Metal detecting poachers. Know any?

[tennessee]

Most everyone can share a similar story. We learn how to keep our favorite spots secret, and we trust only the friends that have earned it. There is and will always be people that will disobey the code of ethics. We expect it because we do. Not only with this hobby but in life also. Hang in there.

 

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[Tnmountains]

Yeah,,, we have this post every year it seems. Always a few bad apples in any bunch and when it happens to you you want to raise cane. We work hard to get permission. I have lost a great spot to poachers after taking years to get permission it was dug over night.

 

[worldtalker]

Most everyone can share a similar story. We learn how to keep our favorite spots secret, and we trust only the friends that have earned it. There is and will always be people that will disobey the code of ethics. We expect it because we do. Not only with this hobby but in life also. Hang in there.

When you see your mistake you are Forgiven,just don't do it again.

 

[Msbeepbeep]

I'm a lone hunter due to many reasons. Trust being one. I would never go onto some one else's spot with out them there don't like it done to me. Very few people you can totally trust now days. Here are good people but knowing the difference is hard.

 

[dirtscratcher]

I guy I know invited me to a place I knew was off limits. I told him no thanks. Next time I see him he tells me to checkout minelab find of the month contest where he ended up getting free stuff for a find he made at site where he was trespassing.

 

[civil_war22]

Dirt scratcher that's exactly what these gentlemen did. They trespassed and then posted their finds on western and eastern treasure and around local detecting shops. When the landowners saw pics of their barn where the CSA buckle and gold coin was found they freaked cause it was literally 75 yards from their house and the guys likely came in at night to look around

 

[Lady Pirate]

I hunt alone, except with "Smith & Wesson". As I always say "Loose Lips, Sink Ships". I did take my friend sometimes when I lived Tallahassee, but she did not have a detector and used mine, so I didn't have to worry about her doing anything of the sorts. But I believe in Karma also, so what goes around will eventually come around.

 

[TN/SC]

Yes, I have learned this lesson the hard way. There is no honor amongst thieves. I have a story er two to tell but will refrain.

20 yrs ago good sites were a dime a dozen in my area. I didn't know how good I had it at the time.

 

[ModernMiner]

Yep, I've been a victim too. As a matter of fact I have a comment in this months American Digger magazine on that exact thing.
Poaching + trespassing = scumbag!
-MM-

 

[jeff of pa]

Dirt scratcher that's exactly what these gentlemen did. They trespassed and then posted their finds on western and eastern treasure and around local detecting shops. When the landowners saw pics of their barn where the CSA buckle and gold coin was found they freaked cause it was literally 75 yards from their house and the guys likely came in at night to look around

who's fault was it that the landowners
saw the pics & story ?

was it accidental ?
Did someone who Knew them personally turn them on to the Pics ?

 

[CincinnatiKid]

A 20 something yr old approached me while detecting. He was/is new. Uses a BH. He asks if I've ever found valuable items. Yes, I proclaim, and tell him about 2 local sites that continually produce large cents. He says, large cents?, what are those. I want to make money at this!
I explain that the history of every "dug" relic/coin etc., is more valuable than money of said items.? He disagrees. Naturally.
County Parks in "my neck of the woods", (SW Ohio), are banning MDing because of these young, TV watching wanna bees.
Keep valuable sites to self.
Peace

 

[BC1969]

One bit of advise, if you use a smart phone to take pics at your hot spot..be absolutely sure you have the Location setting turned off, otherwise your phone will record the GPS data in your pic you just took and when you post it here or anywhere people can use an online metadata reader to see all the hidden info in a pic, including the GPS info..
you can also use a metadata reader yourself on your own pics to make sure no personal info is in them.

Mike

 

[civil_war22]

That's exactly why I do not take pics out in the field.

 

[justdon]

I hunt alone, except with "Smith & Wesson". As I always say "Loose Lips, Sink Ships". I did take my friend sometimes when I lived Tallahassee, but she did not have a detector and used mine, so I didn't have to worry about her doing anything of the sorts. But I believe in Karma also, so what goes around will eventually come around.

I feel the same lady pirate.Iam always alone when i hunt.Except i always have my sig sauer with me.As my dad always says if you tell just one person that secret its not a secret anymore.I know very few people nowadays that are trustworthy.

 

[civil_war22]

Jeff in PA- it was the poachers fault for being out there. At the time I worked as a deputy in that county and the owners were family friends. I showed them the pictures and they weren't happy. Needless to say I don't see them guys posting on here much anymore but I'm sure they still troll around.

 

[roaddust66]

I never had anybody poach me because I never let anyone see my vehicle. I hide it. I wear drab clothing where I can't be seen. I never took anyone to one of my " honey holes". If I hunt with someone else , we go to known hunted out spots. Never ever give up honey hole.

 

[lookindown]

Hunting by yourself, not showing anyone your finds, being paranoid that some ones going to find your spot...doesn't sound too fun to me.

 

[Bitpusher]

A 20 something yr old approached me while detecting. He was/is new. Uses a BH. He asks if I've ever found valuable items. Yes, I proclaim, and tell him about 2 local sites that continually produce large cents. He says, large cents?, what are those. I want to make money at this!
I explain that the history of every "dug" relic/coin etc., is more valuable than money of said items.? He disagrees. Naturally.
County Parks in "my neck of the woods", (SW Ohio), are banning MDing because of these young, TV watching wanna bees.
Keep valuable sites to self.
Peace

Hey now - I'm a 20-something for another 2 months, and I surely like money. Even so, I have respect for what I'm digging up and the utmost respect for property rights.

Don't be painting my whole generation with that brush, though!

 

[Bitpusher]

I feel the same lady pirate.Iam always alone when i hunt.Except i always have my sig sauer with me.As my dad always says if you tell just one person that secret its not a secret anymore.I know very few people nowadays that are trustworthy.

I know what you mean - Herr Glock is a good friend of mine.

 

[ryaan21]

I have never really been poached. There are only a handful of hunters in our area maybe 15 that I know of.

The one incident that did kind of bug me was when my brother was finding some good artifacts, one guy in our club found out about it and was over there like flies on crap. He has poor digging skills besides. Then one time he brought some stuff he found to a club meeting and just out of curiosity my brother was like "Cool! Where did you find those, ya know, meaning general location, like town or city. We live in a very small area and there are about 15 towns/cities all small in a large overall area. My brother was more excited about the finds and when we talk to each other about finds we always ask where it was found.

This guy was like "in the ground". Same guy who had to run right out to our spot to try to find what we were finding. Sad part is, this guy is one of the leaders in our club.


I guess my view on it is this. If the site is on private property, it is close unless with permission. If it is public property, open season. I personally would NEVER follow someone to their site and would most assuredly pound the hell out of anyone I caught following me. It is creepy and would make me feel like I am in danger.

We used to hunt with a guy who would plant his finds, dig huge holes and just leave them. Almost got us kicked out of one of our honey holes because it is public property. Luckily the people who run the place know the 3-4 of us who frequent there didnt do the damage and now there is a non paying permit system in place. This guy is to dumb to even think to ask to detect there, so he will go in, get caught without the permit and then be banned for life.

Kinda a rambling post but there are all sorts of weirdos and dirtbags in this hobby.