Grew up finding Indian arrowheads, pottery and trade beads on the family farm in North Alabama.
Attended Auburn University with main studies in Civil Engineering and some in History / Archeology.
Worked for nine years in the Civil Engineering Department of a very old city, established in 1733, where I was involved in many construction projects involving excavations in some of the oldest parts of the city. Some of the more memorable ones were: The installation of a water main through the parade grounds of a War of 1812 Fort which was also used during the early part of the Civil War. Laying a sewer main 18' deep through a turn of the century city dump which unearthed thousands of old bottles. The renovation of a large park in the historic part of the city where Gen. Sherman reviewed his troops during the Civil War.
Retired after thirty years working for a Railroad, twenty eight of which were spent involved in Labor Relations as a Labor Representative. During this time I traveled extensively, affording me the opportunity to Metal Detect in all of the Eastern States, a few Midwestern and Western States, and three Canadian Provinces.
After three years of retirement I went back to work in the Newspaper Industry. At present, I am the District Circulation Manager of Daily Newspaper which serves nine rural Counties. These Counties were settled during Colonial Times and my position gives me personal contact with many of the land owners making it easy to secure permission to Metal Detect old home sites.
I began Metal Detecting in 1962 with an Army Surplus mine detector, progressed up to BFO detectors (two of which I built myself), moved up to TR, VLF and PI detectors as technology advanced. I have owned and used detectors by almost all of the major manufacturers. I realize how very fortunate I am to have had Metal Detecting experiences that most in this great hobby can only imagine or dream about. Searching old urban parks that had never before seen a Metal Detector where less than 25 Silver Coins was considered a bad day, Revolutionary and Civil War sites that were undisturbed since the soldiers left, where you could still clearly see the tent mounds, fire pits, gun rings, trenches and breastworks. Other than 18" or larger diameter trees growing out of them they were exactly as they were when used during the war. These were Metal Detecting opportunities that are virtually non existent today. While the quantity and for the most part the quality of finds while Metal Detecting have greatly diminished, the great people you meet, history you learn and pure enjoyment of being outdoors doing what you like have not changed. Also the thrill of anticipation as you search and the pure adrenalin rush every time you hear the sound of a good signal is the same as always.
I apologize for the length of this post but in order to convey my experiences I did not want to make it too brief. A personal opinion: There are no truly bad detectors, only inexperienced operators who do not know and fully understand their equipment. Likewise the best detector is one that you use, learn and become proficient with, not one that sits idle and unused.
Happy Hunting
CE
Geologist with the U.S. Geological Survey