If you want to add some realism to an existing spread, you cant do better than the Avian-X AXP Full Body Mallards. 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). Probably. Some of our partners may process your data as a part of their legitimate business interest without asking for consent. This wood duck was sold for $187,000 in 2004. And of those 107 days, Ill hunt three-quarters of them. That all said, I have a lot to concern myself with when Im duck hunting; I dont want to worry about my decoys unraveling. Duck hunting is hard work, and its expensive. Rule of thumb. On record, this is the most expensive decoy purchase to date, but it comes with some interesting and unique details. Nothing incredible, but for $4 a decoy, they get the job done. Theyre all good. Even while dead, Crowell is still taking in tons of money. 11 Most Expensive Duck Decoys Ever Sold 1 1. 'The most wonderful thing about this decoy,' Rosenberg continues, 'is that it wasn't created for humans to admire, but for other ducks the intention being to fool them into landing on the water. The "Mackie Auctions" established the waterfowl decoy collecting market. Many people use a mix of mallards, black ducks, and pintails for their visibility and good pulling power. John Blair was a PA native and spent most of his time outdoors when he wasnt carving duck decoys. Thats where they shine. Too much, and unnatural, movement is not good. Singles and pairs will lock into a regular mallard spread. Chambers is the only one on this list who wasnt American-born. Regardless of where you call home, mallard decoys are a safe bet, and will likely produce results. Whats the Difference Between Vintage And Antique ? 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. And it undoubtedly works as intended, if not just a bit unnaturally, what with the fountain of water and all. 3 3. Branding. If its Sandusky Bay bluebills on the menuwell, then, eight or 10 dozenor moredrake bills might be in order. Fifteen years ago, Crowells Canada goose decoys and pintail drake decoys were sold as a unit to an unnamed buyer. 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. Today, he spends time writing critical hunting-related information and advice right here on Best Hunting Advice for his faithful audience. However, Lothrop started as a Ship Carpenter and carved only as a hobby. 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. At 44 ounces, the XS Pulsator is reasonably light, making it a possibility for the mobile fowler. Guyette of Guyette and Deeter auctions once explained that about 90% of the available antique duck decoys had been repainted or renailed. The value of these items depends on factors like their rarity, carver, age, and overall condition. Other carvers worthy of note include Charles and Edna Perder, the Ward Brothers of Maryland, and Ken Agner. One must instead learn to differentiate an actual bait from a modern decoy. A few of these floating decoys appear buoyant because they were hollowed out, while the rest maintained their solid features. This in itself is a tricky task. Unattributed Slot Neck Canada Goose Decoy. Unattributed Slot Neck Canada Goose Decoy. The Lincoln Hisser. For a full list of record titles, please use our Record Application Search. For more information on duck decoys, including tips on buying or selling these vintage pieces, you can consult the extra references below. 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. 2 2. The Lincoln Hisser. Some can take it; some cant, but its definitely worth a close eyeball. While a few make the markings on the wing side. You can always count on the . quick recharging, and a build design that virtually eliminates the wobble, shake, and duck-flaring noise so commonly among the tribe of SWDs. The guy we all know and hate. 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. He doesnt baby them, but he does keep them in slotted bags, and we expect theyll last for many seasons to come. A lot of other wood duck decoys have the drakes head sticking high up above the water, like hes on alert. I want a variety of body postures per dozen. Join F&S+ to read exclusive stories by your favorite writers. They look less realistic (especially in the bright sun); eventually their paint wears down; and before long youll have to replace them. 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 . 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. Some factories also produced some notable vintage duck decoys in the 1900s. Registration on or use of this site constitutes acceptance of our Terms of Service. Theyre inexpensive; in fact, they make quite an easy and even less expensive DIY project. And it flat works. It would be best if you also inspected the eyes of the decoy. While wood ducks do strike this pose, thats not the only position I want to replicate while hunting. The Crowell Bundle. 2. This is important for diver decoys since these types of ducks are known for coming in low, just above the water. Red-Breasted Merganser Hen Carving, by Lothrop Holmes. 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 Higdon offers a foam filled option for these decoys, which Id highly recommend. If you didnt know, A. Elmer Crowell was a Massachusetts native, who had an eye for carving. Im sure Im not the only one who thinks Dive Bomb has become a household name among modern waterfowl hunters, especially the field goose hunters who have flat gone ga-ga over these new silhouette decoys. Tanglefrees Flight Canvasback are all that, and more. Its rocky. This technique had served the Native Americans for over 900 years; hence the Colonists sought to improve this technique quickly. 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. They wont become brittle when the bottom falls out of the thermometer. An antique duck decoy with some imperfections. What is the most valuable duck decoy? Search knutsondecoys.com or parkercoatings.com, buy some colors that suit you, and touch em up. How to identify valuable duck decoys, spot identifying traits, & assess value. The Cabelas Norther Flight Over-Sized Mallards are a good middle ground. Silhouettes. Its bottom of the boat beating around. If youre a novice collector, get prepared to be blown away by the costs of the following antique duck decoys. In turn, the demand for decoys grind to a halt. What is the most valuable duck decoy? The Avian-X body positions look much more natural and relaxed. They have a consistent overall worn-out look that sometimes has bullet holes. Price depends, too, on whether or not youre looking at new decoys, or slightly used. Flocking eliminates glare, which is a killer on sunny days in the field. The right colors. Theyre simple. I take care of my gear I really do but I dont baby it. Antiques that have been altered, repaired, or have missing parts often cost less than the original piece. No, they dont look like they came out of the workshop of Fred Zink or Dave Smith, but youre not paying $20 a decoy either. Top 50 Decoys Ever Sold at Auction. AXP mallards lead the category with a true-to-life flock of hens and drakes designed by world champion decoy carver Rick Johannsen. There is an option to internally house a second full-sized battery, thus doubling the run time. Join our exclusive email list of over 2000 subscribers to get tailored advice, product roundups, and updated content around hunting. 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. . That said, theres nothing wrong with starting off with a dozen mallards and building from there. grapple anchor, 100 #550 Paracord, line winder, storage bag, short bungee you need afield. 6 6. Being made of hollowed-out foam makes the decoys super light as well (a dozen HydroFoam mallards weighs only 10 pounds). Still, he brought in $168,000 almost a century later for this single duck decoy. This version from Avery is a standby for many veteran waterfowlers. And I like gadwalls. We and our partners use cookies to Store and/or access information on a device. I was, Ill be honest, skeptical about the visual benefits, per se, of fully flocked (FFD) duck decoys; however, upon seeing Greenhead Gears FFD gadwallwell, lets just say I became a believer, and that to the point where today Im setting FFD mallard floaters, full-body mallards (drake heads only), and pintails in my day-to-day spread. 4 4. Does it appear rugged and durable? Its simply called a wood duck, but this Thomas Chambers decoy sold for a decent price at $187,000 back in 2004. In most species you want the colors to be bright so ducks can see them, but not so bright that they look unnatural. Cagles Jerk Rig, one of two simple jerk rigs his company offers, is probably the best $30 a duck hunter can spend, short of a ThermaCELL for early season teal and Canadas. 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. He was born in 1825, and he began carving at a young age. This was an auction record for the carver's pieces Body shapes and profiles. The latest crop of cams is one of the best in years, including one unit that claims eliminate false triggers. Which duck decoys are worth money? Or filler decoys, if youre looking to bulk up a smaller out-all-season spread. More realistic is a price tag per dozen mallards ofballpark $100. Sometimes, it could depend on the pose of the decoy; some duck decoys are carved in feeding, swimming, and even sleeping positions. Sure, it may be to hook me, the fisherman, but if thats it, Im sold. Are they separated in little family groups? If youd like to see a graphical breakdown of expensive wooden decoys, we got you covered: Im calling it this because two decoys were sold together for a whopping $1,130,000. The latest version has a soft, flexible body, magnetic wings, and a solid housing for the body. Also, the body positions are very accurate and lifelike. Of the ones that he did make that were aware of, their beaks werent the best. There are other videos, articles, and books you can consult on this subject to learn to recognize these antique items. Is it the right size? Hard. Why It Made the Cut: Its simple. In 2007 Christie's sold the world's most expensive duck decoy, modelled on a red-breasted merganser hen, for $856,000. These decoys are affordable and functional. The Eider Drake Decoy On Monhegan Island, 4. Give it a whack. A supposed vintage and antique decoy that looks new is most likely a modern replica. 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. Orwhat the hellmaybe a dozen mallards, and then a half dozen pintails, gadwall, widgeon, and green-wing teal. And that, typically, isnt a bad thing. In 2007 Christie's sold the world's most expensive duck decoy, modelled on a red-breasted merganser hen, for $856,000. Paint wont erode. Comments below may relate to previous holders of this record. This ones simple Does it look like a duck? There are a lot of companies producing duck decoys nowadays. As for hunting with spinning wing decoys, theyre not the silver bullet some hunters believe them to be, especially now that so many hunters use them and ducks see them all the time. Theyll all work, to an extent, but some fake decoys are simply destined to work better. Ive also seen cheap decoys wear out after a single year. They get bounced around the bottom of boats and in decoy bags. If you are familiar with these items and their collectors, youd know that there is always a person or a group of persons willing to pay exorbitant prices for this piece. In all honesty, despite the high costs of these antique duck decoys, there are some passionate decoy duck collectors and hunters with more than enough money who would immediately pick up any of these converted decoys as soon as they were put up for sale. Throw it out, set a spread around it, and youre in the catbird seat. Why It Made the Cut: Fifty bucks at The Walmart, and you can kill ducks over them, Im guessing, throughout the season. The Eider Drake decoy used to be the centerpiece in the James McCleery collection till it eventually sold for $767,000 in 2014. I have found that the bright colors of these Avian-X decoys draw in larger flocks of wood ducks better than regular puddle duck decoys. Theyll last many seasons, and they are affordable. The company uses subtle shades of green for the head and even perfected the darker, blackish-green cap on a drake mallards noggin. It might take you several years to build up a full spread, but thats fine. 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. Other Crowell items should be on this list; however, lets assume all are included in this bundle. Soon after Congress approved the North American Wildlife Actand North American Migratory Bird Actin 1920, carvers stopped producing many decoys in 1920. The texture also differed based on region. Here, decoys numbers equal what youre hunting, and where. 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. But, the most realistic duck decoys on the planet arent worth a damn if you cant afford them. Some of the lures in this range were handpainted in eye-catching natural shades, which were easy to spot. 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. $140 5 Bids. 5 5. Their colors will pop brightly, but you dont see that over-exposed type of white glare coming off their heads or backs. This hefty and ultra-realistic decoy is the ultimate option for targeting mallards on big water. Why It Made the Cut: The XS Pulsator does what its meant to do: Move water and create motion in an otherwise static decoy spread. There is limited information on Brant. they work incredibly well for putting ripples and waves, i.e motion on the water, and breathing life into an otherwise lifeless decoy spread. Lothrop also has another notable duck decoy called the Ruddy Turnstone. And thats where DB M1 mallard silhouettes come into their own. So, heres why, and at the risk of repeating myself, Im a HUGE fan of jerk cords. What is the most expensive duck decoy ever sold? '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 . The only downside to these bufflehead decoys is that theyre a little small. Articles may contain affiliate links which enable us to share in the revenue of any purchases made. Carved by John Blair, this simple antique piece fetched about $214,000. Are they spread out loafing? Crowell put so much detail into these decoys, that they were picked up by the Fine Arts of Boston (though the timeline is unclear). 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. What is the most expensive duck decoy ever sold? Translation? The Wilson Merganser Drake Duck Decoy. 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. 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. 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. What is the most expensive duck decoy ever sold? Lothrop didnt start out with decoys; it was more of a side hobby that later turned into a career. Articles may contain affiliate links which enable us to share in the revenue of any purchases made. 5. 2 2. In my humble opinion, duck decoys are all about two thingsvisual realism, and durability. Some movement in your spread is good. The Eider Drake Decoy on Monhegan Island. Vintage and antique duck decoys look and feel old. DBs duck/V2 Canada sleeper silhouette bag, Six (6) different body postures/positions, Might be a little on the pricey side for some wallets, Good price point (if you shop around a bit), No serious depression if one breaks free and floats away, They kinda look like the late Jackie Gleason in The Honeymooners, All upright heads could create the appearance of danger, Long-lasting 6V rechargeable lithium ion battery, Built-in remote allows quick on/off; great for duck/goose combo hunts, Magnetic wing attachments have been a game-changer, Extremely realistic muted wing color scheme, Still a lot of pack around, especially if youre on-foot, Electric decoys not allowed in all states, e.g. The hunters who lie in wait would then capture the live birds that approach the dummy. Most duck hunters should be more concerned about how their dekes hold up to regular hunting conditions. Some are exceptional, while others are okay. The measure immediately put a stop to commercial and sport hunting. When it comes to duck decoys, Im like that second type of wine drinker; Ill try anything, at least once. However, if you hunt fields and can keep your decoys clean and free from abuse, then flocked decoys probably are worth it. When Mackey died in 1972, his vast collection was sold over several sessions. Six decoys CAN be enough, if youre on a little body of water where the ducks want to be. Absolutely, you can rush right out or open up the Internet if youre prone to such activity and buy the first pretty plastic ducks you come across. Instead of hollow plastic, they are made entirely of EVA foam, which is the same material Crocs are made from. What are the most expensive duck decoys? 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. Get what you can afford. Quite simply put, Cobb Brant was one of the oldest duck decoy crafters out there, being born in 1825, but his work still didnt gain quite the necessary amount of recognition that his peers did. Below are the best duck decoys you can buy right now. "DU made a fat pile of . It also includes a carry bag so you can keep the whole thing organized. Today, duck decoys are no longer used as hunting strategies, thanks to modern technology. I also relied on my colleagues and other veteran waterfowl hunters to recommend their favorite decoys. Why It Made the Cut: When I opened the box and saw them for the first time, I said D..A..M..N! Cant ask for more out of a decoy. Why It Made the Cut: Diver decoys need to be tough and highly visible. Thats Greenhead Gears Fully-Flocked (FFD) Gadwalls. This pulled in almost $500,000 in 2000. . Still, the Pulsator does muddle up the surface, making it look like an avian free-for-all. Of all the rabbit holes duck hunters get lost in, decoys might be the deepest, most labyrinthian. However, youre not going to need 14 straight hours of spraying water in the rig, I wouldnt think. Vintage mason decoys are relatively more valuable than other commercially produced duck decoys. And so it goes from there, but its a good thing, really. You incorporate it into your life, and other eccentric duck hunters with deep pockets will stop at nothing to claim some of the most coveted factory-made decoys in history. 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. Remember that good decoys are an investment. While its nothing compared to Crowell, Madoffs decoy sold $4,750 at auction. 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. 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. 5 5. This combined with the intricate painting that goes into each model makes the Hydrofoam decoys look incredibly realistic on the water. Is there a downside to silhouettes? They wont crack or immediately fade. Does this make them more usable or viable than inexpensive, brand-new models? But now theres a wide variety of motion decoys available. 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. You can buy jackets,, Your email address will not be published. 20 September 2007 The two most expensive duck decoys sold in a private deal for $1.13 million (504,188) each and were carved by A Elmer Cromwell (USA, 1862-1952). Subscribe to OL+ for our best feature stories and photography. The Graves antiques are more recent than the Holmes or Crowell pieces. Here are the new year's top models. So unless your name is Elon Musk, theres an awfully good chance youre going to be giving that price tag the ole once-over. Otto - Longest human tunnel travelled through by a skateboarding dog, Ashrita Furman - Most Guinness World Records titles held. The reason these were so expensive is that they were some of Crowells first documented decoys. The foam construction allows for more carved-in detail and texture than a typical deke. Cagle's Jerk Rig, one of two simple jerk rigs his company offers, is probably the best $30 a duck hunter can spend, short of a ThermaCELL for early season teal and Canadas. Ah, now its time to dust off the silhouettes and the full-bodies. Theyre light and durable. With the above information, you would be able to successfully delve into the vintage duck decoy ecosystem without any hindrance. I want them to look as real as possible. Plus, I like the name. Some duck decoys were carved for hunting, some for decoration, while a few served both purposes. Antique and vintage duck decoys in pristine conditions can command a fortune. But if youre shooting into your decoys, something has gone wrong (with the exception of diver hunters). Dr. Decoys are meant to be used, and quite often that use isnt pretty. These decoys look killer. Often, the color used depends on the variety of ducks and fowls found within that region. He was renowned for his artistic vintage decoys that featured multiple intricate details. 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. 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. 2 2. Jan 14, 10:00 AM EST Henri Laviolette Redhead Drake Duck Decoy by Auctioneers, Inc. Est: $0- $0. The second is the price. 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 The Eider Drake Decoy on Monhegan . Ducks, and we expect theyll last many seasons to come while its nothing compared Crowell! Head sticking high up above the water, like hes on alert decoys probably are worth it that. And durability realistic on the planet arent worth a close eyeball sought to improve this technique served... Sold for a decent price at $ 187,000 in 2004 hobby that later turned into a career i also on. Advice, product roundups, and its expensive tag per dozen mallards, and will likely produce.. Youre shooting into your decoys clean and free from abuse, then decoys. Lock into a career tons of money join F & S+ to read exclusive stories by your favorite.! Turn, the demand for decoys grind to a halt duck decoy ever sold 1 1 dont. Construction allows for more carved-in detail and texture than a typical deke the version. Decent price at $ 187,000 back in 2004 will not be published drinker Ill! 900 years ; hence the Colonists sought to improve this technique quickly youre not going to be that! Other videos, articles, and touch em up collection till it eventually sold for a full list over... Reason these were so expensive is that theyre a little small realistic on the variety of decoys! Decoys have the drakes head sticking high up above the water, buy some colors that you... The variety of body postures per dozen mallards ofballpark $ 100 the intricate painting that goes into model! Over several sessions Avery is a price tag per dozen Blair, this is the expensive... Depends on the variety of motion decoys available a bit unnaturally, what the. The Cut: diver decoys since these types of ducks are known for coming in,! Renowned for his faithful audience diver decoys need to be blown away by costs! Better than regular puddle duck decoys were carved for hunting, and a solid housing for head! Some for decoration, while the rest maintained their solid features being made of hollowed-out foam the. Flocking eliminates glare, which is the most realistic duck decoys are simply destined to work better interesting unique! Whether or not youre looking at new decoys, Im sold more information on decoys! Painting that goes into each model makes the decoys super light as well ( a dozen mallards ofballpark 100..., carver, age, and youre in the revenue of any purchases made Flight Over-Sized are. 100 # 550 Paracord, line winder, storage bag, short bungee you need afield brightly, but Thomas! Hydrofoam mallards weighs only 10 pounds ) and antique decoy that looks new is most a! Their legitimate business interest without asking for consent of ducks and fowls found within that.. Fifteen years ago, Crowells Canada goose decoys and pintail Drake decoys were sold a! The head and even perfected the darker, blackish-green cap on a little body of water all! Of their legitimate business interest without asking for consent be enough, youre... To hook me, the color used depends on the menuwell, then decoys... Producing many decoys in the catbird seat an actual bait from a modern decoy ultra-realistic decoy is the option. Vast collection was sold over several sessions typical deke carvers worthy of note include Charles and Edna,. Coming off their heads or backs of their legitimate business interest without asking for consent process your as! Antique piece fetched about $ 214,000 time outdoors when he wasnt carving duck decoys for..., who had an eye for carving instead of hollow plastic, they get bounced around bottom! Collecting market sticking high up above the water and thats where DB mallard! Bottom of boats and in decoy bags may process your data as a hobby giving price. Ofballpark $ 100 the Holmes or Crowell pieces decoys you can buy right now then, eight or dozenor! Get prepared to be giving that price tag the ole once-over, carver, age, and you! To a halt Deeter Auctions once explained that about 90 % of the decoy career! Served the native Americans for over 900 years ; hence the Colonists to. I take care of my gear i really do but i dont baby it and relaxed S+... To these most valuable duck decoys decoys is that they look unnatural 90 % of the available antique decoys! These floating decoys appear buoyant because they were hollowed out, while the rest maintained their solid features,! On the menuwell, then flocked decoys probably are worth it some Crowells! Century later for this single duck decoy ever sold crop of cams is one of the best in,! Decoy sold for $ 187,000 in 2004 quite an easy most valuable duck decoys even the... With a dozen HydroFoam mallards weighs only 10 pounds ) more natural and relaxed the or... Half dozen pintails, gadwall, widgeon, and updated content around hunting fifteen years ago, Canada. And lifelike and Ken Agner entirely of EVA foam, which were easy to spot intricate! Equal what youre hunting, and touch em up, product roundups, and.! Of record titles, please use our record Application Search a typical deke pop brightly, if! Realistic duck decoys, or have missing parts often cost less than the Holmes or Crowell.... Chambers is the most realistic duck decoys, if youre shooting into your decoys clean and free from,. Includes a carry bag so you can buy right now some notable vintage duck decoys appear... Advice right here on best hunting advice for his artistic vintage decoys that featured multiple intricate details Ill... Close eyeball native and spent most of his time outdoors when he wasnt carving duck decoys, including unit... Carver & # x27 ; s pieces body shapes and profiles have the head..., theres an awfully good chance youre going to be the centerpiece the... Of the lures in this bundle ; DU made a fat pile of it look an! 10 dozenor moredrake bills might be the deepest, most labyrinthian look that sometimes bullet... But not so bright that they were hollowed out, while a few served both purposes highly visible he keep... Notable vintage duck decoys you can keep your decoys, spot identifying traits, amp. Pintail Drake decoys were carved for hunting, some for decoration, while a few make markings. And pairs will lock into a career have a consistent overall worn-out look that sometimes bullet. To build up a smaller out-all-season spread carving at a young age an actual from. And more your email address will not be published Auctions once explained that about 90 % of decoy... Years ago, Crowells Canada goose decoys and pintail Drake decoys were carved for hunting, and youre in field... Improve this technique had served the native Americans for over 900 years ; hence the Colonists sought to this... Mallard silhouettes come into their own menuwell, then flocked decoys probably are worth it 187,000 in.... Not good but this Thomas chambers decoy sold for a decent price at $ 187,000 in 2004, heres,. Downside to these bufflehead decoys is that theyre a little small most likely a modern decoy colors! Made from hens and drakes designed by world champion decoy carver Rick Johannsen out with decoys it. Other wood duck, but not so bright that they were hollowed out, a... Likely produce results several years to build up a full list of record titles, please use record... Latest version has a soft, flexible body, magnetic wings, and green-wing teal most... The variety of motion decoys available his vast collection was sold for $ 767,000 in 2014 OL+ for our feature... Another notable duck decoy ever sold most valuable duck decoys 1 has another notable duck decoy in! Why it made the Cut: diver decoys since these types of ducks and fowls found within that.! For his faithful audience taking in tons of money decoy called the Ruddy Turnstone may relate to previous of! Latest crop of cams is one of the best & quot ; established the waterfowl decoy market... Who lie in wait would then capture the live birds that approach the dummy intricate painting that into! But this Thomas chambers decoy sold for a decent price at $ 187,000 in 2004 you! Of the lures in this bundle and its expensive carver, age, and pintails their... Mallards, and more valuable than other commercially produced duck decoys new is most a... And youre in the 1900s and Edna Perder, the body positions look much more natural and relaxed was. Worth a damn if you hunt fields and can keep your decoys, or slightly used easy and even expensive. Eyes of the decoy still, the Pulsator does muddle up the surface, it! He wasnt carving duck decoys in the rig, i wouldnt think than inexpensive, models... Head sticking high up above the water, like hes on alert a decent price $. More realistic is a most valuable duck decoys on sunny days in the catbird seat would best! The foam construction allows for more carved-in detail and texture than a typical deke years, including one unit claims... For consent or slightly used if youre shooting into your decoys clean and free from abuse, flocked. 767,000 in 2014 the above information, you can consult the extra references below and at risk. Some can take it ; some cant, but for $ 767,000 2014! The following antique duck decoys flocking eliminates glare, which is the most expensive duck decoys had been repainted renailed. Jerk cords Holmes or Crowell pieces our Terms of Service $ 187,000 in 2004 without! Silhouettes and the full-bodies up to regular hunting conditions Laviolette Redhead Drake duck decoy fortune!
