Treasure Hunting Skills

[PatrickD]

Hi Everyone,

I was thinking about the ideal collection of skills a person could accumulate to make a really solid treasure hunter.

For example, SCUBA, Rappelling/rock climbing, First Aid, research, etc.

Can you think of any other skills that would come in handy?

Patrick

 

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[Terry Soloman]

A good sense of humor!

 

[CincinnatiKid]

Actually knowing where treasure is. ESP. Levitation. Pre-permission. All will help.
Peace

 

[Jason in Enid]

I don't know if such a list could ever be completed. There are so many variations of "treasure hunting", and so many individual skills for each type.

I would start that list with: clear and rational thinking. Not making decisions based on emotion.

 

[73dguard]

researching documents

 

[wvplug]

One must be an excellent map reader, of all kinds, willing and able to spend the time researching, wealthy, free to travel, good well rounded outdoor skills, the list goes on.....

 

[liftloop]

sharp shooter


liftloop

 

[BARKER]

Hi; Geology, Numismatics, Metallurgy, Conservation and Preservation.
PEACE:RONB

 

[Kenkoehn1950]

Is patience a skill?

 

[wvplug]

Is patience a skill?

A virtue at the very least.

 

[ExpressJetter]

x-ay vision

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[Tnmountains]

Perseverance and research.

 

[Alan Applegate]

The bottom line is, you have got to know how to correct use a metal detector!

One of the most basic skills is learning how to swing. I'm literally amazed at the folks, even old timers at the hobby, who cant their coils at the end of their swings. This is soooooo basic, you'd think they'd learn!

To be really good at any particular model, you have to spend a lot of time learning what the detector is telling you. Even a simple Ace 250, requires at least 40 ours of real field time, to get even moderately proficient with it. Models like the MineLabs E-trac require several times that learning curve. Yet, some folks just give up after a few hours, trade the unit off, or upgrade thinking a better unit will require less learning! Not!

As I have said many times, the best detector in the world, is no better than the person swinging it! So, spend 40 or more hours afield, before you decide what you have isn't what you thought it was.

 

[CoilyGirl]

I think you also need a feel for seeing land as it might have been years ago,before newer houses and buildings were placed there. A line of trees growing in close proximity to each other could indicate an old road bed.

 

[Helix]

Perseverance and research.

If your looking for 1930's coins put yourself in the 1930's,,, at that time. Were did people hang out, what did they do how was there life style.

 

[Argentium]

I don't think I can correctly call luck a skill , but many of the stories (if not most ) that I've heard of, had more to do with luck - whatever that means
I'm using the word to suggest that the finder wasn't really looking for a treasure , rather they sort of stumbled upon it . I am by no means
suggesting that the aforementioned skills are not valuable for those who seek treasures .

 

[Alan Applegate]

I agree with the about, at least in part. I use the hobby, especially nowadays, as an exercise routing. Besides mowing the lawn, it is about the only exercise I get, other tun pushing myself away from the dinner table!

I've had a few good finds, but I wouldn't call them lucky finds. Call it perseverance if you please. But research? None I ever did paid off. As a result, I take a more pragmatic approach, as does Helix apparently.

 

[Msbeepbeep]

Actually you would need your brains to think....most important part!

With out that you go no where! All the rest can be figured out and over come.

 

[releventchair]

Mobility at time its needed by what ever means required.Ability to camp and travel light under the radar with out ruining moral.

 

[PatrickD]

In treasure hunting (beyond just metal detecting) I have found it useful to sit at a high point and survey the surrounding terrain for anomalies. Changes in tree growth, ground cover, etc., are indicative of historical ground disturbances, mineralization and metal deterioration. Like Pink Floyd said, 'Amazing Powers of Observation.'