| Not many aspects of hunting co-mingle with the antique world, but hunting decoys are a notable exception. Originally carved over 2000 years ago simply to aid in duck hunting, the decoys slowly evolved to became art pieces unto themselves. Though the first decoys in centuries past were fairly rudimentary, they developed over the years to become gorgeous representations of stunning waterfowl. Many older hunting decoys fall into the folk art category and their obvious signs of long-ago use even add to their value. The mid-1800s to around 1920 was the heyday of decoy carving, although newer decoys that are hand-carved still hold much value for collectors. Since modern decoys are primarily mass manufactured, hand-carved decoys from any era still hold a quiet charm for antique collectors. For duck hunters, the mass manufacturing of hunting decoys has allowed for cheaper goods on the market. This affordable access to a wider selection of decoys makes for better hunting, certainly, with the ability to use just the right decoy for each particular situation. Plastic, rubber, and composite are the new decoy materials and hunters find that the new materials are just as effective as the wood version. Whatever your motivation for purchasing hunting decoys, there are hundreds if not thousands of varieties to be bought, collected, cherished, and used. One great way to find hunting decoys is online. Carvers, hunters, and collectors buy and sell all kinds of decoys on the Internet. Many collectors find that bidding online for decoys is an excellent way to bag a terrific antique that will add charm to any collection. |