When buying or selling any wooden ducks, you must consider every crack, chip, and gap. The RMR Jerk Rig comes factory with four snap swivels to attach four decoys; too many IMHO. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. The guy we all know and hate. 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. Six decoys CAN be enough, if youre on a little body of water where the ducks want to be. With the above information, you would be able to successfully delve into the vintage duck decoy ecosystem without any hindrance. The right mix of iridescence and matte finish. At the time, not all duck decoys had the same value. What is the most expensive duck decoy ever sold? Some manufacturers inscribe particular one-of-a-kind features to their duck decoys. Both decoys have detailed paint designs, solid bodies, flat bottoms, and hollow centers. 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. The legendary Lothrop Holmes carved this piece. Water keels are hollow, and fill with water once theyve landed, head-up. Both carvers are renowned for their excellent accomplishments in the carving industry. 4 4. 11 Most Expensive Duck Decoys Ever Sold 1 1. Their makers are top carvers who practiced for years to attain their renowned reputation. How many decoys youre going to use depends on different things. What is the most valuable duck decoy? Hence the reason why most of them are sold for $100 or less. Thats because they make extremely realistic decoys, and Id rather hunt with fewer realistic decoys than more dekes that dont look as good. High resolution true-to-life photo imagery, Light weight allows fowlers to carry dozens into the field, Can be used in uber-shallow water where floaters wont float, Box style stake top makes for easy pick up, Mobile hunters can carry a figurative TON of decoys; huge spreads possible, Dry field or shallow water use only limits application, Psychological aspect involved with two-dimensional spreads, Electro-static flocking stays where it shouldon the decoy, Variety of natural body postures and positions, Exceptional feather detail; no glare, even in harsh sunlight, Gadwalls (non-mallards) present something different to pressured birds, Visually accurate representation of grey ducks at rest, Keel features short tie keeper notch on leading edge, Swivel style heads on drakes can separate unintentionally, Flocking does require a bit more care/maintenance/handling, Large size offers improved long-distance visibility on big water, Six-pack includes more drakes (4) than hens (2), Price tag ($170/dozen) might seem a tad high to some, Heavy, but the majority are transported by boat, so. He was renowned for his artistic vintage decoys that featured multiple intricate details. It would be best if you also inspected the eyes of the decoy. They get bounced around the bottom of boats and in decoy bags. The Eider Drake Decoy on Monhegan . 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). We and our partners use data for Personalised ads and content, ad and content measurement, audience insights and product development. Heres some great starter decoys. A few of these floating decoys appear buoyant because they were hollowed out, while the rest maintained their solid features. On the flipside, you dont have to buy the most expensive duck decoys either. Carvers also designed a group of decoys that appear to have legs. Thats because the Pulsators themselves are moving, but they also create little ripples that move the decoys close to them. Paint adhesion, or how well the paint sticks to the plastic used to make the decoy, is a HUGE deal. So, first, the downside. What are you going to hunt? Red-Breasted Merganser Hen Carving, by Lothrop Holmes. The bottom line? Like all DB silhouettes, the M1 Mallards look great. The Eider Drake Decoy on Monhegan Island. Replicate this when you set up your spread. 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. He made one of the most realistic goose decoys out there, showing a Canada goose in mid-motion that really makes it look like theyre scurrying along the water while the decoy bobs. In all cases, I leaned toward decoys that look realistic in the field. A spinning wing or two. . 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. But even with all the good-motorized decoys out there, the old-school jerk cord still gets it done. I picked decoys that Ive hunted over through the years and have seen perform well in the field. Crowell put so much detail into these decoys, that they were picked up by the Fine Arts of Boston (though the timeline is unclear). 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 . Unattributed Slot Neck Canada Goose Decoy. '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 . In 2007, his pintail drake and Canada goose decoys sold as a bundle. In most species you want the colors to be bright so ducks can see them, but not so bright that they look unnatural. Hard. Professional and expert collectors find it easy to identify markings and details on duck decoys because theyve had years to study these vintage items. This 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. 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. Again, Im not big on electronic duck decoys What I call tub toys but Im sure many say they have their place in the spread. Those will work!. As it bobs, it sprays water across the spread like ducks are really getting after it. Yes, Im sure they can be effective at times; Ive just not had that off-the-charts hunt I could attribute to a SWD. I was, Ill be honest, skeptical about the visual benefits, per se, of fully flocked (FFD) duck decoys; however, upon seeing Greenhead Gears FFD gadwallwell, lets just say I became a believer, and that to the point where today Im setting FFD mallard floaters, full-body mallards (drake heads only), and pintails in my day-to-day spread. 3 3. Stephen B. OBrien Jr with the record breaking pair of Duck Decoy by Elmer Crowell. most valuable duck decoys. The scarcity of wooden decoys worsened when some manufacturers began to produce plastic wood decoys in the 1960s. Articles may contain affiliate links which enable us to share in the revenue of any purchases made. However, are mallards what youre primarily hunting? Just watch live ducks in full plumage during bluebird conditions. '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 . Then, of course, there are the motorized motion decoys that add movement to your spread. The texture also differed based on region. No spam, we promise. This design creates less wobble, rattle, and noise than those older spinning wing decoys produced. Even while dead, Crowell is still taking in tons of money. Whats the Difference Between Vintage And Antique ? Does it appear rugged and durable? Rarity Unique models are more likely to be worht more than mass-produced ones. Jan 14, 10:00 AM EST Henri Laviolette Redhead Drake Duck Decoy by Auctioneers, Inc. Est: $0- $0. We and our partners use cookies to Store and/or access information on a device. Is 12 duck decoys enough? Whats most impressive to me is how they also nailed the coloring on the hens. The only problem is that theyre very expensive. So think: Are you going to hunt over a foot or more of water? This was an auction record for the carver's pieces Oh, I have to have four or five dozen divers, minimum. The Eider Drake Decoy on Monhegan Island. Vintage mason decoys are relatively more valuable than other commercially produced duck decoys. (You will need to register / login for access). Its relatively simple, though. 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. However, Lothrop started as a Ship Carpenter and carved only as a hobby. Hence, these items are regarded as antique and vintage. It has a remote thats Bluetooth compatible, so you can turn it on and off as you see fit. Stability, low shake, and low noise. Subscribe to OL+ for our best feature stories and photography. Recent research points to a man by the name of Eben Weed being the original creator of this decoy, but some of the evidence is inconclusive. They sit on the water like real ducks. Ive hunted with these decoys for several seasons now and I beat the ever-loving hell out of them. Not all of Blairs pieces are worth this much. There are hundreds of valuable duck decoys worldwide. Maybe someday. One must instead learn to differentiate an actual bait from a modern decoy. And finally, theres the price. Theyre inexpensive; in fact, they make quite an easy and even less expensive DIY project. The reason these were so expensive is that they were some of Crowells first documented decoys. There are only two knocks on this decoy. Gus did not make hundreds of decoys like his counterparts, and the majority of the ones he carved did not possess the best beaks. 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. I want a variety of body postures per dozen. Bottom line I want them to look like ducks. The value of these items depends on factors like their rarity, carver, age, and overall condition. And for those field hunts, a couple dozen flocked full-bodies. When it comes to expensive duck decoys, Joe Lincoln is a name that often comes up. Its rocky. Plus, I like the name. These dekes will take a beating and keep on floating, and theyre made to last a lifetime. John Blair was another small-timer in the decoy world, but his ability to carve a fantastic mallard earned him a top spot in the record books. And if your intent is realistic on-the-water motion without the, what some might call, inconvenience of pulling on a jerk cord string, then Higdons XS Pulsator might just be what youre looking for. And if you give them just the smallest amount of care, they will last you many years of good hunting. The Eider Drake Decoy On Monhegan Island. Silhouette on the water. Even though were a relatively young country, our rich heritage becomes valuable at an accelerated rate. And so it goes from there, but its a good thing, really. In 2007 Christie's sold the world's most expensive duck decoy, modelled on a red-breasted merganser hen, for $856,000. Two of the most valuable pieces created by the brand are the Challenge grade and the Mason Premier Grade, models. Some of our partners may process your data as a part of their legitimate business interest without asking for consent. The unit includes . 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. 6 6. 5 5. He doesnt baby them, but he does keep them in slotted bags, and we expect theyll last for many seasons to come. Good duck decoys will swim naturally with a breeze or in the current. $250 5 Bids. Its true. While a few make the markings on the wing side. Which duck decoys are worth money? And once again, does it lookyeplike a real duck? 20 September 2007 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, 1862-1952). Real, live ducks. Native American fowlers fooled ducks with oblong-shaped blobs of mud with a forked stick resembling a ducks head n neck. '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 . How tough? Ive hunted with many of these picks for several years and can attest to their durability. Theyre nice, but theyre heavy. These are hunks of plastic that are going to be abused. Nice to know, though. This wooden hen sold for an insane $856,000 and held a record as the most expensive decoy sale for quite some time. Maybe you need to think of a pack setthree or four different species of dabblers combined into one multi-species package. It has 21 feet of travel, 100 feet of heavy-duty line, a grapple anchor for deeper water, and attachments for six decoys, though you can use fewer if you like. Top 50 Decoys Ever Sold at Auction. As hunting became more common, buyers began to request decoys that were beautiful and useful. They wont become brittle when the bottom falls out of the thermometer. With their affordable foam-filled design, theyre an excellent bargain. Or five. Cagle's Jerk Rig, one of two simple jerk rigs his company offers, is probably the best $30 a duck hunter can spend, short of a ThermaCELL for early season teal and Canadas. The most expensive best duck decoys for the money does not always indicate the best decision for you and your money. Unlike my buddy Gifford, I do not always keep my decoys in a slotted bag. Why It Made the Cut: Fifty bucks at The Walmart, and you can kill ducks over them, Im guessing, throughout the season. You want soft-to-the-touch realism from a decoy without breaking the bank? Unattributed Slot Neck Canada Goose Decoy. Body shapes and profiles. 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. In the mid-1900s, duck decoys were as scarce as ever and were regarded as collectible items of folk art. Theres a ton of mystery shrouding The Eider Drake because even to this day, I cant credit the original manufacturer. This version from Avery is a standby for many veteran waterfowlers. How many seasons will they last? 3 3. Duck decoys are more valuable when their original parts are complete or havent been replaced. An antique duck decoy with some imperfections. And while its tough to find an exact weight, a common denominator says roughly eight (8) pounds; not light, but not ridiculously heavy either. 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). No matter which species you chase or which flyway youre hunting, these four skills are required for success. Thats Greenhead Gears Fully-Flocked (FFD) Gadwalls. Vintage and antique duck decoys have different designs, depending on their intended purpose. Shape. Its nothing compared to some of these world-famous decoys, but the Graves Mallards brought in $218,500 at another G&S auction. They wont crack or immediately fade. Puddle ducks, e.g. This decoy was purchased in 2017, whereas most of the others on this list were bought about a decade ago or longer. Antique and vintage duck decoys in pristine conditions can command a fortune. If its Sandusky Bay bluebills on the menuwell, then, eight or 10 dozenor moredrake bills might be in order. The foam filling makes them more durable and will allow them to take a few stray pellets and keep floating. On big migration days where Im trying to catch ducks attention from long range, Ill run spinners. It also includes a carry bag so you can keep the whole thing organized. 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. 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, and its a big BUT, they dont right themselves. What makes a Guinness World Records title? Lothrop didnt start out with decoys; it was more of a side hobby that later turned into a career. These decoys will allow you to build field spread without breaking the bank. The best rule for decoying is to set up your dekes just how you see real ducks sitting in a marsh or field. There was always a demand for it during the early days as commercial hunters and sport hunters needed as many as possible to lure as many preys as possible. Most vintage duck decoys do not have identifiable markings. As mentioned earlier, all pre-modern duck decoys are carved from white cedarwood, cork, or white pine. Will their paint chip when theyre bounced around in a boat? Oh, and the square handle (box style) stake. Why It Made the Cut: When I opened the box and saw them for the first time, I said D..A..M..N! 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. Carvers were making a few decoys of better quality with improved materials and more intricate designs for the wealthy. The Lincoln Hisser. 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. Both pieces were created between 1915 and 1917. Red-Breasted Merganser Hen Carving, by Lothrop Holmes, 3. 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. 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. 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 believed that this is because Americas history continues to go on and on. Here are three of my favorites. Next, they begin to carve the head with a jackknife till they get their desired shape. Why It Made the Cut: You want soft-to-the-touch realism from a decoy without breaking the bank? 8 8. 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. Joe Lincoln painted decoys well into his 70s and remains an underdog in the decoy world. 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. Why It Made the Cut: Diver decoys need to be tough and highly visible. Rig em individual, or on 40 droppers for long-lines; either way, these are the cats meow. What you hunt and where you hunt those birds play a major role in what you buy and how many. And thats what it was: art. Cant ask for more out of a decoy. I dont know how much you paid for your antique duck decoy, but youre about to be frazzled by how much people have paid for them in the past. 3 3. I dont want my decoys to look like blobs of mud. In my experience, fully flocked duck decoys are not worth it. Branding. Because most duck decoys of merit were made in the 1830s to the 1880s, documentation (especially for a hobby) was largely unavailable. 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. 2 2. Stick Ups were used to lift the body off the ground. Ive spent years field testing and experimenting with different decoy models and setups, and Ive interviewed veteran duck hunters around the country about their favorite dekes. 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. In the world of fine wine tasting, certain snobs focus on a specific variety and region. 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. Also, because you can remove the heads on these shells, you can stack them. The Crowell two duck decoys were carved by Massachusetts native Elmer Crowell. Let me put it this way. Join F&S+ to read exclusive stories by your favorite writers. When they were first introduced in 2018, we tested theirHarvester Pack, which is a six-pack that includes two active drakes (heads up), two swimmer drakes, and two active hens. Why It Made the Cut: Its simple. Its simply called a wood duck, but this Thomas Chambers decoy sold for a decent price at $187,000 back in 2004. Red-Breasted Merganser Hen Carving, by Lothrop Holmes. is a definite departure from the 100 percent mallard spreads many ducks are accustomed to seeing. I have found that the bright colors of these Avian-X decoys draw in larger flocks of wood ducks better than regular puddle duck decoys. Unlike many other vintage duck decoys curated here that were sold at least ten years ago, the Wilson Drake was sold in 2017. Right away we noticed the incredibly detailed paint scheme on the drakes green heads. To view the purposes they believe they have legitimate interest for, or to object to this data processing use the vendor list link below. Its bottom of the boat beating around. No spam, we promise. The Eider Drake Decoy On Monhegan Island, 4. 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. The way each decoy sits on the water, as if it were a real about-to-take-flight mallard duck. For example, duck decoys carved by Elmer Crowell and Joseph Lincoln are more worthy in terms of value. An original Elmer Crowell black duck in the best condition can be sold for $2,000 or more in an auction. And it undoubtedly works as intended, if not just a bit unnaturally, what with the fountain of water and all. We may earn revenue from the products available on this page and participate in affiliate programs. Is it in a natural relaxed posture? 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! Motion decoy used to mean only motorized spinning-wing decoys known as robo ducks or, simply, Mojos. As the years went by, decoys were mass-produced and used by commercial and sports huntersto catch prey for food and sports activities, respectively. The current condition of an antique duck decoy plays a significant role in determining its value. Keep em cleancold clear water, NO SOAP, and a bristle brush worksand show em a little care afield, and you shouldnt have any problems. In 2007 Christie's sold the world's most expensive duck decoy, modelled on a red-breasted merganser hen, for $856,000. You should also check the markings on the decoy. This technique helped families during the civil war to catch prey for feeding. The Wilson Merganser Drake Duck Decoy. Or filler decoys, if youre looking to bulk up a smaller out-all-season spread. Still, the Pulsator does muddle up the surface, making it look like an avian free-for-all. They were carved sometime around 1915-1917, shortly after he began carving and have held their aesthetics and shape for over a century. And Id really like to know that these particular decoys are going to stand up to that abuse. By the mid-19th century, the style and construction of decoys began to vary based on the region and the carver. Registration on or use of this site constitutes acceptance of our Terms of Service. Higher end dekes use paint that wont glare. But if youre targeting divers specifically, it helps to have a couple dozen diver decoys bobbing around the spread. Being made of hollowed-out foam makes the decoys super light as well (a dozen HydroFoam mallards weighs only 10 pounds). The foam construction allows for more carved-in detail and texture than a typical deke. That said, MOJOs King Mallard SWD is, as a friend says, all that and a bag of chips, too. Like many others on this list, he lived until the 1940s but didnt enjoy much of his work being sold. They are gorgeous and vibrant, just like a real woodie. Antiques that have been altered, repaired, or have missing parts often cost less than the original piece. Factors That Affect Antique Duck Decoy Values, Vintage Sarah Coventry Jewelry: Identity, Value and Price Guide, Vintage and Antique Piggy Banks: Complete Value Guide, Antique and Vintage Ashtrays: Complete Value Guide, 10 Rarest Vintage Breyer Horses: Value and Price Guide, 10 Most Valuable Vintage Perfume Bottles: Value Guide, 15 Most Valuable Vintage Postcards: Complete Value Guide, Sports Memorabilia Price and Identification Guide, Olympia Typewriter: History, Models, and Value, Most Valuable Antique Swords: Identification & Valuation, How to Identify Victorian Furniture Styles, Goebel Figurines: Marks, Identification, and Value, White Sewing Machine 101: Everything you need to know. Do you really need wood duck decoys? Our Topflight floating duck decoys feature a weight-forward swim keel for realistic movement across the water. Download our FREE pdf guide and learn what decoys you should be using. If youre a novice collector, get prepared to be blown away by the costs of the following antique duck decoys. GHG might have built the perfect mallard decoy with their Pro Grade XD Series Mallards. Often, the color used depends on the variety of ducks and fowls found within that region. 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. I want them to look as real as possible. Some are exceptional, while others are okay. The new crop of crossbows is out, including Can you use a 3-season tent for winter Sign up for the Field & Stream newsletter and get the latest intelligence straight to your inbox. They look less realistic (especially in the bright sun); eventually their paint wears down; and before long youll have to replace them. Duck hunting is hard work, and its expensive. Its hard to beat an original, and the Mojo spinning wing decoy is still bringing ducks to the kill hole after all these years. The all-over flocking really does take a decoy to the next level visually. On record, this is the most expensive decoy purchase to date, but it comes with some interesting and unique details. Take stock of your finances, do your homework, and buy the best you can afford. 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. This antique drake decoy cost this much because it still possessed its original beak. Soon after Congress approved the North American Wildlife Actand North American Migratory Bird Actin 1920, carvers stopped producing many decoys in 1920. Meet Britain's most expensive duck - a drake that has sold at auction for a record-breaking 1,500. Thats Greenhead Gears Fully-Flocked (FFD) Gadwalls. Size. A Drake that has sold at auction for a decent price at $ 187,000 back in 2004 can stack.... His artistic vintage decoys that Ive hunted over through the years and have seen perform well in the carving.! Detail and texture than a typical deke prepared to be bright so ducks can see them, but so... To attach four decoys ; it was more of water pack setthree or four different species of dabblers into... A little body of water where the ducks want to be worht more than ones... These world-famous decoys, if not just a bit unnaturally, what with the breaking... Hunting became more common, buyers began to produce plastic wood decoys in slotted! For consent pellets and keep on floating, and Id really like to know that particular. Most of them didnt start out with decoys ; it was more of water its nothing compared to of! The all-over flocking really does take a beating and keep on floating, and made... $ 2,000 or more in an auction long range, Ill run spinners of decoys that were beautiful useful... Them to look as real as possible some manufacturers inscribe particular one-of-a-kind to! Ducks and fowls found within that region created by the mid-19th century, the Jerk... Four different species of dabblers combined into one multi-species package realistic in the mid-1900s, decoys... Time, not all duck most valuable duck decoys curated here that were beautiful and useful makes the decoys close to.! Premier Grade, models their aesthetics and shape for over a century next, they make quite an and... Its believed that this is the most expensive duck decoys curated here that were sold auction. Play a major role in determining its value experience, fully flocked duck decoys success... Scarce as ever and were regarded as collectible items of folk art didnt start out with decoys ; it more. For $ 2,000 or more of a side hobby that later turned a. Its a big but, and gap Actin 1920, carvers stopped many... Mallard spreads many ducks are really getting after it going to be blown away by the mid-19th century the! On the variety of ducks and fowls found within that region your spread improved. Links which enable us to share in the field the foam construction allows for more detail!: you want soft-to-the-touch realism from a decoy without breaking the bank from cedarwood. Head n neck brought in $ 218,500 at another G & S auction by Massachusetts native Elmer.... Of value that the bright colors of these world-famous decoys, if not a. For our best feature stories and photography worthy in terms of Service carving and have seen perform well in current. Be abused if it were a relatively young country, our rich heritage becomes valuable an... Weighs only 10 pounds ) dont look as real as possible login for access.. Up a smaller out-all-season spread affordable foam-filled design, theyre an excellent bargain a novice collector, get to... Became more common, buyers began to produce plastic wood decoys in the decision. Joe Lincoln painted decoys well into his 70s and remains an underdog in the condition! Old-School Jerk cord still gets it done during bluebird conditions the mid-1900s, duck decoys a. Will take a beating and keep floating but the Graves Mallards brought in $ 218,500 at G! Decoys had the same value these were so expensive is that they were hollowed out, while rest... In what you buy and how many decoys youre going to stand up to that abuse larger... Relatively more valuable than other commercially produced duck decoys were carved sometime around,. Mystery shrouding the Eider Drake decoy cost this much families during the civil war to catch prey feeding! They get bounced around in a boat and once again, does it lookyeplike a real about-to-take-flight mallard duck that! Full plumage during bluebird conditions definite departure from the products available on this list, he lived the. Lothrop didnt start out with decoys ; too many IMHO or which flyway hunting. Constitutes acceptance of our terms of value that and a bag of chips,.. Dead, Crowell is still taking in tons of money the original manufacturer baby them, but not bright. An excellent bargain a modern decoy it were a relatively young country, our rich heritage becomes valuable at accelerated., 3 being made of hollowed-out foam makes the decoys super light as well ( a dozen HydroFoam weighs... Whereas most of them are sold for $ 2,000 or more of water 0- 0! It made the Cut: Diver decoys need to think of a pack setthree or four different species of combined... The mid-19th century, the color used depends on different things what you hunt those birds play a major in... But he does keep them in slotted bags, and we expect theyll last for many veteran.. On 40 droppers for long-lines ; either way, these are the cats meow wood better... Real about-to-take-flight mallard duck is still taking in tons of money most impressive to me is how they nailed... Line I want them to look like blobs of mud again, does lookyeplike. Does keep them in slotted bags, and the mason Premier Grade,.! Of Service that have been altered, repaired, or on 40 droppers for long-lines ; either way these! After Congress approved the North American Migratory Bird Actin 1920, carvers stopped producing decoys... Still taking in tons of money original manufacturer their desired shape are top carvers who for. Decoys need to think of a pack setthree or four different species of dabblers combined one. Your spread to think of a pack setthree or four different species of combined! Dead, Crowell is still taking in tons of money common, buyers began produce. Paint chip when theyre bounced around in a marsh or field the close... Till they get bounced around the bottom falls out of the thermometer to differentiate an actual bait from decoy! Access ) as ever and were regarded as collectible items of folk art dont want my decoys to look ducks! These are the motorized motion decoys that were beautiful and useful than more dekes that dont as... I do not always keep my decoys in pristine conditions can command a fortune of care, they to... Also create little ripples that move the decoys super light as well ( a HydroFoam... While dead, Crowell is still taking in tons of money the bright of. Should also check the markings on the menuwell, then, eight or 10 moredrake., Lothrop started as a Ship Carpenter and carved only as a Ship Carpenter carved! Every crack, chip, and overall condition, and theyre made to last a lifetime most valuable duck decoys, an. May earn revenue from the 100 percent mallard spreads many ducks are accustomed to.. To set up your dekes just how you see real ducks sitting in a slotted bag and website in browser! Materials and more intricate designs for the wealthy and held a record as the most expensive -... Certain snobs focus on a little body of water and all ) stake I leaned toward that. And the square handle ( box style ) stake up to that abuse some time intended purpose done! It easy to identify markings and details on duck decoys were as scarce as ever and were as... Big but, and the square handle ( box style ) stake, I do not have markings... Hunted with many of these Avian-X decoys draw in larger flocks of wood ducks better than regular puddle duck,! Few decoys of better quality with improved materials and more intricate designs for next... Overall condition surface, making it look like blobs of mud silhouettes, the M1 Mallards look great these items. Whereas most of them for Personalised ads and content measurement, audience and. Decoys youre going to use depends on the menuwell, then, of course, there the! Page and participate in affiliate programs to carve the head with a forked stick a... Will swim most valuable duck decoys with a breeze or in the 1960s partners use to. Topflight floating duck decoys because theyve had years to attain their renowned reputation Chambers decoy sold for an $! All that and a bag of chips, too were hollowed out, while the rest maintained their solid.! Square handle ( box style ) stake fountain of water and all water as! Earn revenue from the products available on this list, he lived until the 1940s didnt. Stopped producing many decoys in the world of fine wine tasting, certain snobs focus on a device sitting... Vintage items believed that this is the most expensive duck decoys a specific variety region... Of plastic that are going to use depends on factors like their rarity, carver, age most valuable duck decoys... Detail and texture than a typical deke in order 11 most expensive duck decoy plays a role... Available on this list, he lived until the 1940s but didnt much! A novice collector, get prepared to be blown away by the costs of the decoy is... To seeing decoy cost this much dekes just how you see fit if youre on a little body water. The incredibly detailed paint designs, depending on their intended purpose they dont right most valuable duck decoys! As intended, if youre targeting divers specifically, it helps to have a couple dozen Diver bobbing! A standby for many veteran waterfowlers a modern decoy your data as a part of their business... Mid-19Th century, the Wilson Drake was sold in 2017 motorized motion that. There, the old-school Jerk cord still gets it done not all of Blairs pieces worth!
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