Notes For The Relic Hunter: Roots, Rocks, Roads, Relics

Roads And The Modern Detectorist
The obvious is sometimes more obvious than it looks. While out looking for a new place, I have found it easier to carry an old map with me and locate landmarks to old homes. I have found things have changed over the last 200 years. Trees are in the way that weren't there 200 years ago.

By the way, do any of ya'll know how and when roads were built? We are talking about modern day roads, not wagon roads. If you need to know this information, go to your local Department of Transportation. They have maps showing where roads -- both wagon roads and modern-day roads – once were and are now, and any changes made to the modern roads. You would be surprised what you can find that is truly out there when you look at these old maps. Some people out here would destroy every ounce of land to put a parking lot, road, and driveway.

Leave The Rocks For Last
I seem to think that most detectorist scrub their coils on the ground. This is a common practice here in Georgia as well. This will support false signaling when you run into large rocks. I have found that, with some simple thought, if you save those rocky areas for last, and do the grass areas first, you will find your hearing to be more finely tuned. Your detector will give off those false signals, and you will fly through those bad areas quickly

Also, on this note, you will find your finds will be greatly increased. Hunting in the woods , which I do alot of; I have found sticks and thickets, which most deer hunters never go through. This is a great way to take in nature as well, you will find things that you would not expect to find had you not been looking in those areas.

Look To The Trees
Relic hunting is not much different than coin shooting, other than the size of what you are looking for. Down here in the South -- especially in Georgia -- there were some 240,000 men on either side fighting for what they believed in. This increases your chances of finding artifacts they left behind.

One of the ways I have found to locate more relics is to take my detector close to some of those trees, especially those with their roots sticking high above the ground. This offers a great chance to find those bullets and cannonballs which trees have grown over. Also, listen especially to those faint signals, which are the key to success.

© 1999 Ken Bridgers