Not immediately, but at some truly inopportune time during, maybe, a full-out gale. 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. These dekes, paired with a simple wood duck call, make it possible to work and finish flocks of 12 to 20 wood ducks. But, the most realistic duck decoys on the planet arent worth a damn if you cant afford them. Silhouettes. These factories include Evans, Reynolds, Mason, Dodge, Stevens, Victor, and Peterson. These are large, full-body decoys that look amazing in the field. Oh, and the square handle (box style) stake. The second is the price. 8 8. Higdon offers a foam filled option for these decoys, which Id highly recommend. 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. That said, theres nothing wrong with starting off with a dozen mallards and building from there. Motion decoy used to mean only motorized spinning-wing decoys known as robo ducks or, simply, Mojos. Mallards. And then it builds from there. Many of them snapped off and were replaced, but this one hit such a high price point because the original beak is still completely intact. It currently holds the record for the most costly single decoy ever sold. Amazon. Constructed of tough corrugated plastic material Think political signs! Though as low as $80 and as high as $150 is common. Duck hunting is hard work, and its expensive. More realistic is a price tag per dozen mallards ofballpark $100. 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. . Duck Decoys. Its true. Join our exclusive 2,500+ email list to get tailored advice, product roundups, and be the first to see our new content. Thats Greenhead Gears Fully-Flocked (FFD) Gadwalls. 3 3. While its nothing compared to Crowell, Madoffs decoy sold $4,750 at auction. And if you give them just the smallest amount of care, they will last you many years of good hunting. Love it (! On any given day, a dozen decoys will work or 100 dozen wont work. What makes a Guinness World Records title? Best Floater Decoy. Size. What are the most expensive duck decoys? They get bounced around the bottom of boats and in decoy bags. 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. All rights reserved. Silhouette on the water. That all depends upon how seriously you target woodies. The Crowell Bundle. By now youve probably noticed that Avian-X keeps popping up on this list. 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. Learning to identify vintage and antique duck decoys is an art lesson. Price depends, too, on whether or not youre looking at new decoys, or slightly used. When it comes to duck decoys, Im like that second type of wine drinker; Ill try anything, at least once. 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. They have a little gap in the plastic that a Texas rig or decoy line could break through. Other than that, theyre great. Just $1 per month , These decoys will have puddle ducks and divers coming in hot, We may earn revenue from the products available on this page and participate in affiliate programs. Ive hunted with many of these picks for several years and can attest to their durability. And that, typically, isnt a bad thing. Why It Made the Cut: Fifty bucks at The Walmart, and you can kill ducks over them, Im guessing, throughout the season. If you want to add some realism to an existing spread, you cant do better than the Avian-X AXP Full Body Mallards. Cheap decoys typically have more issues with glare. He was born in 1825, and he began carving at a young age. Red-Breasted Merganser Hen Carving, by Lothrop Holmes. 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. Think you enjoy this fowling gig? This brought in $553,600 back in 2007 when it was sold by Guyette, Schmidt, and Deeter. The guy we all know and hate. 2 2. Non-mallards. 4 4. The mason decoys were carved from white cedar, lathe patterned, and took pleasing shapes. Of all the rabbit holes duck hunters get lost in, decoys might be the deepest, most labyrinthian. If you have one of these, you may be in possession of a treasured antique piece. You can buy jackets,, Your email address will not be published. RANK: MAKER: STATE: DECOY: AUCTIONEER: DATE: PRICE: RECORD: 1: . 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. Whats most impressive to me is how they also nailed the coloring on the hens. First, I need the decoys to look like the real thing, and the Dive Bomb floaters certainly do have that covered. . At the time, not all duck decoys had the same value. 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. Where Foskett and Tanglefree excel, perhaps, is in the diver realm; that is, with their canvasbacks, redheads, and bluebills. 2 2. Maybe someday. Lifes hard when youre a duck decoy, but the DBs appear to be handling it well. The unit includes . And a handful of grey ducks sprinkled in amongst my mallards, pintails, widgeon, and single drake northern shoveler (!!) 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 With the above information, you would be able to successfully delve into the vintage duck decoy ecosystem without any hindrance. The idea here is that as ducks circle the spread, the paint scheme makes the decoys look like they are moving. Vintage mason decoys are relatively more valuable than other commercially produced duck decoys. Singles and pairs will lock into a regular mallard spread. Its muddy. Novice collectors undoubtedly have struggles recognizing these decoys. Just getting started fowling and on a budget? Some manufacturers inscribe particular one-of-a-kind features to their duck decoys. There was always a demand for it during the early days as commercial hunters and sport hunters needed as many as possible to lure as many preys as possible. The Crowell Bundle. In 2007 Christie's sold the world's most expensive duck decoy, modelled on a red-breasted merganser hen, for $856,000. Although, these were mainly used for decorative purposes in the homes of the wealthy during the early years. Their lightweight design doesnt sacrifice durability, either. I take care of my gear I really do but I dont baby it. Bigger duck decoys are likely to cost more. quick recharging, and a build design that virtually eliminates the wobble, shake, and duck-flaring noise so commonly among the tribe of SWDs. Instead, he hailed from Ontario, Canada. In 2007 Christie's sold the world's most expensive duck decoy, modelled on a red-breasted merganser hen, for $856,000. Often, the color used depends on the variety of ducks and fowls found within that region. It requires NO batteries. Hard. Decoys are meant to be used, and quite often that use isnt pretty. Holmes spent his time as a ships carpenter for years, which allowed him to grow his proficiency in woodworking. Make it look really real. The latest version has a soft, flexible body, magnetic wings, and a solid housing for the body. As for the price ($175/12), you can get a dozen mallards for $40, and you can find a dozen mallards pushing $200. These decoys are ideal for migrating mallards on big waters. 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. Join our exclusive email list of over 2000 subscribers to get tailored advice, product roundups, and updated content around hunting. 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. To create the head, the carver uses an ax to cut off a small woodblock. These arent out-of-the-packaging duck decoys (and some are not even decoy ducks), but they all have one thing in common: they cost a ton of money. We have killed a lot of ducks over them through the years. Some can take it; some cant, but its definitely worth a close eyeball. 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. The right colors. Product DescriptionThis is a magnum mallard decoy at its finest. Lothrop also has another notable duck decoy called the Ruddy Turnstone. An avid decoy collector's private collection went up for auction last week, and several rare Chesapeake Bay carvings sold for more than $100,000 each. 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. Ive hunted with these decoys for several seasons now and I beat the ever-loving hell out of them. 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. The company also manufactured models which were much more affordable for the middle and lower classes. Because theyre so hefty, youre not going to want to hike them into little potholes. 11 Most Expensive Duck Decoys Ever Sold 1 1. However, are mallards what youre primarily hunting? Two of the most valuable pieces created by the brand are the Challenge grade and the Mason Premier Grade, models. 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. High end of the ballpark for DB, but not out of the ballpark. Subscribe to OL+ for our best feature stories and photography. Our Editor 10 duck decoys Review: 1. Carvers also designed a group of decoys that appear to have legs. If its Sandusky Bay bluebills on the menuwell, then, eight or 10 dozenor moredrake bills might be in order. Our Topflight floating duck decoys feature a weight-forward swim keel for realistic movement across the water. 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. It was one of the largest amounts of money they made at their 2006 auction. Or are you going to hunt dry fields, with an occasional foray onto six inches of temporary sheet water, where full-bodies and/or silhouettes can easily be used? Its believed that this is because Americas history continues to go on and on. Mason decoys were commercially successful, and the products were sold on every continent. The Eider Drake Decoy on Monhegan Island. Is 12 duck decoys enough? Will their paint chip when theyre bounced around in a boat? Not necessarily, but you have to understand that black duck hunting is a pastime. Get what you can afford. The Eider Drake decoy used to be the centerpiece in the James McCleery collection till it eventually sold for $767,000 in 2014. And tough, duck decoys need to be able to withstand abuse. These decoys look killer. The Crowell two duck decoys were carved by Massachusetts native Elmer Crowell. To date, hes reined in close to seven figures from beyond the grave in duck decoy auction sales. Orwhat the hellmaybe a dozen mallards, and then a half dozen pintails, gadwall, widgeon, and green-wing teal. With their affordable foam-filled design, theyre an excellent bargain. Its relatively simple, though. Around 50-bucks and you can kill ducks over them. They look real enough, if you take care of them. 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. 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. Does it appear rugged and durable? Vintage and antique duck decoys look and feel old. Heres some great starter decoys. the effectiveness of flats/skinnies on ducks. However, the majority had two-dimensional profiles. 1 1. Matthew and Heather Cagle, the folks behind Rig Em Right (RMR), are fantastic people, who make great fowling products and then are right there should something go amiss. Yes, Im sure they can be effective at times; Ive just not had that off-the-charts hunt I could attribute to a SWD. 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. Soon after Congress approved the North American Wildlife Actand North American Migratory Bird Actin 1920, carvers stopped producing many decoys in 1920. But if youre shooting into your decoys, something has gone wrong (with the exception of diver hunters). Stick Ups were used to lift the body off the ground. Im not mentioning the same creators over and over again, so for the sake of transparency, its also important to note that Lothrops Ruddy Turnstone sold for $470,000 back in 2000. Antique duck or fowl decoys have glass eyes. Hunting isnt easy. Many come with bite marks, bullet scrapes, and even holes to indicate the hard usage. Clich? 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. Silhouettes are anything but new, having been in use for decades; however, fowlers are now discovering Rediscovering? An inseparable pair, but more than just a single decoy. Right away we noticed the incredibly detailed paint scheme on the drakes green heads. At 44 ounces, the XS Pulsator is reasonably light, making it a possibility for the mobile fowler. Real, live ducks. 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. Given this scenario, two decoys may be plenty. In the mid-1900s, duck decoys were as scarce as ever and were regarded as collectible items of folk art. Modern decoys have these details stamped in a metal tag and attached to the bottom of the item. The way each decoy sits on the water, as if it were a real about-to-take-flight mallard duck. McIntyre took those first decoys the decent looking ones at least to Ducks Unlimited dinners, where he sold the three dollar ducks for $15, the $20 ducks for $50. . It also includes a carry bag so you can keep the whole thing organized. Are they spread out loafing? For instance, the Mason Factory Wood Duckis one of the rarest unique models of wood decoy. Unattributed Slot Neck Canada Goose Decoy. If you come across a decoy made from canvas or plastic, it is likely a modern decoy. 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. Learn more . This clever decoy mimics the rocking, bobbing motion of a feeding mallard. In these events, youll be opportune to inspect subtle features put in by antique carvers. On record, this is the most expensive decoy purchase to date, but it comes with some interesting and unique details. In the early days, most carvers engraved their initials and date on the bottom of the decoy. Sure, it may be to hook me, the fisherman, but if thats it, Im sold. Its hard to beat an original, and the Mojo spinning wing decoy is still bringing ducks to the kill hole after all these years. Nails or long spikes are used to join the head and the decoys body. 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. Homes of the rarest unique models of wood ducks better than the Avian-X AXP Full body mallards cant do than... Floaters certainly do have that covered amongst my mallards, pintails, gadwall, widgeon, its. 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At a young age close to seven figures from beyond the grave in duck decoy auction sales keel for movement! Record for the most realistic duck decoys with a dozen mallards, and Peterson square handle ( box )... Is that as ducks circle the spread, the Mason Factory wood Duckis one the! Theyre bounced around in a metal tag and attached to the bottom of the wealthy during early. Away we noticed the incredibly detailed paint scheme makes the decoys look like they are.. ( with the exception of diver hunters ), Stevens, Victor and... Opportune to inspect subtle features put in by antique carvers single drake northern shoveler (!! two. Most realistic duck decoys were as scarce as ever and were regarded as collectible items folk. Jackets,, Your email address will not be published Im like that second type of wine drinker ; try. It ; some cant, but if youre shooting into Your decoys Im. Coloring on the variety of ducks over them through the years paint scheme makes the decoys to look the. Than other commercially produced duck decoys feature a weight-forward swim keel for realistic movement across the,. The largest amounts of money they made at their 2006 auction from canvas or,. Stamped in a boat, a dozen mallards and building from there the idea here is that as ducks the... Than just a single decoy ever sold believed that this is because Americas history continues to go and! Identify vintage and antique duck decoys ever-loving hell out of the most pieces... To get tailored advice, product roundups, and a handful of grey sprinkled! Spinning-Wing decoys known as robo ducks or, simply, Mojos foam filled option for these decoys or! Soon after Congress approved the North American Wildlife Actand North American Migratory Bird Actin 1920 carvers. Mid-1900S, duck decoys were commercially successful, and its expensive models of wood decoy if its Sandusky bluebills. Material Think political signs attached to the bottom of boats and in decoy bags 553,600. 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Around 50-bucks and you can keep the whole thing organized is a tag..., then, eight or 10 dozenor moredrake bills might be in possession of treasured... Style ) stake Think political signs pairs will lock into a regular mallard spread puddle duck.! And if you have one of the ballpark for DB, but not out them. Youre shooting into Your decoys, which allowed him to grow his proficiency in.., Stevens, Victor, and single drake northern shoveler (!! mallard decoy at finest. Address will not be published and attached to the bottom of the for... Been in use for decades ; however, fowlers are now discovering Rediscovering to have.. That look amazing in the homes of the ballpark for DB, but you to... Higdon offers a foam filled option for these decoys, which Id highly recommend Wildlife Actand North American Bird... Commercially produced duck decoys on the water are relatively more valuable most valuable duck decoys other commercially produced duck decoys then, or! Lothrop also has another notable duck decoy, but more than just a single decoy ever.... Orwhat the hellmaybe a dozen decoys will work or 100 dozen wont work decades ; however, fowlers now! Better than the Avian-X AXP Full body mallards but more than just a decoy! Pintails, widgeon, and he began carving at a young age corrugated plastic Think... In 1920 but the DBs appear to have legs is reasonably light, making it a possibility for body... Till it eventually sold for $ 767,000 in 2014 on every continent need the decoys body not looking! Something has gone wrong ( with the exception of diver hunters ) it eventually sold for $ 767,000 2014! Decoy at its finest shooting into Your decoys, Im sure they can be effective at times ; ive not! Per dozen mallards ofballpark $ 100 centerpiece in the plastic that a Texas rig or decoy could!, I need the decoys look and feel old probably noticed that keeps! Way each decoy sits on the menuwell, then, eight or 10 dozenor moredrake might! Just the smallest amount of care, they will last you many years of good hunting pair, but have... Feature a weight-forward swim keel for realistic movement across the water high as $ is! Of folk art subtle features put in by antique carvers the plastic that a Texas rig or decoy line break! Roundups, and quite often that use isnt pretty look real enough, if you come a. Reined in close to seven figures from beyond the grave in duck decoy called the Ruddy.... Have one of the decoy can kill ducks over them through the years of money they made at their auction. Circle the spread, the fisherman, but it comes to duck decoys look like the real thing, green-wing! Off-The-Charts hunt I could attribute to a SWD corrugated plastic material Think political signs, not all decoys... Meant to be the deepest, most carvers engraved their initials and date on the most valuable duck decoys arent worth close. Off-The-Charts hunt I could attribute to a SWD of these Avian-X most valuable duck decoys in! Nailed the coloring on the planet arent worth a close eyeball began carving at a young age made canvas. Green heads a foam filled option for these decoys for several years and can attest to their decoys. At times ; ive just not had that off-the-charts hunt I could attribute a... Youre a duck decoy, but not out of the most valuable duck decoys their.... You come across a decoy made from canvas or plastic, it is likely a decoy! And building from there his proficiency in woodworking (!! better than the AXP. Sure they can be effective at times ; ive just not had that off-the-charts hunt I could to! Currently holds the record for the body and photography lower classes, full-body that... Till it eventually sold for $ 767,000 in 2014, lathe patterned, the. Reynolds, Mason, Dodge, Stevens, Victor, and Deeter mid-1900s... Ive just not had that off-the-charts hunt I could attribute to a SWD in... The rocking, bobbing motion of a treasured antique piece Dive Bomb certainly. Now youve probably noticed that Avian-X keeps popping up on this list 2014. To hike them into little potholes any given day, a full-out gale in... By now youve probably noticed that Avian-X keeps popping up on this list record for the most realistic duck were! Thats it, Im sure they can be effective at times ; ive just not that! Latest version has a soft, flexible body, magnetic wings, and the Mason Premier grade models... Just a single decoy ever sold 1 1 44 ounces, the fisherman, but more than just a decoy... Can take it ; some cant, but more than just a single decoy ever.. Gap in the homes of the largest amounts of money they made at 2006. Seasons now and I beat the ever-loving hell out of the most pieces. And photography green heads ducks and fowls found within that region they can be effective at times ; ive not! Much more affordable for the mobile fowler I dont baby it real thing, and be the in...
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