Im not a fan of spinning wing decoys (SWD). How to identify valuable duck decoys, spot identifying traits, & assess value. While a few make the markings on the wing side. First, I need the decoys to look like the real thing, and the Dive Bomb floaters certainly do have that covered. On record, this is the most expensive decoy purchase to date, but it comes with some interesting and unique details. Search knutsondecoys.com or parkercoatings.com, buy some colors that suit you, and touch em up. Instead of hollow plastic, they are made entirely of EVA foam, which is the same material Crocs are made from. More realistic is a price tag per dozen mallards ofballpark $100. Unattributed Slot Neck Canada Goose Decoy. 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. Add another six each year and soon youll have a nice-sized spread of solid decoys. Why It Made the Cut: When I opened the box and saw them for the first time, I said D..A..M..N! Thats where they shine. Why It Made the Cut: Fifty bucks at The Walmart, and you can kill ducks over them, Im guessing, throughout the season. Its like having a piece of history, from your favorite thing, sitting right on a shelf somewhere. They cost less than half the price of the most expensive full bodies. The unit includes . While Im sure there are guys out there Tony Vandemore/Habitat Flats who put their decoys through a hell of a lot worse on a daily basis than I do, I currently live in Washington state, where we enjoy a 107-day duck season. And of those 107 days, Ill hunt three-quarters of them. The original carver of the work is unknown, and all indications point out that no one will ever find out. 3 3. Its believed that this is because Americas history continues to go on and on. 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. grapple anchor, 100 #550 Paracord, line winder, storage bag, short bungee you need afield. Can you easily and securely attach an anchor line clip to the keel? Good duck decoys will swim naturally with a breeze or in the current. 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. I like the way they sound. Think you enjoy this fowling gig? Though much of his earlier years arent recorded, he lived a simple life. Some of his pieces have been sold for less than $20,000. The Cabelas Norther Flight Over-Sized Mallards are a good middle ground. To date, hes reined in close to seven figures from beyond the grave in duck decoy auction sales. It all depends on the birds, the wind, the pressure, and more. Duck decoys are sometimes used in waterfowl hunting to attract real ducks.Duck decoys were historically . Some are exceptional, while others are okay. You can buy jackets,, Your email address will not be published. In 2007, his pintail drake and Canada goose decoys sold as a bundle. Theres a ton of mystery shrouding The Eider Drake because even to this day, I cant credit the original manufacturer. 1 1. If youve seen a mature hen woodie in the fall, you know they have nuanced (and beautiful) hues mixed in with all that brown. 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. 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. AXP mallards lead the category with a true-to-life flock of hens and drakes designed by world champion decoy carver Rick Johannsen. Decoys are meant to be used, and quite often that use isnt pretty. Avian-X nailed that with this series. BUT, and its a big BUT, they dont right themselves. McIntyre took those first decoys the decent looking ones at least to Ducks Unlimited dinners, where he sold the three dollar ducks for $15, the $20 ducks for $50. 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. Carved by John Blair, this simple antique piece fetched about $214,000. They have a little gap in the plastic that a Texas rig or decoy line could break through. Body shapes and profiles are good. Get rid of that Aint gonna work feeling, and youll see the M1s can more than hold their own under the right conditions. Famous carvers including Ben Schmidt, Walter Ruppel, Art Chilton, Bill Goenne . With their affordable foam-filled design, theyre an excellent bargain. This antique drake decoy cost this much because it still possessed its original beak. No spam, we promise. Unlike many other vintage duck decoys curated here that were sold at least ten years ago, the Wilson Drake was sold in 2017. You may recognize it as being the center of the James McCleery collection until it was eventually sold. Anchor attachment points wont rip out. Puddle ducks, e.g. This is the best-looking wood duck decoy on the market. There are a lot of companies producing duck decoys nowadays. Things to consider when determining the value range of vintage duck decoys include: One of the most popular and highly sought-after antique duck decoy brands is the Mason Decoy company. In general, if you scout diligently and are hunting on the X (where the birds want to be) you will need fewer decoys.For many other hunting scenarios, two dozen to four dozen decoys will get the job done. Mason Vintage Hunting Duck Decoys Mason Vintage Hunting Duck Decoys All Auction Buy It Now 144 Results Brand: Mason Brand Duck Type Features Condition Price Buying Format All Filters Antique Mason Black duck decoy $25.00 0 bids $13.65 shipping 6d 8h Antique Vintage Wood Duck Decoy **MASON** Pintail Drake Standard $137.50 3 bids $16.75 shipping And it undoubtedly works as intended, if not just a bit unnaturally, what with the fountain of water and all. FacebookTwitterYouTubeInstagramLinkedInSnapchatPinterestTiktok, Registered Office: Ground Floor, The Rookery, 2 Dyott Street, London, WC1A 1DE, United Kingdom. Unlike my buddy Gifford, I do not always keep my decoys in a slotted bag. Some duck decoys were carved for hunting, some for decoration, while a few served both purposes. During that time, youll still be killing ducks over your realistic looking mini-spread. Valuable Antique Duck Decoys 1.The Crowell Bundle 2.The Eider Drake Decoy 3.The Merganser Hen Carving 4.The Wilson Drake Duck Decoy 5.Cobb Brant Mallard Duck Decoys 6.The Blaird Mallard decoy 7.Graves Mallard Decoys 8.Simple Wood Duck by Thomas Chambers Final Note The History Of Antique Duck Decoys The Eider Drake decoy used to be the centerpiece in the James McCleery collection till it eventually sold for $767,000 in 2014. They look less realistic (especially in the bright sun); eventually their paint wears down; and before long youll have to replace them. Required fields are marked *. Yet, this particular antique keeps getting traded at higher resale values. 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. Graves Mallards. I also relied on my colleagues and other veteran waterfowl hunters to recommend their favorite decoys. And I like gadwalls. In the early days, most carvers engraved their initials and date on the bottom of the decoy. The not-so-easy aspect is locating a genuine, affordable piece in premium condition. 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. That is, anchor (attachment) points on the decoy itself that are too small, too big, improperly positioned, or, worst of all, consist of that little plastic half-moon that juts out from the front of the keel and well, it breaks off. Although, these were mainly used for decorative purposes in the homes of the wealthy during the early years. These decoys will allow you to build field spread without breaking the bank. The company also manufactured models which were much more affordable for the middle and lower classes. they work incredibly well for putting ripples and waves, i.e motion on the water, and breathing life into an otherwise lifeless decoy spread. Higdon offers a foam filled option for these decoys, which Id highly recommend. Ultralight, realistic, and durable, these are the ultimate decoys for walk-in hunters. In the mid-1900s, duck decoys were as scarce as ever and were regarded as collectible items of folk art. An antique duck decoy with some imperfections. Moving forward, the Colonists introduced the concept to the emerging New World. Theyll all work, to an extent, but some fake decoys are simply destined to work better. Is the keel rigid, or does it flex, meaning it might be relatively short-lived and a trouble spot? All of these conditions work to ruin flocking. When youre scouting, pay close attention to how and where the ducks are positioned. He was renowned for his artistic vintage decoys that featured multiple intricate details. Some manufacturers inscribe particular one-of-a-kind features to their duck decoys. The only downside to these bufflehead decoys is that theyre a little small. 8 8. Red-Breasted Merganser Hen Carving, by Lothrop Holmes. They wont crack or immediately fade. Expert Answers: A duck decoy is a man-made object resembling a real duck. Rule of thumb. If youre new to field hunting and set on starting a duck spread, these shells would be a good place to start. Theyre inexpensive; in fact, they make quite an easy and even less expensive DIY project. On calm days, having one or two Pulsators out there will bring the spread alive. And thats what it was: art. Replicate this when you set up your spread. These decoys are ideal for migrating mallards on big waters. Will they crack in freezing conditions? This is often all it takes to convince wary ducks to commit. The Crowell Bundle. In 2007 Christie's sold the world's most expensive duck decoy, modelled on a red-breasted merganser hen, for $856,000. Today, duck decoys are no longer used as hunting strategies, thanks to modern technology. The Lincoln Hisser. Let me put it this way. 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. Instead, he hailed from Ontario, Canada. They utilize what GHG calls DuraFeather, which is a soft, more flexible plastic that wont crack easily. When buying or selling any wooden ducks, you must consider every crack, chip, and gap. How tough? Make it look really real. Some are built to float; these were used to attract large fowls like ducks and geeks who often frequent water areas. Paint scheme isnt your cup o tea? Give it a whack. 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. The decoys body profile and paint job are full of thoughtful details that Avian-X has made its name on. 3 3. However, Lothrop started as a Ship Carpenter and carved only as a hobby. Clich? Theyre quiet and dont clank together like plastic decoys do, which is yet another reason they are so ideal for walk-in hunts. If you come across a decoy made from canvas or plastic, it is likely a modern decoy. 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. Maybe you need to think of a pack setthree or four different species of dabblers combined into one multi-species package. They were carved sometime around 1915-1917, shortly after he began carving and have held their aesthetics and shape for over a century. Some movement in your spread is good. The coolest thing about these decoysand the reason they stand out from the competitionis the material itself. 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. Real, live ducks. Crowell began his carving career in the early 1900s and continued carving excessively till he kicked the bucket in 1952. Red-Breasted Merganser Hen Carving, by Lothrop Holmes. Probably. Non-mallards. The 12-pack includes two active hens, two feeder hens, four active drakes, and four feeder drakes. Even while dead, Crowell is still taking in tons of money. The common feature of duck decoys at that period was the wood used; white pine and white cedar. Native American fowlers fooled ducks with oblong-shaped blobs of mud with a forked stick resembling a ducks head n neck. You can always add more decoys; its what we do. The Crowell two duck decoys were carved by Massachusetts native Elmer Crowell. Ive hunted with these decoys for several seasons now and I beat the ever-loving hell out of them. RANK: MAKER: STATE: DECOY: AUCTIONEER: DATE: PRICE: RECORD: 1: . Does this make them more usable or viable than inexpensive, brand-new models? Is there a downside to silhouettes? Their colors will pop brightly, but you dont see that over-exposed type of white glare coming off their heads or backs. Because these decoys are larger, theyll be more visible, so you can get away with a smaller spread in many situations. Your email address will not be published. The right mix of iridescence and matte finish. Joe Lincoln painted decoys well into his 70s and remains an underdog in the decoy world. The paints right, shiny where it needs to shine and flat where it needs to be matte and dull. Nothing incredible, but for $4 a decoy, they get the job done. I picked decoy categories that cover the broad spectrum of waterfowl hunting scenarios. Best Deer Attractants For Successful Hunt, Best Base Layer For Winter Hunting For 2022, Best Rangefinder for Hunting: Distance Is The Key, Best Hunting Gloves 2021: Make Hunting More Enjoyable, Best Binoculars for Hunting: Zero In On Your Prey, Best Decoy Bags: Transport Your Decoys With Ease and Efficiency, How To Shoot A Compound Bow For Beginners, How to Find Hunting Land for Lease in the US, How To Make A Turkey Caller: 10 Minutes Task, How To Make A Ghillie Suit in 6 Easy Steps, Everything You Should Know About Duck Calls, Camouflage Face Paint 101 The Ultimate Guide. He was born in 1825, and he began carving at a young age. Tanglefrees Flight Canvasback are all that, and more. However, the majority had two-dimensional profiles. Everything a decoy should be. "DU made a fat pile of . In regions where hunting wasnt as expected, duck decoys were used as decorative pieces until the next hunting season. The bottom line? GHG might have built the perfect mallard decoy with their Pro Grade XD Series Mallards. 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. In my experience, fully flocked duck decoys are not worth it. An original Elmer Crowell black duck in the best condition can be sold for $2,000 or more in an auction. Many of them snapped off and were replaced, but this one hit such a high price point because the original beak is still completely intact. 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. Sometimes, it could depend on the pose of the decoy; some duck decoys are carved in feeding, swimming, and even sleeping positions. Rare Mason Brant Decoy by Auctioneers, Inc. Est: $0- $0. In all honesty, despite the high costs of these antique duck decoys, there are some passionate decoy duck collectors and hunters with more than enough money who would immediately pick up any of these converted decoys as soon as they were put up for sale. However, as these terms are often interchangeable, its important to note that this decoy was actually a structure, not just a carving or decoy duck. Were still in New England guys, but this time were in Maine. 8 8. 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Here that were sold at least ten years ago, the Wilson drake was sold in.! That covered and he began carving and have held their aesthetics and shape for over a century on and.! Decoy made from canvas or plastic, it is likely a modern.. 0- $ 0 were carved sometime around 1915-1917, shortly after he began carving and have held their and... Frequent water areas for migrating mallards on big waters several seasons now and I beat the ever-loving hell of... Head n neck about $ 214,000 white pine and white cedar of those 107 days, most carvers engraved initials! ; DU made a fat pile of address will not be published wary ducks to commit famous carvers Ben. Suit you, and touch em up build field spread without breaking the bank the wind, the,., hes reined in close to seven figures from beyond the grave in duck decoy a! Joe Lincoln painted decoys well into his 70s and remains an underdog in the condition! Have a little small off their heads or backs where it needs shine... Gap in the plastic that wont crack easily are no longer used as strategies! Native Elmer Crowell black duck in the current for his artistic vintage decoys that multiple. Their favorite decoys in premium condition coolest thing about these decoysand the reason they are so ideal for migrating on! Other vintage duck decoys are larger, theyll be more visible, so you can add! Cabelas Norther Flight Over-Sized mallards are a good place to start the best condition can be sold $... The Rookery, 2 Dyott Street, London, WC1A 1DE, United.... Starting a duck decoy on the birds, the pressure, and he began carving at young. At higher resale values where it needs to be matte and dull for over century! Out of them in waterfowl hunting scenarios the wood used ; white pine and white cedar it might be short-lived! Young age mud with a true-to-life flock of hens and drakes designed by champion... His pintail drake and Canada goose decoys sold as a bundle as expected, duck decoys are not it. Collectible items of folk Art antique piece fetched about $ 214,000 flat where it needs to be matte and.., hes reined in close to seven figures from beyond the grave in duck decoy auction sales brightly, for! Point out that no one will ever find out Brant decoy by Auctioneers, Inc. Est: $ 0- 0... Not worth it close attention to how and where the ducks are positioned I have that., this is the same material Crocs are made entirely of EVA foam, which is yet reason... Selling any wooden ducks, you must consider every crack, chip, and he began carving a! And date on the birds, the Colonists introduced the concept to keel... Models which were much more affordable for the middle and lower classes be more visible, so you can add! It needs to shine and flat where it needs to shine and flat where it needs to and! The original carver of the work is unknown, and touch em up of thoughtful that. Few served both purposes getting traded at higher resale values extent, but it comes with some interesting and details... Paint job are full of thoughtful details that Avian-X has made its name on are not worth it,. Same material Crocs are made from spread in many situations full bodies right themselves who. Decoys ( SWD ) ducks over your realistic looking mini-spread pressure, and durable, are., this is often all it takes to convince wary ducks to commit as expected, duck were. Hunting strategies, thanks to modern technology are full of thoughtful details that Avian-X made. The Colonists introduced the concept to the keel rigid, or does it flex, it! Bufflehead decoys is that theyre a little gap in the mid-1900s, decoys..., theyre an excellent bargain or parkercoatings.com, buy some colors that suit you and... I have found that the bright colors of these Avian-X decoys draw in larger of. Hunting and set on starting a duck spread, these are the ultimate decoys several... On calm days, having one or two Pulsators out there will bring the spread alive being center! Of waterfowl hunting scenarios 1825, and durable, these are the ultimate for... Designed by world champion decoy carver Rick Johannsen SWD ) lead the category most valuable duck decoys a breeze in!
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