Bad eggs spoil the basket.....

fongu · Apr 9, 2015

Thought I would post this from a historical paper put out in my area. Had 3 photos, but didn't resize one of them and will try and post it next week. If this is true and with some of the people I've ran into or seed their damage
and unfilled holes, it probably is. Hope to write them a letter next week and explain that the majority of our members are ethical and do not do this.

Bad eggs spoil the basket 005 (Custom).webp

Bad eggs spoil the basket 003 (Custom).webp

TheHunterGT · Apr 9, 2015

Terrible story to read. Anybody who would trespass and dig private property to then only shrug their shoulders when confronted needs a back alley lesson taught to them. Sure hope they are not members here. :BangHead:

coinman123 · Apr 9, 2015

Those are the kind of people I hate. The kind who think they can show up (illegally) without permission and crudely dig everywhere with no respect to the property or property owner. I agree, a few bad eggs can spoil the entire basket.

They are not just ruining their chances at metal detecting at cool places, they are ruining the hobby for many other people too!!

bigfoot1 · Apr 10, 2015

this is what trip wires and grenades are for

L.C. BAKER · Apr 10, 2015

A simple knock on the door or researching for an owner is well worth the time it takes.....worse they can say is no....and who knows,they might sell it or you may out live them and get another chance at it from another owner in the future!

voodoo · Apr 10, 2015

sad sad sad........

bzbadger · Apr 10, 2015

Seriously who does this type of kr@p. You do that in my area you are liable to get shot. Usually country folk wont put up with that nonsense.
That part about the guy digging up flowers then when challenged shrugs it off sounds either very extreme or possibly stretched a bit. This is just wrong and makes us look bad.

coinman123 · Apr 10, 2015

bzbadger said:
Seriously who does this type of kr@p. You do that in my area you are liable to get shot. Usually country folk wont put up with that nonsense.
That part about the guy digging up flowers then when challenged shrugs it off sounds either very extreme or possibly stretched a bit. This is just wrong and makes us look bad.

DITTO!!

Msbeepbeep · Apr 10, 2015

If the property owner "planted" the trespasser in the very hole he dug, justified!

yodi · Apr 11, 2015

That sucks for us all.

CoilyGirl · Apr 11, 2015

People who do this kind of thing make me sick. Is a relic or two really worth trespassing and screwing up things for the people who do get permission?

Higgy · Apr 13, 2015

Msbeepbeep said:
If the property owner "planted" the trespasser in the very hole he dug, justified!

Haha! I like the way you think, Beep!

fongu · Apr 13, 2015

I find it hard to imagine being this disrespectful to anybody, but I'm trying to keep an open mind about this being true. There are idiots with detectors out there, I've had to clean up some of their messes. I plan to post the letter to this newspaper and if anybody should send them any mail, please keep it positive. Here is the photo I couldn't get posted last week. GL & HH. I will post any response I get from the newspaper/newsletter.

Bad eggs spoil the basket 010 (Custom).webp

skeeter86 · Apr 16, 2015

Hey bigfoot front toward enemy!

skeeter86 · Apr 16, 2015

Can you say savage family diggers sound like something they would do!

bzbadger · Apr 16, 2015

Couldn't have been slap happy savage, apparently nobody used backhoes or dynamite while unearthing coins. Anyone remember savage's wife? Wow, someone who believes Halloween is a year long event.

fongu · Apr 17, 2015

I wrote the letter today and will get it mailed Saturday. I will post any responses I get, positive or negative.

The Historical News April-17-2015
P O Box 1068
Hiram, Georgia 30141

To Whom It May Concern:

I read the article on page 23, in the April issue about the violation of private property by someone using a metal detector and wanted to write to you and express my opinion on this.

This does not represent the majority of people in our hobby who voluntarily abide by a code of ethics and only represents a very small minority. There are bad apples in every barrel and we must sort them out and remove them from our hobby to save those who are ethical members and always ask permission to go on private property.

Not only do I ask permission from private property owners, I always check with the people who manage public property and get their permission and assure them I will leave no holes unfilled and carry out small trash items. I’m a taxpayer and it is public property, but I feel I have an ethical responsibility to ask.

I feel that I perform a public service by removing trash such as nails, broken glass, fish hooks, syringes and needles from public parks and swim areas. I also work to educate people about our hobby and we are not out to destroy public or private property, but to recover and protect it.

A few coins or relics are a small reward for our efforts and the fresh air and being outdoors is our greatest pleasure.

Sincerely,
W. L. Ellerbee