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Decoys

From ducks and geese to trout and frogs, vintage decoys have become valuable relics of early American fishing and hunting. Decoys were used not only in the commercial supply of fish and game to restaurants, but also for the personal need of feeding one's family.

The earliest decoys were made by Native Americans over a thousand years ago, with grasses, plants, and bones used as building materials. As settlers came to North America in the 19th century and began to fish and hunt, they generated a great demand for decoys, sparking a new industry of wood carvers and crafters that would cater to them. 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. Winter spearfishing in the northern climates also created a demand for fish decoys, and these were used widely until many jurisdictions banned spearfishing in the 20th century.

Values of decoys today depend largely on several factors: rarity, condition, and form. For example, an unused, handmade decoy from a famed carver will often be worth more than a used, factory-made decoy. Of course, competitive bidding can always change that.


Quick Facts

  • A number of companies produced wooden duck decoys in the late 19th and 20th centuries including Dodge, Reynolds, Peterson, and Mason
  • A rare swan decoy made by Charles Birch sold for $186,500 in a 2011 Guyette & Schmidt, Inc. auction. This was an auction record for the carver’s pieces
  • Until the Migratory Bird Act was passed in 1918, shorebirds were commonly hunted for food and sport. Plovers, snowy egrets, yellowlegs, and flatties are a few of the shorebird types made into decoys

Recommended Items at Auction

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TWO CHESAPEAKE BAY AREA FRESHWATER COOT DECOYS 20th Century Lengths 13".
May 21, 9:30 AM EDT
TWO CHESAPEAKE BAY AREA FRESHWATER COOT DECOYS 20th Century Lengths 13".
by Eldred's
Est: $200- $300
$2254 Bids
BOX LOT: DECOYS, BOOK, VIEWERS, WALL PLAQUE
May 19, 10:00 AM PDT
BOX LOT: DECOYS, BOOK, VIEWERS, WALL PLAQUE
by O'Gallerie
Est: $0- $0
$102 Bids
[FOLK ART] Gar Fishing Decoy. (American, 20th Century). Woo...
Jun 05, 10:00 AM CDT
[FOLK ART] Gar Fishing Decoy. (American, 20th Century). Woo...
by Potter & Potter Auctions Inc.
Est: $150- $250
$701 Bid
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Fish Decoy
May 20, 10:00 AM EDT
Fish Decoy
by Barry S. Slosberg Inc
Est: $50- $100
$200 Bids
NEIL LEVY (20TH C.) NOVA SCOTIA FOLK ART CARVED LOON DECOY
May 17, 10:00 AM CDT
NEIL LEVY (20TH C.) NOVA SCOTIA FOLK ART CARVED LOON DECOY
by Austin Auction Gallery
Est: $80- $150
$600 Bids
Paper mache goose decoy
May 24, 9:00 AM EDT
Paper mache goose decoy
by Atlee Raber Auctioneer
Est: $0- $0
$50 Bids
11 Daryl Wise "Real Geese" Field Hunting Bird Decoys
May 19, 6:00 PM EDT
11 Daryl Wise "Real Geese" Field Hunting Bird Decoys
by Atlee Raber Auctioneer
Est: $0- $0
$50 Bids
5 NOS & 1 Used Full Size Goose Field Hunting Decoys
May 19, 6:00 PM EDT
5 NOS & 1 Used Full Size Goose Field Hunting Decoys
by Atlee Raber Auctioneer
Est: $0- $0
$50 Bids
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2 Carved Shore Bird Decoys
May 20, 10:00 AM EDT
2 Carved Shore Bird Decoys
by Barry S. Slosberg Inc
Est: $50- $100
$200 Bids
VINTAGE FISH DECOY & FROG
May 18, 11:00 AM EDT
VINTAGE FISH DECOY & FROG
by Americana Auctions
Est: $250- $300
$1250 Bids
11 Italian Brevettato Ltd. Sport Geese Field Hunting Decoys with Stakes
May 19, 6:00 PM EDT
11 Italian Brevettato Ltd. Sport Geese Field Hunting Decoys with Stakes
by Atlee Raber Auctioneer
Est: $0- $0
$50 Bids
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A Vintage Wood Goose Decoy
May 25, 10:00 AM CDT
A Vintage Wood Goose Decoy
by Rivich Auction
Est: $200- $400
$1000 Bids
3 OLD FISH DECOYS
May 18, 11:00 AM EDT
3 OLD FISH DECOYS
by Americana Auctions
Est: $300- $400
$1500 Bids
2 FISH DECOYS TO 12 INCH
May 18, 11:00 AM EDT
2 FISH DECOYS TO 12 INCH
by Americana Auctions
Est: $200- $300
$1000 Bids
3 VINTAGE FISH DECOYS
May 18, 11:00 AM EDT
3 VINTAGE FISH DECOYS
by Americana Auctions
Est: $250- $350
$1250 Bids
3 VINTAGE FISH DECOYS
May 18, 11:00 AM EDT
3 VINTAGE FISH DECOYS
by Americana Auctions
Est: $250- $300
$1250 Bids
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3 Fish Decoys
May 20, 10:00 AM EDT
3 Fish Decoys
by Barry S. Slosberg Inc
Est: $150- $300
$600 Bids
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Vintage Pintail Decoy
May 20, 10:00 AM EDT
Vintage Pintail Decoy
by Barry S. Slosberg Inc
Est: $75- $150
$250 Bids
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FOUR DECOYS 20th Century Lengths from 11" to 22".
May 21, 9:30 AM EDT
FOUR DECOYS 20th Century Lengths from 11" to 22".
by Eldred's
Est: $300- $500
$1500 Bids
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HAROLD GIBBS MINIATURE SNOW GOOSE Barrington, Rhode Island, 1886-1970 Height 4".
May 21, 9:30 AM EDT
HAROLD GIBBS MINIATURE SNOW GOOSE Barrington, Rhode Island, 1886-1970 Height 4".
by Eldred's
Est: $400- $700
$2000 Bids

Sellers Who Sell Decoys


Eldred's

Eldred's

Americana Auctions

Americana Auctions

Barry S. Slosberg Inc

Barry S. Slosberg Inc

Atlee Raber Auctioneer

Atlee Raber Auctioneer