Million-Dollar Decoys, Rare Duck Calls & the Hunt for History (Ep 803)

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What makes a wooden decoy worth more than a million dollars?

Recorded live at DUX 2026 in Memphis, Tennessee, host Katie Burke sits down with Jon Deeter of Guyette & Deeter, one of the most respected names in the world of sporting collectibles, decoys, and duck calls.

The conversation explores the historic sale of the Jim and Diane Cook Collection, which produced the first two decoys in history to sell for more than $1 million at auction. Jon shares behind-the-scenes stories from the landmark sales, discusses the passion that drives serious collectors, and explains why collecting is about much more than prices and records.

The discussion also covers the thrill of discovery, including a newly found Victor Glodo duck call that surfaced just days before DUX, proving that important pieces of waterfowling history are still waiting to be found. Along the way, Katie and Jon discuss collector culture, first decoys, waterfowl heritage, and why the friendships built through collecting matter just as much as the artifacts themselves. 

Topics Covered

• The record-breaking Jim and Diane Cook Collection auctions
• The first decoys to surpass $1 million at auction
• Why collectors remember their first decoy forever
• The history and significance of Victor Glodo duck calls
• Waterfowl heritage and sporting collectibles
• Decoy collecting culture and community
• Hidden collections still waiting to be discovered
• Why collecting is about more than money

Listen now: www.ducks.org/DUPodcast
Send feedback: DUPodcast@ducks.org

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