That concept holds true for the Avian-X AXP Full Body Mallards. Guyette of Guyette and Deeter auctions once explained that about 90% of the available antique duck decoys had been repainted or renailed. 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. Two of the most valuable pieces created by the brand are the Challenge grade and the Mason Premier Grade, models. 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. People who have fallen in love with the art of vintage duck decoys often find it difficult to value, identify, and determine the style of duck decoy theyd love to purchase. Rarity Unique models are more likely to be worht more than mass-produced ones. Whats most impressive to me is how they also nailed the coloring on the hens. '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. Make it look really real. Antiques that have been altered, repaired, or have missing parts often cost less than the original piece. The most expensive best duck decoys for the money does not always indicate the best decision for you and your money. AXP mallards lead the category with a true-to-life flock of hens and drakes designed by world champion decoy carver Rick Johannsen. 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. 2 2. Most field hunters targeting mallards can get away with a goose spread along with a couple dozen full bodies on the X (along with some spinners). Most vintage duck decoys do not have identifiable markings. The latest version has a soft, flexible body, magnetic wings, and a solid housing for the body. Join F&S+ to read exclusive stories by your favorite writers. Water keel decoys that land on their sides stay on their sides. Replicate this when you set up your spread. The reason these were so expensive is that they were some of Crowells first documented decoys. And a handful of grey ducks sprinkled in amongst my mallards, pintails, widgeon, and single drake northern shoveler (!!) Will they hold up to the rigors of day-to-day ducking? Wilsons decoy pulled in $330,000, partially because he didnt make a lot of decoys. Theyre inexpensive; in fact, they make quite an easy and even less expensive DIY project. What is the most valuable duck decoy? Owning a spread of the best duck decoys that are perfectly suited to your hunting style certainly helps as well. I like the way they work a spread, when they work a spread. If you didnt know, A. Elmer Crowell was a Massachusetts native, who had an eye for carving. Registration on or use of this site constitutes acceptance of our Terms of Service. Chambers is the only one on this list who wasnt American-born. What is the most valuable duck decoy? Let me put it this way. The foam construction allows for more carved-in detail and texture than a typical deke. Give it some thought. Whats the Difference Between Vintage And Antique ? 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. And thats where DB M1 mallard silhouettes come into their own. 6 6. The hens have no damage whatsoever. 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. Unattributed Slot Neck Canada Goose Decoy. Colors? Bernie Madoff might just go down as this centurys biggest American villain, but his decoy fetched a rather handsome amount of money during the auctioning of his estate. Duck decoys are more valuable when their original parts are complete or havent been replaced. Cornfield greenheads? Decoys the physical decoys themselves are just the beginning. That said, theres nothing wrong with starting off with a dozen mallards and building from there. The large profile (18 inches from tail to the tip of the bill) makes it highly visible from a distance and the marine-grade body makes it bomb proof. William Bowman Image 1: William Bowman Carved and Painted Greater Yellowlegs Christie's, London, United Kingdom (January 2007) Estimate: $65,000 - $85,000 Price Realized: $78,000 most valuable duck decoys. 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. Carved by John Blair, this simple antique piece fetched about $214,000. In regions where hunting wasnt as expected, duck decoys were used as decorative pieces until the next hunting season. The smoothing and fine-tuning aspect would be completed with a drawknife. Our Topflight floating duck decoys feature a weight-forward swim keel for realistic movement across the water. I mostly hunt ducks over water and my decoys get covered in marsh muck on almost every outing. The only problem is that theyre very expensive. 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. 11 Most Expensive Duck Decoys Ever Sold 1 1. Some can take it; some cant, but its definitely worth a close eyeball. Search knutsondecoys.com or parkercoatings.com, buy some colors that suit you, and touch em up. 3 3. In 2007 Christie's sold the world's most expensive duck decoy, modelled on a red-breasted merganser hen, for $856,000. The company uses subtle shades of green for the head and even perfected the darker, blackish-green cap on a drake mallards noggin. And finally, theres the price. Garage sale mallards may cost $2 each, a call-your-buddies bargain, especially if theyre in a condition where they can be immediately used. The Duck Decoy is a less common antique object with a broad and exciting history. 11 Most Expensive Duck Decoys Ever Sold 1 1. This hefty and ultra-realistic decoy is the ultimate option for targeting mallards on big water. There is limited information on Brant. quick recharging, and a build design that virtually eliminates the wobble, shake, and duck-flaring noise so commonly among the tribe of SWDs. A part of the puzzle. To create the head, the carver uses an ax to cut off a small woodblock. In the world of fine wine tasting, certain snobs focus on a specific variety and region. Cant ask for more out of a decoy. What is the most expensive duck decoy ever sold? They get rained on and covered in snow and ice. These decoys will allow you to build field spread without breaking the bank. Although it wasnt as expensive as the paired Crowell Bundle, this single pair sold for a whopping $856,000. Moving forward, the Colonists introduced the concept to the emerging New World. 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. Nails or long spikes are used to join the head and the decoys body. Translation? The value of these items depends on factors like their rarity, carver, age, and overall condition. Buy the best duck decoys you can afford, just start by buying fewer of them. If youre new to field hunting and set on starting a duck spread, these shells would be a good place to start. I was, Ill be honest, skeptical about the visual benefits, per se, of fully flocked (FFD) duck decoys; however, upon seeing Greenhead Gears FFD gadwallwell, lets just say I became a believer, and that to the point where today Im setting FFD mallard floaters, full-body mallards (drake heads only), and pintails in my day-to-day spread. 1 1. Based on this, they cost more than the plain decoys produced in other regions. Other Crowell items should be on this list; however, lets assume all are included in this bundle. They get bounced around the bottom of boats and in decoy bags. It all depends on the birds, the wind, the pressure, and more. Nothing incredible, but for $4 a decoy, they get the job done. The best duck decoys are ultra-realistic, durable, add motion to your spread, and dont produce glare. 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. 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. The Eider Drake Decoy on Monhegan Island. Ive seen how realistic spreads and good calling will put birds on the deck, even in tough conditions. . There are only two knocks on this decoy. 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! Finally, I repainted most, if not all, of them as drake bluebills, and they enjoyed another life as big water divers. Some decades ago, the Fine Arts of Boston picked up a few of his works and saved them in their museum. 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). If youre hunting migrating ducks on big waters, the right number is: as many decoys as you can safely fit into the boat. (You will need to register / login for access). And thats what it was: art. 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). Join F&S+ to read exclusive stories by your favorite writers. Shop our selection of Duck Decoys from the world's premier auctions and galleries. Does this make them more usable or viable than inexpensive, brand-new models? A few of these floating decoys appear buoyant because they were hollowed out, while the rest maintained their solid features. In 2007, his pintail drake and Canada goose decoys sold as a bundle. Its simply called a wood duck, but this Thomas Chambers decoy sold for a decent price at $187,000 back in 2004. 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. Around 50-bucks and you can kill ducks over them. Duck hunting is hard work, and its expensive. This in itself is a tricky task. 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. I dont want my decoys to look like blobs of mud. Get what you can afford. Flocking eliminates glare, which is a killer on sunny days in the field. 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. Know, A. Elmer Crowell was a Massachusetts native, who had an eye for carving want... Cost more than mass-produced ones by your favorite writers do not have identifiable markings get bounced the. Decoy, they get the job done duck spread, these shells would be a place! This, they get bounced around the bottom of boats and in decoy.! Exciting history by world champion decoy carver Rick Johannsen Deeter auctions once explained that about 90 % of most! Decoys you can afford, just start by buying fewer of them,! Glare, which is a killer on sunny days in the world & # ;. Shop our selection of duck decoys had been repainted or renailed on the deck, even in tough.... 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