I know most members on this site are more "into" carved decoys. Although they're not carved I found these Victor decoys in a bunch of other plastic decoys I bought used a couple years back. Being of Pennsylvania roots I found it interesting that these were manufactured in Lititz PA by Woodstream. Were these decoys ever popular? Any collectors value? Should I just hunt them (yes I have not yet come over from the dark side of using plastic decoys)? I do need in my spread some poses similar to sleeping...

There is a lot of information out there if you search. Try googling Victor D-9-R decoys.

Good morning, David~


Although I do indeed carve gunning decoys for myself, I am no purist. I have long hunted over plastic decoys - especially Herter's Model 72 Broadbill - and value the fact that some of them are about as old as I am. (I was "manufactured in '53 - I think Herter's brought out their first plastic decoys in '54 or '55. My Dad bought and used some of the first ones.)


We hunted over the foam-bodied (Herter's called their foam Durlon). The Model 63s were life-size; Model 72s were over-size. My Dad bought only the larger stool.







In recent years, I have been gathering up bunches of Model 63s - for puddler rigs on the smaller waters hereabouts. I coat them with epoxy+sawdust or ground walnut shells and re-paint them. In fact, I have 7 early Model 63 Mallard/Black Mallards on the bench right now.



This post shows what I've been doing:



https://stevenjaysanford.com/...ters-smaller-decoys/



My post also includes a couple of hollow plastic (Tenite) decoys. I have a few Model 50s and 59s (my favorites) - but they are largely shelf riders.


This is the iconic image from many years of Herter's catalogs:








The Model 59 was a less expensive version - but I prefer their shapes:








I come across Victors now and then - and remember them from my youth - but we never owned any. One big advantage I see of the Victor's over the Herter's hollow plastics (Models 50 and 59) is the "any-position heads". Herter's heads can be turned on their foam-bodied decoys but not on their hollow plastics.


Just one note of caution. Lots of older hollow plastics - of numerous makes - have holes and cracks from use. Using your Victors will be fun - but I recommend compartmented decoys bags and some extra care in handling and storage.


All the best,


SJS


Steven Jay Sanford
Pencil Brook Farm
South Cambridge, NY
http://www.stevenjaysanford.com

My entire spread is plastic. So I can relate!
I have a D9 mallard I found. A buddy found a D9 can. I don?t think they have a lot of value but they are cool historic decoys.

---

Carl
Mobile, AL
DHBP Member since 1998

"Life is too short to drink bad beer."
Disclaimer: This post and/or report is not a substantiation of or reflection on the true accuracy of the present surveying methods. It is only a report on or comment concerning local observation and/or results. Your results and observation may vary based on your location, local water conditions, food supply, weather conditions and migratory patterns "

I acquired this from family, don't know much about it, besides it is a Victor. It is on display in my basement shop amongst other gems.





Oxford, CT

I took several of these new in the original packaging to a show in Md to sell for my uncle. I ran into a collector who was very excited to have them. Offered me "top dollar". $7 a piece for the new ones and $4 for the nice used ones. Maybe I got taken but I doubt it.
________________________________________

"Take your kids hunting so you don't have to hunt for your kids."

Thanks to All for the input.
Most of the info I found via Google was either quite dated (this was mostly on Refuge Forum) or current For Sale on e-bay (and there can be quite a gap between AskingPrice/BuyItNow and what the item actually sells for). I will Watch some items on eBay just to see what actual Sold prices turn out to be. One thing I learned loud-and-clear from the Google search is that the Teal decoys are the ones to look for at Garage Sales, Thrift stores, etc as they command crazy prices compared to other species.
It was good to hear that I am in good company among these forum's members re: hunting over plastic decoys. I don't feel like an outcast! I do plan to make some foamer decoys this summer..starting with buffleheads as even ugly decoys will probably fool some "butterballs".
Also I got a good idea from the Google search: the built-in Anchor Line Winder on these decoys will probably create more wave action and wake (compared to other types of decoys) on my Jerk Line. So I will give this a try next season and put these old (but not too valuable) decoys to good use (in slotted bags of course).

I hunt over mostly plastic decoys too. The exception are my cork LL Bean black duck decoys that Steve Sanford are give " the spa treatment ".
But I admire all the craftsman and artist here.





Oxford, CT

These have a special place in my heart as they are what we hunted over in the late 60?s and 70?s. I just picked up 6 myself just to have, nostalgia I suppose. Ours were stolen out of a Zack Taylor pondbox when I was 12. We kept the boat on the creek, locked up, when we arrived in the dark to hunt someone had shot the cover apart and took the contents of 30 of these, also my 2 Herters 96CH goose decoys. It had taken me a lot of paper deliveries to get those geese!! On the positive side the situation forced me to carve decoys which I still do today.
Anyway, ours were not the ?fancy? models with turntable heads, just the D-9. I guess D-9-R is for rotating? These were sold by Sears in boxes of 6 for I think $8.95. They?re a tough decoy, ride well, self right but I recall them being a little shiny on bluebird days. I would not hesitate to hunt those, the ducks always liked them.

I plan to hunt over mine too. Although I heard a good quip the other day--"Nostalgia ain't what it used to be".

My Herter's model 72 diver rig is some where around 25 years old. They have survived many, many youth hunts too, being raked many, many times with shot and still have another 25 years left I would venture. Most are on long line and really stand out on those bad weather duck days.

I too like the old victors D-9, as well as the D 10s and D 100 [rubber bluebill]. Notice the first mallard is also a D 9 according to the bottom of the decoy, but looks a lot different. Does anyone know if that was the first model D 9 ? I would rather hunt over old wood or cork decoys but I just cannot afford them. Many of the old plastics have been repaired and repainted by me so there is some satisfaction in that, as the saying goes.

Dale,
Are those 72's still in foam or coated with something? If still original foam, they are in great shape after 25 years.

RVZ

Yes, they are in original foam. I have repainted most of them a few years back. I thought of covering them in burlap or something some time ago. The burlap and plaster, I discovered, was quite heavy and I did not need the extra weight in my boat carrying 80 decoys 2 to 4 people ect hunting coastal waters that are often quite rough in FL. So I just try and keep them painted up and carry them in individual bags. They have been excellent decoys and I highly recommend them. I have moved to Oklahoma now and have not used them in a couple years because I have been hunting only puddle ducks and geese here, which I prefer.