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For over hundreds of years both professional and amateur duck hunters used duck decoys to lure ducks to land on field or water within shotgun range. Archeologists discovered antiquated duck decoys believed to be first made and used by the native Americans.
Aside from its original purpose, duck decoys have also an art appeal. In fact, duck decoys are considered the consummate American art form.
There are different kinds of duck decoys such as flying decoys, they simulate ducks joining the main flock, half-body feeder decoys they simulate a duck tipping to feed, motion decoys such as swimmers and shakers.
They have a battery –powered motor. Swimmers move in circles and shakers make ripples. Another kind is the sleeper decoys, they are set on shore or mixed with other floating decoys to send a message to ducks flying that everything’s normal. Confidence decoys, they mimic herons and other waterfowls seen around with other duck decoys to give the spread a real impression.
The full-body floating decoys which are weighted so they won’t keel over and they have anchor and strings so they won’t float too far. Field decoys come in full body, shell and silhouette models.
Duck decoys come in standard size measures 15 inches to 16 inches and magnum size measures 18 to 20 inches. There are companies who manufactures super magnums which measure 21 inches or longer. Some decoys are made of wood, cork, molded plastic and foam.
Decoys must be set in the right spread where ducks can see them. With skillful duck calls hunters can be sure their hunt would be fruitful. Just make sure the decoys aren’t too glossy with frost, they have to be in their natural color just like real ducks.
When it comes to collecting, the age old question of authenticity always comes up. Flawless duck decoys make buyers suspicious but decoys that have too many chips and scratches won’t make them attractive enough either.
It’s always a healthy balance of condition and rarity that make duck decoys collectible. Or any other collectibles for that matter.
To collect duck decoys really depends on your budget and tastes. If appearance or aesthetics is important to you or a certain duck species or decoys made by known carvers like Elmer Crowell and Charles Perdue then by all means collect them. The most important factor is you collect thematically.
The highest price paid for a single duck decoy is approximately $800,000 plus at a certain auction.
Always check out Duck decoy catalogs or Ebay to constantly keep abreast of the prices, sales and items.
To find out more collectible items always visit Rare Antiques Collectibles and Memorabilia.
