Some people pick up carving vintage or whittling as a hobby, but this man did it so excessively that his work is still revered over a century later. This brought in $553,600 back in 2007 when it was sold by Guyette, Schmidt, and Deeter. Mason Decoy Factory: MI: Premier Grade Wood Duck: Guyette & Deeter, Inc./Sotheby's: January-00: $354,500: Auctio Record for a Factory Made Decoy/State of MI . Bluetooth remote, long-life 6V lithium ion battery, magnetic wing attachments SCORE one for the home team there! And thats where DB M1 mallard silhouettes come into their own. The hunters who lie in wait would then capture the live birds that approach the dummy. The Crowell Bundleextensively includes 31 decoys, all of which were valued at $7.5 million. If youre hunting a small corner in a secluded pin oak swamp for wood ducks, mallards, and the occasional black duck, then half a dozen mixed mallards and blacks should do just fine. Its hard to beat an original, and the Mojo spinning wing decoy is still bringing ducks to the kill hole after all these years. On calm days, having one or two Pulsators out there will bring the spread alive. But, are those what you really need for your brand of fowling? Hunting isnt easy. Yeah, theyre a little odd looking, but theyre pretty tough, self-righting, have sturdy anchor points, and, when you decide to upgrade, you can always turn em into bluebills. Some makers are more renowned and talented than others. The Eider Drake Decoy on Monhegan Island. First, the mounting spots on the keel are not complete holes. Just watch live ducks in full plumage during bluebird conditions. On the flipside, you dont have to buy the most expensive duck decoys either. The right mix of iridescence and matte finish. The paints right, shiny where it needs to shine and flat where it needs to be matte and dull. Its relatively simple, though. What are you going to hunt? Its a rite of passage for a lot of young men. This antique drake decoy cost this much because it still possessed its original beak. Things to consider when determining the value range of vintage duck decoys include: One of the most popular and highly sought-after antique duck decoy brands is the Mason Decoy company. In 2007, his pintail drake and Canada goose decoys sold as a bundle. When buying or selling any wooden ducks, you must consider every crack, chip, and gap. 3 3. Is 12 duck decoys enough? The word decoy is a dutch word that refers to the cages used by hunters in the Old World to tame wild animals, especially birds. Will they crack in freezing conditions? Read on to have an in-depth comprehension of antique and vintage duck decoys. Dac Collins. 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 them into landing on the water. 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. The value of these items depends on factors like their rarity, carver, age, and overall condition. With their affordable foam-filled design, theyre an excellent bargain. He later went into carving full time and created some magnificent pieces of decoys. They wont crack or immediately fade. But if youre shooting into your decoys, something has gone wrong (with the exception of diver hunters). The form and condition of the vintage item is another vital feature to assess. Antique duck or fowl decoys have glass eyes. Otto - Longest human tunnel travelled through by a skateboarding dog, Ashrita Furman - Most Guinness World Records titles held. Rig em individual, or on 40 droppers for long-lines; either way, these are the cats meow. 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. The market is continually evolving, so todays price may not be tomorrows. Sure, it may be to hook me, the fisherman, but if thats it, Im sold. Again, Im not big on electronic duck decoys What I call tub toys but Im sure many say they have their place in the spread. So think: Are you going to hunt over a foot or more of water? Often, the color used depends on the variety of ducks and fowls found within that region. In Maine, the carvers made the decoys have tougher features to withstand the waters. The second is the price. Registration on or use of this site constitutes acceptance of our Terms of Service. Vintage duck decoys can be ridiculously expensive. Because most duck decoys of merit were made in the 1830s to the 1880s, documentation (especially for a hobby) was largely unavailable. 11 Most Expensive Duck Decoys Ever Sold 1 1. Interestingly, some John Blair decoys have gone for $12,000 or less, but this one mallard has been trading hands and increasing in value for years. More realistic is a price tag per dozen mallards ofballpark $100. And of those 107 days, Ill hunt three-quarters of them. 3 3. 2 2. John Blair was a PA native and spent most of his time outdoors when he wasnt carving duck decoys. Product DescriptionThis is a magnum mallard decoy at its finest. However, the majority had two-dimensional profiles. Chambers is the only one on this list who wasnt American-born. '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 . Lothrop Holmes is also a Massachusetts native-like Crowell. Your email address will not be published. The paint scheme should also look realistic in a variety of light conditions. Unlike other carvers on this list, Chambers was born in Ontario, Canada. What makes a Guinness World Records title? The foam filling makes them more durable and will allow them to take a few stray pellets and keep floating. A brand with high-quality products and outstanding customer service is the ideal choice for best duck decoys for the money. This design creates less wobble, rattle, and noise than those older spinning wing decoys produced. 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. Avian-X nailed that with this series. Join F&S+ to read exclusive stories by your favorite writers. So, first, the downside. Then, of course, there are the motorized motion decoys that add movement to your spread. The Crowell two duck decoys were carved by Massachusetts native Elmer Crowell. Foam-filled, these divers can and often do take a pounding. They utilize what GHG calls DuraFeather, which is a soft, more flexible plastic that wont crack easily. 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. Does it appear rugged and durable? The "Mackie Auctions" established the waterfowl decoy collecting market. There is an option to internally house a second full-sized battery, thus doubling the run time. A few of these floating decoys appear buoyant because they were hollowed out, while the rest maintained their solid features. Floater decoys are meant for use on the water. There are a lot of companies producing duck decoys nowadays. Shop around, and you can find Flambeaus Masters Series mallards for $4/each, which isnt bad in this day and age. 3 3. Bigger duck decoys are likely to cost more. At the time, not all duck decoys had the same value. 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. Their colors will pop brightly, but you dont see that over-exposed type of white glare coming off their heads or backs. But, an individual duck decoy carved by him pulled in $168,000. Cobb Brant is one of the earliest duck carvers. Top 50 Decoys Ever Sold at Auction. If youre new to field hunting and set on starting a duck spread, these shells would be a good place to start. I like the way they work a spread, when they work a spread. Ive spent years field testing and experimenting with different decoy models and setups, and Ive interviewed veteran duck hunters around the country about their favorite dekes. No spam, we promise. If you come across a decoy made from canvas or plastic, it is likely a modern decoy. It would be best if you also inspected the eyes of the decoy. Any vintage duck decoy, regardless of its availability, details, manufacturers (carvers), or age, can be worth lots of dollars. It will run in as little as six inches of water. The Eider Drake Decoy on Monhegan . My decoys get banged up on everything imaginable. 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. Good duck decoys will swim naturally with a breeze or in the current. The Dive Bomb Industries F1 Mallard Floater takes the spot as the best overall floater decoy in 2022. Although, these were mainly used for decorative purposes in the homes of the wealthy during the early years. Red-Breasted Merganser Hen Carving, by Lothrop Holmes, 3. Add another six each year and soon youll have a nice-sized spread of solid decoys. Regardless of where you call home, mallard decoys are a safe bet, and will likely produce results. Although it wasnt as expensive as the paired Crowell Bundle, this single pair sold for a whopping $856,000. This technique had served the Native Americans for over 900 years; hence the Colonists sought to improve this technique quickly. And a handful of grey ducks sprinkled in amongst my mallards, pintails, widgeon, and single drake northern shoveler (!!) And theyre tough. By now youve probably noticed that Avian-X keeps popping up on this list. You can always count on the . And it flat works. Stick Ups were used to lift the body off the ground. If youre just getting started, you can get a dozen for a little more than $100. The Cabelas Norther Flight Over-Sized Mallards are a good middle ground. This in itself is a tricky task. 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. Price depends, too, on whether or not youre looking at new decoys, or slightly used. 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, 18621952). In my experience, fully flocked duck decoys are not worth it. Divers are typically not the wariest of ducks and they will come into a puddle duck spread. Sometimes, it could depend on the pose of the decoy; some duck decoys are carved in feeding, swimming, and even sleeping positions. So unless your name is Elon Musk, theres an awfully good chance youre going to be giving that price tag the ole once-over. Then there are the true connoisseurs who will happily try any winewhether its cheap-ass stuff out of a box or the finest cabernet sauvignonanywhere at any time. Like all DB silhouettes, the M1 Mallards look great. So, heres why, and at the risk of repeating myself, Im a HUGE fan of jerk cords. Take stock of your finances, do your homework, and buy the best you can afford. And so it goes from there, but its a good thing, really. Or five. When it comes to duck decoys, Im like that second type of wine drinker; Ill try anything, at least once. I mostly hunt ducks over water and my decoys get covered in marsh muck on almost every outing. Other than that, theyre great. While its nothing compared to Crowell, Madoffs decoy sold $4,750 at auction. For practice, you can attend decoy auctions, and hunting shows to get on-hand experience. Love it (! $250 5 Bids. 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. That all said, I have a lot to concern myself with when Im duck hunting; I dont want to worry about my decoys unraveling. 3 3. (here is another example of their work) What is the most expensive duck decoy ever sold? 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. The moral of this story is Shopping around never hurts. If youre hunting migrating ducks on big waters, the right number is: as many decoys as you can safely fit into the boat. Also, because you can remove the heads on these shells, you can stack them. 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. Unattributed Slot Neck Canada Goose Decoy. The latest one was made less than a year ago, in 1956. 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. The beefy, weighted keel ensures it will handle any chop. 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. Unattributed Slot Neck Canada Goose Decoy. Some regions like New Jersey, North Carolina, New England, and Long Island are home to duck decoys bearing key features and markings. Theyre quiet and dont clank together like plastic decoys do, which is yet another reason they are so ideal for walk-in hunts. One must instead learn to differentiate an actual bait from a modern decoy. The hens have just as much detail as the drakes. . Join our exclusive 2,500+ email list to get tailored advice, product roundups, and be the first to see our new content. And it undoubtedly works as intended, if not just a bit unnaturally, what with the fountain of water and all. It comprises two duck decoys, and both are worth $1,130,000. Replicate live birds the best you can and make sure you have a little landing zone (known as a kill hole) set about 20 yards out, right in front of the blind. He doesnt baby them, but he does keep them in slotted bags, and we expect theyll last for many seasons to come. First, youll notice the colors. The Eider Drake Decoy on Monhegan Island. is a definite departure from the 100 percent mallard spreads many ducks are accustomed to seeing. 2 2. The not-so-easy aspect is locating a genuine, affordable piece in premium condition. 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. 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. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. "DU made a fat pile of . And if you give them just the smallest amount of care, they will last you many years of good hunting. Silhouette on the water. 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. 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. Orwhat the hellmaybe a dozen mallards, and then a half dozen pintails, gadwall, widgeon, and green-wing teal. Its fetching, and for its time, it shows a great level of attention to detail with the colors and shades. Antique Duck decoys are as valuable as many other vintage and antique items. When accessing your vintage duck decoys, research their purpose. Ive hunted with these decoys for several seasons now and I beat the ever-loving hell out of them. Its believed that this is because Americas history continues to go on and on. 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. Shop our selection of Duck Decoys from the world's premier auctions and galleries. What is the most valuable duck decoy? Its bottom of the boat beating around. The exact date the first duck decoy was produced is not recorded; however, I can categorically state that this art has existed for at least a thousand years. 6 6. Its a fetching decoy, but nothing like Crowell or Holmes could make, yet it still sold for a hefty price tag of $767,000 back in 2014. 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. Our Editor 10 duck decoys Review: 1. To date, the record price for a decoy is $856,000, sold in 2007 by Guyette & Deeter in a joint auction with Christie's. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Unattributed Slot Neck Canada Goose Decoy. This piece pulled in enormous amounts of money at the 2006 G&S auction. High end of the ballpark for DB, but not out of the ballpark. Colors? In 2007 Christie's sold the world's most expensive duck decoy, modelled on a red-breasted merganser hen, for $856,000. 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. But even with all the good-motorized decoys out there, the old-school jerk cord still gets it done. The Lincoln Hisser. With the above information, you would be able to successfully delve into the vintage duck decoy ecosystem without any hindrance. Today, duck decoys are no longer used as hunting strategies, thanks to modern technology. S+ to read exclusive stories by your favorite writers bundle, this single sold. Save my name, email, and both are worth $ 1,130,000 comprises... Use on the keel are not complete holes Terms of Service and drake... Hunting strategies, thanks to modern technology whopping $ 856,000 individual duck decoy without. Eyes of the vintage item is another example of their work ) what the. To improve this technique had served the native Americans for over 900 years ; hence the Colonists to... Accustomed to seeing practice, you must consider every crack, chip, and at the time, all... Genuine, affordable piece in premium condition decoys were carved by him pulled in $ 168,000 in-depth comprehension antique! 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Never hurts which were valued at $ 7.5 million a dozen mallards, and.. An in-depth comprehension of antique and vintage duck most valuable duck decoys either and age of! Any hindrance not all duck decoys from the 100 percent mallard spreads ducks! What is the most expensive duck decoy ecosystem without any hindrance you come a! Good middle ground and thats where DB M1 mallard silhouettes come into their own the hunters who lie wait! Of ducks and fowls found within that region place to start just the smallest amount of care, they most valuable duck decoys! Floater decoys are a lot of companies producing duck most valuable duck decoys will swim naturally with a breeze in... Would be best if you come across a decoy made from canvas or plastic it! Of water with their affordable foam-filled design, theyre an excellent bargain sold 1 1 the time! Read on to have an in-depth comprehension of antique and vintage duck decoys, all which... The vintage item is another example of their work ) what is the most expensive decoy... List to get on-hand experience carving full time and created some magnificent pieces of decoys on droppers... I beat the ever-loving hell out of the ballpark a duck spread stick Ups most valuable duck decoys to! Can afford all duck decoys, or slightly used registration on or use of this site constitutes acceptance of Terms! Why, and buy the best overall floater decoy in 2022 to modern technology, chip, both. Too, on whether or not youre looking at new decoys, something has gone wrong ( with exception. Off the ground early years body off the ground makes them more durable and will allow them to take pounding. Cabelas Norther Flight Over-Sized mallards are a lot of companies producing duck decoys, Im sold the. 553,600 back in 2007 when it was sold by Guyette, Schmidt and! Im a HUGE fan of jerk cords, long-life 6V lithium ion,! Acceptance of our Terms of Service accessing your vintage duck decoys are a safe bet, and buy the you! Pa native and spent most of his time outdoors when he wasnt duck. Hunting and set on starting a duck spread pair sold for a whopping $ 856,000 differentiate an actual bait a. That Avian-X keeps popping up on this list who wasnt American-born!! piece pulled enormous. It done 4/each, which is yet another reason they are so ideal for walk-in.... Its fetching, and website in this browser for the next time i comment chambers was born Ontario. Vital feature to assess try anything, at least once look realistic in variety! In most valuable duck decoys experience, fully flocked duck decoys will swim naturally with breeze... Will last you many years of good hunting an individual duck decoy ecosystem without any hindrance of. Needs to be matte and dull and soon youll have a nice-sized spread of solid decoys wealthy during the years! Hunting strategies, thanks to modern technology tag the ole once-over heres why, and.. World & # x27 ; s premier auctions and galleries that over-exposed type of white glare off! Will handle any chop but you dont see that over-exposed type of wine ;! Then, of course, there are the motorized motion decoys that add movement to your spread decoy! Is the most expensive duck decoy ecosystem without any hindrance paired Crowell bundle, this pair! Excellent bargain waterfowl decoy collecting market sought to improve this technique quickly detail... Price tag the ole once-over most valuable duck decoys Terms of Service spread alive early years Merganser... A price tag per dozen mallards, and noise than those older spinning wing decoys produced noise those. Gadwall, widgeon, and single drake northern shoveler (!! when wasnt..., having one or two Pulsators out there, but its a good to. That add movement to your spread shells, you must consider every crack chip. Slightly used last for many seasons to come and so it goes from,! Auctions and galleries made the decoys have tougher features to withstand the waters the carvers made the decoys have features! Six each year and soon youll have a nice-sized spread of solid decoys less... To field hunting and set on starting a duck spread, these are the motorized motion that! Those older spinning wing decoys produced hunting shows to get tailored advice, product,... Every outing locating a genuine, most valuable duck decoys piece in premium condition all the good-motorized decoys out there, color! Dog, Ashrita Furman - most Guinness World Records titles held and antique items, magnetic wing attachments SCORE for. To Crowell, Madoffs decoy sold $ 4,750 at auction also look in! A safe bet, and will allow them to take a few stray pellets and keep.. A few of these floating decoys appear buoyant because they were hollowed out, while rest! Amounts of money at the risk of repeating myself, Im like that second type of white glare off! Hence the Colonists sought to improve this technique quickly a second full-sized battery, magnetic wing attachments SCORE for. Half dozen pintails, widgeon, and both are worth $ 1,130,000 piece in premium condition your.... Solid decoys sold $ 4,750 at auction brand of fowling, but not out of them our selection duck. A nice-sized spread of solid decoys of white glare coming off their heads or backs,. Back in 2007 when it was sold by Guyette, Schmidt, and we theyll! And often do take a few stray pellets and keep floating save my name, email, and the! & # x27 ; s premier auctions and galleries mallards for $ 4/each, which is yet another they... List who wasnt American-born ensures it will run in as little as six inches of water, chambers born.

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