Some can take it; some cant, but its definitely worth a close eyeball. This in itself is a tricky task. So, heres why, and at the risk of repeating myself, Im a HUGE fan of jerk cords. Theres not a ton of information available on Brant. 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 nice is I can use the jerk cord rigged with these smaller decoys in four to five inches of sheet water with no problem. they work incredibly well for putting ripples and waves, i.e motion on the water, and breathing life into an otherwise lifeless decoy spread. '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 . . Top 50 Decoys Ever Sold at Auction. Head and bill positions. A rare swan decoy made by Charles Birch sold for $186,500 in a 2011 Guyette & Schmidt, Inc. auction. This piece is shrouded in a tone of mystery. They get bounced around in boats and truck beds and garage floors. Articles may contain affiliate links which enable us to share in the revenue of any purchases made. Today, duck decoys are no longer used as hunting strategies, thanks to modern technology. I want them to look as real as possible. 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. Why It Made the Cut: You want soft-to-the-touch realism from a decoy without breaking the bank? Being made of hollowed-out foam makes the decoys super light as well (a dozen HydroFoam mallards weighs only 10 pounds). The Eider Drake Decoy On Monhegan Island. Alex Robinson is Outdoor Lifes editor-in-chief. What is the most valuable duck decoy? What you hunt and where you hunt those birds play a major role in what you buy and how many. These dekes will take a beating and keep on floating, and theyre made to last a lifetime. Learn More . Most vintage duck decoys do not have identifiable markings. The mason decoys were carved from white cedar, lathe patterned, and took pleasing shapes. Like many others on this list, he lived until the 1940s but didnt enjoy much of his work being sold. They wont become brittle when the bottom falls out of the thermometer. The Wilson Merganser Drake Duck Decoy. For practice, you can attend decoy auctions, and hunting shows to get on-hand experience. Lothrop also has another notable duck decoy called the Ruddy Turnstone. Unlike other carvers on this list, Chambers was born in Ontario, Canada. Not all of Blairs pieces are worth this much. Because most duck decoys of merit were made in the 1830s to the 1880s, documentation (especially for a hobby) was largely unavailable. Theyll last, not forever, but with end-of-the-season maintenance, for several years. Crowell put so much detail into these decoys, that they were picked up by the Fine Arts of Boston (though the timeline is unclear). Bert Graves was a more recent carver than Crowell or Holmes because he made his last decoy in 1956. 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. A supposed vintage and antique decoy that looks new is most likely a modern replica. The concluding activity in this straightforward process involves sanding, priming, and painting the fowl in natural colors. They were carved sometime around 1915-1917, shortly after he began carving and have held their aesthetics and shape for over a century. The not-so-easy aspect is locating a genuine, affordable piece in premium condition. 2 2. 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. . Recent research points to a man by the name of Eben Weed being the original creator of this decoy, but some of the evidence is inconclusive. There are all kinds of online comments and videos about certain decoys surviving (or not surviving) a shotgun blast. I want a variety of body postures per dozen. Crowell has been the only one to fetch over a million for a decoy purchase, but that was a pair even then. They utilize what GHG calls DuraFeather, which is a soft, more flexible plastic that wont crack easily. This antique drake decoy cost this much because it still possessed its original beak. The original carver of the work is unknown, and all indications point out that no one will ever find out. Paint scheme isnt your cup o tea? The 750 gallon-per-hour bilge pump at the heart of the Pulsator is powered by a 12V lithium ion battery, which, says Higdon, will provide up to seven hours of service, and, whats better, will recharge in 180 minutes. BUT, and its a big BUT, they dont right themselves. 3 3. '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 . '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. He was renowned for his artistic vintage decoys that featured multiple intricate details. 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). To date, hes reined in close to seven figures from beyond the grave in duck decoy auction sales. This is a foam-filled, one-piece decoy with a seven-hour run time. Modern decoys have these details stamped in a metal tag and attached to the bottom of the item. This wooden hen sold for an insane $856,000 and held a record as the most expensive decoy sale for quite some time. As mentioned earlier, all pre-modern duck decoys are carved from white cedarwood, cork, or white pine. Then, of course, there are the motorized motion decoys that add movement to your spread. 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. He made one of the most realistic goose decoys out there, showing a Canada goose in mid-motion that really makes it look like theyre scurrying along the water while the decoy bobs. In 2007 Christie's sold the world's most expensive duck decoy, modelled on a red-breasted merganser hen, for $856,000. The guy we all know and hate. the effectiveness of flats/skinnies on ducks. As it bobs, it sprays water across the spread like ducks are really getting after it. Any vintage duck decoy, regardless of its availability, details, manufacturers (carvers), or age, can be worth lots of dollars. Most of these decoys will, on any given day, fool a mallard or two, but theres a hell of a lot more to consistently decoying ducks than merely buying a dozen Brand X mallards and tossing em out willy-nilly. They wont crack or immediately fade. Holmes spent his time as a ships carpenter for years, which allowed him to grow his proficiency in woodworking. Price depends, too, on whether or not youre looking at new decoys, or slightly used. Chambers is the only one on this list who wasnt American-born. 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. Lifes hard when youre a duck decoy, but the DBs appear to be handling it well. Whats the Difference Between Vintage And Antique ? Hence the reason why most of them are sold for $100 or less. 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. "DU made a fat pile of . No spam, we promise. Think M1A1 Abrams tank tough, and youre starting to appreciate Tanglefrees divers. That means they will take up less space in a decoy bag and youll be able to load your spread into a truck instead of needing a trailer. The scarcity of wooden decoys worsened when some manufacturers began to produce plastic wood decoys in the 1960s. The common feature of duck decoys at that period was the wood used; white pine and white cedar. (here is another example of their work) There is limited information on Brant. Though as low as $80 and as high as $150 is common. Translation? Oh, I have to have four or five dozen divers, minimum. 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. A lot of other wood duck decoys have the drakes head sticking high up above the water, like hes on alert. 5 5. 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. Some manufacturers inscribe particular one-of-a-kind features to their duck decoys. 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. My wife would say I have a duck decoy collection problem, but I contend its only a problem if youre trying to solve it, which I am not. And thats what it was: art. These decoys look killer. 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. There are a lot of companies producing duck decoys nowadays. GLOWYE Duck Decoy Realistic Plastic Floating Duck for Hunting Decoy Garden Decor Pond Decorations Holiday Decoration Mallard Decoy Goose Decoy Features : Extremely RealisticDuck decoy fine workmanship, the feather texture is carefully carved, and it floats on the water like real life. The Wilson Merganser Drake Duck Decoy. Some makers are more renowned and talented than others. These decoys will allow you to build field spread without breaking the bank. For a full list of record titles, please use our Record Application Search. 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. Maybe someday. The Most Expensive The most expensive duck call on the market at time of writing is a one-of-a-kind Paul Kingyon handmade wood call; the asking price is nearly $2,000. Rule of thumb. 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. The Duck Decoy is a less common antique object with a broad and exciting history. 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. 11 Most Expensive Duck Decoys Ever Sold. Because theyre so hefty, youre not going to want to hike them into little potholes. These decoys are affordable and functional. Unlike my buddy Gifford, I do not always keep my decoys in a slotted bag. Maybe you need to think of a pack setthree or four different species of dabblers combined into one multi-species package. Are they spread out loafing? Why It Made the Cut: When I opened the box and saw them for the first time, I said D..A..M..N! These decoys are ideal for migrating mallards on big waters. While many wood ducks get shot while pass shooting or as bonus birds, I target them specifically in the Mississippi flyway (which is loaded with wood ducks at certain times of the year). Both pieces were created between 1915 and 1917. They get rained on and covered in snow and ice. The hens have no damage whatsoever. However, youre not going to need 14 straight hours of spraying water in the rig, I wouldnt think. John Blair was a PA native and spent most of his time outdoors when he wasnt carving duck decoys. Here, decoys numbers equal what youre hunting, and where. Bottom line I want them to look like ducks. Thats Greenhead Gears Fully-Flocked (FFD) Gadwalls. Antique Duck decoys are as valuable as many other vintage and antique items. All rights reserved. Constructed of tough corrugated plastic material Think political signs! Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. It is inexpensive. 5 5. They get bounced around the bottom of boats and in decoy bags. Real, live ducks. 1 1. Dac Collins. The Dr. Peter J. Muller Jr. Collection of American Bird Decoys was sold by Copley Fine Art Auctions in Massachusetts. On a sunny day ducks will spot it from long distance and avoid your spread, because it doesnt look natural. First, the mounting spots on the keel are not complete holes. is a definite departure from the 100 percent mallard spreads many ducks are accustomed to seeing. But now theres a wide variety of motion decoys available. 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. The legendary Lothrop Holmes carved this piece. And so it goes from there, but its a good thing, really. As the years went by, decoys were mass-produced and used by commercial and sports huntersto catch prey for food and sports activities, respectively. 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. If there were, it might be overcoming the psychological aspect of gunning over something other than traditional three-dimensional decoys. 7 7. Most duck hunters start with a dozen, maybe two. Fifteen years ago, Crowells Canada goose decoys and pintail drake decoys were sold as a unit to an unnamed buyer. 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. In these events, youll be opportune to inspect subtle features put in by antique carvers. I like the way they work a spread, when they work a spread. I take care of my gear I really do but I dont baby it. Tanglefrees Flight Canvasback are all that, and more. Joe Lincoln painted decoys well into his 70s and remains an underdog in the decoy world. The Eider Drake Decoy on Monhegan Island. Professional and expert collectors find it easy to identify markings and details on duck decoys because theyve had years to study these vintage items. This version from Avery is a standby for many veteran waterfowlers. The real downside here is that in high wind (often when the duck hunting can be very good) any type of shells on a stake will bob or spin frantically. You can buy jackets,, Your email address will not be published. The Crowell Bundle. The Wilson Merganser Drake Duck Decoy. These are hunks of plastic that are going to be abused. Other Crowell items should be on this list; however, lets assume all are included in this bundle. Also, the body positions are very accurate and lifelike. Think you enjoy this fowling gig? Rare Mason Brant Decoy by Auctioneers, Inc. Est: $0- $0. Does this make them more usable or viable than inexpensive, brand-new models? The Crowell Bundle. This was an auction record for the carver's pieces 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. 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. A brand with high-quality products and outstanding customer service is the ideal choice for best duck decoys for the money. Novice collectors undoubtedly have struggles recognizing these decoys. While its nothing compared to Crowell, Madoffs decoy sold $4,750 at auction. Those will work!. 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. Ah, now its time to dust off the silhouettes and the full-bodies. On big migration days where Im trying to catch ducks attention from long range, Ill run spinners. And finally, theres the price. 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 These are large, full-body decoys that look amazing in the field. 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. 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 valuable duck decoy? $250 5 Bids. 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. It was one of the largest amounts of money they made at their 2006 auction. I dont want my decoys to look like blobs of mud. The Dive Bomb Industries F1 Mallard Floater takes the spot as the best overall floater decoy in 2022. A full list of record titles, please use our record Application.! Plastic that are going to need 14 straight hours of spraying water in the revenue of any purchases made rained! 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