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. Is the paint going to flake off almost immediately? Articles may contain affiliate links which enable us to share in the revenue of any purchases made. It has 21 feet of travel, 100 feet of heavy-duty line, a grapple anchor for deeper water, and attachments for six decoys, though you can use fewer if you like. Your email address will not be published. Not necessarily, but you have to understand that black duck hunting is a pastime. It all depends on the birds, the wind, the pressure, and more. 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.
Nothing incredible, but for $4 a decoy, they get the job done. A lot of other wood duck decoys have the drakes head sticking high up above the water, like hes on alert. During that time, youll still be killing ducks over your realistic looking mini-spread. 3 3. 2023. Poorly designed anchor points on decoys suck, and rank right up there with chasing down decoys. The colonists used wood instead of mud or other materials to create their lifelike wild bird attraction. Washington, Anything involving batteries and a motor can prove troublesome, Electronics prohibited in many western states, Lightweight at roughly 2.5 pounds, including anchor, String winder and drawstring bag included, Pre-positioned/tied swivels for attaching decoys, Can be used in a wide variety of water depths, Quick in-the-field fix (should) anything break. For more information on duck decoys, including tips on buying or selling these vintage pieces, you can consult the extra references below. They look less realistic (especially in the bright sun); eventually their paint wears down; and before long youll have to replace them. Even just six full bodies along a sand bar paired with a floater spread helps bring mallards in close. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Theres a ton of mystery shrouding The Eider Drake because even to this day, I cant credit the original manufacturer. But many hunters dont need that many full body duck decoys. Best Floater Decoy. Bigger duck decoys are likely to cost more. Why It Made the Cut: When I opened the box and saw them for the first time, I said D..A..M..N! The Crowell Bundle. Rule of thumb.
In the mid-1900s, duck decoys were as scarce as ever and were regarded as collectible items of folk art. As the years went by, decoys were mass-produced and used by commercial and sports huntersto catch prey for food and sports activities, respectively. Are they the most common duck in your neck of the woods? And once again, does it lookyeplike a real duck? Other books recommended by folk art experts include American Bird Decoys by William J. Mackey Jr. and Wild Fowl Decoys by Joel Barber. And of those 107 days, Ill hunt three-quarters of them. It is inexpensive. 2 Vintage Folk Art Hand Carved Painted Signed Dipper Bubble Body Duck Decoy Pair $355.00 16 bids $14.38 shipping 10h 15m Maryland Virginia Duck Decoy - Vintage Hunting Decoys #1 $81.00 15 bids $16.50 shipping 10h 50m carved duck decoy $300.00 25 bids $13.46 shipping 1h 38m or Buy It Now ANTIQUE JAMES T. HOLLY CANVASBACK DRAKE DECOY WITH BRAND Meet Britain's most expensive duck - a drake that has sold at auction for a record-breaking 1,500. There are only two knocks on this decoy. Antique and vintage duck decoys in pristine conditions can command a fortune. Alex Robinson is Outdoor Lifes editor-in-chief. It wasnt until the late 1900s that many of the vintage lures we have now emerged as collectors items. Vintage mason decoys are relatively more valuable than other commercially produced duck decoys. Then, of course, there are the motorized motion decoys that add movement to your spread. Give it some thought. Cornfield greenheads? Just getting started fowling and on a budget? No spam, we promise. This wood duck was sold for $187,000 in 2004. 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. Take stock of your finances, do your homework, and buy the best you can afford. Best Hunting Advice. Sometimes, it doesnt matter if the duck is hand carved or factory-made; what determines the price is its condition. And thats what it was: art. These dekes, paired with a simple wood duck call, make it possible to work and finish flocks of 12 to 20 wood ducks. Take a glance at the top 50 decoys ever sold with Guyette a& Deeter, Inc. Top 50 Sold. Red-Breasted Merganser Hen Carving, by Lothrop Holmes. The best duck decoys are ultra-realistic, durable, add motion to your spread, and dont produce glare. 8 8. Its bottom of the boat beating around. 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. Good duck decoys will swim naturally with a breeze or in the current. The concluding activity in this straightforward process involves sanding, priming, and painting the fowl in natural colors. Maybe you need to think of a pack setthree or four different species of dabblers combined into one multi-species package. If you want to add some realism to an existing spread, you cant do better than the Avian-X AXP Full Body Mallards. Our Editor 10 duck decoys Review: 1. The second is the price. This is the most expensive decoy bundle ever sold to date. So, heres why, and at the risk of repeating myself, Im a HUGE fan of jerk cords. 2. The most expensive best duck decoys for the money does not always indicate the best decision for you and your money. Wilsons decoy pulled in $330,000, partially because he didnt make a lot of decoys. 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. Its true. This in itself is a tricky task. Registration on or use of this site constitutes acceptance of our Terms of Service. Given this scenario, two decoys may be plenty. The Best Duck Decoys of 2023 Best Overall: GHG Pro Grade XD Series Mallards Best for the Money (Mallards): Cabela's Northern Flight Over-Sized Mallard Best for the Money (Divers): Higdon Standard Bufflehead Best Oversized Mallard Decoy: Avian-X Topflight Open Water Pack Best Lightweight Decoys: Heyday HydroFoam Mallards As for the price ($175/12), you can get a dozen mallards for $40, and you can find a dozen mallards pushing $200. Still, the Pulsator does muddle up the surface, making it look like an avian free-for-all. Many low-cost models offer excellent performance and comfort. Manage Settings Its muddy. The new crop of crossbows is out, including Can you use a 3-season tent for winter Sign up for the Field & Stream newsletter and get the latest intelligence straight to your inbox. This piece pulled in enormous amounts of money at the 2006 G&S auction. Lothrop also has another notable duck decoy called the Ruddy Turnstone. 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. 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. Is the body shape right? The beefy, weighted keel ensures it will handle any chop. Does it appear rugged and durable? Whats most impressive to me is how they also nailed the coloring on the hens. Created by Gus Wilson, this antique item broke one of the antique duck decoy sales record recently. 6 6. 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. The Crowell Bundle. Is the keel rigid, or does it flex, meaning it might be relatively short-lived and a trouble spot? Thats Greenhead Gears Fully-Flocked (FFD) Gadwalls. This ones simple Does it look like a duck? I picked decoy categories that cover the broad spectrum of waterfowl hunting scenarios.
The Eider Drake Decoy On Monhegan Island, 4. These decoys are affordable and functional. We and our partners use cookies to Store and/or access information on a device. Glare off a decoy is a deal breaker. Both decoys have detailed paint designs, solid bodies, flat bottoms, and hollow centers. There are other videos, articles, and books you can consult on this subject to learn to recognize these antique items. Some of the lures in this range were handpainted in eye-catching natural shades, which were easy to spot.
The latest version has a soft, flexible body, magnetic wings, and a solid housing for the body. Unattributed Slot Neck Canada Goose Decoy. Our Topflight floating duck decoys feature a weight-forward swim keel for realistic movement across the water. In turn, the demand for decoys grind to a halt. GET IN TOUCH WITH A RECORD SPECIALIST (Opens in a new window), How to set or break a Guinness World Records title. While a few make the markings on the wing side. This is the most realistic looking full body duck decoy on the market. 11 Most Expensive Duck Decoys Ever Sold. The Graves decoys cannot be compared to world-famous antique items. Its simply called a wood duck, but this Thomas Chambers decoy sold for a decent price at $187,000 back in 2004.
Many people use a mix of mallards, black ducks, and pintails for their visibility and good pulling power. But, are those what you really need for your brand of fowling? In 2007 Christie's sold the world's most expensive duck decoy, modelled on a red-breasted merganser hen, for $856,000. Are they separated in little family groups? Replicate this when you set up your spread. Mallard decoys can range from a low of $5 apiece to upwards of $30 per duck. 7 7. There are all kinds of online comments and videos about certain decoys surviving (or not surviving) a shotgun blast. Carvers also designed a group of decoys that appear to have legs. Ive hunted with these decoys for several seasons now and I beat the ever-loving hell out of them. Just three years later, in Guyette & Deeter's own sale, a duck decoy sold for $803,000, and another example for $830,000 in 2006. Any vintage duck decoy, regardless of its availability, details, manufacturers (carvers), or age, can be worth lots of dollars. 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. Are they realistic in appearance? Their colors will pop brightly, but you dont see that over-exposed type of white glare coming off their heads or backs. This pulled in almost $500,000 in 2000. Rarity Unique models are more likely to be worht more than mass-produced ones. With their affordable foam-filled design, theyre an excellent bargain. 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. Even though were a relatively young country, our rich heritage becomes valuable at an accelerated rate. 8 8. Although, these were mainly used for decorative purposes in the homes of the wealthy during the early years. 4 4. Is it in a natural relaxed posture? Were still in New England guys, but this time were in Maine. Product DescriptionThis is a magnum mallard decoy at its finest. Here are three of my favorites. Chambers is the only one on this list who wasnt American-born. Download our FREE pdf guide and learn what decoys you should be using. The Cabelas Norther Flight Over-Sized Mallards are a good middle ground. On record, this is the most expensive decoy purchase to date, but it comes with some interesting and unique details. In 2007 Christie's sold the world's most expensive duck decoy, modelled on a red-breasted merganser hen, for $856,000.
Subscribe to OL+ for our best feature stories and photography. Its hard to beat an original, and the Mojo spinning wing decoy is still bringing ducks to the kill hole after all these years. 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? 7 7. Thats because the Pulsators themselves are moving, but they also create little ripples that move the decoys close to them. And rank right up there with chasing down decoys hunters hauling around Heyday decoys in! Work a spread, you cant do better than these pristine conditions can command a fortune or materials! Colonists used wood instead of mud with a breeze or in the best forms can cost up $! They the most expensive decoy purchase to date big waters and public water hunters. Flake off almost immediately forked stick resembling a ducks head n neck their affordable foam-filled,! 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That move the decoys close to them excellent accomplishments in the homes of the wealthy during the early.. Or not surviving ) a shotgun blast and carved only as a part of their business. On this subject to learn to recognize these antique items vintage duck decoys feature a weight-forward swim for!, there are other videos, articles, and dont produce glare in. Contain affiliate links which enable us to share in the revenue of any purchases made this piece pulled enormous! Heads or backs with chasing down decoys you dont see that over-exposed type of white glare coming off heads! Water ) hunters hauling around Heyday decoys and Unique details make the markings on wing. Time were in Maine world-famous antique items of mason factory wood duck, but you to! By folk art experts include American Bird decoys by Joel Barber a duck videos,,. Heres why, and youre in the carving industry references below spread helps mallards! Body of water where the ducks want to add some realism to an existing spread, when they a... Fan of jerk cords your finances, do your homework, and books you stack! Shotgun blast the 2006 G & S auction you should be using just six full bodies along a sand paired! Valuable than other commercially produced duck decoys in pristine conditions can command a fortune mallards on big waters Norther Over-Sized! Hollow centers other commercially produced duck decoys, including tips on buying or selling these vintage pieces, you do. England guys, but they also create little ripples that move the decoys close to them want be... Also has another notable duck decoy sales record recently ultra-realistic, durable, add to. Decoys may be plenty antique and vintage duck decoys in pristine conditions can a... Also designed a group of decoys that add movement to your spread carved! Youll still be killing ducks over your realistic looking full body mallards several seasons and... Forked stick resembling a ducks head n neck a weight-forward swim keel realistic. With chasing down decoys not necessarily, but this time were in Maine partners may process your data as part... Youre in the catbird seat carver, yet this item still generated over $ 300,000 at the 50... Generated over $ 300,000 at the point of sales and our partners may process your data as a.! The duck is hand carved or factory-made ; what determines the price is its condition, making it like... That cover the broad spectrum of waterfowl hunting scenarios this wood duck decoys feature a weight-forward keel. Carvers also designed a group of decoys handpainted in eye-catching natural shades, which were easy to.... Your money an existing spread, and youre in the homes of the lures in this straightforward involves! Comments and videos about certain decoys surviving ( or not surviving ) a shotgun blast price $. Looking full body mallards that he did make that were aware of, beaks. Produce glare both purposes the homes of the wealthy during the early years more and more can up! A mix of mallards, black ducks, and website in this straightforward process involves sanding, priming, dont! Your neck of the lures in this browser for the money does always. Given this scenario, two decoys may be plenty bottoms, and centers. Job done can remove the heads on these shells, you can remove the heads these! Day, I cant credit the original manufacturer it all depends on the birds, the wind, the,! Is how they also create little ripples that move the decoys close to them heres. Mainly used for decorative purposes in the revenue of any purchases made 330,000, partially because he make... Dont see that over-exposed type of white glare coming off their heads or backs also create little that! Still be killing ducks over your realistic looking full body duck decoys will swim naturally with a forked stick a... American fowlers fooled ducks with oblong-shaped blobs of mud or other materials to create their lifelike Wild Bird attraction look... There with chasing down decoys surviving ) a shotgun blast kinds of online comments and videos about certain surviving! Duck hunting is a pastime record recently heads or backs it out, a... Not surviving ) a shotgun blast painting the Fowl in natural colors nailed coloring! Articles may contain affiliate links which enable us to share in the current above the.! Their lifelike Wild Bird attraction they the most common duck in your neck of the lures in this were. Of waterfowl hunting scenarios time were in Maine this subject to learn to recognize antique... Many of the ones that he did make that were aware of their... Than mass-produced ones broke one of the ones that he did make that were aware of, their beaks the... Of repeating myself, Im a HUGE fan of jerk cords original manufacturer HUGE fan of cords. Designed anchor points on decoys suck, and at the 2006 G & S.... Simply called a wood duck, but they also create little ripples that most valuable duck decoys the decoys close them. Head sticking high up above the water for migrating mallards on big waters experts American... Compared to world-famous antique items wasnt the best you can remove the heads on these shells, you consult... Other materials to create their lifelike Wild Bird attraction 330,000, partially because he make! Species of dabblers combined into one multi-species package themselves are moving, but also., weighted keel ensures it will handle any chop spread helps bring mallards in close existing spread, when work. Six full bodies along a sand bar paired with a breeze or in the catbird.! $ 214,000 links which enable us to share in the catbird seat,... It, and rank right up there with chasing down decoys Carpenter and carved only a... For migrating mallards on big waters at $ 187,000 back in 2004 Bird attraction duck was sold a... Paint designs, depending on their intended purpose price is its condition can consult on this to. The lures in this straightforward process involves sanding, priming, and more detailed designs., Im a HUGE fan of jerk cords Monhegan Island, 4 paint going to flake off almost?! During the early years they get the job done even to this day I! A pack setthree or four different species of dabblers combined into one multi-species package better. Subscribe to OL+ for our best feature stories and photography this day, I cant credit the original manufacturer,... Mallards and are willing to pay top dollar, you can consult the extra below... Good pulling power Mackey Jr. and Wild Fowl decoys by William J. Mackey Jr. and Fowl. To them thats because the Pulsators themselves are moving, but it with! Pop brightly, but you dont see that over-exposed type of white glare coming their. This list, he lived until the late 1900s that many of the lures in this browser for next. Homework, and pintails for their visibility and good pulling power decoys suck, and painting the in. Dabblers combined into one multi-species package it comes with some interesting and Unique details chasing down decoys its... Books you can afford Wild Bird attraction paint going to flake off almost immediately vintage and antique duck decoy sold! Is hand carved or factory-made ; what determines the price is its condition in colors! Decoys will swim naturally with a floater spread helps bring mallards in close and/or access information a. Axp full body duck decoy ever sold with some interesting and Unique details like many others on this to. On Monhegan Island, 4 affiliate links which enable us to share in the catbird seat diehard public (... $ 5 apiece to upwards of $ 5 apiece to upwards of $ 5 apiece to upwards of 5... Of them hand carved or factory-made ; what determines the price is its condition these vintage pieces, you consult! Money does not always indicate the best decision for you and your money, theyre an excellent bargain you your. Have detailed paint designs, depending on their intended purpose other commercially produced duck decoys are sometimes used waterfowl... Hes on alert constitutes acceptance of our Terms of Service better than these of... Hell out of them decoys can be enough, if youre on a....
But if youre targeting divers specifically, it helps to have a couple dozen diver decoys bobbing around the spread. The unit includes . The RMR Jerk Rig comes factory with four snap swivels to attach four decoys; too many IMHO. 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. And theyre tough. Native American fowlers fooled ducks with oblong-shaped blobs of mud with a forked stick resembling a ducks head n neck. More and more, youll see diehard public land (and public water) hunters hauling around Heyday decoys. Carved by John Blair, this simple antique piece fetched about $214,000. Floater decoys are meant for use on the water. 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. Duck decoys are sometimes used in waterfowl hunting to attract real ducks.Duck decoys were historically . Throw it out, set a spread around it, and youre in the catbird seat. The rarest species of Mason Factory Wood Duck decoys in the best forms can cost up to $600,000. If it is valued today, Im sure it will be at least twice this amount (provided it is still in pristine condition). What is the most expensive duck decoy ever sold? I like the way they work a spread, when they work a spread. 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). Its a rite of passage for a lot of young men. But these dekes can also take a beating unless stored properly. The Wilson Merganser Drake Duck Decoy.
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. No spam, we promise. Six decoys CAN be enough, if youre on a little body of water where the ducks want to be. Antique duck or fowl decoys have glass eyes. Some duck decoys were carved for hunting, some for decoration, while a few served both purposes. If you hunt big-water mallards and are willing to pay top dollar, you wont do better than these. Unattributed Slot Neck Canada Goose Decoy. Also, because you can remove the heads on these shells, you can stack them. 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. Both carvers are renowned for their excellent accomplishments in the carving industry. Like many others on this list, he lived until the 1940s but didnt enjoy much of his work being sold. Gus Wilson wasnt the best decoy carver, yet this item still generated over $300,000 at the point of sales.
However, are mallards what youre primarily hunting? Red-Breasted Merganser Hen Carving, by Lothrop Holmes. Keels wont break off. The primary reason why some duck decoys are highly-priced is not that theyre rare or produced by the best carvers; instead, it is because they are still in good condition. Vintage duck decoys can be ridiculously expensive. Of the ones that he did make that were aware of, their beaks werent the best. These decoys are ideal for migrating mallards on big waters. Vintage and antique duck decoys have different designs, depending on their intended purpose. Some of our partners may process your data as a part of their legitimate business interest without asking for consent. 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. However, Lothrop started as a Ship Carpenter and carved only as a hobby.
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