Treasure Hunting with a Metal Detector

Finding a treasure is a popular dream of many, often thought about but never really explored. Imagine, if you will, the excitement of finding a jar full of coins hidden in a backyard, or perhaps finding a bag of money that bandits have buried that was never found. There are many types of treasures to be found in this world of ours. Many collectable items can be found. Old bottle caps are becoming more and more popular for collectors. Civil war artifacts are being discovered not only on battlefields, but in encampment areas. The list is almost limitless of the things that are out there just waiting for someone to find them.

Metal detecting or Treasure Hunting, as I prefer to call it, can be done alone or as a family activity. Many families have found this to be a fun outdoor hobby that all ages enjoy.

Choosing the right metal detector to use is very important. Research will reveal many reputable companies that manufacture metal detectors. Prices range from around $300 to well over $1000. As with many things, simple models as well as full featured (loaded) models are just waiting to catch your eye! After you have picked out the one you want and have read the manual, practice using it around your own backyard. Search along your driveway and the sidewalk to your home. You just might discover some change or long lost jewelry!

You will need a sturdy garden trowel to dig your finds. A long flat head screwdriver is also handy to probe around and pry through roots, etc. Carry a two compartment bag for your results: One side for "keepers" and one side for the "junk" items you will also inevitably find.

One nifty idea that will quickly enable you to learn about the workings of your new metal detector is to bury some coins in your own backyard. Mark the spots, with various denominations, as well as buried to different depths. As you operate your metal detector over known coins at known depths, you will see what the display shows, and you will hear the sound your detector emits for a known object at a known depth. Once you have a handle on how your detector works, you are ready for a treasure hunt.

You can start in your town. Researching at your local library and talking to people who have lived there for a long time will help you find good places to search. Find out where the first train station was located, the popular places where people congregated, where the first churches and homes were built. Old homesteads are also a very good place to explore. Study the history of your town. Expand your research to some of the towns close by. You might discover a legend that says a bank robber has been thru there and his stash of coins are buried but have never been found. These are things you do on days you can't go treasure hunting.

You will need to find out the local laws regarding things you find on public property. And, be sure you get permission before searching on someone else's property. Most people will let you search then split what you find with them. Just be sure to ask. In addition, accepted metal detecting etiquette says that you always leave a site in better shape than you found it. Always refill any holes you have excavated, including putting the sod back in place. Take any "junk" finds you have with you.

Good luck and happy treasure hunting!