most valuable duck decoys

AXP mallards lead the category with a true-to-life flock of hens and drakes designed by world champion decoy carver Rick Johannsen. Still, he brought in $168,000 almost a century later for this single duck decoy. Theyre nice, but theyre heavy. Why It Made the Cut: When I opened the box and saw them for the first time, I said D..A..M..N! This makes them the ultimate decoy for hunters who need to walk into their spots and must carry decoys. Clich? Guinness World Records Kids (opens in a new window), Guinness World Records store (opens in a new window), Corporate Social Responsibility activities & fundraising ideas, Community engagement & tourism marketing activities. 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. Remember that good decoys are an investment. This in itself is a tricky task. Theyre all good. At the last listing, it cost up to $650,000. Some are built to float; these were used to attract large fowls like ducks and geeks who often frequent water areas. Joe Lincoln painted decoys well into his 70s and remains an underdog in the decoy world. One of the rarest decoy models ever is the Mason Factory wood duck, which had the highest grade for $690,000 in 2014! Created by Gus Wilson, this antique item broke one of the antique duck decoy sales record recently. You want soft-to-the-touch realism from a decoy without breaking the bank? Amazon. No spam, we promise. No spam, we promise. 8 8. Cabelas Northern Flight Over-Sized Mallard, 60/40 DuraKeel for handling chop and current, Paint scheme creates the illusion of movement, Weighted keel with multiple attachment points, Most realistic wood duck decoy on the market, Self-righting keel weights for high wind and waves, Stakes can be hard to set on frozen ground. What is the most valuable duck decoy? 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. Many people use a mix of mallards, black ducks, and pintails for their visibility and good pulling power. It also includes a carry bag so you can keep the whole thing organized. Hence the reason why most of them are sold for $100 or less. On a sunny day ducks will spot it from long distance and avoid your spread, because it doesnt look natural. Wilsons decoy pulled in $330,000, partially because he didnt make a lot of decoys. 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. I like the way they work a spread, when they work a spread. Unlike other carvers on this list, Chambers was born in Ontario, Canada. To date, hes reined in close to seven figures from beyond the grave in duck decoy auction sales. This hefty and ultra-realistic decoy is the ultimate option for targeting mallards on big water. Owning a spread of the best duck decoys that are perfectly suited to your hunting style certainly helps as well. 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. Like many others on this list, he lived until the 1940s but didnt enjoy much of his work being sold. 5 5. 1 1. The guy we all know and hate. The common feature of duck decoys at that period was the wood used; white pine and white cedar. It was the highest ticket item at an $800,000 auction, bringing in $299,000 individually, which greatly surpassed the average for the dozens of other items in the auction. Search knutsondecoys.com or parkercoatings.com, buy some colors that suit you, and touch em up. What is the most expensive duck decoy ever sold? My very first duck decoys back in The Day, circa 1980, were old Flambeau decoys that I used for years and years. This wooden hen sold for an insane $856,000 and held a record as the most expensive decoy sale for quite some time. $140 5 Bids. 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. The 12-pack includes two active hens, two feeder hens, four active drakes, and four feeder drakes. Here in my Pacific Flyway, said abuse lasts for 107 days and thats a ton of beating and banging around and being dragged through the tules, only to be flung onto the saltwater and broken oyster shells. Sometimes, it could depend on the pose of the decoy; some duck decoys are carved in feeding, swimming, and even sleeping positions. The concluding activity in this straightforward process involves sanding, priming, and painting the fowl in natural colors. Its true. Mason Vintage Hunting Duck Decoys Mason Vintage Hunting Duck Decoys All Auction Buy It Now 144 Results Brand: Mason Brand Duck Type Features Condition Price Buying Format All Filters Antique Mason Black duck decoy $25.00 0 bids $13.65 shipping 6d 8h Antique Vintage Wood Duck Decoy **MASON** Pintail Drake Standard $137.50 3 bids $16.75 shipping 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. $250 5 Bids. Theyre quiet and dont clank together like plastic decoys do, which is yet another reason they are so ideal for walk-in hunts. Professional and expert collectors find it easy to identify markings and details on duck decoys because theyve had years to study these vintage items. Plus, I like the name. Unattributed Slot Neck Canada Goose Decoy. 6 6. Were still in New England guys, but this time were in Maine. To date, the record price for a decoy is $856,000, sold in 2007 by Guyette & Deeter in a joint auction with Christie's. My decoys get banged up on everything imaginable. These dekes will take a beating and keep on floating, and theyre made to last a lifetime. And finally, theres the price. Gus did not make hundreds of decoys like his counterparts, and the majority of the ones he carved did not possess the best beaks. Take stock of your finances, do your homework, and buy the best you can afford. First, youll notice the colors. Throw it out, set a spread around it, and youre in the catbird seat. Too much, and unnatural, movement is not good. The Eider Drake Decoy on Monhegan Island. The decoys body profile and paint job are full of thoughtful details that Avian-X has made its name on. Required fields are marked *. Theyre light and durable. Registration on or use of this site constitutes acceptance of our Terms of Service. This clever decoy mimics the rocking, bobbing motion of a feeding mallard. 11 Most Expensive Duck Decoys Ever Sold 1 1. Paint wont erode. The Wilson Merganser Drake Duck Decoy. Unattributed Slot Neck Canada Goose Decoy. Those will work!. '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 . There are a lot of companies producing duck decoys nowadays. This simple mallard has an excellent definition, which is part of the reason that it fetched $214,000 and is considered one of the most valuable decoys. WHAT MAKES A GUINNESS WORLD RECORDS TITLE? In 2007 Christie's sold the world's most expensive duck decoy, modelled on a red-breasted merganser hen, for $856,000. 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. Rarity Unique models are more likely to be worht more than mass-produced ones. 11 Most Expensive Duck Decoys Ever Sold 1 1. In everything you do while assessing your antique duck, you must be aware of every imperfection, marking, and less prominent feature. I picked decoy categories that cover the broad spectrum of waterfowl hunting scenarios. 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. And it flat works. 11 Most Expensive Duck Decoys Ever Sold 1 1. Ducks move around, even when theyre loafing on the water. 11 Most Expensive Duck Decoys Ever Sold. And I like gadwalls. 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 Instead, he hailed from Ontario, Canada. The major selling point for the King Mallard rests with the fact that the drive components battery, motor, and remote receiver are housed in a single solid, albeit accessible, unit, which is then connected directly to a cam-lock style support pole. Cheap decoys typically have more issues with glare. That said, theres nothing wrong with starting off with a dozen mallards and building from there. Nails or long spikes are used to join the head and the decoys body. You may recognize it as being the center of the James McCleery collection until it was eventually sold. These decoys will allow you to build field spread without breaking the bank. Sometimes, it doesnt matter if the duck is hand carved or factory-made; what determines the price is its condition. 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. Bert Graves was a more recent carver than Crowell or Holmes because he made his last decoy in 1956. There are hundreds of valuable duck decoys worldwide. I mostly hunt ducks over water and my decoys get covered in marsh muck on almost every outing. This is a foam-filled, one-piece decoy with a seven-hour run time. 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. Why It Made the Cut: You want soft-to-the-touch realism from a decoy without breaking the bank? 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. Some are exceptional, while others are okay. Maybe you need to think of a pack setthree or four different species of dabblers combined into one multi-species package. Our Topflight floating duck decoys feature a weight-forward swim keel for realistic movement across the water. The only downside to these bufflehead decoys is that theyre a little small. Buy the best your pocketbook will allow, but understand that a combination of realism, durability, and quality, all backed by service after the sale, isnt cheap in this day and age. Antique Duck decoys are as valuable as many other vintage and antique items. 3 3. A part of the puzzle. The only problem is that theyre very expensive. Most field hunters targeting mallards can get away with a goose spread along with a couple dozen full bodies on the X (along with some spinners). 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. Although, these were mainly used for decorative purposes in the homes of the wealthy during the early years. According to specialists, most decoys in a perfect state can be worth a fortune. Is it in a natural relaxed posture? So unless your name is Elon Musk, theres an awfully good chance youre going to be giving that price tag the ole once-over. Comments below may relate to previous holders of this record. Famous carvers including Ben Schmidt, Walter Ruppel, Art Chilton, Bill Goenne . Floater decoys are meant for use on the water. Vintage duck decoys can be ridiculously expensive. Now THATS how I want my decoys to look. The RMR Jerk Rig comes factory with four snap swivels to attach four decoys; too many IMHO. The measure immediately put a stop to commercial and sport hunting. Or five. A rare swan decoy made by Charles Birch sold for $186,500 in a 2011 Guyette & Schmidt, Inc. auction. 3 3. Six decoys CAN be enough, if youre on a little body of water where the ducks want to be. A supposed vintage and antique decoy that looks new is most likely a modern replica. Ah, yesduck decoys. You can always add more decoys; its what we do. As the years went by, decoys were mass-produced and used by commercial and sports huntersto catch prey for food and sports activities, respectively. He doesnt baby them, but he does keep them in slotted bags, and we expect theyll last for many seasons to come. The latest crop of cams is one of the best in years, including one unit that claims eliminate false triggers. I like the way they sound. The Eider Drake Decoy on Monhegan Island. 11 Most Expensive Duck Decoys Ever Sold. If it is valued today, Im sure it will be at least twice this amount (provided it is still in pristine condition). And what about divers, the canvasbacks, redheads, bluebills, goldeneyes, and buffleheads? Will they hold up to the rigors of day-to-day ducking? There are no batteries to die, connections to rust and break, or motors to seize up. If you have been duck hunting for a while and have more or less figured out what you are doing, then you probably want to invest in some higher quality floaters. For a full list of record titles, please use our Record Application Search. Red-Breasted Merganser Hen Carving, by Lothrop Holmes. Its simply called a wood duck, but this Thomas Chambers decoy sold for a decent price at $187,000 back in 2004. 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. Whats the Difference Between Vintage And Antique ? Even just six full bodies along a sand bar paired with a floater spread helps bring mallards in close. 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. There is limited information on Brant. Myself, Im using the M1s to beef up shallow (4 6) water floater spreads in green fields, or more often, in tidal marshes at low slack when its impossible to run keeled floaters. Graves Mallards. These dekes, paired with a simple wood duck call, make it possible to work and finish flocks of 12 to 20 wood ducks. However, are mallards what youre primarily hunting? It is inexpensive. Crowell put so much detail into these decoys, that they were picked up by the Fine Arts of Boston (though the timeline is unclear). 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. . What you hunt and where you hunt those birds play a major role in what you buy and how many. Are they realistic in appearance? And it undoubtedly works as intended, if not just a bit unnaturally, what with the fountain of water and all. I want a variety of body postures per dozen. Dac Collins. Hard. Its rocky. The foam construction allows for more carved-in detail and texture than a typical deke. Vintage mason decoys are relatively more valuable than other commercially produced duck decoys. And Ready? Youll still be money ahead. Garage sale mallards may cost $2 each, a call-your-buddies bargain, especially if theyre in a condition where they can be immediately used. '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 . Translation? 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. How many decoys youre going to use depends on different things. It would be best if you also inspected the eyes of the decoy. Research past prices of Antique Duck Decoys to buy or bid confidently today! Higher end dekes use paint that wont glare. Subscribe to OL+ for our best feature stories and photography. 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. Native American fowlers fooled ducks with oblong-shaped blobs of mud with a forked stick resembling a ducks head n neck. Paint scheme isnt your cup o tea? For once, were not in New England with this origin story, either; Bert is actually from Peoria, IL, and has set the scene for high-quality duck decoys ever since. 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! . Stick Ups were used to lift the body off the ground. All the decoy tactics stories promoting spreads that look like J-hooks and U shapes are over complicating it. The Avian-X body positions look much more natural and relaxed. For instance, the Mason Factory Wood Duckis one of the rarest unique models of wood decoy. The Lincoln Hisser. Of the ones that he did make that were aware of, their beaks werent the best. But now theres a wide variety of motion decoys available. This technique helped families during the civil war to catch prey for feeding. GHG might have built the perfect mallard decoy with their Pro Grade XD Series Mallards. Mallard decoys can range from a low of $5 apiece to upwards of $30 per duck. 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. 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. Theyll last, not forever, but with end-of-the-season maintenance, for several years. And they look plenty good enough to kill ducks over. You can always count on the . 2 2. But, are those what you really need for your brand of fowling? Flocking eliminates glare, which is a killer on sunny days in the field. 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. 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. Lothrop Holmes is also a Massachusetts native-like Crowell. The beefy, weighted keel ensures it will handle any chop. 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. Meet Britain's most expensive duck - a drake that has sold at auction for a record-breaking 1,500. The form and condition of the vintage item is another vital feature to assess. 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. And theyre tough. First, I need the decoys to look like the real thing, and the Dive Bomb floaters certainly do have that covered. Anchor attachment points wont rip out. The best rule for decoying is to set up your dekes just how you see real ducks sitting in a marsh or field. Ill admit it. Constructed of tough corrugated plastic material Think political signs! But these dekes can also take a beating unless stored properly. On record, this is the most expensive decoy purchase to date, but it comes with some interesting and unique details. Higdon offers a foam filled option for these decoys, which Id highly recommend. 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. Its muddy. grapple anchor, 100 #550 Paracord, line winder, storage bag, short bungee you need afield. And for those field hunts, a couple dozen flocked full-bodies. Nothing incredible, but for $4 a decoy, they get the job done. 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. The Dr. Peter J. Muller Jr. Collection of American Bird Decoys was sold by Copley Fine Art Auctions in Massachusetts. Being made of hollowed-out foam makes the decoys super light as well (a dozen HydroFoam mallards weighs only 10 pounds). A brand with high-quality products and outstanding customer service is the ideal choice for best duck decoys for the money. Dr. 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. 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. The latest version has a soft, flexible body, magnetic wings, and a solid housing for the body. Yes, Im sure they can be effective at times; Ive just not had that off-the-charts hunt I could attribute to a SWD. Silhouettes are anything but new, having been in use for decades; however, fowlers are now discovering Rediscovering? It all depends on the birds, the wind, the pressure, and more. Unattributed Slot Neck Canada Goose Decoy. 7 7. Its relatively simple, though. 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. Some can take it; some cant, but its definitely worth a close eyeball. Some movement in your spread is good. This piece is shrouded in a tone of mystery. Thats where they shine. Replicate this when you set up your spread. 3 3. If you would like to change your settings or withdraw consent at any time, the link to do so is in our privacy policy accessible from our home page.. Carvers also designed a group of decoys that appear to have legs. Probably. The Eider Drake decoy used to be the centerpiece in the James McCleery collection till it eventually sold for $767,000 in 2014. People who have fallen in love with the art of vintage duck decoys often find it difficult to value, identify, and determine the style of duck decoy theyd love to purchase. Some duck decoys were carved for hunting, some for decoration, while a few served both purposes. Today, duck decoys are no longer used as hunting strategies, thanks to modern technology. If youre just getting started, you can get a dozen for a little more than $100. For example, duck decoys carved by Elmer Crowell and Joseph Lincoln are more worthy in terms of value. In 2007 Christie's sold the world's most expensive duck decoy, modelled on a red-breasted merganser hen, for $856,000. What is the most valuable duck decoy? 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. Theres a ton of mystery shrouding The Eider Drake because even to this day, I cant credit the original manufacturer. In 2007 Christie's sold the world's most expensive duck decoy, modelled on a red-breasted merganser hen, for $856,000. Their colors will pop brightly, but you dont see that over-exposed type of white glare coming off their heads or backs. On any given day, a dozen decoys will work or 100 dozen wont work. And if you give them just the smallest amount of care, they will last you many years of good hunting. 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 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. What is the most expensive duck decoy ever sold? 2 2. Non-mallards. If youre a novice collector, get prepared to be blown away by the costs of the following antique duck decoys. Alex Robinson is Outdoor Lifes editor-in-chief. A few of these floating decoys appear buoyant because they were hollowed out, while the rest maintained their solid features. However, if you hunt fields and can keep your decoys clean and free from abuse, then flocked decoys probably are worth it. Why It Made the Cut: Its simple. Which duck decoys are worth money? 4 4. Keep em cleancold clear water, NO SOAP, and a bristle brush worksand show em a little care afield, and you shouldnt have any problems. And so it goes from there, but its a good thing, really. 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. Much like Crowell, Lothrop Holmes actually came from Massachusetts as well, where duck hunting was a common sport. Duck Decoys. Not immediately, but at some truly inopportune time during, maybe, a full-out gale. In these events, youll be opportune to inspect subtle features put in by antique carvers. Other than that, theyre great. Some of his pieces have been sold for less than $20,000. 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. 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. Get what you can afford. The original carver of the work is unknown, and all indications point out that no one will ever find out. John Blair was a PA native and spent most of his time outdoors when he wasnt carving duck decoys. The Crowell two duck decoys were carved by Massachusetts native Elmer Crowell. 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 Bernie Madoff might just go down as this centurys biggest American villain, but his decoy fetched a rather handsome amount of money during the auctioning of his estate. What is the most expensive duck decoy ever sold? Vintage and antique duck decoys have different designs, depending on their intended purpose.
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