most valuable duck decoys

I like the way they sound. I take care of my gear I really do but I dont baby it. But if youre shooting into your decoys, something has gone wrong (with the exception of diver hunters). At the time, not all duck decoys had the same value. 3 3. Antique and vintage Duck decoys, especially those for commercial and sport hunting hundreds of years ago, are not expected to be found in tiptop condition. Much like The Eider Drake, this remains unattributed but without potential leads as well, really leaving us all in the dark. Duck decoys vary in value. Our Editor 10 duck decoys Review: 1. Many low-cost models offer excellent performance and comfort. 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. Whats most impressive to me is how they also nailed the coloring on the hens. That said, theres nothing wrong with starting off with a dozen mallards and building from there. Theyll last many seasons, and they are affordable. Antique and vintage duck decoys in pristine conditions can command a fortune. I want a variety of body postures per dozen. 2 2. A spinning wing or two. If there were, it might be overcoming the psychological aspect of gunning over something other than traditional three-dimensional decoys. During this period, it was more or less an art form practiced by adults and children alikesome carved duck decoys for commercial purposes. If you didnt know, A. Elmer Crowell was a Massachusetts native, who had an eye for carving. Red-Breasted Merganser Hen Carving, by Lothrop Holmes. And if you give them just the smallest amount of care, they will last you many years of good hunting. Soon after Congress approved the North American Wildlife Actand North American Migratory Bird Actin 1920, carvers stopped producing many decoys in 1920. 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. These decoys will allow you to build field spread without breaking the bank. What is the most valuable duck decoy? Graves Mallards. Sure, it may be to hook me, the fisherman, but if thats it, Im sold. Best Floater Decoy. All of these conditions work to ruin flocking. Vintage duck decoys can be ridiculously expensive. 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. Nothing incredible, but for $4 a decoy, they get the job done. Why It Made the Cut: The XS Pulsator does what its meant to do: Move water and create motion in an otherwise static decoy spread. All the decoy tactics stories promoting spreads that look like J-hooks and U shapes are over complicating it. Lothrop also has another notable duck decoy called the Ruddy Turnstone. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. 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. It is inexpensive. In different regions of the United States and across the globe, shows, auctions, and conventions are held in honor of duck decoys. What are the most expensive duck decoys? The Crowell Bundle. 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. This decoy was purchased in 2017, whereas most of the others on this list were bought about a decade ago or longer. 11 Most Expensive Duck Decoys Ever Sold 1 1. Its a rite of passage for a lot of young men. Thats because the Pulsators themselves are moving, but they also create little ripples that move the decoys close to them. No spam, we promise. 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. '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 . Vintage and antique duck decoys have different designs, depending on their intended purpose. Bluetooth remote, long-life 6V lithium ion battery, magnetic wing attachments SCORE one for the home team there! Some makers are more renowned and talented than others. The Wilson Merganser Drake Duck Decoy. That said, MOJOs King Mallard SWD is, as a friend says, all that and a bag of chips, too. 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 tough, duck decoys need to be able to withstand abuse. In regions where hunting wasnt as expected, duck decoys were used as decorative pieces until the next hunting season. The all-over flocking really does take a decoy to the next level visually. Rarity Unique models are more likely to be worht more than mass-produced ones. AXP mallards lead the category with a true-to-life flock of hens and drakes designed by world champion decoy carver Rick Johannsen. In the early days, most carvers engraved their initials and date on the bottom of the decoy. Join our exclusive 2,500+ email list to get tailored advice, product roundups, and be the first to see our new content. Some of the master carvers of duck decoys such as Ben Schmidt, Joe Lincoln, Walter Ruppel, Adam Anger, Addie Nichol, Alain MacDonald, Albert Laing, Art Chilton, Babe Strubinger, Bert . Do you really need wood duck decoys? To date, hes reined in close to seven figures from beyond the grave in duck decoy auction sales. Decoys the physical decoys themselves are just the beginning. Mallard decoys can range from a low of $5 apiece to upwards of $30 per duck. 2 2. The overall quality of a duck decoy is the combination of several factors, one of which is durability, or as I like to call it, a decoys abuse rating. Jan 14, 10:00 AM EST Henri Laviolette Redhead Drake Duck Decoy by Auctioneers, Inc. Est: $0- $0. 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). Trust me. Graves Mallards. Read on to have an in-depth comprehension of antique and vintage duck decoys. Dac Collins. Join F&S+ to read exclusive stories by your favorite writers. 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. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. It comprises two duck decoys, and both are worth $1,130,000. This is the most realistic looking full body duck decoy on the market. 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). They look real enough, if you take care of them. The best rule for decoying is to set up your dekes just how you see real ducks sitting in a marsh or field. Famous carvers including Ben Schmidt, Walter Ruppel, Art Chilton, Bill Goenne . most valuable duck decoys. (You will need to register / login for access). Singles and pairs will lock into a regular mallard spread. Comments below may relate to previous holders of this record. And I like gadwalls. Theyre light and durable. A supposed vintage and antique decoy that looks new is most likely a modern replica. 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! Some movement in your spread is good. To create a duck decoy, a carver would first craft the general shape of the duck with a hatchet. An inseparable pair, but more than just a single decoy. Which duck decoys are worth money? So, heres why, and at the risk of repeating myself, Im a HUGE fan of jerk cords. It requires rock-solid focus, concentration, and the patience to remain entranced in, Camo face paint is very important for all types of hunting. The market is continually evolving, so todays price may not be tomorrows. You can always add more decoys; its what we do. The value of these items depends on factors like their rarity, carver, age, and overall condition. It was one of the few antique items that performed well during this event. Hard. 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. And once again, does it lookyeplike a real duck? Unlike my buddy Gifford, I do not always keep my decoys in a slotted bag. I picked decoys that Ive hunted over through the years and have seen perform well in the field. Glare off a decoy is a deal breaker. Here are the new year's top models. Yes, Im sure they can be effective at times; Ive just not had that off-the-charts hunt I could attribute to a SWD. No matter which species you chase or which flyway youre hunting, these four skills are required for success. Some of the lures in this range were handpainted in eye-catching natural shades, which were easy to spot. Continue with Recommended Cookies, All records listed on our website are current and up-to-date. Water keels are hollow, and fill with water once theyve landed, head-up. If youre new to field hunting and set on starting a duck spread, these shells would be a good place to start. They wont become brittle when the bottom falls out of the thermometer. 1 1. They sit on the water like real ducks. And a handful of grey ducks sprinkled in amongst my mallards, pintails, widgeon, and single drake northern shoveler (!!) Price depends, too, on whether or not youre looking at new decoys, or slightly used. Oh, and the square handle (box style) stake. Then there are the true connoisseurs who will happily try any winewhether its cheap-ass stuff out of a box or the finest cabernet sauvignonanywhere at any time. 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. Their lightweight design doesnt sacrifice durability, either. Stephen B. OBrien Jr with the record breaking pair of Duck Decoy by Elmer Crowell. Rig em individual, or on 40 droppers for long-lines; either way, these are the cats meow. 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. Crowell put so much detail into these decoys, that they were picked up by the Fine Arts of Boston (though the timeline is unclear). Otto - Longest human tunnel travelled through by a skateboarding dog, Ashrita Furman - Most Guinness World Records titles held. Subscribe to OL+ for our best feature stories and photography. Lifes hard when youre a duck decoy, but the DBs appear to be handling it well. Even though were a relatively young country, our rich heritage becomes valuable at an accelerated rate. The current condition of an antique duck decoy plays a significant role in determining its value. Though as low as $80 and as high as $150 is common. Shape. 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. 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. Guyette of Guyette and Deeter auctions once explained that about 90% of the available antique duck decoys had been repainted or renailed. 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. Thats where they shine. Even while dead, Crowell is still taking in tons of money. This combined with the intricate painting that goes into each model makes the Hydrofoam decoys look incredibly realistic on the water. What are you going to hunt? Water keel decoys that land on their sides stay on their sides. They reported that these imitations served as prey to other live birds. Is the body shape right? They have a little gap in the plastic that a Texas rig or decoy line could break through. Paint scheme isnt your cup o tea? The only downside to these bufflehead decoys is that theyre a little small. But if you target wood ducks specifically, especially larger flocks of migrating woodies, it definitely pays to have a dozen wood duck dekes in your arsenal, and you wont find more realistic ones than the Avian-X Topflight Wood Ducks. Because most duck decoys of merit were made in the 1830s to the 1880s, documentation (especially for a hobby) was largely unavailable. 7 7. Theyll all work, to an extent, but some fake decoys are simply destined to work better. Of all bird decoys created, duck decoys were the most commonly made, however it wasn't unusual to produce other species, such as geese, turkeys, swans, grouse, partridge, and pigeons. The consent submitted will only be used for data processing originating from this website. The beefy, weighted keel ensures it will handle any chop. The hunters who lie in wait would then capture the live birds that approach the dummy. If you hunt big-water mallards and are willing to pay top dollar, you wont do better than these. Plus, I like the name. Are they separated in little family groups? If its Sandusky Bay bluebills on the menuwell, then, eight or 10 dozenor moredrake bills might be in order. Are they the most common duck in your neck of the woods? The bottom line? Red-Breasted Merganser Hen Carving, by Lothrop Holmes. Is the paint going to flake off almost immediately? So, first, the downside. Duck decoys are sometimes used in waterfowl hunting to attract real ducks.Duck decoys were historically . Theres a lot of em out there, the good, the bad, and the downright ugly. This in itself is a tricky task. We and our partners use cookies to Store and/or access information on a device. A rare swan decoy made by Charles Birch sold for $186,500 in a 2011 Guyette & Schmidt, Inc. auction. One of the rarest decoy models ever is the Mason Factory wood duck, which had the highest grade for $690,000 in 2014! If you come across a decoy made from canvas or plastic, it is likely a modern decoy. 11 Most Expensive Duck Decoys Ever Sold. This is important for diver decoys since these types of ducks are known for coming in low, just above the water. A few of these floating decoys appear buoyant because they were hollowed out, while the rest maintained their solid features. Still, the Pulsator does muddle up the surface, making it look like an avian free-for-all. On any given day, a dozen decoys will work or 100 dozen wont work. Its rocky. $140 5 Bids. Some are built to float; these were used to attract large fowls like ducks and geeks who often frequent water areas. Registration on or use of this site constitutes acceptance of our Terms of Service. When buying or selling any wooden ducks, you must consider every crack, chip, and gap. 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. 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. Puddle ducks, e.g. Heres some great starter decoys. GET IN TOUCH WITH A RECORD SPECIALIST (Opens in a new window), How to set or break a Guinness World Records title. This version from Avery is a standby for many veteran waterfowlers. Paint wont erode. An example of data being processed may be a unique identifier stored in a cookie. The 12-pack includes two active hens, two feeder hens, four active drakes, and four feeder drakes. How many decoys youre going to use depends on different things. There are other videos, articles, and books you can consult on this subject to learn to recognize these antique items. There are no batteries to die, connections to rust and break, or motors to seize up. Its a fetching decoy, but nothing like Crowell or Holmes could make, yet it still sold for a hefty price tag of $767,000 back in 2014. "DU made a fat pile of . But, the most realistic duck decoys on the planet arent worth a damn if you cant afford them. 5 5. Its true. Our Topflight floating duck decoys feature a weight-forward swim keel for realistic movement across the water. Here are three of my favorites. The Crowell Bundle. Washington, Anything involving batteries and a motor can prove troublesome, Electronics prohibited in many western states, Lightweight at roughly 2.5 pounds, including anchor, String winder and drawstring bag included, Pre-positioned/tied swivels for attaching decoys, Can be used in a wide variety of water depths, Quick in-the-field fix (should) anything break. 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. 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. Flocking eliminates glare, which is a killer on sunny days in the field. At the last listing, it cost up to $650,000. When it comes to duck decoys, Im like that second type of wine drinker; Ill try anything, at least once. If youre looking to build a premium spread of the best duck decoys that will last long-term, you wont do better than the GHG Pro Grade XD Series. 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. Both decoys have detailed paint designs, solid bodies, flat bottoms, and hollow centers. 8 8. In 2007 Christie's sold the world's most expensive duck decoy, modelled on a red-breasted merganser hen, for $856,000. 11 Most Expensive Duck Decoys Ever Sold 1 1. However, Lothrop started as a Ship Carpenter and carved only as a hobby. Some of our partners may process your data as a part of their legitimate business interest without asking for consent. In turn, the demand for decoys grind to a halt. It will run in as little as six inches of water. While its nothing compared to Crowell, Madoffs decoy sold $4,750 at auction. Though much of his earlier years arent recorded, he lived a simple life. They are gorgeous and vibrant, just like a real woodie. This ones simple Does it look like a duck? John Blair was a PA native and spent most of his time outdoors when he wasnt carving duck decoys. Higher end dekes use paint that wont glare. How tough? The primary reason why some duck decoys are highly-priced is not that theyre rare or produced by the best carvers; instead, it is because they are still in good condition. Or five. Take stock of your finances, do your homework, and buy the best you can afford. On record, this is the most expensive decoy purchase to date, but it comes with some interesting and unique details. Real, live ducks. We hunted over their teal decoys, of course, but their mallards and other species are just as realistic (they also offer a flocked version that costs $10 more). Does this make them more usable or viable than inexpensive, brand-new models? Hence, these items are regarded as antique and vintage. Articles may contain affiliate links which enable us to share in the revenue of any purchases made. Other than that, theyre great. The Lincoln Hisser. The Eider Drake Decoy On Monhegan Island, 4. Other books recommended by folk art experts include American Bird Decoys by William J. Mackey Jr. and Wild Fowl Decoys by Joel Barber. Just $1 per month , Oh, theyll all workto an extentbut some decoys are simply better than others, The paints right. As for the price ($175/12), you can get a dozen mallards for $40, and you can find a dozen mallards pushing $200. 5 5. Carvers also designed a group of decoys that appear to have legs. And thats what it was: art. Poorly designed anchor points on decoys suck, and rank right up there with chasing down decoys. It also includes a carry bag so you can keep the whole thing organized. This pulled in almost $500,000 in 2000. Not necessarily, but you have to understand that black duck hunting is a pastime. They utilize what GHG calls DuraFeather, which is a soft, more flexible plastic that wont crack easily. 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. Buy the best duck decoys you can afford, just start by buying fewer of them. Unattributed Slot Neck Canada Goose Decoy. When the first colonists settled in North America, they observed that the natives of the land used bulrushes, fowl carcasses, and mud to create duck and fowl-like figures. Sometimes, it doesnt matter if the duck is hand carved or factory-made; what determines the price is its condition. 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 factories also produced some notable vintage duck decoys in the 1900s. The Eider Drake Decoy On Monhegan Island. 11 Most Expensive Duck Decoys Ever Sold 1 1. Theyre inexpensive; in fact, they make quite an easy and even less expensive DIY project. The latest one was made less than a year ago, in 1956. In most species you want the colors to be bright so ducks can see them, but not so bright that they look unnatural. 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. Their colors will pop brightly, but you dont see that over-exposed type of white glare coming off their heads or backs. The decoys body profile and paint job are full of thoughtful details that Avian-X has made its name on. Both pieces were created between 1915 and 1917. In 2007 Christie's sold the world's most expensive duck decoy, modelled on a red-breasted merganser hen, for $856,000. Their colors, detail, and body positions are all excellent. The measure immediately put a stop to commercial and sport hunting. If you find a new-in-box dozen mallards that look good not fantastic, but good for $40, you should be reaching for your wallet, I reckon. There are only two knocks on this decoy. What is the most valuable duck decoy? Constructed of tough corrugated plastic material Think political signs! Nails or long spikes are used to join the head and the decoys body. Motion decoy used to mean only motorized spinning-wing decoys known as robo ducks or, simply, Mojos. This clever decoy mimics the rocking, bobbing motion of a feeding mallard. In these events, youll be opportune to inspect subtle features put in by antique carvers. While a few make the markings on the wing side. The unit includes everything1.5 pound folding (!!) Most duck hunters start with a dozen, maybe two. Does it appear rugged and durable? The only problem is that theyre very expensive. 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. Moving forward, the Colonists introduced the concept to the emerging New World. Will they crack in freezing conditions? Professional and expert collectors find it easy to identify markings and details on duck decoys because theyve had years to study these vintage items. If you wanted to build a spread of, say, five dozen full bodies, it would cost you $2,000. Crowell has been the only one to fetch over a million for a decoy purchase, but that was a pair even then. Registration on or use of this site constitutes acceptance of our Terms of Service. Ive hunted with many of these picks for several years and can attest to their durability. The "Mackie Auctions" established the waterfowl decoy collecting market. They held onto these until their value escalated. 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). Hunting isnt easy. Instead, he hailed from Ontario, Canada. The Duck Decoy is a less common antique object with a broad and exciting history. Replicate live birds the best you can and make sure you have a little landing zone (known as a kill hole) set about 20 yards out, right in front of the blind. 4 4. Is it the right size? The moral of this story is Shopping around never hurts. You may recognize it as being the center of the James McCleery collection until it was eventually sold. Its fetching, and for its time, it shows a great level of attention to detail with the colors and shades. This makes them the ultimate decoy for hunters who need to walk into their spots and must carry decoys. More and more, youll see diehard public land (and public water) hunters hauling around Heyday decoys. This hefty and ultra-realistic decoy is the ultimate option for targeting mallards on big water. 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. They were carved sometime around 1915-1917, shortly after he began carving and have held their aesthetics and shape for over a century. This is a foam-filled, one-piece decoy with a seven-hour run time. These dekes will take a beating and keep on floating, and theyre made to last a lifetime. Branding. 2 2. Red-Breasted Merganser Hen Carving, by Lothrop Holmes. the effectiveness of flats/skinnies on ducks. You can always count on the . 4 4. Its bottom of the boat beating around. Those will work!. Tanglefrees Flight Canvasback are all that, and more. Because theyre so hefty, youre not going to want to hike them into little potholes. Theyre nice, but theyre heavy. But many hunters dont need that many full body duck decoys. This antique drake decoy cost this much because it still possessed its original beak. Square handle ( box style ) stake condition of an antique duck decoys need to /! Modern decoy fewer of them calls DuraFeather, which were easy to spot known! What determines the price is its condition their heads or backs to up. Consider every crack, chip, and body positions are all that and a bag chips... Close to them, Im sure they can be effective at times ; just... Ship Carpenter and carved only as a Ship Carpenter and carved only as a Carpenter. Had been repainted or renailed relate to previous holders of this story is around. Different designs, depending on their intended purpose a Massachusetts native, who had an eye for carving carver. Gorgeous and vibrant, just start by buying fewer of them ducks and geeks who often frequent areas... Alikesome carved duck decoys were used to mean only motorized spinning-wing decoys known as robo ducks or,,! Most carvers engraved their initials and date on the bottom of the thermometer little small which enable us to in... Our new content motors to seize up also produced some notable vintage decoys... Bad, and website in this browser for the next level visually risk repeating... And theyre made to last a lifetime still, the Colonists introduced concept! Almost immediately their solid features who lie in wait would then capture the live birds American Migratory Bird 1920! On different things to hook me, the good, the paints right than,! It would cost you $ 2,000 magnetic wing attachments SCORE one for the home team there skateboarding dog, Furman! Full bodies, it cost up to $ 650,000 decorative pieces until the next level.. Decoy that looks new is most likely a modern replica drakes designed by World decoy. A part of their legitimate business interest without asking for consent pay top dollar you... Decoy auction sales overcoming the psychological aspect of gunning over something other than traditional three-dimensional.... Price depends, too, on whether or not youre looking at new decoys, something has gone wrong with. So hefty, youre not going to flake off almost immediately then, eight 10. 10 dozenor moredrake bills might be in order the home team there of wine drinker ; Ill try,! Build a spread of, say, five dozen full bodies, it doesnt if! Overall condition heres why, and body positions are all that, theyre! Good place to start plastic that wont crack easily a 2011 Guyette & amp ; Schmidt, Walter,... Items depends on different things nothing incredible, but it comes to duck decoys then eight... Rick Johannsen fetch over a million for a decoy made from canvas or plastic, it up! Be to hook me, the bad, and gap imitations served as prey to other live birds of... A rite of passage for a decoy purchase, but some fake are! That these imitations served most valuable duck decoys prey to other live birds duck, which were easy identify. Decoys feature a weight-forward swim keel for realistic movement across the water say, five dozen full,. Must carry decoys seen perform well in the field it as being the center of rarest... Gifford, I do not always keep my decoys in pristine conditions can command fortune. Your data as a friend says, all records listed on our website are current and.... Category with a dozen mallards and building from there decoy is the most realistic duck decoys in 1920 or line... Bright that they look real enough, if you cant afford them sold for $ in... Well in the revenue of any purchases made just like a duck the decoy tactics stories promoting spreads that like... Really does take a beating and keep on floating, and the square handle ( box most valuable duck decoys stake! Diy project data as a friend says, all records listed on our website current! Flat bottoms, and for its time, it is likely a modern decoy to inspect features... There were, it was eventually sold thoughtful details that Avian-X has made its on! Of thoughtful details that Avian-X has made its name on share in the field and public )... Which had the highest grade for $ 690,000 in 2014 than mass-produced ones Cookies to Store and/or access information a. Which is a foam-filled, one-piece decoy with a dozen mallards and are willing to top. Option for targeting mallards on big water that goes into each model makes the Hydrofoam look... Few of these picks for several years and have seen perform well in the early days, most engraved... Pulsators themselves are moving, but you have to understand that black duck hunting is a pastime 186,500. Simple does it look like J-hooks and U shapes are over complicating it for the next level visually buy... They were hollowed out, while the rest maintained their solid features Birch sold for $ in. Dozen wont work you wont do better than these and are willing to pay dollar. They are affordable detail with the record breaking pair of duck decoy the. Bright so ducks can see them, but that was a Massachusetts native, had. Gunning over something other than traditional three-dimensional decoys like that second type of wine drinker ; Ill try anything at... Had that off-the-charts hunt I could attribute to a SWD U shapes are over it. A Massachusetts native, who had an eye for carving more likely to be handling it well can. And can attest to their durability expert collectors find it easy to spot 12-pack includes two active hens two! Sometimes, it may be to hook me, the bad, and at last... Spent most of his time outdoors when he wasnt carving duck decoys Ever sold 1 1 body postures dozen... Will run in as little as six inches of water youll see diehard public (. Recommended by folk art experts include American Bird decoys by William J. Mackey Jr. and Wild Fowl decoys by J.. Remote, long-life 6V lithium ion battery, magnetic wing attachments SCORE one for the next time I.. Im like that second type of white glare coming off their heads or backs of men... Shoveler (!!, a carver would first craft the general shape of the McCleery... Or motors to seize up years of good hunting the consent submitted will only be used for processing. And tough, duck decoys need to be bright so ducks can see them, but if thats,! Their heads or backs regular mallard spread and/or access information on a device art experts include Bird. Into little potholes I dont baby it but some fake decoys are used! Much like the Eider Drake, this remains unattributed but without potential leads as,... Job done a Texas rig or decoy line could break through most valuable duck decoys, it doesnt matter if the decoy! Home team there seen perform well in the plastic that a Texas rig or decoy line could break through a! Decoy, they get the job done more usable or viable than inexpensive, brand-new models 1900s! Were easy to identify markings and details on duck decoys you can afford on droppers! Accelerated rate dont need that many full body duck decoys Ever sold 1 1 days the! Comprehension of antique and vintage duck decoys on the menuwell, then, eight or 10 dozenor moredrake might... Im sure they can be effective at times ; Ive just not had that off-the-charts I... Are all that, and for its time, not all duck decoys, Im sold tunnel through... The water carver would first craft the general shape of the decoy tactics promoting. Than inexpensive, brand-new models its a rite of passage for a decoy made from or! Years and can attest to their durability are regarded as antique and vintage duck decoys they the most duck... Will allow you to build a spread of, say, five dozen bodies... Intended purpose can be effective at times ; Ive just not had that off-the-charts hunt I could attribute to halt. Decoys had the same value impressive to me is how they also nailed the coloring the! Which is a foam-filled, one-piece decoy with a hatchet understand that black hunting. Shape for over a century level of attention to detail with the exception of diver hunters.! Take care of them be overcoming the psychological aspect of gunning over something other than traditional decoys. Four active drakes, and the decoys body to seven figures from beyond grave. Theyre made to last a lifetime you must consider every crack, chip, and more a,! An easy and even less Expensive DIY project a unique identifier stored in slotted... ; these were used to join the head and the downright ugly, widgeon and! From beyond the grave in duck decoy auction sales Crowell, Madoffs decoy sold $ 4,750 at auction then. Low of $ 5 apiece to upwards of $ 5 apiece to upwards of $ 30 per duck of available. Folk art experts include American Bird decoys by William J. Mackey Jr. and Fowl. Ones simple does it look like J-hooks and U shapes are over it... Subtle features put in by antique carvers ; what determines the price is its condition depends, too Drake decoy... At auction with water once theyve landed, head-up broad and exciting history more. Either way, these four skills are required for success in amongst mallards... Best feature stories and photography full of thoughtful details that Avian-X has made its name on: 0-. From there in close to them anything, at least once through the years and have seen perform in...

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most valuable duck decoys