"Help me learn to hunt" requests. How to handle?

I was new once, well i guess i still am, and over the time i have spent MDing i have had help from many a forum member, wether it be through PMs of actual hunts. every little helps, now i agree that your valuable time shouldn't be spent side by side with the "pupil", but answering a few simple questions can go a really long way. the only real way ofcoarse is to get out and swing and learn from your experiances.
But please help others, it's the nice thing to do,,,,,
Dan

I've had some people give me pointers since i have the same machine as them. I've even helped some people out when I'm hunting nothing much just keep your coil about 2 inchs off the ground and when swinging keep it level to the ground

I have to agree with Terry Soloman about the so called experts. I usually call them know it alls or just plain annoying to me. I have a friend like that, he's an expert on everything but has done none of them. I don't have much knowledge so I'd probably steer somebody wrong at this time, but when I acquire more knowledge, I will be happy to pass it on. Show somebody a few things to get started and let them practice. Practice makes you better and I sure need alot more practice

For me this is easy. We have a group (not a club). Join us. Learn from us. We don't expect much except that you enjoy the hobby as much as we do.

pulltabMiner said:

For me this is easy. We have a group (not a club). Join us. Learn from us. We don't expect much except that you enjoy the hobby as much as we do.

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:yeah:

Uggggh.... I think many who have posted do not fully understand what the OP is saying.

THE OP IS NOT SAYING THAT HE DOESN'T LIKE GIVING OTHER HOBBYISTS TIPS AND ADVICE. In his original post, he clearly stated that what he did not enjoy was having to hold someones hand and guide them through the mding process. There is a big difference in giving some tips and advice, and teaching someone how to hunt from the beginning.

And honestly, this forum has so much info that, ALONG WITH READING THE MDS MANUAL, no one should need to be walked through how to use their MD. Just read the forum, watch the videos, read the manual, and you are already well on your way.

HH everyone

Jason in Enid said:

Oh give me a freakin break!

So according to YOU, anybody who doesn't volunteer every second of free time to drive to help somebody learn what thier owners manual already states is rude?

What few tips and pointers a new detectorist could learn from anyone else can be done right HERE with a few posts, all of which have been stated over and over.

I have no problem showing someone a few tips if they use the same detector as me, but don't ask someone to be your human owners manual, or to show exactly what places to hunt to find old coins.

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Jason, you took the words right out of my mouth.

I think this forum is a wealth of information, but I still hold strong to the fact that hunting with a pro brings another element that cannot be replaced by a computer screen and thousands of posts by others. You cannot ask for advice on things you do not know you do wrong. if you do not happen upon a post that shows you these things, you will never know unless someone see you and shows you. Yes this forum and the internet in general has taught me more than I could ever list here, but it's the things you don't know you do wrong, or the places you don't know to look for that hands on help is much appreciated.

I am absolutely in agreement with the OP on freeloaders, but newbies do not have much to offer a seasoned hunter. A grateful attitude is all a newbie can offer at times, and that should be enough. I know we are all busy and we can only help when we can. I certainly do not think someone should hold the hand of someone, but a word of encouragement or a tip on my technique goes a long way. It gave me confidence to keep going when I was about to give up. A forum, although very helpful, simply cannot replace hands on experience with a pro.

Hey, just point 'em to this board and tell them they can learn a ton right here for free!

After a few more cases, I'm using this policy.

50/50 on the first hunt together. You bring pre-1940 permissions, I bring permissions. We hunt half-day at yours and half-day at mine (or Sat/Sun.)

As we learn to trust that nobody is freeloading, we might get off the 50/50 mark sometime (we all have droughts) but in the end, it should even out. You always ask for group permissions (me and a buddy) so I don't get run off of places where you've only really obtained individual permissions and I'll do the same.

I think it's reasonable.

Dirtyjoe, a forum member here helped me out...actually quite a bit.


So...yes..it does help a nOOb when someone can SHOW you..like digging plugs ect.


Thanks DirtyJoe!!!

Its always good to have a huntingbuddy..
Sonny

Jamesnns said:

Dirtyjoe, a forum member here helped me out...actually quite a bit.


So...yes..it does help a nOOb when someone can SHOW you..like digging plugs ect.


Thanks DirtyJoe!!!

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I actually had a guy drive over 100 miles for me to go over how to use his new E-Trac. He has been a MDer for about 10 years and was completely baffled by the Minelab technology.

We went to a local park and spent about 20 minutes looking at settings and what they do.

Then we spent another 30 minutes swinging and listening to tones.

He was very greatful and I felt good doing it, as I was as baffled as him when I got mine and made a lot of mistakes and am paying for those mistaes now (unlearning bad habits)

When he got home, he went to a site that he had been to many times and was overwhelmed by iron. Using the new techniques he learned from me, he found a small trade token spill in the middle of all the trash.

He called me the second he got home and told me. He was giddy and very thankful.

I do agree though that people could just as easilly learn from websites like this, but interacting with a person is just more... rewarding.

I also agree that my time is valueable. I have three kids, a full time job, and a never ending honeydo list. When I get time to get out and swing, I need to make it count.

That story says a lot about you..
That was a very nice thing to do, I always say it will all come back to you ten times fold.. Well done and I know he'll never forget the time you took to help him out..
sonny

vexhold said:

I actually had a guy drive over 100 miles for me to go over how to use his new E-Trac. He has been a MDer for about 10 years and was completely baffled by the Minelab technology.

We went to a local park and spent about 20 minutes looking at settings and what they do.

Then we spent another 30 minutes swinging and listening to tones.

He was very greatful and I felt good doing it, as I was as baffled as him when I got mine and made a lot of mistakes and am paying for those mistaes now (unlearning bad habits)

When he got home, he went to a site that he had been to many times and was overwhelmed by iron. Using the new techniques he learned from me, he found a small trade token spill in the middle of all the trash.

He called me the second he got home and told me. He was giddy and very thankful.

I do agree though that people could just as easilly learn from websites like this, but interacting with a person is just more... rewarding.

I also agree that my time is valueable. I have three kids, a full time job, and a never ending honeydo list. When I get time to get out and swing, I need to make it count.

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I agree with Pocketspill 100%..........OK now I just bought an Etrac,the next time I am in KY. can you bring me to your best spot and teach me how to use it? .

Trial and error and do the research.....earn yer bones boy!!
LOL!

Great post, I'm a newbie.

I believe as a newbie I have to put my time in, make mistakes and read a bucket load. I have learned something from every single post I have read, I search the forums for answers to my personal questions. If i can't find it or learn it on my own then I'll ask. As Men, we generally read the directions to figure out what we did wrong...LOL At least I do.....

Time is the only thimng that truly is our own, when we share it with someone, it is the biggest gift you can give to them.

Aloha!

KsHusker said:

I have a friend like that, he's an expert on everything but has done none of them.

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I'll bet we know the same person.

I like helping people with anything I might be a little better at that they are. In fact, I learn something I'd forgotten most every lesson myself that I'd either forgotten or that I never really honed to perfection.

As far as these internet groups, there are good ones such as Friendlys and then there are not so good ones, names left unmentioned. Some veterans or chiches of people just seem to get edgy very easily if a new person asks a question that's been asked about every day for forever, and spout, "Research and you will find all of this without having to ask these simple questions!" I don't believe in the old school thinking that people have to "pay their own dues" in everything when it comes to fun hobbies like this. To me, that is just a cop out from someone who doesn't really want to help...yes a little selfish with their personal time IMO. A little spoon feeding ain't no big deal when someone is really frustrated. It is mean spirited to not to give direct help IMO. Do you people with kids work with them that way?,,,I think not.

I didn't get much one on one time from anyone when I started, except for the vast amount of help I have gotten here and on another site in cyberspace, but as far as face to face inner actions, I did 99% of it on my own, and it was dam slow going. Was it appealing? No. There was tons of time which I wasted by not having gotten the kick start as mentioned by some here in earlier posts after helping a new hunter get out of the gate. I was fortunate to have very recently gotten to join with several of the local guys whom I've met from this board, and I have a new zeal for the hobby, and many new in-person friends.

To me, I find it personally beneficial to work with others. It is satisfying to me to take my time and compare signals against other people and their machines. My hunt time ain't so precious that I can't afford to help when asked. If they write or text in excitement over a new find on their next outting, I am happy for them. It is a little like I had something to do with that one treasure myself.

It just takes getting someone who is not finding any fun in the hobby, kick started, and yes it takes your time. The mutual rewards are worth it in my honest and personal opinion.

martin

It's not hard to get advise or help on this forum. All you have to do is make a stupid post and you'll get tons of free advise without having to ask. It's up to you to decide which ones know what they are talking about. The biggest complain seems to be about those who won't do their own research. Whether it's about their detector or places to hunt. I had a friend who brought his motorcyle over to have me adjust the chain. A simple matter and I showed him how to do it. It wasn't long before he brought it back and wanted me to do it again. I told him that I had already showed him how to do it. "You're better at it." he said. He wasn't willing to try doing it himself, even though I had things of my own that I need to do. You'll never get anywhere if you can't figure out some things for yourself.