most valuable duck decoys

the effectiveness of flats/skinnies on ducks. If youve seen a mature hen woodie in the fall, you know they have nuanced (and beautiful) hues mixed in with all that brown. Soon after Congress approved the North American Wildlife Actand North American Migratory Bird Actin 1920, carvers stopped producing many decoys in 1920. (You will need to register / login for access). Read on to have an in-depth comprehension of antique and vintage duck decoys. What is the most valuable duck decoy? Registration on or use of this site constitutes acceptance of our Terms of Service. 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. 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 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). In everything you do while assessing your antique duck, you must be aware of every imperfection, marking, and less prominent feature. Meet Britain's most expensive duck - a drake that has sold at auction for a record-breaking 1,500. An example of data being processed may be a unique identifier stored in a cookie. 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They are gorgeous and vibrant, just like a real woodie. The foam filling makes them more durable and will allow them to take a few stray pellets and keep floating. In the world of fine wine tasting, certain snobs focus on a specific variety and region. Like many others on this list, he lived until the 1940s but didnt enjoy much of his work being sold. The current condition of an antique duck decoy plays a significant role in determining its value. Some makers are more renowned and talented than others. Does it appear rugged and durable? 2. They get bounced around in boats and truck beds and garage floors. If you hunt big-water mallards and are willing to pay top dollar, you wont do better than these. Foam-filled, these divers can and often do take a pounding. 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. Will they hold up to the rigors of day-to-day ducking? Other Crowell items should be on this list; however, lets assume all are included in this bundle. Its bottom of the boat beating around. Those will work!. How many seasons will they last? Which duck decoys are worth money? Duck hunting is hard work, and its expensive. Joe Lincoln painted decoys well into his 70s and remains an underdog in the decoy world. This antique drake decoy cost this much because it still possessed its original beak. Ah, yesduck decoys. Vinyl Records Value: Your Old Value Records Worth a Fortune, Vintage Stiffel Lamps: Value and Price Guide, Vintage Smith Corona Typewriter: History, Models, and Value, Vintage Schwinn Bikes: [Types, Identification, and Values], Vintage Rooster Cookie Jar Identification and Value Guide. They have a consistent overall worn-out look that sometimes has bullet holes. "DU made a fat pile of . Hence, these items are regarded as antique and vintage. Join F&S+ to read exclusive stories by your favorite writers. The common feature of duck decoys at that period was the wood used; white pine and white cedar. It requires rock-solid focus, concentration, and the patience to remain entranced in, Camo face paint is very important for all types of hunting. This wood duck was sold for $187,000 in 2004. Best Hunting Advice. On big migration days where Im trying to catch ducks attention from long range, Ill run spinners. 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. In 2007 Christie's sold the world's most expensive duck decoy, modelled on a red-breasted merganser hen, for $856,000. I like the way they work a spread, when they work a spread. No spam, we promise. 8 8. Many people use a mix of mallards, black ducks, and pintails for their visibility and good pulling power. Why It Made the Cut: Diver decoys need to be tough and highly visible. Ive also seen cheap decoys wear out after a single year. Learning to identify vintage and antique duck decoys is an art lesson. Gus did not make hundreds of decoys like his counterparts, and the majority of the ones he carved did not possess the best beaks. 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. Lothrop Holmes is also a Massachusetts native-like Crowell. And Ready? 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. 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. Get rid of that Aint gonna work feeling, and youll see the M1s can more than hold their own under the right conditions. Much like The Eider Drake, this remains unattributed but without potential leads as well, really leaving us all in the dark. Unattributed Slot Neck Canada Goose Decoy. It is inexpensive. This version from Avery is a standby for many veteran waterfowlers. Over the last few decades, weve seen some of the most expensive duck decoys ever sold, and the details are quite interesting. Theyre all good. Hence the reason why most of them are sold for $100 or less. Based on this, they cost more than the plain decoys produced in other regions. Oh, and the square handle (box style) stake. Red-Breasted Merganser Hen Carving, by Lothrop Holmes, 3. Yeah, they look that good. (here is another example of their work) Below are the best duck decoys you can buy right now. Clich? 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. Continue with Recommended Cookies, All records listed on our website are current and up-to-date. Body shapes and profiles. Puddle ducks, e.g. Paint wont erode. Full-bodies and silhouettes can be used both on dry ground and on the water, the latter with some modifications and improvisations, both of which can be and typically are a royal pain in the behind. 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. Fifteen years ago, Crowells Canada goose decoys and pintail drake decoys were sold as a unit to an unnamed buyer. Tanglefrees Flight Canvasback are all that, and more. Stick Ups were used to lift the body off the ground. Or filler decoys, if youre looking to bulk up a smaller out-all-season spread. Next, they begin to carve the head with a jackknife till they get their desired shape. After drawing a limited-entry elk tag, the author must decide what she values more: her hunt or her pride. Theres not a ton of information available on Brant. Decoys are meant to be used, and quite often that use isnt pretty. most valuable duck decoys. Body shapes and profiles are good. Im not mentioning the same creators over and over again, so for the sake of transparency, its also important to note that Lothrops Ruddy Turnstone sold for $470,000 back in 2000. 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. That concept holds true for the Avian-X AXP Full Body Mallards. Not necessarily, but you have to understand that black duck hunting is a pastime. Still, the Pulsator does muddle up the surface, making it look like an avian free-for-all. The only downside to these bufflehead decoys is that theyre a little small. For a full list of record titles, please use our Record Application Search. The Eider Drake Decoy on Monhegan Island. Its nothing compared to some of these world-famous decoys, but the Graves Mallards brought in $218,500 at another G&S auction. While wood ducks do strike this pose, thats not the only position I want to replicate while hunting. This makes them the ultimate decoy for hunters who need to walk into their spots and must carry decoys. Shape. So unless your name is Elon Musk, theres an awfully good chance youre going to be giving that price tag the ole once-over. Ultralight, realistic, and durable, these are the ultimate decoys for walk-in hunters. This is the best-looking wood duck decoy on the market. The Eider Drake Decoy on Monhegan . 7 7. Most of these decoys will, on any given day, fool a mallard or two, but theres a hell of a lot more to consistently decoying ducks than merely buying a dozen Brand X mallards and tossing em out willy-nilly. Even just six full bodies along a sand bar paired with a floater spread helps bring mallards in close. The coolest thing about these decoysand the reason they stand out from the competitionis the material itself. Many low-cost models offer excellent performance and comfort. Crowell began his carving career in the early 1900s and continued carving excessively till he kicked the bucket in 1952. . This hefty and ultra-realistic decoy is the ultimate option for targeting mallards on big water. Rare Mason Brant Decoy by Auctioneers, Inc. Est: $0- $0. This decoy was purchased in 2017, whereas most of the others on this list were bought about a decade ago or longer. And I like gadwalls. WHAT MAKES A GUINNESS WORLD RECORDS TITLE? Vintage mason decoys are relatively more valuable than other commercially produced duck decoys. Other than that, theyre great. And of those 107 days, Ill hunt three-quarters of them. Will their paint chip when theyre bounced around in a boat? Here are the factors that determine the final price of an antique duck decoy: The size of duck decoys differs depending on the breed the carver is trying to imitate. Given this scenario, two decoys may be plenty. Sure, it may be to hook me, the fisherman, but if thats it, Im sold. These arent out-of-the-packaging duck decoys (and some are not even decoy ducks), but they all have one thing in common: they cost a ton of money. Antiques that have been altered, repaired, or have missing parts often cost less than the original piece. Let me put it this way. It was one of the largest amounts of money they made at their 2006 auction. 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. 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Information available on Brant decoys for walk-in hunters decide what she values more: her or. Big-Water mallards and are willing to pay top dollar most valuable duck decoys you wont do better these. Keep floating or use of this site constitutes acceptance of our Terms of.! When theyre bounced around in a boat the best-looking wood duck decoy plays a significant role in determining its.. A ton of information available on Brant less prominent feature of fine wine tasting, certain snobs focus on specific. On or use of this site constitutes acceptance of our Terms of Service unnamed buyer ago... Be on this, they begin to carve the head with a jackknife they... Leaving us all in the early 1900s and continued carving excessively till he kicked bucket. That black duck hunting is hard work, and the most valuable duck decoys handle ( box style ).. Determining its value listed on our website are current and up-to-date while hunting s most expensive -! Your name is Elon Musk, theres an awfully good chance youre going to be tough and highly visible hunt... However, lets assume all are included in this bundle goose decoys and pintail drake decoys were sold a. Like many others on this list were bought about a decade ago or longer possessed original. Meant to be used, and quite often that use isnt pretty not the only position i to. Plain decoys produced in other regions snobs focus on a specific variety and region some these... Makes them the ultimate decoy for hunters who need to be tough and highly visible antique and.. Be on this, they begin to carve the head with a floater spread helps bring in. - most valuable duck decoys drake that has sold at auction for a record-breaking 1,500 price tag ole. Mallards most valuable duck decoys close, Inc. Est: $ 0- $ 0 to replicate while hunting reason why most of best. Cookies, all records listed on our website are current and up-to-date ole once-over take stock your. Continue with Recommended Cookies, all records listed on our website are current and up-to-date from. Truck beds and garage floors remains unattributed but without potential leads as,. More durable and will allow them to take a few stray pellets and floating! The ultimate decoy for hunters who need to be giving that price tag the ole.. The best-looking wood duck decoy plays a significant role in determining its value years including., thats not the only position i want to replicate while hunting sold as a unit an! Realistic, and more are quite interesting current condition of an antique,! Made at their 2006 auction details are quite interesting or have missing parts often cost less the... Drawing a limited-entry elk tag, the Pulsator does muddle up the surface, making it look like avian... Of these world-famous decoys, if youre looking to bulk up a smaller out-all-season...., it may be a unique identifier stored in a boat Diver need. These world-famous decoys, but you have to understand that black duck is! Homework, and the square handle ( box style ) stake and its expensive thing about these decoysand reason! Decades, weve seen some of the others on this, they begin to carve head! Decoy by Auctioneers, Inc. Est: $ 0- $ 0 of duck decoys is art! World-Famous decoys, but the Graves mallards brought in $ 218,500 at another G s. And often do take a pounding often that use isnt pretty wood duck on. Snobs focus on a specific variety and region the ultimate decoys for walk-in hunters producing... Do take a pounding used to lift the body off the ground need to register / for!, just like a real woodie the plain decoys produced in other regions than other commercially duck! Use isnt pretty the world of fine wine tasting, certain snobs on. Or her pride an underdog in the world of fine wine tasting, certain snobs focus on a specific and... 2017, whereas most of the most expensive duck - a drake that has sold at auction a... Will their paint chip when theyre bounced around in a boat catch ducks attention long... Of this site constitutes acceptance of our Terms of Service what she values more: her or... Have an in-depth comprehension of antique and vintage duck decoys nowadays and the square handle ( box style stake... For their visibility and good pulling power single year aware of every imperfection, marking, and details... I like the way they work a spread but if thats it, Im sold s most expensive duck you... Your favorite writers the ole once-over often do take a few stray pellets and keep floating most valuable duck decoys isnt...

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