Training seminars in metal detecting, prospecting, and our hobby

[chirper97]

Many of us simply repeat mistakes and take credit for years of experience...whether motorcycling, metal detecting, or any endeavor. In the world of self defense, a visit to Tactical Response training in TN or Front Sight in Nevada will cut through the BS and ensure that our practice includes effective and efficient techniques that, with lots of practice, will become habitual and automatic.

What if Karl von Mueller had sponsored training weekends with the top metal detecting/treasure hunters at that time in Segundo, CO? Not just get-togethers and competitive coin hunting, but actual seminars, half lecture/discussion and the remainder in the field. Beginner through professional levels could be available, depending on the demand. The class would simply have a minimum number of registrants for the seminar to occur. Karl didn't have the advantage of the internet to spread the message, but the thousands of readers of the National Prospector's Gazette and his wonderful TH Manuals would have been a rich mine of enthusiasts.

Google brought up a very interesting training class in Australia: https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.654611027891755.1073741832.212723918747137&type=3 Garrett has a training class for security uses of their specialized equipment, but not for hobbyists. I would like to see a non-brand specific class presented by the top detectorists/THunters available, and would be willing to travel to participate in such a class here in the U.S. Enough repeating the same errors and under utilizing our expensive high tech equipment!

 

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[chirper97]

There is no need for metal detecting classes … That is about as far out idea as i ever heard … Why some of you think it is good i have no idea.. There is more info out there on detecting from every were .. Watch you tube go to a club… hell on you tube i learned how to repair my computer . And on you tube it showed me how to put a timing chain on a Volvo .. I never did it before and it took me about 9 hours but it got done…. Metal detecting class………...

Keppy, you did notice that the suggestion was not limited to metal detecting. It's so easy to ridicule...and much tougher to consider the possibilities.

One could claim advanced knowledge of any subject based upon perusing the internet. Mastery and proficiency demand a dedication and depth of knowledge that is hard won. To illustrate: a naive layman can assert that there is no need for medical schools because "all that health stuff is on the internet and my Youtube favorites list". I think we are living in an age where this attitude is rampant!

I respect those of us who have dedicated their lives to mastering a specialty and/or profession, and would consider paying for excellent seminars/clinics/field demonstrations in our particular hobby. Metal detecting, prospecting, research, digging, state of the art developments, and so on could be included in a hypothetical seminar.

The irony is: "We don't know what we don't know"

 

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[Jason in Enid]

REALLY?! I can't believe you just compared metal detecting to a medical degree!

Nobody will become a master of detecting from your little "seminar" either. All that will do is GIVE INFORMATION. It's up to the individual to PRACTICE to become proficient, and the fact remains that there is nothing you can teach in a seminar that isn't covered here every single day. It's up to the individual to seek out and practice.

 

[christo000]

Very true, someone is only goin to learn what they put the effort into

 

[Terry Soloman]

There is no need for metal detecting classes … That is about as far out idea as i ever heard … Why some of you think it is good i have no idea.. There is more info out there on detecting from every were .. Watch you tube go to a club… hell on you tube i learned how to repair my computer . And on you tube it showed me how to put a timing chain on a Volvo .. I never did it before and it took me about 9 hours but it got done…. Metal detecting class………...

I disagree Keppy. There is a real demand for metal detecting lessons. This has been almost 40-percent of my business ( Arizona gold prospecting, gold prospecting, gold panning ) since 2007, and continues to grow each year. Last summer, I also trained over 42-people to use pulse induction and multi-frequency detectors on New York and Connecticut beaches. People enjoy personal training in all aspects of metal detecting. Many buy machines online, and have no idea how to use them - even after watching many hours of questionable YouTube videos.

In Arizona, we train on Minelab, Tesoro, Whites, Garrett, Fisher, and Teknetics machines. Here in New York, I have trained folks to use Minelab, Fisher, Whites, and Tesoro beach machines. There is a demand.

 

[Keppy]

Keppy, you did notice that the suggestion was not limited to metal detecting. It's easy to ridicule...and much tougher to consider the possibilities. One could naively claim advanced knowledge of any subject based upon perusing the internet. Mastery and proficiency demand a dedication and depth of knowledge that is hard won. Just because we can look a fact up on Wiki within 10 seconds, that rarely means we can master the information and ramifications of that tidbit results. I guess you could hypothesize that there is no need for prospective students to attend medical schools, because "it's all on the internet and my Youtube favorites list". I respect those of us who have dedicated their lives to mastering a specialty and/or profession, and would consider paying for excellent seminars/clinics/field demonstrations in our particular hobby. Metal detecting, prospecting, research, digging, state of the art developments, and so on could be included in a hypothetical seminar. We can agree to disagree.

chirper97 … There is no need to PM me and tell me how you feel about what i post…I thought we were here to discuss not get at each others throat….

 

[Keppy]

I disagree Keppy. There is a real demand for metal detecting lessons. This has been almost 40-percent of my business ( Arizona gold prospecting, gold prospecting, gold panning ) since 2007, and continues to grow each year. Last summer, I also trained over 42-people to use pulse induction and multi-frequency detectors on New York and Connecticut beaches. People enjoy personal training in all aspects of metal detecting. Many buy machines online, and have no idea how to use them - even after watching many hours of questionable YouTube videos. In Arizona, we train on Minelab, Tesoro, Whites, Garrett, Fisher, and Teknetics machines. Here in New York, I have trained folks to use Minelab, Fisher, Whites, and Tesoro beach machines. There is a demand.

Terry i can see for gold prospecting . But every one i know and myself for just in a park or field is just beep and dig then cover .. like some one said it is not brain surgery… I bought mine from Kellyco mail order 40 years ago give or take I never had a problem … Even kids can metal detect …. You have to be for lessons for you make money doing it.

 

[gunsil]

I started forty some years ago and was shown the basics by the dealer I drove 500 miles each way to see to get one. It was a BFO, beep and dig. I use modern machines now, and it is still really beep and dig. Classes may be good for some, but I think those that learn their machines basically by themselves through beep and dig and see what's there will always be more efficient hunters than those taking a class and thinking they are ahead of the game. There is no substitute for experience, especially with all the different machines available these days and growing all the time. My lesson to all is that he who makes the most holes finds the most good stuff. Oh, and one more thing, you can't teach luck!!

 

[chirper97]

I disagree Keppy. There is a real demand for metal detecting lessons. This has been almost 40-percent of my business ( Arizona gold prospecting, gold prospecting, gold panning ) since 2007, and continues to grow each year. Last summer, I also trained over 42-people to use pulse induction and multi-frequency detectors on New York and Connecticut beaches. People enjoy personal training in all aspects of metal detecting. Many buy machines online, and have no idea how to use them - even after watching many hours of questionable YouTube videos. In Arizona, we train on Minelab, Tesoro, Whites, Garrett, Fisher, and Teknetics machines. Here in New York, I have trained folks to use Minelab, Fisher, Whites, and Tesoro beach machines. There is a demand.

Thanks Terry I will bookmark your website and may be contacting you in the future re: your instruction.

 

[cudamark]

I've seen a few youtube videos that had bad info, methods, and/or procedures, so that isn't the final word either. Some user manuals are pitiful when it comes to techniques and hunting tips. They usually just give you the basics on how to change settings on the machine and then let you sink or swim on your own. I'm not saying paid lessons are the answer either but hands-on tips from a pro can be invaluable when you're just learning. A good club can give you that for free (or at least included in your dues ) Everyone is different on how easy something is for them to learn. Some things come naturally, some have to be drilled into your head. Half the battle is knowing that you need help learning the correct method. If you've been doing it one way (the wrong way) for many years and had some success, you may think it is THE way to do it and not realize your method is poor unless it's pointed out by a hunting buddy or fellow club member.

 

[ScrugneysGunDogs]

I've detected since 1981 and often follow the same old techniques...you could accurately say I have 1 year of experience repeated for 33 years.

That's O.K. -- as long as you expect to get the same result. You do know that the definition of insanity is to repeat the same behavior and expect a different result?!

 

[chirper97]

That's O.K. -- as long as you expect to get the same result. You do know that the definition of insanity is to repeat the same behavior and expect a different result?!

You do know that is exactly my point.

 

[chirper97]

I would love to see a thread by Terry Soloman serving to share experiences and lessons-learned from his training sessions.

Subjects such as:

Ground mineralization effects upon target detection and recovery or "why did I pay 1000.00 or more for my hi-tech detector?"

How do I get the best balance of sensitivity and stability when searching a new location?

How do I learn that I am missing targets from a location? (you don't know what you don't know).

When should I use 3 vs 15KHz or both frequencies in various ground mineralization situations. Correlate or Best Data?

If I am going to 'dig every target' to find gold necklaces/rings and rust encrusted caches, do I need to spend $1000.00 or more on a high tech detector, or could a much simpler and economical detector do the same job. PI versus VLF for this type of search?

I know how to handle and shoot a firearm (duh anyone can do it!), but when I took a class at Tactical Response I realized what I DIDN'T know. I also realized that an overall upgrade of skills and practice was mandatory! A humbling experience.

Grade school gives you just about all the skills you need in life, but many people will choose universities for advanced study for professional skills.

Our hobby is richer than many of us realize. Sure anyone can go to a park/school and find a few coins of precious little value and to feel like "that's all I need to know!". But many of us want a deeper understanding and quality of skills and are willing to learn from those with more expertise and experience.

 

[Don Chiasson]

Hers some training, go into the woods and dig near property line stone walls, they do produce!

 

[BryanM362]

I could see some value in this for beginners. Also, direction on research techniques and resources would be helpful.

 

[Don Chiasson]

I can say that when it comes to recovery of coins, or other items your taking out of the ground it should be common sense to know your machine. It's pretty much common sense to not dig right on top of your target but a good enough buffer zone where you won't damage the find. And should have a hand held pin pointer to ensure you don't damage the goods. Training isn't really necessary if you read your manual and/or watch instructional video. This gives you the basics...as to Insite into places of interest to dig, it's pretty much a history lesson. I own a couple different detectors and the find above was on a whites Prizm 2 (cheapest whites detector), And a whites MXT. Took out the Prism 2 because its lighter. Doesn't get down quite as deep but does the job just as well. I learned on the beach and in parks, now I am into researching the history of areas near my surroundings, this has paid off greatly.. I dig everything and (fill my holes)...I live in Mass, and its not very hard to find where the early settlers were and traveled, lived, fought, etc.....

IMHO, training is not necessary, what's really necessary is "property permissions"! And lessons on SOLICITING houses to get permissions!

 

[Don Chiasson]

I can say that when it comes to recovery of coins, or other items your taking out of the ground it should be common sense to know your machine. It's pretty much common sense to not dig right on top of your target but a good enough buffer zone where you won't damage the find. And should have a hand held pin pointer to ensure you don't damage the goods. Training isn't really necessary if you read your manual and/or watch instructional video. This gives you the basics...as to Insite into places of interest to dig, it's pretty much a history lesson. I own a couple different detectors and the find above was on a whites Prizm 2 (cheapest whites detector), And a whites MXT. Took out the Prism 2 because its lighter. Doesn't get down quite as deep but does the job just as well. I learned on the beach and in parks, now I am into researching the history of areas near my surroundings, this has paid off greatly.. I dig everything and (fill my holes)...I live in Mass, and its not very hard to find where the early settlers were and traveled, lived, fought, etc.....

IMHO, training is not necessary, what's really necessary is "property permissions"! And lessons on SOLICITING houses to get permissions!

Not to my liking so much seeing I am a career lawn specialist and can't stand to see plugs all over a lawn!

 

[Jason in Enid]

Not to my liking so much seeing I am a career lawn specialist and can't stand to see plugs all over a lawn!

Why are your replying to yourself?

 

[christo000]

Why are your replying to yourself?

Lol that's funny I was ah thinking the same I just didn't want to be the one to say something but ah ya that's funny

 

[RobRieman]

Guess he changed his mind about the hobby. Lol

 

[chirper97]

"..... IMHO, training is not necessary, what's really necessary is "property permissions"! And lessons on SOLICITING houses to get permissions!"

Similar to Force on Force training for self defense, role playing could be a great learning paradigm for improving skills with getting the all important permission to search productive sites. Lessons learned from fellow detectorists and a skilled instructor may be worth the price of admission.