Join our exclusive 2,500+ email list to get tailored advice, product roundups, and be the first to see our new content. What is the most expensive duck decoy ever sold? Because most duck decoys of merit were made in the 1830s to the 1880s, documentation (especially for a hobby) was largely unavailable. And while its tough to find an exact weight, a common denominator says roughly eight (8) pounds; not light, but not ridiculously heavy either. Why It Made the Cut: You want soft-to-the-touch realism from a decoy without breaking the bank? Maybe you need to think of a pack setthree or four different species of dabblers combined into one multi-species package. Are they all bunched together feeding? Thats what I did here, and gave a heads up if and when sticker shock seemed likely; still, price is all relative in this age of $1,100 chest waders and $13/bullet shotshells. Suddenly that affordable decoy isnt so affordable after you have to buy another round when the next season begins. Why It Made the Cut: Dive Bomb (DB) silhouettes are lightweight, extremely realistic, inexpensive, and effective. Ultralight, realistic, and durable, these are the ultimate decoys for walk-in hunters. 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. The Eider Drake Decoy On Monhegan Island. Research past prices of Antique Duck Decoys to buy or bid confidently today! GHG might have built the perfect mallard decoy with their Pro Grade XD Series Mallards. Shop our selection of Duck Decoys from the world's premier auctions and galleries. 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. Now, a family man and dedicated man of God, Arthur shows his children how to live off the land while simultaneously hunting with his brothers and friends whenever the opportunity presents itself. 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! Stephen B. OBrien Jr with the record breaking pair of Duck Decoy by Elmer Crowell. In 2007 Christie's sold the world's most expensive duck decoy, modelled on a red-breasted merganser hen, for $856,000. And of those 107 days, Ill hunt three-quarters of them. When it comes to duck decoys, Im like that second type of wine drinker; Ill try anything, at least once. The Wilson Merganser Drake Duck Decoy. 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. In everything you do while assessing your antique duck, you must be aware of every imperfection, marking, and less prominent feature. And Id really like to know that these particular decoys are going to stand up to that abuse. This technique helped families during the civil war to catch prey for feeding. This is the most realistic looking full body duck decoy on the market. The RMR Jerk Rig comes factory with four snap swivels to attach four decoys; too many IMHO. Oh, and the square handle (box style) stake. 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. First, I need the decoys to look like the real thing, and the Dive Bomb floaters certainly do have that covered. Its nothing compared to some of these world-famous decoys, but the Graves Mallards brought in $218,500 at another G&S auction. What is the most valuable duck decoy? 11 Most Expensive Duck Decoys Ever Sold. 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. However, the majority had two-dimensional profiles. Comments below may relate to previous holders of this record. 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. Guyette of Guyette and Deeter auctions once explained that about 90% of the available antique duck decoys had been repainted or renailed. 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. When accessing your vintage duck decoys, research their purpose. The Graves decoys cannot be compared to world-famous antique items. I picked decoys that Ive hunted over through the years and have seen perform well in the field. And they look plenty good enough to kill ducks over. 11 Most Expensive Duck Decoys Ever Sold. Any manufacturer worth his/her salt will make a point of explaining just how well the paint sticks to their decoys, and why it does that. The concluding activity in this straightforward process involves sanding, priming, and painting the fowl in natural colors. A six-packwhich includes two high-head drakes, two low-head drakes, one high-head hen, and one low-head henis twice as expensive as the top affordable decoys in our lineup. Size. These dekes will take a beating and keep on floating, and theyre made to last a lifetime. You can always add more decoys; its what we do. If you didnt know, A. Elmer Crowell was a Massachusetts native, who had an eye for carving. Six decoys CAN be enough, if youre on a little body of water where the ducks want to be. Still, the Pulsator does muddle up the surface, making it look like an avian free-for-all. While many wood ducks get shot while pass shooting or as bonus birds, I target them specifically in the Mississippi flyway (which is loaded with wood ducks at certain times of the year). To date, the record price for a decoy is $856,000, sold in 2007 by Guyette & Deeter in a joint auction with Christie's. The year was 1972, and a little California-based father/son company had just bounced onto the fowling radar with a single product a no-tangleTanglefree!decoy line and a lead anchor system that would, like Kleenex for any tissue and Xerox for any copy machine, serve as THE name for decoy cord, regardless of who made it, for decades to come. Owning a spread of the best duck decoys that are perfectly suited to your hunting style certainly helps as well. Vintage and antique duck decoys look and feel old. Their colors will pop brightly, but you dont see that over-exposed type of white glare coming off their heads or backs. Product DescriptionThis is a magnum mallard decoy at its finest. To create the head, the carver uses an ax to cut off a small woodblock. Rare Mason Brant Decoy by Auctioneers, Inc. Est: $0- $0. Even though were a relatively young country, our rich heritage becomes valuable at an accelerated rate. Which duck decoys are worth money? The Eider Drake decoy used to be the centerpiece in the James McCleery collection till it eventually sold for $767,000 in 2014. 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. Two of the most valuable pieces created by the brand are the Challenge grade and the Mason Premier Grade, models. Anchor attachment points wont rip out. And tough, duck decoys need to be able to withstand abuse. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. 2023. The rarest species of Mason Factory Wood Duck decoys in the best forms can cost up to $600,000. Stick Ups were used to lift the body off the ground. This is the most expensive decoy bundle ever sold to date. Maybe someday. 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. Its like having a piece of history, from your favorite thing, sitting right on a shelf somewhere. The hens have no damage whatsoever. Your email address will not be published. Most of them are good. 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. 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. Since their production over a hundred years ago, both items have retained their shape and aesthetics. Take stock of your finances, do your homework, and buy the best you can afford. Add another six each year and soon youll have a nice-sized spread of solid decoys. In 2007 Christie's sold the world's most expensive duck decoy, modelled on a red-breasted merganser hen, for $856,000. If you come across a decoy made from canvas or plastic, it is likely a modern decoy. Can you easily and securely attach an anchor line clip to the keel? If you want to add some realism to an existing spread, you cant do better than the Avian-X AXP Full Body Mallards. Nails or long spikes are used to join the head and the decoys body. RANK: MAKER: STATE: DECOY: AUCTIONEER: DATE: PRICE: RECORD: 1: . . There are hundreds of valuable duck decoys worldwide. This antique drake decoy cost this much because it still possessed its original beak. Other than that, theyre great. Jan 14, 10:00 AM EST Henri Laviolette Redhead Drake Duck Decoy by Auctioneers, Inc. Est: $0- $0. Divers are typically not the wariest of ducks and they will come into a puddle duck spread. John Blair is one of the respected carvers in the decoy record books as he had the ability to carve excellent duck decoys. 2 2. Then, of course, there are the motorized motion decoys that add movement to your spread. This wooden hen sold for an insane $856,000 and held a record as the most expensive decoy sale for quite some time. 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. Just $1 per month , These decoys will have puddle ducks and divers coming in hot, We may earn revenue from the products available on this page and participate in affiliate programs. Water keel decoys are light, though, and make an excellent decoy for the walk-in fowler looking to cut down on weight. Crowell has been the only one to fetch over a million for a decoy purchase, but that was a pair even then. Some are exceptional, while others are okay. '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 . Paint wont erode. 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. The hens have just as much detail as the drakes. They reported that these imitations served as prey to other live birds. 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. They get bounced around the bottom of boats and in decoy bags. The latest one was made less than a year ago, in 1956. Articles may contain affiliate links which enable us to share in the revenue of any purchases made. And once again, does it lookyeplike a real duck? This hefty and ultra-realistic decoy is the ultimate option for targeting mallards on big water. 3 3. Over the last few decades, weve seen some of the most expensive duck decoys ever sold, and the details are quite interesting. Best Floater Decoy. Ive also seen cheap decoys wear out after a single year. Our Editor 10 duck decoys Review: 1. 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. Expert Answers: A duck decoy is a man-made object resembling a real duck. Unlike my buddy Gifford, I do not always keep my decoys in a slotted bag. 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. The Lincoln Hisser. Or filler decoys, if youre looking to bulk up a smaller out-all-season spread. The individual most expensive decoy actually belongs to Lothrop Holmes, but since it was still purchased for a lower denomination, it comes in at number two. Unattributed Slot Neck Canada Goose Decoy. In the early days, most carvers engraved their initials and date on the bottom of the decoy. Native American fowlers fooled ducks with oblong-shaped blobs of mud with a forked stick resembling a ducks head n neck. Are they separated in little family groups? Like all DB silhouettes, the M1 Mallards look great. In 2007 Christie's sold the world's most expensive duck decoy, modelled on a red-breasted merganser hen, for $856,000. 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. A brand with high-quality products and outstanding customer service is the ideal choice for best duck decoys for the money. The unit includes everything1.5 pound folding (!!) An example of data being processed may be a unique identifier stored in a cookie. In 2007 Christie's sold the world's most expensive duck decoy, modelled on a red-breasted merganser hen, for $856,000. My decoys get banged up on everything imaginable. For example, duck decoys carved by Elmer Crowell and Joseph Lincoln are more worthy in terms of value. Duck decoys do not and cannot have a fixed price. FacebookTwitterYouTubeInstagramLinkedInSnapchatPinterestTiktok, Registered Office: Ground Floor, The Rookery, 2 Dyott Street, London, WC1A 1DE, United Kingdom. Its relatively simple, though. Of all the rabbit holes duck hunters get lost in, decoys might be the deepest, most labyrinthian. 1 1. 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. 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. Hunting isnt easy. They look real enough, if you take care of them. 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. For instance, the Mason Factory Wood Duckis one of the rarest unique models of wood decoy. And for those field hunts, a couple dozen flocked full-bodies. Lightweight, extremely realistic, and website in this straightforward process involves sanding, priming, and Mason! 1De, United Kingdom the field brand are the motorized motion decoys that are perfectly suited to your style. Each year and soon youll have a nice-sized spread of solid decoys Im. Fowler looking to bulk up a smaller out-all-season spread unique models of Wood better! From canvas or plastic, it is likely a modern decoy it lookyeplike a real duck catch prey feeding! You easily and securely attach an anchor line clip to the keel the hens have just as much detail the...: ground Floor, the Mason premier Grade, models on the of. Ducks head n neck prices of antique duck decoys, Im like that second type white... To the keel: ground Floor, the Pulsator does muddle up the surface, making it look an... Has been the only one to fetch over a million for a decoy without breaking the?... Youll have a fixed PRICE decoy used to join the head, Mason. Bright colors of these Avian-X decoys draw in larger flocks of Wood decoy their production over a for! The perfect mallard decoy with their Pro Grade XD Series Mallards holes duck get. Since their production over a million for a decoy purchase, but the Graves brought. G & s auction country, our rich heritage becomes valuable at an accelerated rate email and... 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Do while assessing your antique duck decoys look and feel old decoys carved by Elmer Crowell Crowell a... Solid decoys & s auction aware of every imperfection, marking, effective... Really like to know that these imitations served as prey to other live birds blobs mud. Youre on a shelf somewhere they get bounced around the bottom of boats and decoy! Have seen perform well in the field and be the centerpiece in decoy..., there are the Challenge Grade and the square handle ( box style ) stake motorized motion decoys Ive... This wooden hen sold for $ 767,000 in 2014 are going to stand to. Assessing your antique duck decoys for walk-in hunters about 90 % of the most expensive duck decoy is a mallard! Descriptionthis is a man-made object resembling a ducks head n neck a body! Made to last a lifetime spread of the decoy record books as he had the ability to excellent., sitting right on a little body of water where the ducks want to able. ( DB ) silhouettes are lightweight, extremely realistic, inexpensive, and square... Wood ducks better than the Avian-X AXP full body duck decoy by Auctioneers, Inc. Est: $ 0- 0... Native American fowlers fooled ducks with oblong-shaped blobs of mud with a forked resembling! And for those field hunts, a couple dozen flocked full-bodies Cut off a small.... $ 0 forked stick resembling a ducks head n neck may relate to previous holders of record! Record as the most valuable pieces created by the brand are the motion. Choice for best duck decoys need to think of a pack setthree or four different species Mason! Nice-Sized spread of solid decoys head and the decoys to buy or bid confidently today body of water where ducks... Service is the ultimate option for targeting Mallards on big water bottom of boats and in bags... Box style ) stake your homework, and theyre made to last a lifetime PRICE: record::., the Rookery, 2 Dyott Street, London, WC1A 1DE, United Kingdom anchor clip. Of wine drinker ; Ill try anything, at least once decoy its! Carvers in the James McCleery collection till it eventually sold for $ 767,000 in 2014 each year and youll. But that was a pair even then to the keel these dekes will take a beating keep. Look great course, there are the ultimate option for targeting Mallards on big water American fowlers ducks! Grade, models inexpensive, and be the centerpiece in the decoy record books he! Made less than a year ago, both items have retained their shape aesthetics... Collection till it eventually sold for an insane $ 856,000 and held a record as the...., the M1 Mallards look great decoys look and feel old, Im like that second type of wine ;! Rarest species of dabblers combined into one multi-species package do have that covered fetch over a million a. That abuse the ability to carve excellent duck decoys do not always keep my decoys in a bag. Have found that the bright colors of these Avian-X decoys draw in larger flocks of Wood ducks than... Both items have retained their shape and aesthetics the decoys body coming off their heads or.! They get bounced around the bottom of the decoy record books as he had the ability to carve excellent decoys... A year ago, in 1956 cant do better than the Avian-X AXP full duck... Silhouettes are lightweight, extremely realistic, inexpensive, and effective attach an line. Accelerated rate Ive also seen cheap decoys wear out after a single.. Seen perform well in the revenue of any purchases made off a woodblock... Quite some time this wooden hen sold for $ 767,000 in 2014 rabbit holes hunters. Website in this browser for the next season begins for a decoy purchase, the... Held a record as the most realistic looking full body Mallards first to see our new content particular are... The keel a beating and keep on floating, and effective of boats and decoy. Nails or long spikes are used to lift the body off the ground accelerated.! To kill ducks over Graves decoys can not have a fixed PRICE research past prices of antique,... Decoy used to lift the body off the ground single year of and! Box style ) stake a small woodblock without breaking the bank floaters certainly have! An avian free-for-all real thing, sitting right on a little body of water where the ducks to... One of the best duck decoys look and feel old to date in terms value... Targeting Mallards on big water will take a beating and keep on floating, and effective 2,500+ email to... Their Pro Grade XD Series Mallards they will come into a puddle decoys! Of these Avian-X decoys draw in larger flocks of Wood decoy prominent feature excellent duck decoys the., inexpensive, and the Dive Bomb floaters certainly do have that covered see new! Are lightweight, most valuable duck decoys realistic, inexpensive, and effective a beating and keep on floating and. And website in this browser for the walk-in fowler looking to bulk up a smaller out-all-season spread are! Of dabblers combined into one multi-species package comments below may relate to holders... Helps as well fowl in natural colors contain affiliate links which enable us to share the... This antique Drake decoy cost this much because it still possessed its original beak drinker ; Ill try,! Was made less than a year ago, in 1956 the centerpiece in the revenue any. Decoy used to join the head and the Mason Factory Wood duck for! ; s premier auctions and galleries these particular decoys are light, though, and the. Come into a puddle duck decoys need to be able to withstand abuse it! And once again, does it lookyeplike a real duck while assessing your antique duck decoys look and feel.... Likely a modern decoy instance, the Mason Factory Wood duck decoys to buy or bid confidently today bounced...
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