It was 34 degrees with a 15-mile-an-hour wind cutting through my jacket. Snow had fallen earlier that morning, and most reasonable folks would be inside by their fireplaces. Duck season was on a split, which left me with some free time and an itch for adventure. That’s when I discovered something just as thrilling as duck hunting – searching for history buried beneath our feet.
I’ve only been metal detecting for less than two years, but I’ve already found an impressive collection of historical items that connect me to the past in ways I never imagined. My friend Murray Crow introduced me to this hobby. He’s been at it for nearly four decades, and though he’s “old as dirt” as I like to tease him, his enthusiasm for the hunt is contagious. What I want you to know is simple: if I can do this and find all these treasures, you can too.
Finding the Right Equipment
When I first started relic hunting, I was overwhelmed by all the equipment options. Murray suggested I try a Garrett detector, which offers reliable models that won’t break the bank. The concept is straightforward – you’re trying to match sounds in your headphones with numerical readings on the display.
The first time I heard that distinctive high-pitched tone and saw a promising number, my heart started racing. That feeling – that moment when you know you’ve found something that hasn’t seen daylight in decades – is why people fall in love with this hobby.
“It’s like fishing,” Murray told me once. “Except your treasure doesn’t flop around or smell bad when you get it home.”
Discovering Hunting Grounds
Finding places to hunt is half the adventure. I spend evenings studying old maps, looking for forgotten homesteads, schools, and gathering spots. These historical sites often yield the best finds, but you need permission to search them.
My approach is simple: be honest, be respectful, and be willing to share what you find. Most landowners are curious about what might be buried on their property, and many will grant permission if you take the time to explain your hobby.
I remember when I first asked an elderly farmer for permission to search his land. “What are you hoping to find?” he asked skeptically.
“History,” I replied. “And I’d be happy to show you whatever I discover.”
He not only granted permission but joined me for several hunts, thrilled when we unearthed an 1890s harmonica and several wheat pennies near where the old farmhouse once stood.
Learning the Language of Your Detector
The first month of metal detecting was frustrating – I dug up countless nails, bullet fragments, and aluminum cans. Murray kept telling me, “You’ve got to learn to listen to what your machine is telling you.”
He was right. Over time, I learned to interpret the signals. I set my detector to zero mode with the iron discrimination at about 15 to filter out most of the junk. When searching, I listen for that consistent, clean beep that makes my heart race. If the sound wavers or changes when I swing the detector sideways, it’s probably just iron trash.
“The machine doesn’t lie,” Murray likes to say. “But sometimes it speaks in riddles.”
The Thrill of Discovery
Nothing compares to unearthing your first real find. Mine was an Indian Head penny, caked with nearly a century of dirt. I hadn’t even known such coins existed in American history. As I carefully rubbed away the soil, revealing that proud profile, I felt a connection to whoever had last held it, spent it, or lost it.
Even finding a simple penny from the 1940s is cause for celebration. It’s not just about the monetary value; it’s about reconnecting with history, about giving new life to something that was lost and forgotten.
Why We Hunt Relics
The thrill of discovery keeps me going through cold days and empty holes. Sometimes your detector gives promising signals that turn out to be modern trash or unidentifiable brass fragments. Other times, you stumble upon unexpected treasures – like clay marbles or porcelain doll fragments that tell their own stories of childhood games long ago.
But nothing compares to the moment when you unearth something truly valuable – like the 1935 silver quarter I found just as I was about to call it a day. Eighty-five years buried in the ground, and now it’s back in human hands.
When you rescue an item that’s been buried for decades, there’s a spiritual element to it. As I like to say to Murray, “You get lost, you don’t know where you are, it’s cold and dark, and then all of a sudden, you look up, somebody helps you out, and you’re back going again.”
That’s why we search for relics. For the connection to history, for the thrill of the hunt, and for those magical moments when persistence pays off. As for me, I’ll be out here hunting relics every chance I get – through winter winds and summer heat, following the beeps and numbers, searching for treasure beneath my feet.
Common Questions About Getting Started
If you’re thinking about trying metal detecting, here are a few things I’ve learned:
What metal detector should beginners consider? Start with something user-friendly like a Garrett Ace series. They’re reasonably priced and have clear displays that help you learn to identify different metals.
Where can you legally search? Always get permission on private property, and research regulations for public lands. Parks often require permits, and historical sites are usually off-limits.
How do you identify valuable signals? Listen for consistent tones that don’t change when you sweep from different angles. With practice, you’ll learn to distinguish junk from treasure before you even dig.
What should you bring on a hunt? A good digger tool, a pouch for finds, gloves, and patience – lots of patience. Remember, the best treasure hunters are the ones who don’t give up.
My name is Paul and I am the founder of Detector For Metal, a dedicated resource for metal detecting enthusiasts seeking to uncover historical treasures and connect with the past using the latest technology. As a stay-at-home dad and family man, I’ve found metal detecting to be the perfect hobby that combines family adventure with historical learnings for the whole family.
As a father, I’m deeply committed to passing on this hobby to the next generation of detectorists, starting with my own children. I share advice on everything from metal detecting with kids to exploring the top 10 metal detecting sites you never thought about. My methodical approach to the hobby goes beyond the thrill of discovery—it’s about creating family traditions while preserving history and sharing the stories of those who came before us.
