CW Relic Hunting in Alabama

[BamaBill]

I'm not asking for help in finding sites, just some insight from those members that have been relic hunting in this state for quite a while. One of the problems I seem to keep running up against is that many of the sites I've located through research have been destroyed through land modification or development. Its where I'm convinced that if I cannot locate a set of woods reasonably close to where the site should be, its probably not worth bothering. Is anyone else running up against this?

[TreasureRats]

Hey BamaBill
I feel your pain, I am south alabama, baldwin co., and you are right, all the best spots seem to be built over. Down here getting permission is like pulling teeth, even when there is nothing on the property. I dont know if it is ignorance or just plain bad attitudes, I had a woman literally yell at me on the phone when I asked to hunt her empty lot on the north side of Ft Morgan rd. I apologized ALOT and said I would never call her again. Although she sounded much older, maybe she wont be around much longer and I will call the new owners. lol sorry to be so mean.... As you may have seen there are several guys in and close to Cullman that hunt alot and alway love to meet new mders. If you ever make it down here give me a PM and we will hit a couple of sites.
TreasureRats

[DixieHunter145]

Hey im an MD'er from Cullman and TreasureRat speaks the truth, if your ever in Cullman let us know

[XL-PRO PRO]

Although I have never hunted for cw relics,I have managed to find 30+ bullets mostly three-ringer drops but to include a couple of carved and a .69 cal and 2 ringer.If you know the routes travelled or the areas occupied just look for open areas preferably close to water and start sweeping .You just never know.Found a gunsling buckle on top of the ground in a gulley wash(not detecting)which is another way to locate sites.DBULL!

[MichaelB]

BamaBill, my two cents....

The places I hunt are from years of doing research and talking to the oldtimers and developing relationships. Here in Baldwin County no one is going to let you hunt their property unless they know you. Most of my sites are from people I met at Church or the farm co-op. I use my finds to do history lessons at schools and I have a good relationship with the local museums. If they understand you will share some knowledge with them they are more willing to share knowledge with you.

I have some great relationships with some people on this site as I have grown to trust them and them trust me. This is a huge advantage to get advise and develop strategies.

In short, there are no easy short cuts and some good detective work can go a long way. I will look through my notes and see if I have any areas you might want to check out.

MichaelB

[BamaBill]

Thanks Swamphunter, you gave me some things to think about. As I said earlier, my problem is not the research or getting permission (batting 1000 there), its the number of sites I walk into and start detecting and after few hours of digging and looking at the topography it becomes clear that somebody with a bulldozer leveled the ground at some point or brought in a lot of fill dirt, or walking into an area where there ought to be a site only to discover somebody has built a house on it. No, I'm not giving up, but it does get frustrating putting all this work into it and not having anything to show for it. Upside is I know more about the history of this area than most folks and I'm not originally from here.