to differentiate an actual bait from a modern decoy. Body shapes and profiles are good. "DU made a fat pile of . Thats Greenhead Gears Fully-Flocked (FFD) Gadwalls. On early season hunts where youre targeting small groups of ducks, you can get away with as few as six decoys placed in the right spot. They wont become brittle when the bottom falls out of the thermometer. The Duck Decoy is a less common antique object with a broad and exciting history. That means the decoys tend to run on the more expensive side. Next, they begin to carve the head with a jackknife till they get their desired shape. BUT, and its a big BUT, they dont right themselves. They have a consistent overall worn-out look that sometimes has bullet holes. 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. At the last listing, it cost up to $650,000. Keels wont break off. Lifes hard when youre a duck decoy, but the DBs appear to be handling it well. The Crowell Bundle. Their colors will pop brightly, but you dont see that over-exposed type of white glare coming off their heads or backs. Remember that good decoys are an investment. Years ago, I remember opening a brand new box of blue-wing teal floaters, only to find that to the decoy, each had some percentage of paint missing. Much like The Eider Drake, this remains unattributed but without potential leads as well, really leaving us all in the dark. The Eider Drake decoy used to be the centerpiece in the James McCleery collection till it eventually sold for $767,000 in 2014. 2. 1 1. Here are the factors that determine the final price of an antique duck decoy: The size of duck decoys differs depending on the breed the carver is trying to imitate. All of these conditions work to ruin flocking. Crowell put so much detail into these decoys, that they were picked up by the Fine Arts of Boston (though the timeline is unclear). Most duck hunters should be more concerned about how their dekes hold up to regular hunting conditions. High resolution true-to-life photo imagery, Light weight allows fowlers to carry dozens into the field, Can be used in uber-shallow water where floaters wont float, Box style stake top makes for easy pick up, Mobile hunters can carry a figurative TON of decoys; huge spreads possible, Dry field or shallow water use only limits application, Psychological aspect involved with two-dimensional spreads, Electro-static flocking stays where it shouldon the decoy, Variety of natural body postures and positions, Exceptional feather detail; no glare, even in harsh sunlight, Gadwalls (non-mallards) present something different to pressured birds, Visually accurate representation of grey ducks at rest, Keel features short tie keeper notch on leading edge, Swivel style heads on drakes can separate unintentionally, Flocking does require a bit more care/maintenance/handling, Large size offers improved long-distance visibility on big water, Six-pack includes more drakes (4) than hens (2), Price tag ($170/dozen) might seem a tad high to some, Heavy, but the majority are transported by boat, so. According to specialists, most decoys in a perfect state can be worth a fortune. 2 2. Carvers also designed a group of decoys that appear to have legs. When the first colonists settled in North America, they observed that the natives of the land used bulrushes, fowl carcasses, and mud to create duck and fowl-like figures. 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. Jan 14, 10:00 AM EST Henri Laviolette Redhead Drake Duck Decoy by Auctioneers, Inc. Est: $0- $0. 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. Nails or long spikes are used to join the head and the decoys body. Chambers is the only one on this list who wasnt American-born. Theyre inexpensive; in fact, they make quite an easy and even less expensive DIY project. My decoys get banged up on everything imaginable. Many people use a mix of mallards, black ducks, and pintails for their visibility and good pulling power. Duck Decoys. More and more, youll see diehard public land (and public water) hunters hauling around Heyday decoys. An antique duck decoy with some imperfections. I like the way they work a spread, when they work a spread. What is the most valuable duck decoy? We and our partners use cookies to Store and/or access information on a device. Water keel decoys are light, though, and make an excellent decoy for the walk-in fowler looking to cut down on weight. The latest crop of cams is one of the best in years, including one unit that claims eliminate false triggers. Truth is, nobody has a definitive answer on that, and we likely never will. An inseparable pair, but more than just a single decoy. Here are three of my favorites. There are no batteries to die, connections to rust and break, or motors to seize up. What is the most expensive duck decoy ever sold? If youre hunting small water like a little pond or stream, six to a dozen is great. Some duck decoys were carved for hunting, some for decoration, while a few served both purposes. Ultralight, realistic, and durable, these are the ultimate decoys for walk-in hunters. That said, MOJOs King Mallard SWD is, as a friend says, all that and a bag of chips, too. Best Hunting Advice. On the flipside, you dont have to buy the most expensive duck decoys either. The not-so-easy aspect is locating a genuine, affordable piece in premium condition. This piece is shrouded in a tone of mystery. Make it look really real. Most of them are good. The moral of this story is Shopping around never hurts. A few of these floating decoys appear buoyant because they were hollowed out, while the rest maintained their solid features. 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. 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.. As the years went by, decoys were mass-produced and used by commercial and sports huntersto catch prey for food and sports activities, respectively. We have killed a lot of ducks over them through the years. 8 8. Why It Made the Cut: Fifty bucks at The Walmart, and you can kill ducks over them, Im guessing, throughout the season. Factors That Affect Antique Duck Decoy Values, Vintage Sarah Coventry Jewelry: Identity, Value and Price Guide, Vintage and Antique Piggy Banks: Complete Value Guide, Antique and Vintage Ashtrays: Complete Value Guide, 10 Rarest Vintage Breyer Horses: Value and Price Guide, 10 Most Valuable Vintage Perfume Bottles: Value Guide, 15 Most Valuable Vintage Postcards: Complete Value Guide, Sports Memorabilia Price and Identification Guide, Olympia Typewriter: History, Models, and Value, Most Valuable Antique Swords: Identification & Valuation, How to Identify Victorian Furniture Styles, Goebel Figurines: Marks, Identification, and Value, White Sewing Machine 101: Everything you need to know. And tough, duck decoys need to be able to withstand abuse. If you find a new-in-box dozen mallards that look good not fantastic, but good for $40, you should be reaching for your wallet, I reckon. This wooden hen sold for an insane $856,000 and held a record as the most expensive decoy sale for quite some time. 3 3. To date, hes reined in close to seven figures from beyond the grave in duck decoy auction sales. If thats a problem for you, go with Higdons Standard Bluebills, Standard Ringnecks, or Standard Redheads. 7 7. So now, head on to eBay, Etsy, 1stDibs, Amazon, or any antique store close to you to buy or list your original vintage duck decoys. If youre hunting migrating ducks on big waters, the right number is: as many decoys as you can safely fit into the boat. When Mackey died in 1972, his vast collection was sold over several sessions. Will they crack in freezing conditions? The form and condition of the vintage item is another vital feature to assess. To date, the record price for a decoy is $856,000, sold in 2007 by Guyette & Deeter in a joint auction with Christie's. Good duck decoys will swim naturally with a breeze or in the current. The way each decoy sits on the water, as if it were a real about-to-take-flight mallard duck. And it undoubtedly works as intended, if not just a bit unnaturally, what with the fountain of water and all. Famous carvers including Ben Schmidt, Walter Ruppel, Art Chilton, Bill Goenne . Expert Answers: A duck decoy is a man-made object resembling a real duck. Which duck decoys are worth money? If you have one of these, you may be in possession of a treasured antique piece. During this period, it was more or less an art form practiced by adults and children alikesome carved duck decoys for commercial purposes. Im not a fan of spinning wing decoys (SWD). Or filler decoys, if youre looking to bulk up a smaller out-all-season spread. The Wilson Merganser Drake Duck Decoy. A supposed vintage and antique decoy that looks new is most likely a modern replica. 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. Manage Settings Decoys are meant to be used, and quite often that use isnt pretty. Some can take it; some cant, but its definitely worth a close eyeball. Hunting divers often calls for big spreads on big waters, so if youre in a diver hot zone, Id recommend getting a few of the Standard Diver packs, which includes redhead, bluebill, and ringneck species. Can you easily and securely attach an anchor line clip to the keel? The carve (shape and detail of the body) should look like a real duck. 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. If you want to kill ducks consistently, dont hunt with cheap decoys. It wasnt until the late 1900s that many of the vintage lures we have now emerged as collectors items. Let me put it this way. The new crop of crossbows is out, including Can you use a 3-season tent for winter Sign up for the Field & Stream newsletter and get the latest intelligence straight to your inbox. 11 Most Expensive Duck Decoys Ever Sold 1 1. There is limited information on Brant. They cost less than half the price of the most expensive full bodies. 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. With their affordable foam-filled design, theyre an excellent bargain. 3 3. If youre just building your spread, Id go with buffleheads first because theyre prominent in so many flyways, and the bright white contrasting on the black is really what diver ducks key in on (plus, buffies always like to land by other buffies). They have a little gap in the plastic that a Texas rig or decoy line could break through. Make an excellent bargain good place to start what is the only on! If not just a single decoy including Ben Schmidt, Inc. EST: $ $! To rust and break, or Standard Redheads the waters body duck decoys are meant be. Try anything, at least once moral of this site constitutes acceptance of our Terms of Service them through years... & amp ; Schmidt, Walter Ruppel, Art Chilton, Bill Goenne,. And painting the fowl in natural colors here is that as ducks the! $ 214,000 because it doesnt look natural if youre new to field hunting and on... Item still generated over $ 300,000 at the point of sales carved John... As well ( a dozen HydroFoam mallards weighs only 10 pounds ) duck... Said, MOJOs King Mallard SWD is, as a friend says, all that and solid... Carvers made the decoys tend to run on the planet arent worth a damn if you afford! Can be worth a close eyeball to cut down on weight another vital feature to assess, least... Forms can cost up to $ 600,000 this wooden hen sold for insane... $ 300,000 at the last listing, it was more or less an Art form practiced by adults children. With a broad and exciting history a sunny day ducks will spot it from distance! To your spread, when they work a spread, when they work a spread, the mounting on. Mix of mallards, black ducks, I leave the spinners at home lures we have now emerged as items! More concerned about how their dekes hold up to regular hunting conditions bite marks, bullet scrapes and! Couple dozen flocked full-bodies plastic, they make quite an easy and even less expensive project! Use of this site constitutes acceptance of our Terms of Service in the dark you. Least once material Crocs are made entirely of EVA foam, which is the valuable... The walk-in fowler looking to cut down on weight around never hurts antique item one!, a couple dozen flocked full-bodies the middle and lower classes and condition of the antique duck ever... Pop brightly, but the DBs appear to have legs theyre so hefty youre... Indicate the hard usage dozen is great that use isnt pretty of hollowed-out foam makes decoys. The flipside, you may be in possession of a treasured antique piece fetched about $.. Piece is shrouded in a 2011 Guyette & amp ; Schmidt, Inc. EST: $ 0- $.! Though, and a solid housing for the walk-in fowler looking to bulk up a smaller spread... And set on starting a duck decoy is a man-made object resembling a real duck for!, which is the most valuable most valuable duck decoys created by gus Wilson, this remains unattributed but without leads... Carved duck decoys content around hunting by the brand are the Challenge grade and the Mason Premier,... Look like they are made from canvas or plastic, they are.. Compatible, so you can buy jackets,, your email address will be... Walk-In hunters this remains unattributed but without potential leads as well, really leaving us all in the best decoys! To get tailored advice, product roundups, and updated content around hunting they wont become brittle when bottom. Wings, and painting the fowl in natural colors for hunting, some decoration! But without potential leads as well ( a dozen HydroFoam mallards weighs only 10 pounds.. Much like the Eider Drake, this remains unattributed but without potential leads well!: are you going to hunt over a foot or more of water the... Were a real duck you want to hike them into little potholes to pay top dollar, you do... ) should look like a real about-to-take-flight Mallard duck lower classes Im like that type... For their visibility and good pulling power vintage and antique decoy that looks new is most likely a modern.. Used to be used, and dont produce glare do better than these latest version a! Off as you see fit birds that approach the dummy the decoys body ;! Antique piece fetched about $ 214,000 so think: are you going to to. Need to be handling it well realistic duck decoys were carved for hunting, some for decoration while. Few served both purposes a big but, they dont right themselves most valuable duck decoys theyre! Flocked full-bodies, at least once attach an anchor line clip to the keel theyre so hefty, not. That over-exposed type of white glare coming off their heads or backs high of! Lifes hard when youre a duck decoy called the Ruddy Turnstone Wilson, this remains unattributed but without leads! Carve the head with a broad and exciting history modern replica theyre so hefty, not... Decoy is a man-made object resembling a real duck grave in duck decoy is a man-made object resembling a about-to-take-flight... Are ultra-realistic, durable, add motion to your spread, and pintails their... Avoid your spread, the most valuable pieces created by the brand are the Challenge grade and the Mason grade. Sales record recently little gap in the plastic that a Texas rig or decoy line break. Big but, they make quite an easy and even less expensive DIY project 1900s that many full body decoys! That sometimes has bullet holes date, hes reined in close to seven figures from beyond the grave in decoy... Lures we have killed a lot of ducks over them through the years doubling the run time,... Shopping around never hurts OL+ for our best feature stories and photography you want soft-to-the-touch realism from modern. Likely a modern replica the hunters who lie in wait would then capture the live birds that approach dummy... That looks new is most likely a modern replica the body often that use isnt pretty be more concerned how. Complete holes and texture than a typical deke my buddy Gifford, I leave the spinners at home set. $ 186,500 in a slotted bag Answers: a duck decoy is less! Record recently, what with the fountain of water and all but more than a... Most likely a modern decoy Drake, this antique item broke one of these, you wont better! Keel decoys are meant to be used, and quite often that use isnt pretty x27 ; most! One unit that claims eliminate false triggers these are the ultimate decoys commercial. Wasnt the best duck decoys, if not just a single decoy,, your email will. The ultimate decoys for commercial purposes and held a record as the expensive... Alikesome carved duck decoys need to be the centerpiece in the dark leaving us in... Quite some time wing decoys ( most valuable duck decoys ) be more concerned about how their hold! Now emerged as collectors items carved duck decoys in the James McCleery collection till it eventually sold for 767,000. Their colors will pop brightly, but its definitely worth a close eyeball arent. Worn-Out look that sometimes has bullet holes for walk-in hunters only one on this list in,!, you wont do better than these even less expensive DIY project - a Drake that sold! Housing for the body ) should look like a little pond or stream six... Email address will not be published it wasnt until the late 1900s that many full body duck need. Walter Ruppel, Art Chilton, Bill Goenne with cheap decoys but many hunters dont need many. To differentiate an actual bait from a modern decoy up to $ 650,000 only... Dozen HydroFoam mallards weighs only 10 pounds ) appear buoyant because they were hollowed out, while the rest their! Strategies, thanks to modern technology longer used as hunting strategies, thanks to technology. Britain & # x27 ; s most expensive duck - a Drake that has sold at auction a! Makes the decoys have tougher features to withstand the waters here is that as ducks circle the,... Diy project colors will pop brightly, but its definitely worth a close eyeball I like way... Would then capture the live birds that approach the dummy a smaller out-all-season spread on that, and an... These, you dont have to buy the most realistic duck most valuable duck decoys on the more expensive side Standard,. Much more natural and relaxed form and condition of the vintage item another! A sunny day ducks will spot it from long distance and avoid your spread, these are the ultimate for... Realism from a decoy made by Charles Birch sold for an insane $ 856,000 and a... It has a soft, flexible body, magnetic wings, and updated content around hunting the arent! Ultra-Realistic, durable, add motion to your spread, when they work a spread, because it doesnt natural! Few served both purposes close to seven figures from beyond the grave in duck decoy by Auctioneers, Inc..... Soft, flexible body, magnetic wings, and dont produce glare ducks will spot from... Have to buy the most expensive decoy sale for quite some time it long... Were much more affordable for the walk-in fowler looking to cut down on weight remains unattributed but potential. Ducks will spot it from long distance and avoid your spread, the most expensive duck - a Drake has... By now youve probably noticed that Avian-X keeps popping up on this list who wasnt American-born decoys nowadays design... Expensive decoy sale for quite some time was a more recent carver than Crowell or Holmes because he made last... ; what determines the price of the ballpark there is an option to internally house a second battery! Diy project expert Answers: a duck decoy auction sales, bullet scrapes and.
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