Happy_Hour
New member
Keith Southern Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Well theres Relic Hunters and theres people who
> Hunt for relics...
>
> I started out HUNTING FOR RELICS 4 decades ago
> now Im a RELIC HUNTER ...
>
> Yes a RELIC HUNTER is a different Breed LOL!!!
>
> Now a guy whos hunts for relics usually hasnt been
> consumed by Relic thoughts day and night...And has
> yet to forgo Christmas or Thanksgiving Dinner to
> go swinging in cold wet soil in the middle of
> nowhere by yourself in briar thicket hoping to
> find piece of camp lead...
>
> I do all these things and more Im not proud to
> say..Yes Im a RELIC HUNTER I have a problem..
>
> So which will it be////HMMMMMM????Virgin spots
> could be dangerous to your long term outlook in
> terms of social aspects with family and friends..
>
> So what gear will you need??
>
> If its a virgin site anything is going to get the
> goodies if the soil is not extrmely hot...
> especially a modern unit..your F2 will last awhile
> in there..
>
> N.C. soil is it the mounitan's or the coast..??
> hopefull its decent dirt maybe tobaccoo fields...
>
>
> The main thing to remember is Relic come in all
> shapes forms and metal composition...so while at
> first your probably goign to want to get the
> higher conductors you dont want to overlook the
> iron implements ...
>
> And this seems to be the problems I see with 21st
> centry relic hunting... people are not diggin the
> iron...yet the iron is the most used metal in
> Military applications...
>
> Plus removong iron form a promising site also
> helps in unmasking..
>
> If its a virgin Site though Iorn will be the last
> thing on your mind...
>
> It will help to read a site also..to see if its
> even the right period ..hate to spend hours on in
> on a spot that was a plowed in farm dump from
> 1940..
>
> Most of the camps around here are beat to death
> but still hold stuff but the thing in a hard
> hunted camp that you just walk up on is the
> ability to Read the iron out of the site
> Audibly.....after many many years I have learned
> what a Civil War camp sounds like Vs 20th century
> logging camp or barn sites....
>
> Civil War camps that are heavily hunted will have
> a Unique sound in all metal in the way the iron is
> scattered and the sizes of it plus the modulation
> of the depth of the nails...
>
> As Im walking through the woods I like to hear
> those faint quick wobbly nails in all metal...
>
> You will need a machine thats powerful in all
> metal mode...then learn the traits of nails in all
> metal Vs Round sounds in all metal ..If you can
> indentify a OLD site and slow down in it you will
> be rewarded on hunted hard sites with a POWERFULLY
> DEEP UNIT...But it will take a all metla mode in
> alot of these sites...
>
> Nautilus...5900...XLT...Xterra
> 705..MXT...etc..F75...T2 machines with smooth all
> metal mode's will be your friend in camp sites
> with scattered iron thats been hunted hard...your
> trying to get the deeper targets the older hunters
> left...
>
> And dont overlook the larger than nail iron..they
> can be lock plates....gun
> hammers...bayonets...ETC..
>
> Now if your after relics in a more dense iron
> trash area like a House site from 1850.. then
> depth is out the door and you will need separation
> and exact disc circuits to work on previoulsy
> hunted hard sites...Again read the site.. if its
> worth the NEXT STEP then apend the time on the
> site.. reading a site will be by whats surfacing
> onthe site...THICK Toe taps,,,CERTAIN suspender
> clip design's,,, ALL flatbuttons,,these ar common
> house site items.. Flat Buttons and its ON...the
> other things will be there I listed but they need
> to be more carefully inspected as they lasted into
> the late 1800s even eary 1900's..but theres tell
> tale designs of toe taps and suspender clips to
> let you kow your on the right spot...Dont gauge a
> site off a few finds get a good read on the site
> and if the site is of the right age and in the
> right area it can be seriously dug.. I mean dug
> and dug and dug..Down this way I know the sites
> that will reveal confederaet buttons and when I
> locate them I stay on the site till the cows come
> home..And If I located the reb buttons then I will
> hunt it lifelong..
>
> But if your after relics dont waste your time on a
> spot that's not certain to give up relics.. Rev
> war Or Civil War or whatever your after..
>
>
> The Best for working through iron dissecting
> target's is G2/Gold bug
> ...DTVG...Tejon...DEUS...Racer/CoRe with
> OOR5...GMP...AT-PRO...MXT...705 HF coil's...Any of
> those will get you finds in iron thast hunted
> already..
>
> So two areas to consider...Sparse site relic
> huting will require depth to get
> more..Contaminated site relic hunting will require
> speed and separation to get more...
>
> Intelligent audio is a must for me.. and also
> rejected target alert tone wise is a must for me
> ....I like to know what's there even if im not
> going to dig it...
>
> a Pulse Unit has it's place in a arsenal but you
> need to know your ready for it....and need an
> understanding of where to really use it to be
> effective and have it as an advantage not a
> hinderance.. Because a Good DEEP all metal mode
> will do as much as a pulse unit in alot of
> scenario's...Pulses are Very specialized and will
> open your eyes if the sites allow...But at the
> same time you need to KNOW you NEED one before you
> get one ....
>
> Now I've written this to tell you all the reading
> in the world and studying methods of approach etc
> will not replace real world hunt's...
>
> Ive hunted my whole life and Im the first to admit
> I learn more every year...Ill tell you this
> though...and I believe it holds true after all my
> years ...EDUCATION of HOW TO HUNT A SITE is
> paramount.... if you have the KNOW HOW to have an
> analytical approach to sites you face you will
> succeed....The gear to use will only be of use to
> you when you Know YOU NEED that gear...Buying this
> and that will not do much till you understand why
> it is you HAVE to HAVE that gear..
>
> I would rather have say for instance your F2 and
> know how to use it and Know its limitations and
> how to combat those limitations than to have a top
> end P.I. and every New VLF unit under the sun but
> really not Know what I need the units for ...
>
> So what im really trying to say to you is spend
> time in the field with a GOOD unit on this Virgin
> spot and you will be rewarded..Study What YOUR
> seeing ...build an understanding of why things
> happen .. figure out how to get MORE out of a site
> as it depleates. then the Gear you require will be
> the tool to open up more....
>
> Take it slow and easy and pay attention to the
> hunt..Relish your finds.. Virgin sites are great
> tools as you can watch them depleat then YOU will
> be forced to make it give up more by any means
> neccesary..
>
> If I was just starting out relic hunting in my
> area..I would probably not do it ..I was lucky
> enough to hunt them loaded and depleated...so I
> know whats still there form past history of
> hunt's...a new comer would simply just get BURNT
> OUT and walk away...I had to teach myself what to
> do to and Know how to READ a site and reopen a
> site howerver meager the finds may be I know
> theres things to blwo your mind inches belwoe the
> soil...I jsut need to figure out how to get to
> them..
>
>
> Be warned though becoming a RELIC HUNTER is an
> ADDICTIVE VICE...
>
> I hope your site rewards you with some N.C. State
> Seals!!!!
What a GREAT write up Keith!----Thanks so much for sharing---but its so much more than sharing--it's a great lesson for ALL of us!------I looked up "Relic Hunter" in Websters dictionary and right beside of those two words they had a picture of Mr. Keith Southern. smiling smiley------I mean that as a fine compliment Sir.---------Del
-------------------------------------------------------
> Well theres Relic Hunters and theres people who
> Hunt for relics...
>
> I started out HUNTING FOR RELICS 4 decades ago
> now Im a RELIC HUNTER ...
>
> Yes a RELIC HUNTER is a different Breed LOL!!!
>
> Now a guy whos hunts for relics usually hasnt been
> consumed by Relic thoughts day and night...And has
> yet to forgo Christmas or Thanksgiving Dinner to
> go swinging in cold wet soil in the middle of
> nowhere by yourself in briar thicket hoping to
> find piece of camp lead...
>
> I do all these things and more Im not proud to
> say..Yes Im a RELIC HUNTER I have a problem..
>
> So which will it be////HMMMMMM????Virgin spots
> could be dangerous to your long term outlook in
> terms of social aspects with family and friends..
>
> So what gear will you need??
>
> If its a virgin site anything is going to get the
> goodies if the soil is not extrmely hot...
> especially a modern unit..your F2 will last awhile
> in there..
>
> N.C. soil is it the mounitan's or the coast..??
> hopefull its decent dirt maybe tobaccoo fields...
>
>
> The main thing to remember is Relic come in all
> shapes forms and metal composition...so while at
> first your probably goign to want to get the
> higher conductors you dont want to overlook the
> iron implements ...
>
> And this seems to be the problems I see with 21st
> centry relic hunting... people are not diggin the
> iron...yet the iron is the most used metal in
> Military applications...
>
> Plus removong iron form a promising site also
> helps in unmasking..
>
> If its a virgin Site though Iorn will be the last
> thing on your mind...
>
> It will help to read a site also..to see if its
> even the right period ..hate to spend hours on in
> on a spot that was a plowed in farm dump from
> 1940..
>
> Most of the camps around here are beat to death
> but still hold stuff but the thing in a hard
> hunted camp that you just walk up on is the
> ability to Read the iron out of the site
> Audibly.....after many many years I have learned
> what a Civil War camp sounds like Vs 20th century
> logging camp or barn sites....
>
> Civil War camps that are heavily hunted will have
> a Unique sound in all metal in the way the iron is
> scattered and the sizes of it plus the modulation
> of the depth of the nails...
>
> As Im walking through the woods I like to hear
> those faint quick wobbly nails in all metal...
>
> You will need a machine thats powerful in all
> metal mode...then learn the traits of nails in all
> metal Vs Round sounds in all metal ..If you can
> indentify a OLD site and slow down in it you will
> be rewarded on hunted hard sites with a POWERFULLY
> DEEP UNIT...But it will take a all metla mode in
> alot of these sites...
>
> Nautilus...5900...XLT...Xterra
> 705..MXT...etc..F75...T2 machines with smooth all
> metal mode's will be your friend in camp sites
> with scattered iron thats been hunted hard...your
> trying to get the deeper targets the older hunters
> left...
>
> And dont overlook the larger than nail iron..they
> can be lock plates....gun
> hammers...bayonets...ETC..
>
> Now if your after relics in a more dense iron
> trash area like a House site from 1850.. then
> depth is out the door and you will need separation
> and exact disc circuits to work on previoulsy
> hunted hard sites...Again read the site.. if its
> worth the NEXT STEP then apend the time on the
> site.. reading a site will be by whats surfacing
> onthe site...THICK Toe taps,,,CERTAIN suspender
> clip design's,,, ALL flatbuttons,,these ar common
> house site items.. Flat Buttons and its ON...the
> other things will be there I listed but they need
> to be more carefully inspected as they lasted into
> the late 1800s even eary 1900's..but theres tell
> tale designs of toe taps and suspender clips to
> let you kow your on the right spot...Dont gauge a
> site off a few finds get a good read on the site
> and if the site is of the right age and in the
> right area it can be seriously dug.. I mean dug
> and dug and dug..Down this way I know the sites
> that will reveal confederaet buttons and when I
> locate them I stay on the site till the cows come
> home..And If I located the reb buttons then I will
> hunt it lifelong..
>
> But if your after relics dont waste your time on a
> spot that's not certain to give up relics.. Rev
> war Or Civil War or whatever your after..
>
>
> The Best for working through iron dissecting
> target's is G2/Gold bug
> ...DTVG...Tejon...DEUS...Racer/CoRe with
> OOR5...GMP...AT-PRO...MXT...705 HF coil's...Any of
> those will get you finds in iron thast hunted
> already..
>
> So two areas to consider...Sparse site relic
> huting will require depth to get
> more..Contaminated site relic hunting will require
> speed and separation to get more...
>
> Intelligent audio is a must for me.. and also
> rejected target alert tone wise is a must for me
> ....I like to know what's there even if im not
> going to dig it...
>
> a Pulse Unit has it's place in a arsenal but you
> need to know your ready for it....and need an
> understanding of where to really use it to be
> effective and have it as an advantage not a
> hinderance.. Because a Good DEEP all metal mode
> will do as much as a pulse unit in alot of
> scenario's...Pulses are Very specialized and will
> open your eyes if the sites allow...But at the
> same time you need to KNOW you NEED one before you
> get one ....
>
> Now I've written this to tell you all the reading
> in the world and studying methods of approach etc
> will not replace real world hunt's...
>
> Ive hunted my whole life and Im the first to admit
> I learn more every year...Ill tell you this
> though...and I believe it holds true after all my
> years ...EDUCATION of HOW TO HUNT A SITE is
> paramount.... if you have the KNOW HOW to have an
> analytical approach to sites you face you will
> succeed....The gear to use will only be of use to
> you when you Know YOU NEED that gear...Buying this
> and that will not do much till you understand why
> it is you HAVE to HAVE that gear..
>
> I would rather have say for instance your F2 and
> know how to use it and Know its limitations and
> how to combat those limitations than to have a top
> end P.I. and every New VLF unit under the sun but
> really not Know what I need the units for ...
>
> So what im really trying to say to you is spend
> time in the field with a GOOD unit on this Virgin
> spot and you will be rewarded..Study What YOUR
> seeing ...build an understanding of why things
> happen .. figure out how to get MORE out of a site
> as it depleates. then the Gear you require will be
> the tool to open up more....
>
> Take it slow and easy and pay attention to the
> hunt..Relish your finds.. Virgin sites are great
> tools as you can watch them depleat then YOU will
> be forced to make it give up more by any means
> neccesary..
>
> If I was just starting out relic hunting in my
> area..I would probably not do it ..I was lucky
> enough to hunt them loaded and depleated...so I
> know whats still there form past history of
> hunt's...a new comer would simply just get BURNT
> OUT and walk away...I had to teach myself what to
> do to and Know how to READ a site and reopen a
> site howerver meager the finds may be I know
> theres things to blwo your mind inches belwoe the
> soil...I jsut need to figure out how to get to
> them..
>
>
> Be warned though becoming a RELIC HUNTER is an
> ADDICTIVE VICE...
>
> I hope your site rewards you with some N.C. State
> Seals!!!!
What a GREAT write up Keith!----Thanks so much for sharing---but its so much more than sharing--it's a great lesson for ALL of us!------I looked up "Relic Hunter" in Websters dictionary and right beside of those two words they had a picture of Mr. Keith Southern. smiling smiley------I mean that as a fine compliment Sir.---------Del