Treasure Hunter or Detectorist?

[reddirtfisher]

Someone asked me a question the other day. They wanted to know if I was a "treasure hunter" or a "detectorist". I had to think for a minute before I answered. I finally said, " I am a detectorist". A "treasure hunter" to me is someone like Mel Fisher or Mr. Mahan from D-Tex years ago. It is someone who researches, gets permission, fills out contracts, and goes for the "big stuff" and many times on a full-time basis. I believe I am a "detectorist" because I am absolutely facinated by metal detector technology. I can go coin shooting all day and it doesnt matter to me if I get rich or find the "big one". I just enjoy using the machines, being outdoors, and fellowshipping with other hobbyists wherever I meet them. If I find neat stuff, old coins, or caches then it is just a plus to an already great pasttime. So I ask you the same question. Are you a "treasure hunter" or a "detectorist" or maybe both?

 

[coinnut]

I'm a detectorists. I find things one at a time!! I let the other guys find the mother load Love the outdoors, the exercise, and finding something is just a plus. But when I don't find anything watch out. HH

 

[Canewrap]

I'm a relic hunter. I think it falls somewhere between your two categories, because it takes a lot of research and detecting hunted out areas, until you find an area you can hunt for a while. And, if you're serious about it, you're really an amateur historian with enough material to potentially write a book. Since I got back into relic hunting I've read and researched more about the Civil War than I probably did the whole time I was into it as a kid. When I take a break I go coinshooting.

 

[Crispytoo]

Detectorist, coin shooter or hunter is what I prefer. I really don't care for the title "Treasure Hunter" as I envision a greedy opportunist that feeds off other people's misfortune. Sorry if that offends anyone because it isn't meant to.

 

[Daniel A.]

Detectorist coinshooter/jewelry hunter wanna be relic hunter. Treasure Hunter is OK to have been called worse. In the public's mind we are treasure hunters and most don't get it often I hear people say finding any gold yet don't really want to give that much time up trying to explain the skill involved. Dan

 

[dahut]

You have to be careful which imagery you leave people in their minds eye.

As an example there was a post on T-Net recently, the sum of which said metal detecting is equal to looting. The lead picture had an Arab looking, terrorist type in robes and face wrap brandishing not an AK-47 - - but a Whites metal detector! Detecting Jihad!!
That is NOT good imagery, nor good publicity.

So, I dont tell people I hunt or dig or find. I rarely mention the word coin, or jewelry outright. I DO NOT use the terms "treasure hunter," or "relic hunter."
I am simply a detectorist and search for artifacts. I rarely tell them about the great finds I've made, instead preferring to talk about the mundane ones.

Now, people arent stupid and everyone knows what a detector is for, these days. You can't pull the wool over their eyes and shouldn't try.
Often they will bring up these images themselves, so my goal is to dispel them and turn the hobby into a fun pastime in their minds. If they just reckon me a kook out having a little harmless fun, then I feel I've succeeded.

 

[tulare tokens]

n/t

 

[marcomo]

You have to be careful which imagery you leave people in their minds eye.

As an example there was a post on T-Net recently, the sum of which said metal detecting is equal to looting. The lead picture had an Arab looking, terrorist type in robes and face wrap brandishing not an AK-47 - - but a Whites metal detector! Detecting Jihad!!
That is NOT good imagery, nor good publicity.

So, I don't tell people I hunt or dig or find. I rarely mention the word coin, or jewelry outright. I DO NOT use the terms "treasure hunter," or "relic hunter."
I am simply a detectorist and search for artifacts. I rarely tell them about the great finds I've made, instead preferring to talk about the mundane ones.

Now, people aren't stupid and everyone knows what a detector is for, these days. You can't pull the wool over their eyes and shouldn't try.
Often they will bring up these images themselves, so my goal is to dispel them and turn the hobby into a fun pastime in their minds. If they just reckon me a kook out having a little harmless fun, then I feel I've succeeded.

Very well said, David.

People who don't know the hobby often have visions of vast treasure everywhere in the ground.

Of course the companies making detectors stoke these visions. Can't blame them for that, they've got a product to sell. Showing a mountain of pull tabs and other junk next to a small gold ring and some clad might be more realistic, but it sure wouldn't sell as many detectors.

The term your friend awhitster used I really liked and always use now to describe myself.

It describes what I do realistically and flows off the tongue, unlike "treasure hunter" or "detectorist".

In fact the person who started this thread has it in his handle.

I am a dirt fisher.

 

[slingshot]

Along with the above-and BTW, dahut-great response-I always tell them I only find things an inch or two under the ground. Not only have many ruined the pubic's perception on the nature of our hobby, but also the destruction of some by careless digging and horrible recovery methods and outlandish digging tools on unnecessary sites.

 

[Beale]

I also prefer dirt fisher. I enjoy the outdoors and just hunting. If I am in a private spot the more so. I just enjoy this hobby more than any other hobby I have ever had. Sometimes I catch a few good ones, Beale.

 

[jim tn]

"I look for coins as a hobby", is a term I use a lot when people inquire what I am looking for or what are you doing? I consider myself a "coinshooter" first and then do my best to recover a few other goodies, like jewelry, in the process of finding older coins. As I perceive the term "treasure hunter", very few of us in this wonderful are turly and actually, one. As has been stated numerous time, we find the "big one" one coin, bullet, button, ring, one piece at a time. A pretty good stretch to be considered a treasure. Although the hobby itself, in my opinion, is one. HH jim tn

 

[Bill in Texas]

I am neither! I am a hunter period. The detector is just one tool that I use. The head is the best tool that I use. Just today i found a penny, a quarter, and a silver ring. I did not even turn on a detector. Yes they were lost items, but a detector would not have helped me one bit. In fact someone might have put me in the loony farm if I had tried to use one. I found these items at a parking lot on a short business trip to a Post Office in a strip mall. Bill in Texas

 

[khouse]

I'm the exact same way. I ask people if I can scan their yard with my detector. I get more yeses than no's. I have more places to hunt than I have time for.

 

[Ron from Michigan]

Treasure Hunter.I try a rational approach.The metal detector is a tool to find the coins,rings and artifacts when I.m searching in the field. I enjoy the parks,lakes or sites I'm hunting and try not to offend anyone or trust pass.The metal detector is important but the recovery tools and hunting skills are very also critical.A detectorist must have other skills to get the most out of this hobby. Thanks Ron

 

[dahut]

... most people are more concerned with their own issues than listening to a long winded spiel about the semantics or nuances of treasure hunting.
Im a 'detectorist' is what I mostly tell them. If I still have their attention betond after five or six seconds, I'll mention that I like to stuff in the ground or water as a hobby, with a metal detctor.

They usually say, "Oh, you mean like those old guys on the beach? ...like the GEICO caveman?"

I normally just say, "Yeah, something like that."

 

[Uncle Willy]

There's always "dirt fisher", "coin popper", "coinshooter", "beeper swinger."

Bill

 

[GRAY GHOST]

i'm a detectorist through and through! no doubt about it. i suppose one of these days, when i'm retired [ prolly never happen ] the wife and i will end up in the florida keys TREASUREHUNTIN' !!! it seems like the natural progression. hh!

 

[Lash]

"I'm a one-man hazardous materials clean-up crew. I'm clearing this beach (tot lot/ball field, etc) of hazardous materials so you and your kids don't step on something that would rip your feet open. It's my way of serving the community." Show them the broken whisky bottle (Be sure to keep the full bottle in your other pouch!) and sharp metal in your trash pouch. "You're welcome. I accept contributions."

 

[Elton]

who is always hoping to find treasure. What the Hey- As long as I am doing it a little in the hand treasure reward couldn't hurt could it?.

 

[dahut]

"I'm a one-man hazardous materials clean-up crew. I'm clearing this beach (tot lot/ball field, etc) of hazardous materials so you and your kids don't step on something that would rip your feet open. It's my way of serving the community." Show them the broken whisky bottle (Be sure to keep the full bottle in your other pouch!) and sharp metal in your trash pouch. "You're welcome. I accept contributions."

I like it!