A message to all detectorists

[WHADIFIND]

I've been harping on this for a long time. All I can say to the younger group who've discovered this wonderful hobby. And, desire to have it around long enough for them to have a "career" of finding treasures. We had BETTER start policing ourselves! If we don't, then all of us will suffer when some big shot decides it is in the best interests of the majority of the people, to stop the use of detectors on any public ground. If you don't think it can happen, you better take a good look around you and you'd better do it quickly.

I have enough private permissions to last me the rest of my life. Of course, I am closer to the finish line nowadays. So, It won't stop me from enjoying the hobby.

Not an original thought/idea but, it has become a VERY pressing concept recently. Those bad holes need to be repaired, not just complained about and left to be found by some official. The trash needs to be picked up, regardless of who finds it AND....biggest of all, we better start keeping an eye on other detectorists we see hunting. Then, SPEAK UP, or even report them if they're too big for their britches! It will be better for us to turn them in then prove Mz/Mr Bizzybody right.

 

[Bgmeanie]

Amen!!!! Good video dude!

 

[TCAWarriors]

This may not be popular to say but I blame recent television shows which only show individuals whooping it up, doing cartwheels and acting a fool. They never show them filling their holes, disposing of their trash and sometimes they do not dig properly. I know this is the producers fault but maybe the sponsors could encourage at least a shot of them doing the less "exciting" part of detecting.

 

[ScubaDetector]

As a water hunter I also take pictures of all my trash. For two reasons. One is to show everyone I just don't go out and dig gold. Second it shows people a lot of effort goes into a hunt and it isn't easy.

I won't hunt with a few people around here. One even throws pennies back. I don't care what kind of detectorist you are. WHY would you ever want to dig the same target twice? Lazy and stupid if you ask me.

You dig it up you take it out. I go as far as taking every piece of glass out of the swim areas I dig up or see on top also. That my friends has gotten me into a few places nobody else is allowed.

When you hand out business cards and let association park supervisors know you give back lost items, you take all the trash and glass out of the swim areas and you respect their rules and just love to help gets you pretty far sometimes.

I hunted a golf course at night in SLC Utah for over 3 years. I had a frisbee that I put the dirt into after I dug the plug. After retrieving the target I folded the frisbee put the dirt back in the hole and put the square plug back in. Almost impossible to tell I was there. I did less damage than a golf club and I was proud of it.

We all know, all it takes is ONE to cause a bad name for all. However the people that don't care probably never come to a site like this to read. They are out for one thing. That is themselves and their greedy aspirations.

 

[Ammoman]

When i first started Metal detecting i had no clue what i was doing. I had no mentor and the Dealer i got the detector from gave no advice. Yes..i filled my holes because common sense told me to but, pulling the trash from the hole was something i had to figure out on my own. It didn't take me long to figure it out, but its not an instinct we are born with. I suspect the people or person you are dealing with might be someone who watched one of these reality shows, bought a detector online and hit the road with visions of silver and gold dancing in their head. With the popularity of metal detectors growing, i think the manufacturers of metal detectors have a responsibility to include some basic rules that everyone should follow. This may be something that's already being done. If not, a small pamphlet would be very helpful to everyone. I do believe most people will follow the rules as long as they know the rules exist.

 

[Icewing]

I'm with you on taking the trash. If only you could see the mountain of junk metal that I'm saving for the scrap yard.

On another note, I've noticed some holes are from raccoons, skunks, and armadillos digging for grubs, not other detectorists, but they do look a lot alike.

When in doubt, blame nature.

 

[Rawhide]

We have some good folks here where I live. They are finding folks digging their permissions. Needless to say folks are not sharing much around here. As for door knocking, I have never got so many no's in my life. I'm pulling the battery's for a bit. May even sell the detectors. Time for a new hobby where there isn't so many no fun signs.

 

[Chug And Red]

I'm with you on taking the trash. If only you could see the mountain of junk metal that I'm saving for the scrap yard.

On another note, I've noticed some holes are from raccoons, skunks, and armadillos digging for grubs, not other detectorists, but they do look a lot alike.

When in doubt, blame nature.

Those said Animals Do dig up you plugs I watched a Squirrel dig up a Plug a few minutes after I dug it