Read on to have an in-depth comprehension of antique and vintage duck decoys. Both decoys have detailed paint designs, solid bodies, flat bottoms, and hollow centers. As far as the number of decoys to use, 12 to 24 puddle duck decoys is a good range for most people, with fewer than 18 being about right for a solo hunter to set up alone. 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. Higdon offers a foam filled option for these decoys, which Id highly recommend. Sometimes, it doesnt matter if the duck is hand carved or factory-made; what determines the price is its condition. Joe Lincoln painted decoys well into his 70s and remains an underdog in the decoy world. In turn, the demand for decoys grind to a halt. How many decoys youre going to use depends on different things. The texture also differed based on region. 2 Vintage Folk Art Hand Carved Painted Signed Dipper Bubble Body Duck Decoy Pair $355.00 16 bids $14.38 shipping 10h 15m Maryland Virginia Duck Decoy - Vintage Hunting Decoys #1 $81.00 15 bids $16.50 shipping 10h 50m carved duck decoy $300.00 25 bids $13.46 shipping 1h 38m or Buy It Now ANTIQUE JAMES T. HOLLY CANVASBACK DRAKE DECOY WITH BRAND 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. Body shapes and profiles. Much like Crowell, Lothrop Holmes actually came from Massachusetts as well, where duck hunting was a common sport. The measure immediately put a stop to commercial and sport hunting. 3 3. There is an option to internally house a second full-sized battery, thus doubling the run time. As with all antique items, the rare models of duck decoys which are often hard to locate, tend to cost a whole lot more than others. Sure, it may be to hook me, the fisherman, but if thats it, Im sold. The original carver of the work is unknown, and all indications point out that no one will ever find out. It has a remote thats Bluetooth compatible, so you can turn it on and off as you see fit. 2023. So, first, the downside. You want soft-to-the-touch realism from a decoy without breaking the bank? If you are familiar with these items and their collectors, youd know that there is always a person or a group of persons willing to pay exorbitant prices for this piece. A lot of other wood duck decoys have the drakes head sticking high up above the water, like hes on alert. Anchor attachment points wont rip out. 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. 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. 3 3. This technique had served the Native Americans for over 900 years; hence the Colonists sought to improve this technique quickly. 5 5. There are other videos, articles, and books you can consult on this subject to learn to recognize these antique items. 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). The company also manufactured models which were much more affordable for the middle and lower classes. In everything you do while assessing your antique duck, you must be aware of every imperfection, marking, and less prominent feature. No spam, we promise. Quite simply put, Cobb Brant was one of the oldest duck decoy crafters out there, being born in 1825, but his work still didnt gain quite the necessary amount of recognition that his peers did. 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. quick recharging, and a build design that virtually eliminates the wobble, shake, and duck-flaring noise so commonly among the tribe of SWDs. There are hundreds of valuable duck decoys worldwide. AXP mallards lead the category with a true-to-life flock of hens and drakes designed by world champion decoy carver Rick Johannsen. Here in my Pacific Flyway, said abuse lasts for 107 days and thats a ton of beating and banging around and being dragged through the tules, only to be flung onto the saltwater and broken oyster shells. In 2007 Christie's sold the world's most expensive duck decoy, modelled on a red-breasted merganser hen, for $856,000. I take care of my gear I really do but I dont baby it. Think you enjoy this fowling gig? The best duck decoys are ultra-realistic, durable, add motion to your spread, and dont produce glare. That said, MOJOs King Mallard SWD is, as a friend says, all that and a bag of chips, too. $140 5 Bids. The Crowell Bundle. And tough, duck decoys need to be able to withstand abuse. 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. . 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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. 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. We have killed a lot of ducks over them through the years. 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. Instead of hollow plastic, they are made entirely of EVA foam, which is the same material Crocs are made from. 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. This combined with the intricate painting that goes into each model makes the Hydrofoam decoys look incredibly realistic on the water. Garage sale mallards may cost $2 each, a call-your-buddies bargain, especially if theyre in a condition where they can be immediately used. Theres a ton of mystery shrouding The Eider Drake because even to this day, I cant credit the original manufacturer. Search knutsondecoys.com or parkercoatings.com, buy some colors that suit you, and touch em up. 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. '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 . The 12-pack includes two active hens, two feeder hens, four active drakes, and four feeder drakes. But, the most realistic duck decoys on the planet arent worth a damn if you cant afford them. Fifteen years ago, Crowells Canada goose decoys and pintail drake decoys were sold as a unit to an unnamed buyer. The Lincoln Hisser. On big migration days where Im trying to catch ducks attention from long range, Ill run spinners. It all depends on the birds, the wind, the pressure, and more. 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). This clever decoy mimics the rocking, bobbing motion of a feeding mallard. The current condition of an antique duck decoy plays a significant role in determining its value. First, the mounting spots on the keel are not complete holes. Let me put it this way. 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. These decoys are ideal for migrating mallards on big waters. How to identify valuable duck decoys, spot identifying traits, & assess value. Though much of his earlier years arent recorded, he lived a simple life. Its believed that this is because Americas history continues to go on and on. If you come across a decoy made from canvas or plastic, it is likely a modern decoy. In 1965, decoy expert William J. Mackey Jr. published American Bird Decoys and Adele Earnest published The Art of the Decoy: American Bird Carvings, further legitimizing the folk artform. Today, he spends time writing critical hunting-related information and advice right here on Best Hunting Advice for his faithful audience. And it undoubtedly works as intended, if not just a bit unnaturally, what with the fountain of water and all. 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 matter which species you chase or which flyway youre hunting, these four skills are required for success. the effectiveness of flats/skinnies on ducks. The Best Duck Decoys of 2023 Best Overall: GHG Pro Grade XD Series Mallards Best for the Money (Mallards): Cabela's Northern Flight Over-Sized Mallard Best for the Money (Divers): Higdon Standard Bufflehead Best Oversized Mallard Decoy: Avian-X Topflight Open Water Pack Best Lightweight Decoys: Heyday HydroFoam Mallards They have a little gap in the plastic that a Texas rig or decoy line could break through. 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. Will their paint chip when theyre bounced around in a boat? Cornfield greenheads? High end of the ballpark for DB, but not out of the ballpark. Bigger duck decoys are likely to cost more. Carvers were making a few decoys of better quality with improved materials and more intricate designs for the wealthy. It was one of the largest amounts of money they made at their 2006 auction. Some are exceptional, while others are okay. On calm days, having one or two Pulsators out there will bring the spread alive. Learning to identify vintage and antique duck decoys is an art lesson. Mallard decoys can range from a low of $5 apiece to upwards of $30 per duck. Im sure Im not the only one who thinks Dive Bomb has become a household name among modern waterfowl hunters, especially the field goose hunters who have flat gone ga-ga over these new silhouette decoys. Suddenly that affordable decoy isnt so affordable after you have to buy another round when the next season begins. Theyre simple. You can buy jackets,, Your email address will not be published. 2 2. Puddle ducks, e.g. There are only two knocks on this decoy. 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. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. The unit includes everything1.5 pound folding (!!) Hence the reason why most of them are sold for $100 or less. Thats where they shine. Avian-X nailed that with this series. Gus did not make hundreds of decoys like his counterparts, and the majority of the ones he carved did not possess the best beaks. 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. 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. It wasnt until the late 1900s that many of the vintage lures we have now emerged as collectors items. 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