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

[Michigan Badger]

Gosh, about a million replies here.

I've just finished my detecting career for the most part. I started with a land detector in 1968 but was into underwater recovery from about 1958.

I've loved treasure hunting since I was old enough to understand what it was.

I taught my own kids and one interested grandchild how to detect and locate sites but that's it.

I discovered early in the hobby that it's usually dumb to reveal ones locations to those one has no real control over. I told one guy about a hot spot and the next time I went there he was there with his church group. He was very embarrassed and cocky about it. They ruined the site.

Old historic treasure doesn't replenish itself. Once dug it's gone forever. Unless I needed help I went alone.

I may still do a really high potential site today down south but if at all possible it will be by myself. Land owners tend not to like THers who invite everybody and his brother onto their property.

Like you I've always been busy and I've given people some help but for the most part I've told them to learn just like I learned (read the manual and practice). Nobody ever helped me learn any of my machines.

Metal detecting small areas was meant to be a loners game and I tend to like it that way. But I always let the wife know where I am and I carry a CELL.

 

[ATLfun]

I joined this forum last week or so after lurking for a while. When I joined, I was waiting on my new detector to arrive. I went out today and had a blast! I only found 77 cents in a couple of hours, but I had two wheat pennies and a silver Rosie.

I log on to this site and see a "Help me learn to hunt" requests. No thanks.

Why would you even post something like this. If you don't want to help someone, fine but don't make an issue out of it. What some people will do to elevate their thread count! Go ahead, flame me. I'm a big boy.

The above is well stated. What is the productive "friendly" point of the original post? I understand that some of you feel like newbies are a hassle at times. But the forum encourages all new members and newbies to post "hello's" in the general discussion area. And right at the top of this "general discussion" area is a complaint from an established member about newbies.

This is my last post on the topic. But if the "friendly" forum is trying to attract new members then the "Help me learn to hunt requests. No Thanks" thread is an awfully poor ambassador.


Brian

 

[alumaman]

when i first read this my first impression was, wow is this guy full of himself.I'm still leaning that way.If you don't want to hunt with or help people then don't. why this post? It seems you need someone to agree with you so you can feel better about your actions.I'm still quite new at this and 75% self taught. 25% of the knowlage i have gained came from the decent people on this forum who daily post their hunts, how to,whys and yes questions one person asked and another answers therefore getting my answer without having to ask.Thats my opinion of what this forum was established to acomplish,I don't believe it was designed for general complaining.
Athough my knowlage is not extensive i would never ignore people just because they are asking for for a little help to better understand their undertaking. If A few min of my time could make the day for someone i'm all for it. Some things you said i agree with but the jest of your post is boag at the very least and i hope it dosn't deter a newbe from asking reasonable questions they need answers to. The time you took to post this you could have maybe helped somedeserving person. I don't think it would have strained your lifestyle to terribly. JUST MY OPINION BUT YOU ASKED FOR IT>

 

[Mtnmn]

The people whom I enjoy helping the most are those who come up to me out in the field without a detector and show a real interest in what I'm doing. Unlike most, I'll stand there and talk shop for as long as they are willing to listen and in return many have passed on some great tips on new places to hunt. As a result it has never bothered me to take time away from my detecting to talk to them, nor has it bothered me to take newbies out and show them the ropes. Of course if the newbie is expecting me to take them out to one of my hot spots, it isn't going to happen. But many times they seem to know of some place that I never hit before, so it works out for both of us.

 

[mhallack]

I joined this forum last week or so after lurking for a while. When I joined, I was waiting on my new detector to arrive. I went out today and had a blast! I only found 77 cents in a couple of hours, but I had two wheat pennies and a silver Rosie.

I log on to this site and see a "Help me learn to hunt" requests. No thanks.

Why would you even post something like this. If you don't want to help someone, fine but don't make an issue out of it. What some people will do to elevate their thread count! Go ahead, flame me. I'm a big boy.

Lano,

I think the issue here may be with someone who wants to be taught everything by others without doing research first, or trying out themselves first. And they expect to find gold on their first hunt.

You have already done a lot better than I have, and I seriously will say CONGRATS!!

I guess the point of the thread is people here are willing to help, but you have to your part too of learning your machine, etc. You seem to be on the right track yourself, you are making an effort to learn. Awesome job!!

 

[goes4ever]

I get PMs and emails almost daily about how to do this, or do that, how do I ask for permission, how do I find old sites...etc. etc.....and do i mind? heck NO!

I love to help people, one of the MAIN reasons I have spent many hours on my website, to help others. I try to be as helpful to as many people as I can. We all were newbies at one time, and how can I turn my back on people asking for my help? absolutely not!

The more people I help, the better. Do I worry I am creating competition? no way! There are thousands of houses, thousands of field sites, parks and ballfields in every town. I will never run out of places to detect. I think it is an honor to help out new people and YES I feel that if I spend just one afternoon with a new guy with an etrac for example, I can cut his learning curve down by at least HALF if not by MORE!

 

[Irons]

When I meet someone else who is really interested in this I'll take it from there and probably do my best to help them.

My wife has no interest in this and my friends argue over sports they watch on teevee so no worries from them!

In all my years spent outdoors around here I have seen a total of one person MD'ing and that was years ago and I think he was a tourist from the campground.

It's just not much of a hobby in my neck of the woods, MOAR FOR ME!!!

Muhuhahaha!!

 

[Gauntlet]

I think many misunderstood the OP, and I bet if you'd look through his posts he's offered lots of "help" to others.

I also think the issue is "crossing the line" of asking simple advice, tips, help, to "show me".

There's little someone could offer that hasn't been posted here before. There's only so many ways to go about it, and none of them are trade secrets.

 

[pocketspill]

I joined this forum last week or so after lurking for a while. When I joined, I was waiting on my new detector to arrive. I went out today and had a blast! I only found 77 cents in a couple of hours, but I had two wheat pennies and a silver Rosie.

I log on to this site and see a "Help me learn to hunt" requests. No thanks.

Why would you even post something like this. If you don't want to help someone, fine but don't make an issue out of it. What some people will do to elevate their thread count! Go ahead, flame me. I'm a big boy.

I couldn't care less what my thread count is.

The reason I post something like this is that it's on my mind. And as you can tell (well, up until your post) there were some thoughtful debate going on. Things that make us think and reflect. This is what makes this forum great. Not just the "nice find!" posts.

Good luck with the new hobby.

 

[pocketspill]

I think many misunderstood the OP, and I bet if you'd look through his posts he's offered lots of "help" to others.

I also think the issue is "crossing the line" of asking simple advice, tips, help, to "show me".

There's little someone could offer that hasn't been posted here before. There's only so many ways to go about it, and none of them are trade secrets.

Thank you.

 

[pocketspill]

I get PMs and emails almost daily about how to do this, or do that, how do I ask for permission, how do I find old sites...etc. etc.....and do i mind? heck NO!

I love to help people, one of the MAIN reasons I have spent many hours on my website, to help others. I try to be as helpful to as many people as I can. We all were newbies at one time, and how can I turn my back on people asking for my help? absolutely not!

The more people I help, the better. Do I worry I am creating competition? no way! There are thousands of houses, thousands of field sites, parks and ballfields in every town. I will never run out of places to detect. I think it is an honor to help out new people and YES I feel that if I spend just one afternoon with a new guy with an etrac for example, I can cut his learning curve down by at least HALF if not by MORE!

As an admirer of your site and videos, I'm sorry that you've misunderstood me. I wasn't referring to help received by people taking the initiative to hit a website, watch a video, etc. Like you, I run a reasonably popular blog/site. And I don't make a dime on it. I love to see the page view counts and comments on the posts. I'm talking about something far more, um, parasitic.

Also.. I don't care about the competition. I feel confident in my abilities to think that I have enough hunting in this one city to last my entire lifetime. I can hunt the same ground at a slightly different angle and it's like new territory.

 

[pocketspill]

The above is well stated. What is the productive "friendly" point of the original post? I understand that some of you feel like newbies are a hassle at times. But the forum encourages all new members and newbies to post "hello's" in the general discussion area. And right at the top of this "general discussion" area is a complaint from an established member about newbies.

This is my last post on the topic. But if the "friendly" forum is trying to attract new members then the "Help me learn to hunt requests. No Thanks" thread is an awfully poor ambassador.


Brian

I was *not* generalizing newbies. Not sure where that came from. We're all newbies at something. I said that I was getting off-line messages from people I've never met wanting me to come help them learn their detectors. I felt guilty for not doing it. I came to the forum to discuss.

 

[ronfin]

Not only would I offer to help anyone wanting to learn the hobby, but they could use my spare MD while doing so. I don't see it as a competition, because at the end of the day the few coins I find wont make or break me. That illusive "amazing find" is too rare not to share this hobby with people.

 

[pocketspill]

Not only would I offer to help anyone wanting to learn the hobby, but they could use my spare MD while doing so. I don't see it as a competition, because at the end of the day the few coins I find wont make or break me. That illusive "amazing find" is too rare not to share this hobby with people.

This is why I keep my shiny XLT, second pinpointer, second headphones etc. all charged and ready to go. I invite guests to come hunting regularly. They are not lazy - they're curious and interested. TOTALLLY different.

 

[Weezbad]

I certainly see what you're saying and don't fault you for your mindset..

First of all trying to teach someone a trade is not for everybody. It means you totally forget trying to accomplish anything for yourself and sacrifice your day for them. If I had to work a full time job it is unlikely that I would help someone learn simply because I want to hunt myself.

Some people love helping others.. Like flying RC... send them to the "trainer" they like to train.. I don't, I want to fly. Every time I help someone they realize the expense in doing it right and soon bail or go back to cheap foamy planes.. The comparison is the lack of MDers, there is not a local hero.

As far as MD'ing I would help someone get started, they can even go with me. They would be better off to come over to the house a few evenings and let me show them how to run the machine and dig a plug. If they will take notes that is a plus. MY # 1 peeve (I was an automotive instructor for 7 years) is to have to tell you the same thing over again..

Not, much rivals having trained someone how to do something and them do it right or even better than you. A good student makes it worth it. But they are few and far between. I am a sucker though and will do exactly what I don't want to Once I start talking to someone. Sharing is fun when you have the time.

 

[HarveyH48]

Most any hobby, involves learning, but there is a lot of practice and experience that goes into it as well. Most people enjoy sharing their knowledge and experience. You spend a lot of time reading, experimenting with new techniques, different tools. It's great to show off your finds, but isn't also great to show off all the work, a clever things that went into it as well? No matter how much research you do, you still may not get permission. You might get there, after it's already been cleaned out. There may not be anything of interest to be found anyway.

Even if you occasional donate an afternoon sharing you knowledge and experience, the new guy may not stick with it after a few weeks of pull tabs and pennies. We all started out with big dreams of gold and silver, civil war guns and swords, a pirates hoard. The reality is that the good stuff is hard work, you dig a lot of junk, swing for hours, with only a few coins to show for it.

With the current distressed economy, and bleak future, there maybe a money making opportunity in this. I wouldn't accept, even if offered, but there are probably many, who would pay an hourly fee, and would sort of separate the ones who really want to learn, and those who are looking for a free pass. There are classes for most any other hobby, why not metal detecting? I remember a few threads about paying to detect private property, paid hunts at civil war sites, seems like there is a market for it. I'm sure a lot of those top of the line machine have so many options, that they are very overwhelming to a novice, but there plenty of people with the money, and never want to start out slow or small. These are the guys, that would be willing to fly you to Alaska an hunt gold fields with them, all expenses paid. No tell what a new user might be sitting on, and willing to share with you. Maybe his family has some acres of land, that he's free to use...

 

[pocketspill]

Most any hobby, involves learning, but there is a lot of practice and experience that goes into it as well. Most people enjoy sharing their knowledge and experience. You spend a lot of time reading, experimenting with new techniques, different tools. It's great to show off your finds, but isn't also great to show off all the work, a clever things that went into it as well? No matter how much research you do, you still may not get permission. You might get there, after it's already been cleaned out. There may not be anything of interest to be found anyway.

Even if you occasional donate an afternoon sharing you knowledge and experience, the new guy may not stick with it after a few weeks of pull tabs and pennies. We all started out with big dreams of gold and silver, civil war guns and swords, a pirates hoard. The reality is that the good stuff is hard work, you dig a lot of junk, swing for hours, with only a few coins to show for it.

With the current distressed economy, and bleak future, there maybe a money making opportunity in this. I wouldn't accept, even if offered, but there are probably many, who would pay an hourly fee, and would sort of separate the ones who really want to learn, and those who are looking for a free pass. There are classes for most any other hobby, why not metal detecting? I remember a few threads about paying to detect private property, paid hunts at civil war sites, seems like there is a market for it. I'm sure a lot of those top of the line machine have so many options, that they are very overwhelming to a novice, but there plenty of people with the money, and never want to start out slow or small. These are the guys, that would be willing to fly you to Alaska an hunt gold fields with them, all expenses paid. No tell what a new user might be sitting on, and willing to share with you. Maybe his family has some acres of land, that he's free to use...

Brilliant idea... Someone experienced between jobs or a retiree on a fixed income could probably charge $15-25+ an hour for coaching... after set a 3-hour minimum per student + travel expenses. In fact - the detector manufacturing industry should arrange a network.... You could use planted coins, some basic learning aids and leave the student with a rush and above all.. teach them ethical detecting and proper retrieval.

 

[Weezbad]

When i was building my plane I did not do anyhting for anyone if it did not include payment. I used to rebuild transmissions and could turn a 1000.00 on a weekend..now if i help somebody i feel ridiculous for charging them money, because In my mind it should be 75$ an hour. I tell them if i had to charge you you wouldn't want to do it... so i usually get a jar of honey or lunch... seriously. I have a lot more fun these days..

 

[cmbtvet]

I think many of the new folks here may be getting the wrong impression of this thread. Maybe they are getting the intended impression and I'm just reading it wrong.

I do want to make one thing clear about myself though. I don't mind sharing the limited knowledge that I have gained in the 2 years I've been in the hobby and over the last few days I have shared some of it, answering a couple questions that were asked of me as best I could.

Beyond my family, I haven't been asked to show someone how to use a detector. If I was approached on the beach and asked by someone, I'm sure I would probably try to help even if I really didn't want to.

Feel free to ask me any questions on here and I will try my best to answer them. I have also noticed a couple new members that aren't too far from me and hunt the same beaches, maybe we can meet up some time for a beach hunt some time.

 

[abynum1]

Before this past Christmas, I had NEVER even picked up a metal detector. I joined this site, read a ton of posts, and asked questions. Luckily I did, because I probably would have made a purchase that I would have really regretted later.
I still have yet to meet another person with a metal detector, as they're apparently aren't a lot of us in MS.
Although it might be nice to have a veteran give me a couple of hands on tips, everything I need to get me started on the right track can be found in this forum and from videos on youtube. Everything else I'm learning by doing (and doing and doing.)

If I have a question, and can't find the answer,I'll post the question on here, and people will either choose to answer it or not.
I kind of like it that way, because those who want to help can chime in, and those who don't can move on to another thread.

I find that 99% of the answers given on this site are really helpful because people giving the answers really want to help.
There are a few people on here who can't seem to resist the urge to make the "This has nothing to do with answering your question, but you should have got an etrac like me" type comments, but they are definitely the minority on here.
Anyway, I won't send someone a pm asking for help unless it's specific to that particular person and they are the only one that can provide the answer.