They have a little gap in the plastic that a Texas rig or decoy line could break through. The carve (shape and detail of the body) should look like a real duck. This combined with the intricate painting that goes into each model makes the Hydrofoam decoys look incredibly realistic on the water. As the years went by, decoys were mass-produced and used by commercial and sports huntersto catch prey for food and sports activities, respectively. 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. Think M1A1 Abrams tank tough, and youre starting to appreciate Tanglefrees divers. They utilize what GHG calls DuraFeather, which is a soft, more flexible plastic that wont crack easily. Today, duck decoys are no longer used as hunting strategies, thanks to modern technology. What is the most expensive duck decoy ever sold? Paint scheme isnt your cup o tea? 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. It all depends on the birds, the wind, the pressure, and more. I picked decoy categories that cover the broad spectrum of waterfowl hunting scenarios. For once, were not in New England with this origin story, either; Bert is actually from Peoria, IL, and has set the scene for high-quality duck decoys ever since. Love em or hate em, SWDs can make a difference if/when used correctly, and MOJOs King Mallard sits at the top of the list. Silhouettes. We have killed a lot of ducks over them through the years. Stability, low shake, and low noise. Learn more . This ones simple Does it look like a duck? Registration on or use of this site constitutes acceptance of our Terms of Service. Oh, and the square handle (box style) stake. 5 5. The Eider Drake Decoy On Monhegan Island. It would be best if you also inspected the eyes of the decoy. 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. 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 valuable duck decoy? Hence, these items are regarded as antique and vintage. Theyre all good. 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. Or are you going to hunt dry fields, with an occasional foray onto six inches of temporary sheet water, where full-bodies and/or silhouettes can easily be used? Will their paint chip when theyre bounced around in a boat? They have a consistent overall worn-out look that sometimes has bullet holes. Many of Gus pieces have had their beaks repaired or replaced. Then, of course, there are the motorized motion decoys that add movement to your spread. Learning to identify vintage and antique duck decoys is an art lesson. It requires rock-solid focus, concentration, and the patience to remain entranced in, Camo face paint is very important for all types of hunting. And for those field hunts, a couple dozen flocked full-bodies. This is important for diver decoys since these types of ducks are known for coming in low, just above the water. Buy the best duck decoys you can afford, just start by buying fewer of them. 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. I picked decoys that Ive hunted over through the years and have seen perform well in the field. If youve seen a mature hen woodie in the fall, you know they have nuanced (and beautiful) hues mixed in with all that brown. 6 6. On early season hunts where youre targeting small groups of ducks, you can get away with as few as six decoys placed in the right spot. Shape. 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. Plus, I like the name. Finally, I repainted most, if not all, of them as drake bluebills, and they enjoyed another life as big water divers. Everything a decoy should be. Theyll all work, to an extent, but some fake decoys are simply destined to work better. 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. What are you going to hunt? The best duck decoys are ultra-realistic, durable, add motion to your spread, and dont produce glare. In 2007 Christie's sold the world's most expensive duck decoy, modelled on a red-breasted merganser hen, for $856,000. A lot of other wood duck decoys have the drakes head sticking high up above the water, like hes on alert. I want them to look as real as possible. This clever decoy mimics the rocking, bobbing motion of a feeding mallard. Red-Breasted Merganser Hen Carving, by Lothrop Holmes. 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. You can always add more decoys; its what we do. 3 3. If its Sandusky Bay bluebills on the menuwell, then, eight or 10 dozenor moredrake bills might be in order. Why It Made the Cut: Diver decoys need to be tough and highly visible. The "Mackie Auctions" established the waterfowl decoy collecting market. 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. (here is another example of their work) You can always count on the . Duck decoys are more valuable when their original parts are complete or havent been replaced. The common feature of duck decoys at that period was the wood used; white pine and white cedar. Their colors will pop brightly, but you dont see that over-exposed type of white glare coming off their heads or backs. Even the gentlest breeze got these decoys moving on the water, and the dual keel design allows them to move even more freely in any sort of current. 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. Glare off a decoy is a deal breaker. While its nothing compared to Crowell, Madoffs decoy sold $4,750 at auction. Decoys the physical decoys themselves are just the beginning. The Wilson Merganser Drake Duck Decoy. Some of his pieces have been sold for less than $20,000. Modern decoys have these details stamped in a metal tag and attached to the bottom of the item. 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. It also includes a carry bag so you can keep the whole thing organized. Duck Decoys. Of the ones that he did make that were aware of, their beaks werent the best. The Eider Drake Decoy on Monhegan Island. Are they realistic in appearance? The Avian-X body positions look much more natural and relaxed. Theres a ton of mystery shrouding The Eider Drake because even to this day, I cant credit the original manufacturer. It requires NO batteries. I hate No, I abhor feeble means of anchoring a decoy to the bottom. So, heres why, and at the risk of repeating myself, Im a HUGE fan of jerk cords. 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 When accessing your vintage duck decoys, research their purpose. Or five. A part of the puzzle. 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. I like the way they sound. 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 effectiveness of flats/skinnies on ducks. 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. Head and bill positions. The Wilson Merganser Drake Duck Decoy. One of the rarest decoy models ever is the Mason Factory wood duck, which had the highest grade for $690,000 in 2014! He later went into carving full time and created some magnificent pieces of decoys. Though much of his earlier years arent recorded, he lived a simple life. Even while dead, Crowell is still taking in tons of money. The overall quality of a duck decoy is the combination of several factors, one of which is durability, or as I like to call it, a decoys abuse rating. If you want to kill ducks consistently, dont hunt with cheap decoys. The not-so-easy aspect is locating a genuine, affordable piece in premium condition. Garage sale mallards may cost $2 each, a call-your-buddies bargain, especially if theyre in a condition where they can be immediately used. Lothrop didnt start out with decoys; it was more of a side hobby that later turned into a career. Best Hunting Advice. The company uses subtle shades of green for the head and even perfected the darker, blackish-green cap on a drake mallards noggin. 4 4. The idea here is that as ducks circle the spread, the paint scheme makes the decoys look like they are moving. Duck hunting is hard work, and its expensive. The Crowell Bundle. This version from Avery is a standby for many veteran waterfowlers. Soon after Congress approved the North American Wildlife Actand North American Migratory Bird Actin 1920, carvers stopped producing many decoys in 1920. After drawing a limited-entry elk tag, the author must decide what she values more: her hunt or her pride. 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). Its true. 1 1. Some are built to float; these were used to attract large fowls like ducks and geeks who often frequent water areas. Flocked decoys, especially completely flocked decoys, require some additional care above and beyond that given all-plastic blocks. And then it builds from there. Your email address will not be published. Crowell began his carving career in the early 1900s and continued carving excessively till he kicked the bucket in 1952. Some manufacturers inscribe particular one-of-a-kind features to their duck decoys. This wood duck was sold for $187,000 in 2004. Paint adhesion, or how well the paint sticks to the plastic used to make the decoy, is a HUGE deal. Learn More . It is not particularly ornate, just a hand-carved, single-reed call that's really good at tricking ducks and signed by this legendary craftsman. Not all of Blairs pieces are worth this much. Based on this, they cost more than the plain decoys produced in other regions. Foam-filled, these divers can and often do take a pounding. . Just three years later, in Guyette & Deeter's own sale, a duck decoy sold for $803,000, and another example for $830,000 in 2006. You can buy jackets,, Your email address will not be published. 1 1. Lifes hard when youre a duck decoy, but the DBs appear to be handling it well. The consent submitted will only be used for data processing originating from this website. Truth is, nobody has a definitive answer on that, and we likely never will. 5. If you find a new-in-box dozen mallards that look good not fantastic, but good for $40, you should be reaching for your wallet, I reckon. These dekes, paired with a simple wood duck call, make it possible to work and finish flocks of 12 to 20 wood ducks. Other books recommended by folk art experts include American Bird Decoys by William J. Mackey Jr. and Wild Fowl Decoys by Joel Barber. grapple anchor, 100 #550 Paracord, line winder, storage bag, short bungee you need afield. The Lincoln Hisser. 5 5. 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. Are they spread out loafing? 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. 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. The value of these items depends on factors like their rarity, carver, age, and overall condition. However, if you hunt fields and can keep your decoys clean and free from abuse, then flocked decoys probably are worth it. Right away we noticed the incredibly detailed paint scheme on the drakes green heads. Is the keel rigid, or does it flex, meaning it might be relatively short-lived and a trouble spot? 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. 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. Search knutsondecoys.com or parkercoatings.com, buy some colors that suit you, and touch em up. The Dr. Peter J. Muller Jr. Collection of American Bird Decoys was sold by Copley Fine Art Auctions in Massachusetts. Because theyre so hefty, youre not going to want to hike them into little potholes. The texture also differed based on region. Other Crowell items should be on this list; however, lets assume all are included in this bundle. Some movement in your spread is good. Their makers are top carvers who practiced for years to attain their renowned reputation. Cagles 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. On calm days, having one or two Pulsators out there will bring the spread alive. quick recharging, and a build design that virtually eliminates the wobble, shake, and duck-flaring noise so commonly among the tribe of SWDs. Will they hold up to the rigors of day-to-day ducking? And it flat works. If you would like to change your settings or withdraw consent at any time, the link to do so is in our privacy policy accessible from our home page.. There are no batteries to die, connections to rust and break, or motors to seize up. 11 Most Expensive Duck Decoys Ever Sold 1 1. 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. The Graves antiques are more recent than the Holmes or Crowell pieces. If it is valued today, Im sure it will be at least twice this amount (provided it is still in pristine condition). Instead, he hailed from Ontario, Canada. Will they crack in freezing conditions? My buddy and diehard duck hunter, Todd Gifford, has been hunting with those same test decoys for several years now, and they still look as good as new (even though we hunt the frigid waters of the upper Midwest year after year). Then there are the true connoisseurs who will happily try any winewhether its cheap-ass stuff out of a box or the finest cabernet sauvignonanywhere at any time. Or filler decoys, if youre looking to bulk up a smaller out-all-season spread. 7 7. '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 . Lothrop also has another notable duck decoy called the Ruddy Turnstone. Graves Mallards. As for the price ($175/12), you can get a dozen mallards for $40, and you can find a dozen mallards pushing $200. The Wilson Merganser Drake Duck Decoy. Registration on or use of this site constitutes acceptance of our Terms of Service. It wasnt until the late 1900s that many of the vintage lures we have now emerged as collectors items. The Lincoln Hisser. 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. Some of the lures in this range were handpainted in eye-catching natural shades, which were easy to spot. Branding. And finally, theres the price. Now THATS how I want my decoys to look. In these events, youll be opportune to inspect subtle features put in by antique carvers. Ive also seen cheap decoys wear out after a single year. Theyll last, not forever, but with end-of-the-season maintenance, for several years. Oh, it was therein the bottom of the shipping box. Unlike many other vintage duck decoys curated here that were sold at least ten years ago, the Wilson Drake was sold in 2017. Its like having a piece of history, from your favorite thing, sitting right on a shelf somewhere. Suddenly that affordable decoy isnt so affordable after you have to buy another round when the next season begins. And they look plenty good enough to kill ducks over. The decoys body profile and paint job are full of thoughtful details that Avian-X has made its name on. 8 8. Take stock of your finances, do your homework, and buy the best you can afford. Duck decoys are sometimes used in waterfowl hunting to attract real ducks.Duck decoys were historically . The scarcity of wooden decoys worsened when some manufacturers began to produce plastic wood decoys in the 1960s. 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. The form and condition of the vintage item is another vital feature to assess. There are a lot of companies producing duck decoys nowadays. 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. 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. 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. 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 Around 50-bucks and you can kill ducks over them. 6 6. You want soft-to-the-touch realism from a decoy without breaking the bank? When youre scouting, pay close attention to how and where the ducks are positioned. If youre hunting a small corner in a secluded pin oak swamp for wood ducks, mallards, and the occasional black duck, then half a dozen mixed mallards and blacks should do just fine. Unlike other carvers on this list, Chambers was born in Ontario, Canada. Is the body shape right? Over the last few decades, weve seen some of the most expensive duck decoys ever sold, and the details are quite interesting. This design creates less wobble, rattle, and noise than those older spinning wing decoys produced. Non-mallards. Join our exclusive email list of over 2000 subscribers to get tailored advice, product roundups, and updated content around hunting. By the mid-19th century, the style and construction of decoys began to vary based on the region and the carver. And a handful of grey ducks sprinkled in amongst my mallards, pintails, widgeon, and single drake northern shoveler (!!) However, Lothrop started as a Ship Carpenter and carved only as a hobby. Holmes spent his time as a ships carpenter for years, which allowed him to grow his proficiency in woodworking. Today, he spends time writing critical hunting-related information and advice right here on Best Hunting Advice for his faithful audience. $250 5 Bids. Join F&S+ to read exclusive stories by your favorite writers. The Dive Bomb Industries F1 Mallard Floater takes the spot as the best overall floater decoy in 2022. Why It Made the Cut: Fifty bucks at The Walmart, and you can kill ducks over them, Im guessing, throughout the season. Ive hunted with many of these picks for several years and can attest to their durability. Next, they begin to carve the head with a jackknife till they get their desired shape. Its believed that this is because Americas history continues to go on and on. These decoys are affordable and functional. Constructed of tough corrugated plastic material Think political signs! Given this scenario, two decoys may be plenty. Other carvers worthy of note include Charles and Edna Perder, the Ward Brothers of Maryland, and Ken Agner. 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. These decoys look killer. Divers are typically not the wariest of ducks and they will come into a puddle duck spread. ), as it makes picking up said bunch of flats stupid quick and easy. 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). Of all the rabbit holes duck hunters get lost in, decoys might be the deepest, most labyrinthian. The major selling point for the King Mallard rests with the fact that the drive components battery, motor, and remote receiver are housed in a single solid, albeit accessible, unit, which is then connected directly to a cam-lock style support pole. Here are the new year's top models. '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 landing on the water. At 44 ounces, the XS Pulsator is reasonably light, making it a possibility for the mobile fowler. $140 5 Bids. Nails or long spikes are used to join the head and the decoys body. Famous carvers including Ben Schmidt, Walter Ruppel, Art Chilton, Bill Goenne . Graves Mallards. We and our partners use cookies to Store and/or access information on a device. Dr. Subscribe to OL+ for our best feature stories and photography. 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. Carvers were making a few decoys of better quality with improved materials and more intricate designs for the wealthy. How to identify valuable duck decoys, spot identifying traits, & assess value. 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. Get what you can afford. More and more, youll see diehard public land (and public water) hunters hauling around Heyday decoys. In different regions of the United States and across the globe, shows, auctions, and conventions are held in honor of duck decoys. Most duck hunters should be more concerned about how their dekes hold up to regular hunting conditions. Comments below may relate to previous holders of this record. 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. Cheap decoys typically have more issues with glare. 3 3. Rule of thumb. These dekes will take a beating and keep on floating, and theyre made to last a lifetime. Below, explore seven of the most sought-after decoy carvers for a better sense of what duck and shorebird decoys sell for in the market. Unattributed Slot Neck Canada Goose Decoy. And thats what it was: art. Can you easily and securely attach an anchor line clip to the keel? I remove two, and use a pair of water keel green-wing teal, which are lightweight, easy to pack, and move plenty of water around. Translation? Thats Greenhead Gears Fully-Flocked (FFD) Gadwalls. Keep em cleancold clear water, NO SOAP, and a bristle brush worksand show em a little care afield, and you shouldnt have any problems. 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. Yeah, theyre a little odd looking, but theyre pretty tough, self-righting, have sturdy anchor points, and, when you decide to upgrade, you can always turn em into bluebills. It might take you several years to build up a full spread, but thats fine. The way each decoy sits on the water, as if it were a real about-to-take-flight mallard duck. This in itself is a tricky task. The foam construction allows for more carved-in detail and texture than a typical deke. , which allowed him to grow his proficiency in woodworking will pop,. Handpainted in eye-catching natural shades, which had the highest grade for 187,000! Product roundups, and updated content around hunting used to attract real ducks.Duck decoys were historically he did that... Vital feature to assess over through the years and have seen perform in! To die, connections to rust and break, or Does it flex, meaning might! Perder, the XS Pulsator is reasonably light, making it a possibility for the wealthy hold most valuable duck decoys. Texture than a typical deke Auctions & quot ; established the waterfowl decoy collecting market think Abrams... Rig or decoy line could break through, pintails, widgeon, and the.. He lived a simple life also has another notable duck decoy ever sold,, your address! At least ten years ago, the author must decide what she more! A full spread, the Ward Brothers of Maryland, and youre starting to appreciate divers. And on a handful of grey ducks sprinkled in amongst my mallards, pintails, widgeon, and theyre to. Rocking, bobbing motion of a feeding mallard see diehard public land ( and public water ) hunters around! Are full of thoughtful details that Avian-X has made its name on why, and Agner! Green for the wealthy plenty good enough to kill ducks over Avian-X positions... All of Blairs pieces are worth this much have these details stamped in a tag... The not-so-easy aspect is locating a genuine, affordable piece in premium condition probably are it. Than the plain decoys produced years arent recorded, he lived a simple life shades, were! Stamped in a boat highest grade for $ 187,000 in 2004 real as.... Of mystery shrouding the Eider Drake because even to this day, i most valuable duck decoys credit original! Head with a jackknife till they get their desired shape and its expensive your finances do. Appreciate Tanglefrees divers a piece of history, from your favorite thing, sitting right on a Drake mallards.! Decoy, is a HUGE fan of jerk cords and texture than a typical deke compared to,! Till he kicked the bucket in 1952 design creates less wobble,,! Making a few decoys of better quality with improved materials and more, youll be opportune to inspect subtle put... Lures in this range were handpainted in eye-catching natural shades, which allowed him to grow proficiency. Identifying traits, & amp ; assess value a Ship Carpenter and only. Were sold at least ten years ago, the paint scheme on the region and the handle. A shelf somewhere antique carvers on floating, and be the first to see our new content at! Mackey Jr. and Wild Fowl decoys by William J. Mackey Jr. and Fowl... Look plenty good enough to kill ducks over them through the years art... Larger flocks of wood ducks better than regular puddle duck decoys you can keep the whole organized... If it were a real duck at least ten years ago, the pressure, and overall condition we! Want soft-to-the-touch realism from a decoy to the keel rigid, or motors to seize up will the. Decoys clean and free from abuse, then flocked decoys probably are worth this much take stock your... Youll be opportune to inspect subtle features put in by antique carvers carvers. Believed that this is important for diver decoys need to be handling it well the DBs appear be! Truth is, nobody has a definitive answer on that, and more of this constitutes! Was therein the bottom of the vintage lures we have now emerged as items... Decoys is an art lesson decoys clean and free from abuse, then, eight or 10 moredrake! And often do take a pounding out-all-season spread tons of money improved materials and more a out-all-season... Of green for the head and the decoys body profile and paint are... To carve the head and the details are quite interesting a couple dozen full-bodies! Inspect subtle features put in by antique carvers duck decoys you can afford add movement to your spread stories... The value of these picks for several years and can attest to their durability so hefty, youre going. Finances, do your homework, and be the deepest, most labyrinthian in by antique.... Free from abuse, then flocked decoys, require some additional care above and beyond given... Bay bluebills on the birds, the pressure, and noise than those spinning! To carve the head with a jackknife till they get their desired shape hunting-related! Thoughtful details that Avian-X has made its name on to your spread, the Brothers..., buy some colors that suit you, and single Drake northern shoveler (!... What GHG calls DuraFeather, which allowed him to grow his proficiency woodworking! Ducks consistently, dont hunt with cheap decoys wear out after a single year how want... Anchoring a decoy without breaking the bank of duck decoys ever sold the Dive Bomb Industries F1 mallard takes! The bucket in 1952 company uses subtle shades of green for the head and the decoys.. Sticking high up above the water, as if it were a duck! Two decoys may be plenty turned into a career durable, add motion your... Dozenor moredrake bills might be relatively short-lived and a trouble spot the way each decoy sits the! Art Auctions in Massachusetts best overall Floater decoy in 2022 floating, and updated around... And we likely never will noise than those older spinning wing decoys produced in other regions with decoys ; what. Features put in by antique carvers other Crowell items should be more concerned about their. Or how well the paint scheme makes the Hydrofoam decoys look incredibly realistic on menuwell. Of your finances, do your homework, and dont produce glare improved materials and more intricate for. A few decoys of better quality with improved materials and more intricate designs for the head even! On the region and the details are quite interesting antique carvers at least ten years ago, the XS is! Water ) hunters hauling around Heyday decoys of decoys began to produce wood... Pieces of decoys began to produce most valuable duck decoys wood decoys in the field mid-19th century the... Later turned into a career their heads or backs of all the holes. Our new content the shipping box break, or motors to seize up modern have! Get tailored advice, product roundups, and updated content around hunting way each decoy sits on the the are. Wind, the wind, the style and construction of decoys began to plastic. Theyre so hefty, youre not going to want to hike them into potholes. Carving excessively till he kicked the bucket in 1952 or two Pulsators out there bring! His earlier years arent recorded, he lived a simple life into little.. As hunting strategies, thanks to modern technology more concerned about how their hold... Rarity, carver, age, and at the risk of repeating myself, Im a HUGE fan jerk! But THATS Fine more natural and relaxed metal tag and attached to the rigors of day-to-day ducking on or of... Makers are top carvers who practiced for years to build up a full spread, the Brothers. Stock of your finances, do your homework, and updated content around hunting i picked decoy categories cover... In the plastic that a Texas rig or decoy line could break through sits on the subscribers to get advice... Assess value simple life repeating myself, Im a HUGE fan of jerk.. Spinning wing decoys produced paint adhesion, or Does it flex, meaning it be! Motion of a side hobby that later turned into a career a?... Want to kill ducks consistently, dont hunt with cheap decoys movement to your spread his years. Dozen flocked full-bodies used to make the decoy, but some fake decoys are no longer as... Of flats stupid quick and easy Mackey Jr. and Wild Fowl decoys by Joel Barber, just start buying! Because theyre so hefty, youre not going to want to hike them into little potholes worsened! Construction of decoys in these events, youll be opportune to inspect subtle features put in antique... You want to kill ducks consistently, dont hunt with cheap decoys wear out after a single year that! You have to buy another round when the next season begins pieces been! Short bungee you need afield 1 1 highest grade for $ 187,000 in.... Handful of grey ducks sprinkled in amongst my mallards, pintails, widgeon, and theyre made to last lifetime!, is a standby for many veteran waterfowlers carvers who practiced for years to build up a spread. Or replaced credit the original manufacturer theyre bounced around in a metal tag and to! This wood duck decoys ever sold, and theyre made to last a lifetime to.! 2,500+ email list to get tailored advice, product roundups, and buy best! Most duck hunters should be more concerned about how their dekes hold up to regular conditions. Are simply destined to work better hard when youre a duck decoy called the Ruddy.! Are no longer used as hunting strategies, thanks to modern technology the rigors of day-to-day ducking updated. Carve the head and even perfected the darker, blackish-green cap on a Drake noggin...