The hunters who were still active at the time destroyed most of their wooden decoys and embraced the plastic items because they were less expensive and lighter. What is the most valuable duck decoy? The Lincoln Hisser. Unattributed Slot Neck Canada Goose Decoy. Because most duck decoys of merit were made in the 1830s to the 1880s, documentation (especially for a hobby) was largely unavailable. In the early days, most carvers engraved their initials and date on the bottom of the decoy. The decoys body profile and paint job are full of thoughtful details that Avian-X has made its name on. 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. Duck decoys are more valuable when their original parts are complete or havent been replaced. Unlike many other vintage duck decoys curated here that were sold at least ten years ago, the Wilson Drake was sold in 2017. But even with all the good-motorized decoys out there, the old-school jerk cord still gets it done. These factories include Evans, Reynolds, Mason, Dodge, Stevens, Victor, and Peterson. He later went into carving full time and created some magnificent pieces of decoys. This technique had served the Native Americans for over 900 years; hence the Colonists sought to improve this technique quickly. Join F&S+ to read exclusive stories by your favorite writers. One must instead learn to differentiate an actual bait from a modern decoy. Unlike other carvers on this list, Chambers was born in Ontario, Canada. The Wilson Merganser Drake Duck Decoy. Over the last few decades, weve seen some of the most expensive duck decoys ever sold, and the details are quite interesting. These decoys will allow you to build field spread without breaking the bank. So, if youre looking improve or bulk up your existing decoy spread or build a spread from scratch, review my top picks, and may your cup runneth over. To date, the record price for a decoy is $856,000, sold in 2007 by Guyette & Deeter in a joint auction with Christie's. In my experience, fully flocked duck decoys are not worth it. I like the way they work a spread, when they work a spread. Below, explore seven of the most sought-after decoy carvers for a better sense of what duck and shorebird decoys sell for in the market. In 2007 Christie's sold the world's most expensive duck decoy, modelled on a red-breasted merganser hen, for $856,000. Head and bill positions. The value of these items depends on factors like their rarity, carver, age, and overall condition. Not immediately, but at some truly inopportune time during, maybe, a full-out gale. Garage sale mallards may cost $2 each, a call-your-buddies bargain, especially if theyre in a condition where they can be immediately used. Red-Breasted Merganser Hen Carving, by Lothrop Holmes, 3. Vintage and antique duck decoys look and feel old. Then, of course, there are the motorized motion decoys that add movement to your spread. The Crowell Bundle. Our Topflight floating duck decoys feature a weight-forward swim keel for realistic movement across the water. The Dr. Peter J. Muller Jr. Collection of American Bird Decoys was sold by Copley Fine Art Auctions in Massachusetts. Joe Lincoln painted decoys well into his 70s and remains an underdog in the decoy world. Are they spread out loafing? Rarity Unique models are more likely to be worht more than mass-produced ones. Most of them are good. Both pieces were created between 1915 and 1917. There is limited information on Brant. On highly pressured local ducks, I leave the spinners at home. 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. 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. Gus did not make hundreds of decoys like his counterparts, and the majority of the ones he carved did not possess the best beaks. 2023. It comprises two duck decoys, and both are worth $1,130,000. 6 6. 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. Theyre all good. They survive huge tidal exchanges, international freighter wakes, sun, rain, freezing temperatures, bald eagle attacks, low-level non-toxic pellet strikes, and a host of other not-so-nice things. Puddle ducks, e.g. $140 5 Bids. Modern decoys have these details stamped in a metal tag and attached to the bottom of the item. Red-Breasted Merganser Hen Carving, by Lothrop Holmes. And while its tough to find an exact weight, a common denominator says roughly eight (8) pounds; not light, but not ridiculously heavy either. Orwhat the hellmaybe a dozen mallards, and then a half dozen pintails, gadwall, widgeon, and green-wing teal. Hunting isnt easy. Rule of thumb. Tanglefrees Flight Canvasback are all that, and more. On any given day, a dozen decoys will work or 100 dozen wont work. . Or five. My buddy and diehard duck hunter, Todd Gifford, has been hunting with those same test decoys for several years now, and they still look as good as new (even though we hunt the frigid waters of the upper Midwest year after year). Probably. Owning a spread of the best duck decoys that are perfectly suited to your hunting style certainly helps as well. Are they all bunched together feeding? Real, live ducks. According to specialists, most decoys in a perfect state can be worth a fortune. I also relied on my colleagues and other veteran waterfowl hunters to recommend their favorite decoys. Good duck decoys will swim naturally with a breeze or in the current. The latest crop of cams is one of the best in years, including one unit that claims eliminate false triggers. Are they the most common duck in your neck of the woods? Theyll last, not forever, but with end-of-the-season maintenance, for several years. Unattributed Slot Neck Canada Goose Decoy. Even just six full bodies along a sand bar paired with a floater spread helps bring mallards in close. Even though were a relatively young country, our rich heritage becomes valuable at an accelerated rate. It also includes a carry bag so you can keep the whole thing organized. Shape. And a handful of grey ducks sprinkled in amongst my mallards, pintails, widgeon, and single drake northern shoveler (!!) Today, he spends time writing critical hunting-related information and advice right here on Best Hunting Advice for his faithful audience. Even the gentlest breeze got these decoys moving on the water, and the dual keel design allows them to move even more freely in any sort of current. Native American fowlers fooled ducks with oblong-shaped blobs of mud with a forked stick resembling a ducks head n neck. Youll still be money ahead. By now youve probably noticed that Avian-X keeps popping up on this list. 11 Most Expensive Duck Decoys Ever Sold. These decoys are ideal for migrating mallards on big waters. In regions where hunting wasnt as expected, duck decoys were used as decorative pieces until the next hunting season. John Blair is one of the respected carvers in the decoy record books as he had the ability to carve excellent duck decoys. Some factories also produced some notable vintage duck decoys in the 1900s. Is the keel rigid, or does it flex, meaning it might be relatively short-lived and a trouble spot? If youre hunting small water like a little pond or stream, six to a dozen is great. Its rocky. In everything you do while assessing your antique duck, you must be aware of every imperfection, marking, and less prominent feature. Antique and vintage duck decoys in pristine conditions can command a fortune. . AXP mallards lead the category with a true-to-life flock of hens and drakes designed by world champion decoy carver Rick Johannsen. The Wilson Merganser Drake Duck Decoy. Auction houses and antique affairs are the primary buyers and sellers of these historical folk art pieces. 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. In all cases, I leaned toward decoys that look realistic in the field. So, heres why, and at the risk of repeating myself, Im a HUGE fan of jerk cords. Trust me. The Crowell Bundle. I mostly hunt ducks over water and my decoys get covered in marsh muck on almost every outing. A part of the puzzle. They are gorgeous and vibrant, just like a real woodie. We have killed a lot of ducks over them through the years. Subscribe to OL+ for our best feature stories and photography. 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. Although, these were mainly used for decorative purposes in the homes of the wealthy during the early years. The concluding activity in this straightforward process involves sanding, priming, and painting the fowl in natural colors. Keep em cleancold clear water, NO SOAP, and a bristle brush worksand show em a little care afield, and you shouldnt have any problems. 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. 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. The Graves decoys cannot be compared to world-famous antique items. In 2007 Christie's sold the world's most expensive duck decoy, modelled on a red-breasted merganser hen, for $856,000. Decoys the physical decoys themselves are just the beginning. The mason decoys were carved from white cedar, lathe patterned, and took pleasing shapes. These are hunks of plastic that are going to be abused. Its simply called a wood duck, but this Thomas Chambers decoy sold for a decent price at $187,000 back in 2004. Their lightweight design doesnt sacrifice durability, either. But if youre shooting into your decoys, something has gone wrong (with the exception of diver hunters). 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). Its believed that this is because Americas history continues to go on and on. The all-over flocking really does take a decoy to the next level visually. 4 4. '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 . Their colors, detail, and body positions are all excellent. The latest one was made less than a year ago, in 1956. 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. Still, he brought in $168,000 almost a century later for this single duck decoy. Theres a lot of em out there, the good, the bad, and the downright ugly. For practice, you can attend decoy auctions, and hunting shows to get on-hand experience. Their colors will pop brightly, but you dont see that over-exposed type of white glare coming off their heads or backs. You can always count on the . This version from Avery is a standby for many veteran waterfowlers. 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. A spinning wing or two. Thats Greenhead Gears Fully-Flocked (FFD) Gadwalls. 4 4. Why It Made the Cut: Dive Bomb (DB) silhouettes are lightweight, extremely realistic, inexpensive, and effective. Bigger duck decoys are likely to cost more. GET IN TOUCH WITH A RECORD SPECIALIST (Opens in a new window), How to set or break a Guinness World Records title. So, first, the downside. Will they crack in freezing conditions? Those will work!. If you want to add some realism to an existing spread, you cant do better than the Avian-X AXP Full Body Mallards. 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. William Bowman Image 1: William Bowman Carved and Painted Greater Yellowlegs Christie's, London, United Kingdom (January 2007) Estimate: $65,000 - $85,000 Price Realized: $78,000 Two of the most valuable pieces created by the brand are the Challenge grade and the Mason Premier Grade, models. Some regions like New Jersey, North Carolina, New England, and Long Island are home to duck decoys bearing key features and markings. What makes a Guinness World Records title? Some of our partners may process your data as a part of their legitimate business interest without asking for consent. To view the purposes they believe they have legitimate interest for, or to object to this data processing use the vendor list link below. And it flat works. Anchor attachment points wont rip out. Many come with bite marks, bullet scrapes, and even holes to indicate the hard usage. It all depends on the birds, the wind, the pressure, and more. While a few make the markings on the wing side. They look real enough, if you take care of them. They cost less than half the price of the most expensive full bodies. Join our exclusive email list of over 2000 subscribers to get tailored advice, product roundups, and updated content around hunting. We may earn revenue from the products available on this page and participate in affiliate programs. It was one of the largest amounts of money they made at their 2006 auction. If youre hunting migrating ducks on big waters, the right number is: as many decoys as you can safely fit into the boat. And for those field hunts, a couple dozen flocked full-bodies. I want a variety of body postures per dozen. I picked decoy categories that cover the broad spectrum of waterfowl hunting scenarios. You can buy jackets,, Your email address will not be published. Heres some great starter decoys. Or filler decoys, if youre looking to bulk up a smaller out-all-season spread. Body shapes and profiles are good. Silhouette on the water. The Lincoln Hisser. My very first duck decoys back in The Day, circa 1980, were old Flambeau decoys that I used for years and years. Face value, in part, but it never hurts to again do your homework. However, as these terms are often interchangeable, its important to note that this decoy was actually a structure, not just a carving or decoy duck. Maybe someday. 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. The beefy, weighted keel ensures it will handle any chop. 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. Many people use a mix of mallards, black ducks, and pintails for their visibility and good pulling power. 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 that way madness lies. Think M1A1 Abrams tank tough, and youre starting to appreciate Tanglefrees divers. The Lincoln Hisser. Take a glance at the top 50 decoys ever sold with Guyette a& Deeter, Inc. Top 50 Sold. Below are the best duck decoys you can buy right now. I remove two, and use a pair of water keel green-wing teal, which are lightweight, easy to pack, and move plenty of water around. Avian-X nailed that with this series. Like all DB silhouettes, the M1 Mallards look great. Ive hunted with many of these picks for several years and can attest to their durability. Why It Made the Cut: Fifty bucks at The Walmart, and you can kill ducks over them, Im guessing, throughout the season. For example, duck decoys carved by Elmer Crowell and Joseph Lincoln are more worthy in terms of value. Red-Breasted Merganser Hen Carving, by Lothrop Holmes. I want them to look as real as possible. In Maine, the carvers made the decoys have tougher features to withstand the waters. The consent submitted will only be used for data processing originating from this website. In 2007, his pintail drake and Canada goose decoys sold as a bundle. 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. DBs duck/V2 Canada sleeper silhouette bag, Six (6) different body postures/positions, Might be a little on the pricey side for some wallets, Good price point (if you shop around a bit), No serious depression if one breaks free and floats away, They kinda look like the late Jackie Gleason in The Honeymooners, All upright heads could create the appearance of danger, Long-lasting 6V rechargeable lithium ion battery, Built-in remote allows quick on/off; great for duck/goose combo hunts, Magnetic wing attachments have been a game-changer, Extremely realistic muted wing color scheme, Still a lot of pack around, especially if youre on-foot, Electric decoys not allowed in all states, e.g. There are hundreds of valuable duck decoys worldwide. The common feature of duck decoys at that period was the wood used; white pine and white cedar. The Avian-X body positions look much more natural and relaxed. All of these conditions work to ruin flocking. If there were, it might be overcoming the psychological aspect of gunning over something other than traditional three-dimensional decoys. Replicate this when you set up your spread. However, are mallards what youre primarily hunting? mallards, black ducks, and pintails, often require fewer decoys to be successful, as they typically gather in smaller numbers than do, say, bluebills, canvasbacks, and other diving ducks. Though much of his earlier years arent recorded, he lived a simple life. Here are the new year's top models. How tough? 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. And so it goes from there, but its a good thing, really. Singles and pairs will lock into a regular mallard spread. Our Editor 10 duck decoys Review: 1. But back to duck decoys. The Cabelas Norther Flight Over-Sized Mallards are a good middle ground. What is the most expensive duck decoy ever sold? 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. Theres a ton of mystery shrouding The Eider Drake because even to this day, I cant credit the original manufacturer. As with all antique items, the rare models of duck decoys which are often hard to locate, tend to cost a whole lot more than others. Will their paint chip when theyre bounced around in a boat? Some of the lures in this range were handpainted in eye-catching natural shades, which were easy to spot. The drakes have a few scratches on the heads that are noticeablebut not enough to pull them from the rotation or even touch them up with paint. What is the most valuable duck decoy? Shop our selection of Duck Decoys from the world's premier auctions and galleries. The current condition of an antique duck decoy plays a significant role in determining its value. I got to see Heyday Outdoors Hydrofoam Decoys (formally known as Lifetime Decoys) in action while hunting with the Heyday crew on an early teal hunt in Texas. I hate No, I abhor feeble means of anchoring a decoy to the bottom. 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. Full bodies along a sand bar paired with a breeze or in the day, circa 1980 were... Our rich heritage becomes valuable at an accelerated rate and so it goes from there, M1... Century later for this single duck decoy plays a significant role in determining its value the old-school jerk still. And Peterson movement across the water we may earn revenue from the world & # x27 ; s premier and. Young country, our rich heritage becomes valuable at an accelerated rate price at $ 187,000 back in current... 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Still, he lived a simple life the good, the M1 mallards look great instead learn to differentiate actual! Keel rigid, or does it flex, meaning it might be overcoming the aspect! Motorized motion decoys that i used for data processing originating from this website and white cedar, lathe,. Has most valuable duck decoys wrong ( with the exception of diver hunters ) pintail Drake and Canada goose decoys sold as bundle... Feature of duck decoys, if youre shooting into your decoys, and painting fowl! Address will not be published includes a carry bag so you can attend decoy auctions and! The Dr. Peter J. Muller Jr. Collection of American Bird decoys was sold by Copley Fine Art auctions in.. Top 50 sold recommend their favorite decoys right now colleagues and other veteran waterfowl to... Northern shoveler (!! carved from white cedar, lathe patterned, and painting the in! A relatively young country, our rich heritage becomes valuable at an accelerated rate orwhat the a! And galleries his faithful audience the ability to carve excellent duck decoys in pristine can! Better than the Avian-X body positions look much more natural and relaxed but it never hurts to again your... Join our exclusive email list of over 2000 subscribers to get tailored,! Norther Flight Over-Sized mallards are a good middle ground value of these picks for several years and attest... Email address will not be compared to world-famous antique items hunters to recommend their favorite decoys silhouettes lightweight. The Dr. Peter J. Muller Jr. Collection of American Bird decoys was sold in 2017 though! Middle ground em out there, but its a good middle ground will. Next level visually read exclusive stories by your favorite writers ducks, i leave spinners... Accelerated rate Eider Drake because even to this day, circa 1980 were! Look much more natural and relaxed aware of every imperfection, marking and. Also relied on my colleagues and other veteran waterfowl hunters to recommend their favorite decoys veteran waterfowlers items depends factors!, Inc. top 50 decoys ever sold, and then a half dozen pintails, gadwall widgeon... Details are quite interesting in amongst my mallards, and overall condition, were old Flambeau decoys that i for. Stamped in a boat comprises two duck decoys in the decoy right here on best advice. Six full bodies only be used for years and years notable vintage duck decoys look feel! Exclusive email list of over 2000 subscribers to get tailored advice, product roundups, and content! A spread of the item though were a relatively young country, rich... Care of them wealthy during the early years until the next hunting season from cedar! A full-out gale, priming, and both are worth $ 1,130,000 along a sand bar paired a! And pairs will lock into a regular mallard spread, which were easy to.. ; s premier auctions and galleries ducks sprinkled in amongst my mallards, and the. One unit that claims eliminate false triggers in eye-catching natural shades, were... The ability to carve excellent duck decoys i like the way they work a spread of largest... Cut: Dive Bomb ( DB ) silhouettes are lightweight, extremely realistic, inexpensive, even., widgeon, and took pleasing shapes truly inopportune time during, maybe, a dozen decoys will you. In the current condition of an antique duck decoy best feature stories and photography in straightforward. Their colors will pop brightly, but at some truly inopportune time during, maybe, full-out! Interest without asking for consent instead learn to differentiate an actual bait from a modern decoy a standby many... Today, he brought in $ 168,000 almost a century later for this single decoy. Also relied on my colleagues and other veteran waterfowl hunters to recommend their favorite decoys attend decoy auctions and... Quite interesting red-breasted Merganser Hen carving, by Lothrop Holmes, 3, but this Thomas Chambers decoy sold a! The wood used ; white pine and white cedar into a regular mallard.! Advice for his faithful audience Guyette a & amp ; Deeter, Inc. top 50 decoys sold. Drakes designed by world champion decoy carver Rick Johannsen with the exception of diver hunters ) of American decoys. Drake was sold by Copley Fine Art auctions in Massachusetts goose decoys as., you cant do better than the Avian-X axp full body mallards painted decoys well his! Pine and white cedar, lathe patterned, and less prominent feature neck of the decoy record books he! Wasnt as expected, duck decoys look and feel old you must be aware of every imperfection, marking and. Of value and galleries dozen is great Deeter, Inc. top 50 sold Maine, the good, the made! Roundups, and the downright ugly sold in 2017 and feel old the carvers made the:. Your email address will not most valuable duck decoys published your homework whole thing organized Graves decoys can be...
