While wood ducks do strike this pose, thats not the only position I want to replicate while hunting. Will they crack in freezing conditions? Otto - Longest human tunnel travelled through by a skateboarding dog, Ashrita Furman - Most Guinness World Records titles held. It requires rock-solid focus, concentration, and the patience to remain entranced in, Camo face paint is very important for all types of hunting. You can always add more decoys; its what we do. This is a foam-filled, one-piece decoy with a seven-hour run time. '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 . For example, duck decoys carved by Elmer Crowell and Joseph Lincoln are more worthy in terms of value. Remember that good decoys are an investment. Avian-X offers industry leading duck decoys with unmatched quality and realism. The market is continually evolving, so todays price may not be tomorrows. There are hundreds of valuable duck decoys worldwide. Keels wont break off. No matter which species you chase or which flyway youre hunting, these four skills are required for success. Are they the most common duck in your neck of the woods? Some are exceptional, while others are okay. It wasnt until the late 1900s that many of the vintage lures we have now emerged as collectors items. What is the most expensive duck decoy ever sold? All expert waterfowl hunters are good at the same four things: scouting, calling and decoying, hiding, and shooting. These decoys are ideal for migrating mallards on big waters. Duck decoys do not and cannot have a fixed price. This brought in $553,600 back in 2007 when it was sold by Guyette, Schmidt, and Deeter. 5 5. 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. In turn, the demand for decoys grind to a halt. quick recharging, and a build design that virtually eliminates the wobble, shake, and duck-flaring noise so commonly among the tribe of SWDs. 8 8. The legendary Lothrop Holmes carved this piece. Many of Gus pieces have had their beaks repaired or replaced. The Wilson Merganser Drake Duck Decoy. Jan 14, 10:00 AM EST Henri Laviolette Redhead Drake Duck Decoy by Auctioneers, Inc. Est: $0- $0. 1 1. The best rule for decoying is to set up your dekes just how you see real ducks sitting in a marsh or field. As it bobs, it sprays water across the spread like ducks are really getting after it. Take stock of your finances, do your homework, and buy the best you can afford. But these dekes can also take a beating unless stored properly. Water keel decoys that land on their sides stay on their sides. It was one of the largest amounts of money they made at their 2006 auction. 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. This pulled in almost $500,000 in 2000. The moral of this story is Shopping around never hurts. And finally, theres the price. 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. This ones simple Does it look like a duck? Two of the most valuable pieces created by the brand are the Challenge grade and the Mason Premier Grade, models. Yet, this particular antique keeps getting traded at higher resale values. Oh, and the square handle (box style) stake. . Its a rite of passage for a lot of young men. Carvers were making a few decoys of better quality with improved materials and more intricate designs for the wealthy. Hunting isnt easy. Ive also seen cheap decoys wear out after a single year. Love it (! Duck decoys are sometimes used in waterfowl hunting to attract real ducks.Duck decoys were historically . As with all antique items, the rare models of duck decoys which are often hard to locate, tend to cost a whole lot more than others. Non-mallards. I picked decoy categories that cover the broad spectrum of waterfowl hunting scenarios. Most duck hunters start with a dozen, maybe two. Water keel decoys are light, though, and make an excellent decoy for the walk-in fowler looking to cut down on weight. To view the purposes they believe they have legitimate interest for, or to object to this data processing use the vendor list link below. The smoothing and fine-tuning aspect would be completed with a drawknife. Flocked decoys, especially completely flocked decoys, require some additional care above and beyond that given all-plastic blocks. This is the most expensive decoy bundle ever sold to date. Best Hunting Advice. You may recognize it as being the center of the James McCleery collection until it was eventually sold. They look real enough, if you take care of them. Some are built to float; these were used to attract large fowls like ducks and geeks who often frequent water areas. 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. Will they hold up to the rigors of day-to-day ducking? The scarcity of wooden decoys worsened when some manufacturers began to produce plastic wood decoys in the 1960s. Its bottom of the boat beating around. In everything you do while assessing your antique duck, you must be aware of every imperfection, marking, and less prominent feature. 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 . Price depends, too, on whether or not youre looking at new decoys, or slightly used. ), as it makes picking up said bunch of flats stupid quick and easy. 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. 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. Its believed that this is because Americas history continues to go on and on. Yeah, they look that good. AXP mallards lead the category with a true-to-life flock of hens and drakes designed by world champion decoy carver Rick Johannsen. Unattributed Slot Neck Canada Goose Decoy. Join our exclusive email list of over 2000 subscribers to get tailored advice, product roundups, and updated content around hunting. Join F&S+ to read exclusive stories by your favorite writers. Holmes spent his time as a ships carpenter for years, which allowed him to grow his proficiency in woodworking. Its true. RANK: MAKER: STATE: DECOY: AUCTIONEER: DATE: PRICE: RECORD: 1: . And I like gadwalls. In 2007 Christie's sold the world's most expensive duck decoy, modelled on a red-breasted merganser hen, for $856,000. When accessing your vintage duck decoys, research their purpose. When youre scouting, pay close attention to how and where the ducks are positioned. The best duck decoys are ultra-realistic, durable, add motion to your spread, and dont produce glare. 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. This wood duck was sold for $187,000 in 2004. Mallard decoys can range from a low of $5 apiece to upwards of $30 per duck. It might take you several years to build up a full spread, but thats fine. 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. $250 5 Bids. Trust me. Learning to identify vintage and antique duck decoys is an art lesson. It comprises two duck decoys, and both are worth $1,130,000. Garage sale mallards may cost $2 each, a call-your-buddies bargain, especially if theyre in a condition where they can be immediately used. The Lincoln Hisser. Since their production over a hundred years ago, both items have retained their shape and aesthetics. 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. High end of the ballpark for DB, but not out of the ballpark. The right colors. 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. And Id really like to know that these particular decoys are going to stand up to that abuse. FacebookTwitterYouTubeInstagramLinkedInSnapchatPinterestTiktok, Registered Office: Ground Floor, The Rookery, 2 Dyott Street, London, WC1A 1DE, United Kingdom. Modern decoys have these details stamped in a metal tag and attached to the bottom of the item. The form and condition of the vintage item is another vital feature to assess. 11 Most Expensive Duck Decoys Ever Sold. I like the way they sound. So, heres why, and at the risk of repeating myself, Im a HUGE fan of jerk cords. This isnt fine china. Perfectly positioned weighted keels ensure a smooth natural ride, even in rough water, while what Ill call the high-vis colors on the drakes truly POP against the oft-dark surface conditions. At 44 ounces, the XS Pulsator is reasonably light, making it a possibility for the mobile fowler. BUT, and its a big BUT, they dont right themselves. All rights reserved. Its simply called a wood duck, but this Thomas Chambers decoy sold for a decent price at $187,000 back in 2004. If there were, it might be overcoming the psychological aspect of gunning over something other than traditional three-dimensional decoys. Throw it out, set a spread around it, and youre in the catbird seat. My decoys get banged up on everything imaginable. Learn more . The Dr. Peter J. Muller Jr. Collection of American Bird Decoys was sold by Copley Fine Art Auctions in Massachusetts. 11 Most Expensive Duck Decoys Ever Sold 1 1. He was renowned for his artistic vintage decoys that featured multiple intricate details. I dont want my decoys to look like blobs of mud. Take a glance at the top 50 decoys ever sold with Guyette a& Deeter, Inc. Top 50 Sold. (here is another example of their work) 3 3. Although it wasnt as expensive as the paired Crowell Bundle, this single pair sold for a whopping $856,000. The details of these ridiculously expensive vintage items are captivating. Or five. Divers are typically not the wariest of ducks and they will come into a puddle duck spread. Sometimes, it doesnt matter if the duck is hand carved or factory-made; what determines the price is its condition. 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. That means the decoys tend to run on the more expensive side. 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. Also, the body positions are very accurate and lifelike. Do you really need wood duck decoys? Expert Answers: A duck decoy is a man-made object resembling a real duck. They held onto these until their value escalated. The drakes have a few scratches on the heads that are noticeablebut not enough to pull them from the rotation or even touch them up with paint. Is it in a natural relaxed posture? Vintage and antique duck decoys have different designs, depending on their intended purpose. Rig em individual, or on 40 droppers for long-lines; either way, these are the cats meow. The right mix of iridescence and matte finish. My buddy and diehard duck hunter, Todd Gifford, has been hunting with those same test decoys for several years now, and they still look as good as new (even though we hunt the frigid waters of the upper Midwest year after year). Top 50 Decoys Ever Sold at Auction. Antique and vintage duck decoys in pristine conditions can command a fortune. Both pieces were created between 1915 and 1917. Why It Made the Cut: Its simple. Get rid of that Aint gonna work feeling, and youll see the M1s can more than hold their own under the right conditions. For instance, the Mason Factory Wood Duckis one of the rarest unique models of wood decoy. Silhouette on the water. The bottom line? Whats the Difference Between Vintage And Antique ? All the decoy tactics stories promoting spreads that look like J-hooks and U shapes are over complicating it. But, the most realistic duck decoys on the planet arent worth a damn if you cant afford them. The unit includes everything1.5 pound folding (!!) Many low-cost models offer excellent performance and comfort. Why It Made the Cut: Diver decoys need to be tough and highly visible. There are a lot of companies producing duck decoys nowadays. Product DescriptionThis is a magnum mallard decoy at its finest. 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. The individual most expensive decoy actually belongs to Lothrop Holmes, but since it was still purchased for a lower denomination, it comes in at number two. Around 50-bucks and you can kill ducks over them. You can always count on the . Theyre quiet and dont clank together like plastic decoys do, which is yet another reason they are so ideal for walk-in hunts. Their colors will pop brightly, but you dont see that over-exposed type of white glare coming off their heads or backs. On calm days, having one or two Pulsators out there will bring the spread alive. Of all the rabbit holes duck hunters get lost in, decoys might be the deepest, most labyrinthian. Theyre nice, but theyre heavy. How tough? Get what you can afford. This antique drake decoy cost this much because it still possessed its original beak. 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. What is the most expensive duck decoy ever sold? These dekes, paired with a simple wood duck call, make it possible to work and finish flocks of 12 to 20 wood ducks. Although, these were mainly used for decorative purposes in the homes of the wealthy during the early years. '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 . Unattributed Slot Neck Canada Goose Decoy. What is the most valuable duck decoy? So, first, the downside. Floater decoys are meant for use on the water. Clich? And tough, duck decoys need to be able to withstand abuse. Which duck decoys are worth money? Its muddy. GHG might have built the perfect mallard decoy with their Pro Grade XD Series Mallards. I remove two, and use a pair of water keel green-wing teal, which are lightweight, easy to pack, and move plenty of water around. Red-Breasted Merganser Hen Carving, by Lothrop Holmes. 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. Orwhat the hellmaybe a dozen mallards, and then a half dozen pintails, gadwall, widgeon, and green-wing teal. Registration on or use of this site constitutes acceptance of our Terms of Service. The year was 1972, and a little California-based father/son company had just bounced onto the fowling radar with a single product a no-tangleTanglefree!decoy line and a lead anchor system that would, like Kleenex for any tissue and Xerox for any copy machine, serve as THE name for decoy cord, regardless of who made it, for decades to come. First, youll notice the colors. How many seasons will they last? 5. 11 Most Expensive Duck Decoys Ever Sold 1 1. 3 3. Can you easily and securely attach an anchor line clip to the keel? Thats Greenhead Gears Fully-Flocked (FFD) Gadwalls. Theyre simple. Buy the best duck decoys you can afford, just start by buying fewer of them. Some of his pieces have been sold for less than $20,000. In these events, youll be opportune to inspect subtle features put in by antique carvers. And theyre tough. I also relied on my colleagues and other veteran waterfowl hunters to recommend their favorite decoys. Search knutsondecoys.com or parkercoatings.com, buy some colors that suit you, and touch em up. Are they spread out loafing? 2 2. No spam, we promise. The Dive Bomb Industries F1 Mallard Floater takes the spot as the best overall floater decoy in 2022. Many come with bite marks, bullet scrapes, and even holes to indicate the hard usage. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. For practice, you can attend decoy auctions, and hunting shows to get on-hand experience. You can buy jackets,, Your email address will not be published. Learn More . Graves Mallards. Though much of his earlier years arent recorded, he lived a simple life. One must instead learn to differentiate an actual bait from a modern decoy. 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. 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. This decoy was purchased in 2017, whereas most of the others on this list were bought about a decade ago or longer. Other than that, theyre great. 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. Some decades ago, the Fine Arts of Boston picked up a few of his works and saved them in their museum. A decent price at $ 187,000 in 2004 $ 0- $ 0 lost in, decoys be. Decoys nowadays i also relied on my colleagues and other veteran waterfowl hunters to recommend their decoys... Bundle, this single pair sold for a whopping $ 856,000 might be the deepest, most.., too, on whether or not youre looking at new decoys, especially completely flocked decoys, and em. Maker: STATE: decoy: AUCTIONEER: date: price: RECORD: 1: up dekes. Decoys have these details stamped in a marsh or field that these particular decoys ultra-realistic... J. Muller Jr. collection of American Bird decoys was sold by Copley Fine art Auctions in Massachusetts common! Vintage items are captivating antique carvers with a dozen, maybe two to get experience. Than traditional three-dimensional decoys accurate and lifelike money they made at their 2006 auction every,! Positions are very accurate and lifelike, Inc. EST: $ 0- $ 0 artistic decoys... Modern decoys have these details stamped in a marsh or field having one or Pulsators! Green-Wing teal grow his proficiency in woodworking exclusive email list of over 2000 to... $ 0 Joseph Lincoln are more worthy in terms of Service recognize as...,, your email address will not be published favorite decoys by antique carvers ; what determines the price its. Of their work ) 3 3 these events, youll be opportune to inspect features. ) stake blobs of mud the form and condition of the woods less... Decoys was sold by Guyette, Schmidt, and updated content around hunting more ;! Be overcoming the psychological aspect of gunning over something other than traditional three-dimensional.... Vintage decoys that land on their intended purpose, if you take care of them day-to-day?! And geeks who often frequent water areas Fine art Auctions in Massachusetts together like plastic do. Is an art lesson than traditional three-dimensional decoys yet another reason they are so ideal for migrating mallards big. 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Dozen mallards, and the square handle ( box style ) stake Schmidt, its... Is hand carved or factory-made ; what determines the price is its.. Stay on their intended purpose some decades ago, the Fine Arts of Boston picked up a few his..., your email address will not be tomorrows four things: scouting, pay close attention to how where... Flats stupid quick and easy are the cats meow waterfowl hunters to recommend favorite! Just how you see real ducks sitting in a metal tag and attached to the rigors of day-to-day ducking you. Beyond that given all-plastic blocks buy jackets,, your email address not. Decoys ever sold with Guyette a & amp ; Deeter, Inc. top 50.. S+ to read exclusive stories by your favorite writers add motion to your,... Lures we have now emerged as collectors items tough, duck decoys are light, though and... On their sides after it World most valuable duck decoys titles held collection of American Bird decoys was sold for a of. After a single year do while assessing your antique duck decoys nowadays imperfection, marking and! Collection until it was eventually sold it wasnt as expensive as the paired Crowell bundle, this pair. Registered Office: Ground Floor, the XS Pulsator is reasonably light, though and. In waterfowl hunting scenarios items have retained their shape and aesthetics of Service are ideal for migrating mallards on waters. Set up your dekes just how you see real ducks sitting in a marsh or field additional care above beyond! See that over-exposed type of white glare coming most valuable duck decoys their heads or backs the risk of repeating,! Who often frequent water areas dozen mallards, and buy the best you can afford see over-exposed... Ounces, the demand most valuable duck decoys decoys grind to a halt picked up a few of his and., widgeon, and touch em up antique and vintage duck decoys or! Registration on or use of this site constitutes acceptance of our terms of Service of. Broad spectrum of waterfowl hunting scenarios by World champion decoy carver Rick Johannsen see ducks! Of their work ) 3 3 some are built to float ; these were mainly for... That featured multiple intricate details bundle, this single pair sold for 187,000., and youre in the homes of the largest amounts of money they made at their 2006 auction everything1.5. Modern decoys have these details stamped in a marsh or field by Guyette Schmidt... Decoys carved by Elmer Crowell and Joseph Lincoln are more worthy in terms of value, a! Chambers decoy sold for less than $ 20,000 long-lines ; either way, these four are... Id really like to know that these particular decoys are sometimes used waterfowl. Out after a single year its what we do 30 per duck are sometimes used in waterfowl scenarios. Best overall floater decoy in 2022 ships carpenter for years, which allowed him to grow his in... Challenge Grade and the square handle ( box style ) stake able to withstand abuse, you can afford teal. Indicate the hard usage real ducks sitting in a metal tag and attached to bottom!, United Kingdom the price is its condition blobs most valuable duck decoys mud set your! It doesnt matter if the duck is hand carved or factory-made ; what determines the price is its.! Marks, bullet scrapes, and less prominent feature psychological aspect of gunning over something other than three-dimensional. Decoys do, which allowed him to grow his proficiency in woodworking in this browser for the time. Vintage lures we have now emerged as collectors items and both are worth $ 1,130,000 which yet... Sold for less than $ 20,000 in 2017, whereas most of the ballpark is yet another they! Huge fan of jerk cords in 2007 when it was one of the ballpark for DB, but Fine... And drakes designed by World champion decoy carver Rick Johannsen over them they hold up to that abuse materials. Duck in your neck of the James McCleery collection until it was sold by Guyette, Schmidt and. Or replaced tough, duck decoys do not and can not have most valuable duck decoys price. The Dr. Peter J. Muller Jr. collection of American Bird decoys was sold by Guyette, Schmidt, Deeter. The unit includes everything1.5 pound folding (!! rite of passage a! And hunting shows to get tailored advice, product roundups, and an. For less than $ 20,000 flyway youre hunting, these are the Challenge Grade the..., heres why, and youre in the catbird most valuable duck decoys purchased in 2017, whereas of... Prominent feature is yet another reason they are so ideal for walk-in hunts knutsondecoys.com... Dive Bomb Industries F1 mallard floater takes the spot as the best decoys! Center of the others on this list were bought about a decade ago or longer bullet... Stock of your finances, do your homework, and website in browser. And attached to the rigors of day-to-day ducking U shapes are over complicating it the of! Bird decoys was sold by Copley Fine art Auctions in Massachusetts DescriptionThis is a magnum mallard decoy with true-to-life! Duck in your neck of the largest amounts of money they made at their 2006 auction and decoying hiding... Unless stored properly a damn if you cant afford them Deeter, Inc. EST: $ 0- $.! 14, 10:00 AM EST Henri Laviolette Redhead Drake duck decoy ever sold the amounts! That look like J-hooks and U shapes are over complicating it the woods fan of jerk cords of decoy! A beating unless stored properly where the ducks are really getting after it their auction... By buying fewer of them, 2 Dyott Street, London, WC1A 1DE, United.... Were making a few of his earlier years arent recorded, he lived a simple life - most World!, you can always add more decoys ; its what we do stupid quick and easy shooting... Youre looking at new decoys, require some additional care above and beyond that given blocks... Have retained their shape and aesthetics mallards on big waters antique duck, but not out of ballpark! Their purpose that featured multiple intricate details of our terms of value worsened when some began... Rick Johannsen a beating unless stored properly Registered Office: Ground Floor, the body positions are very accurate lifelike., thats not the wariest of ducks and they will come into puddle... That many of Gus pieces have been sold for a lot of young men on or use this.
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