Join F&S+ to read exclusive stories by your favorite writers. While Im sure there are guys out there Tony Vandemore/Habitat Flats who put their decoys through a hell of a lot worse on a daily basis than I do, I currently live in Washington state, where we enjoy a 107-day duck season. They were carved sometime around 1915-1917, shortly after he began carving and have held their aesthetics and shape for over a century. Theyre simple. This version from Avery is a standby for many veteran waterfowlers. Other carvers worthy of note include Charles and Edna Perder, the Ward Brothers of Maryland, and Ken Agner. They get bounced around the bottom of boats and in decoy bags. They look real enough, if you take care of them. This technique helped families during the civil war to catch prey for feeding. There are all kinds of online comments and videos about certain decoys surviving (or not surviving) a shotgun blast. Our Editor 10 duck decoys Review: 1. Can you easily and securely attach an anchor line clip to the keel? For practice, you can attend decoy auctions, and hunting shows to get on-hand experience. These dekes, paired with a simple wood duck call, make it possible to work and finish flocks of 12 to 20 wood ducks. Is it in a natural relaxed posture? The latest one was made less than a year ago, in 1956. They get rained on and covered in snow and ice. Guyette of Guyette and Deeter auctions once explained that about 90% of the available antique duck decoys had been repainted or renailed. The Duck Decoy is a less common antique object with a broad and exciting history. Paint adhesion, or how well the paint sticks to the plastic used to make the decoy, is a HUGE deal. The Cabelas Norther Flight Over-Sized Mallards are a good middle ground. 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 How many seasons will they last? The latest crop of cams is one of the best in years, including one unit that claims eliminate false triggers. AXP mallards lead the category with a true-to-life flock of hens and drakes designed by world champion decoy carver Rick Johannsen. Instead of hollow plastic, they are made entirely of EVA foam, which is the same material Crocs are made from. the effectiveness of flats/skinnies on ducks. Red-Breasted Merganser Hen Carving, by Lothrop Holmes. Learn more . But many hunters dont need that many full body duck decoys. Why It Made the Cut: You want soft-to-the-touch realism from a decoy without breaking the bank? While its nothing compared to Crowell, Madoffs decoy sold $4,750 at auction. Unattributed Slot Neck Canada Goose Decoy. These are large, full-body decoys that look amazing in the field. Size. Poorly designed anchor points on decoys suck, and rank right up there with chasing down decoys. Post author: Post published: October 5, 2022 Post category: high temp wood stove paint Post comments: pre built log cabins for sale in alaska pre built log cabins for sale in alaska 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. If you hunt big-water mallards and are willing to pay top dollar, you wont do better than these. The paint scheme should also look realistic in a variety of light conditions. They utilize what GHG calls DuraFeather, which is a soft, more flexible plastic that wont crack easily. And it flat works. The only problem is that theyre very expensive. We and our partners use cookies to Store and/or access information on a device. This isnt fine china. Crowell has been the only one to fetch over a million for a decoy purchase, but that was a pair even then. Add another six each year and soon youll have a nice-sized spread of solid decoys. Or five. What is the most expensive duck decoy ever sold? Antiques that have been altered, repaired, or have missing parts often cost less than the original piece. Do you really need wood duck decoys? Duck decoys do not and cannot have a fixed price. 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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 current condition of an antique duck decoy plays a significant role in determining its value. Duck hunting is hard work, and its expensive. He began carving vintage and selling his decoys in 1912, up until his passing in 1952, and as we all know, dead artists can make a ton of money. Its like having a piece of history, from your favorite thing, sitting right on a shelf somewhere. Add up the cost of the best duck hunting shotguns, the best duck hunting waders, and throw in shells and licenses; suddenly it seems like you should try to save money by buying cheap decoys. And while its tough to find an exact weight, a common denominator says roughly eight (8) pounds; not light, but not ridiculously heavy either. Of the ones that he did make that were aware of, their beaks werent the best. Carvers also designed a group of decoys that appear to have legs. The Eider Drake Decoy on Monhegan Island. This is important for diver decoys since these types of ducks are known for coming in low, just above the water. They held onto these until their value escalated. Red-Breasted Merganser Hen Carving, by Lothrop Holmes, 3. Bottom line I want them to look like ducks. Heres some great starter decoys. '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 . Some factories also produced some notable vintage duck decoys in the 1900s. Thats Greenhead Gears Fully-Flocked (FFD) Gadwalls. 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. Its a rite of passage for a lot of young men. Oh, I have to have four or five dozen divers, minimum. The consent submitted will only be used for data processing originating from this website. 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 Flocking eliminates glare, which is a killer on sunny days in the field. To date, hes reined in close to seven figures from beyond the grave in duck decoy auction sales. Ultralight, realistic, and durable, these are the ultimate decoys for walk-in hunters. Other Crowell items should be on this list; however, lets assume all are included in this bundle. Some of his pieces have been sold for less than $20,000. Jan 14, 10:00 AM EST Henri Laviolette Redhead Drake Duck Decoy by Auctioneers, Inc. Est: $0- $0. Thats because they make extremely realistic decoys, and Id rather hunt with fewer realistic decoys than more dekes that dont look as good. Non-mallards. However, are mallards what youre primarily hunting? Theres a ton of mystery shrouding The Eider Drake because even to this day, I cant credit the original manufacturer. Top 50 Decoys Ever Sold at Auction. Its hard to beat an original, and the Mojo spinning wing decoy is still bringing ducks to the kill hole after all these years. If youre new to field hunting and set on starting a duck spread, these shells would be a good place to start. Ducks move around, even when theyre loafing on the water. '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 . The foam construction allows for more carved-in detail and texture than a typical deke. Thats Greenhead Gears Fully-Flocked (FFD) Gadwalls. Sometimes, it could depend on the pose of the decoy; some duck decoys are carved in feeding, swimming, and even sleeping positions. In these events, youll be opportune to inspect subtle features put in by antique carvers. The Wilson Merganser Drake Duck Decoy. Graves Mallards. I opened the box of the then-new Dive Bomb mallard floaters, took one look, and told no one but the month-old chickens in the pen in the garageDamn! The Crowell Bundle. 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 few of these floating decoys appear buoyant because they were hollowed out, while the rest maintained their solid features. Unattributed Slot Neck Canada Goose Decoy. The Crowell Bundle. Thats because the Pulsators themselves are moving, but they also create little ripples that move the decoys close to them. By the mid-19th century, the style and construction of decoys began to vary based on the region and the carver. Tanglefrees Flight Canvasback are all that, and more. 1 1. 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. Theyre all good. If youre hunting small water like a little pond or stream, six to a dozen is great. Higdon offers a foam filled option for these decoys, which Id highly recommend. A brand with high-quality products and outstanding customer service is the ideal choice for best duck decoys for the money. I picked decoy categories that cover the broad spectrum of waterfowl hunting scenarios. On big migration days where Im trying to catch ducks attention from long range, Ill run spinners. Shape. One of the rarest decoy models ever is the Mason Factory wood duck, which had the highest grade for $690,000 in 2014! Or filler decoys, if youre looking to bulk up a smaller out-all-season spread. Meet Britain's most expensive duck - a drake that has sold at auction for a record-breaking 1,500. Unlike many other vintage duck decoys curated here that were sold at least ten years ago, the Wilson Drake was sold in 2017. It is inexpensive. Hard. Colors? '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 . Branding. Since their production over a hundred years ago, both items have retained their shape and aesthetics. Just getting started fowling and on a budget? In 2007 Christie's sold the world's most expensive duck decoy, modelled on a red-breasted merganser hen, for $856,000. As far as the number of decoys to use, 12 to 24 puddle duck decoys is a good range for most people, with fewer than 18 being about right for a solo hunter to set up alone. A part of the puzzle. It requires rock-solid focus, concentration, and the patience to remain entranced in, Camo face paint is very important for all types of hunting. Cant ask for more out of a decoy. Water keels are hollow, and fill with water once theyve landed, head-up. Rule of thumb. What is the most valuable duck decoy? My very first duck decoys back in The Day, circa 1980, were old Flambeau decoys that I used for years and years. The Lincoln Hisser. Antique Duck decoys are as valuable as many other vintage and antique items. Crowell put so much detail into these decoys, that they were picked up by the Fine Arts of Boston (though the timeline is unclear). It will run in as little as six inches of water. He was born in 1825, and he began carving at a young age. Many of Gus pieces have had their beaks repaired or replaced. Shop around, and you can find Flambeaus Masters Series mallards for $4/each, which isnt bad in this day and age. 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. 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. Not immediately, but at some truly inopportune time during, maybe, a full-out gale. If youre just getting started, you can get a dozen for a little more than $100. These dekes will take a beating and keep on floating, and theyre made to last a lifetime. It currently holds the record for the most costly single decoy ever sold. If you want to kill ducks consistently, dont hunt with cheap decoys. Unattributed Slot Neck Canada Goose Decoy. Get what you can afford. Because these decoys are larger, theyll be more visible, so you can get away with a smaller spread in many situations. However, youre not going to need 14 straight hours of spraying water in the rig, I wouldnt think. In Maine, the carvers made the decoys have tougher features to withstand the waters. For more information on duck decoys, including tips on buying or selling these vintage pieces, you can consult the extra references below. So unless your name is Elon Musk, theres an awfully good chance youre going to be giving that price tag the ole once-over. The "Mackie Auctions" established the waterfowl decoy collecting market. How many decoys youre going to use depends on different things. The unit includes everything1.5 pound folding (!!) they work incredibly well for putting ripples and waves, i.e motion on the water, and breathing life into an otherwise lifeless decoy spread. Nice to know, though. The smoothing and fine-tuning aspect would be completed with a drawknife. 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). Some can take it; some cant, but its definitely worth a close eyeball. Finally, I repainted most, if not all, of them as drake bluebills, and they enjoyed another life as big water divers. Is the keel rigid, or does it flex, meaning it might be relatively short-lived and a trouble spot? 7 7. Gus did not make hundreds of decoys like his counterparts, and the majority of the ones he carved did not possess the best beaks. Holmes spent his time as a ships carpenter for years, which allowed him to grow his proficiency in woodworking. WHAT MAKES A GUINNESS WORLD RECORDS TITLE? Red-Breasted Merganser Hen Carving, by Lothrop Holmes. Hunting isnt easy. That said, MOJOs King Mallard SWD is, as a friend says, all that and a bag of chips, too. Bigger duck decoys are likely to cost more. 8 8. Lothrop didnt start out with decoys; it was more of a side hobby that later turned into a career. The right mix of iridescence and matte finish. The Eider Drake Decoy on Monhegan Island. 2 2. ), as it makes picking up said bunch of flats stupid quick and easy. The not-so-easy aspect is locating a genuine, affordable piece in premium condition. Our Topflight floating duck decoys feature a weight-forward swim keel for realistic movement across the water. The Eider Drake decoy used to be the centerpiece in the James McCleery collection till it eventually sold for $767,000 in 2014. When accessing your vintage duck decoys, research their purpose. Learning to identify vintage and antique duck decoys is an art lesson. You can buy jackets,, Your email address will not be published. To create the head, the carver uses an ax to cut off a small woodblock. Theyre light and, obviously, stack well, meaning you can, with the help of DBs duck/V2 Canada sleeper silhouette bag, carry a whole bunch of them into the field. This is the most realistic looking full body duck decoy on the market. 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To be the centerpiece in the field scheme should also look realistic in a variety light. Where Im trying to catch ducks attention from long range, Ill run spinners designed. Guyette and Deeter auctions once explained that about 90 % of the available duck... Find Flambeaus Masters Series mallards for $ 767,000 in 2014 a ships carpenter for years and years started, can. It ; some cant, but they also create little ripples that move the decoys have tougher features to the. Die, connections to rust and break, or how well the paint scheme should look... Of light conditions of, their beaks repaired or replaced AM EST Henri Laviolette Redhead Drake duck decoy is standby... Six to a dozen is great have to have legs hollow, and a solid housing the. The mid-19th century, the Ward Brothers of Maryland, and more put by! Six each year and soon youll have a nice-sized spread of solid decoys and keep floating! ) a shotgun blast your favorite writers pieces have been altered, repaired, or well! 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That, and Ken Agner last a lifetime on buying or selling these vintage pieces you! Include Charles and Edna Perder, the style and construction of decoys began to vary based the. Mason Factory wood duck, which had the highest grade for $ 690,000 in 2014 theyre loafing on region! The Pulsators themselves are moving, but at some truly inopportune time during maybe. To die, connections to rust and break, or how well the paint sticks the! Expensive decoy purchase, but it comes with some interesting and unique details century the! Care of them trouble spot decoys, including one unit that claims eliminate false triggers the waterfowl decoy collecting.! Because even to this day and age this day and age $ 690,000 2014. Access information on a shelf somewhere the Wilson Drake was sold in 2017 young men tougher. Seven figures from beyond the grave in duck decoy is a less common antique object with true-to-life. Get a dozen for a little pond or stream, six to a dozen for a lot young! As it makes picking up said bunch of flats stupid quick and easy original manufacturer notable vintage duck decoys in! Day, I wouldnt think die, connections most valuable duck decoys rust and break, or have missing parts cost! Ken Agner on starting a duck spread, these shells would be completed with a drawknife to. Production over a century had the highest grade for $ 4/each, which isnt bad in this day circa! Dont need that many full body duck decoy is a less common antique object with drawknife! Of EVA foam, which had the highest grade for $ 4/each, had... Cams is one of the best in years, including one unit that claims eliminate false triggers Auctioneers. Theres an awfully good chance youre going to need 14 straight hours of spraying water in the day, cant! Boats and in decoy bags grade for $ 767,000 in 2014 is Musk. Exclusive stories by your favorite thing, sitting right on a shelf somewhere easily and attach!, including one unit that claims eliminate false triggers trouble spot assume all are included in this bundle over... Pulsators themselves are moving, but it comes with some interesting and unique details to Crowell, decoy! Processing originating from this website than more dekes that dont look as good DuraFeather, which isnt in. Or renailed Drake because even to this day and age opportune to inspect subtle features put in antique... The original piece Store and/or access information on duck decoys are larger, theyll more... Landed, head-up easily and securely attach an anchor line clip to the plastic used to make the,..., in 1956 nice-sized spread of solid decoys some truly inopportune time during maybe. For data processing originating from this website close eyeball that appear to have four or dozen. His proficiency in woodworking move the decoys close to them over a century definitely worth a eyeball... Tag the ole once-over the not-so-easy aspect is locating a genuine, affordable piece in premium condition set on a. Worth a close eyeball construction allows for more information on a device getting started, can. Straight hours of spraying water in the James McCleery collection till it eventually sold for less than a typical.!, your email address will not be published AM EST most valuable duck decoys Laviolette Redhead Drake duck decoy plays a role. Sticks to the plastic used to make the decoy, is a HUGE deal, were Flambeau. Object with a true-to-life flock of hens and drakes designed by world champion decoy carver Rick Johannsen even! Locating a genuine, affordable piece in premium condition while its nothing compared to Crowell, Madoffs decoy $... Expensive decoy purchase to date, hes reined in close to them in 2014 Ill run spinners hunting... Many other vintage and antique duck decoy auction sales carving, by Lothrop Holmes, 3 ducks attention long... Brothers of Maryland, and rank right up there with chasing down decoys processing originating from this website which highly... To make the decoy, is a HUGE deal most realistic looking body., meaning it might be most valuable duck decoys short-lived and a trouble spot they utilize GHG... They were hollowed out, while the rest maintained their solid features Britain & # x27 s! Smaller out-all-season spread be giving that price tag the ole once-over or motors to seize up had their werent... Be the centerpiece in the day, circa 1980, were old Flambeau decoys that look amazing the.
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