Maybe We Should Seriously Consider Stopping Posting Pics/Descriptions of Our Finds Like Many on This Forum...

[christopher-ohio]

for the good and longevity of the hobby...and just focus on helping new detectorists/those who just bought new machines whether experienced or a newbie/techniques/methods/etc... It's great to see the pics and read the stories, however; I myself have seen a shift in general public opinion about the hobby-to the point that I about stopped detecting since people seem to be more suspicious and question the motive of TH'ing. Many seem to think they have oodles of gold and silver things buried on their property that you'll find and steal, even though they'll never most likely take the time to learn to detect, take the time to detect, or frankly even spend the money to buy a good machine outside of Walmart.

However, if we are helping someone find something that they lost, on your own private property, returning a long lost item(ring, etc..)these stories and pics would just put the hobby in a better light. The magazines would also have to change, more archaeological in nature, helping to preserve the past(even though we already are since let's face it most developers don't care-the bulldozers just erase everything and it's lost forever!) Why give these people out there who are trying to ban the hobby ANY more ammunition..Out of sight, out of mind. If you want to show someone something or tell the sorry, use private messages...unfortunately, that's where it seems to be going. Just my humble thoughts/opinion

 

[BuckeyeBrad]

there are several observations I've made on that subject FWIW.
1. Some folks post awesome finds, which isn't a bad thing in of itself, but SOMETIMES there's an underlying motive of getting as many attaboys as possible and even a subtle show of "my finds smokes yours" sorta thing. Finds ARE used BY SOME to "grade and rank" another detectorist.
2. Some folks post whatever they find and if it's not substantial, there's a lot of observers that think "he's an idiot for posting zincs, memorials, etc."
3. Posting of finds usually do little to REALLY substantiate the true value of a detector to forum readers because all it demonstrates is how THAT operator, using THAT detector, on THAT site, produced on THAT day, with THAT amount of moisture in the ground, etc.
4. Manufacturers, and to a lesser degree retailers, reap some degree of benefit from the posting of finds as it may "prompt" a consumer to feel compelled to make a new purchase in order to be successful as the poster is. That's good for those parties and the consumer because as long as we choose to stay in the hobby, we need products and places to buy them. But is it really that easy, easy as in digesting all the Internet hoopla equalling success? Nope.
5. Finds are used to fan the flames in the never ending detector wars.
6. Finds may be used by some observing individuals as a positive "living vicariously" sorta thing. Nothing really bad there, but those folks could be honing their detecting skills and actually moving closer to making those types of recoveries themselves instead of settling for "e-detecting" fixes.
7. As you are starting to fear, anti-detectorists ARE incited more sometimes when they observe actual finds. More importantly, they're almost always lurkers so you never see them coming until it's too late.
8. Every time I see a really nice old find, I'm genuinely glad for the person that found it BUT I'm also reminded that we operate in a somewhat non-renewal sport(i.e. people aren't losing any more seated, Barber, bust coins etc) and then that's not such a good feeling and is in fact pretty sobering.

Now I know there are more points to be made both in a positive and negative light around if/when/where/why to post finds but over time I've evolved to the position that there is unfortunately more bad than good IMO from doing so, at least when I consider ALL aspects beyond "me and my". That's pretty much why I virtually never do it any more. But hey, don't listen to me.....I'm nobody because I never post any finds.

 

[christopher-ohio]

Brad,
Thanks so much for your insight-always appreciated. I have noticed over the years on the forums that there are many good/great detectorists out there who are very quiet-and finds non-posters for those very reasons and I'm sure for many others as you stated. The 2006 GNRS hunt is unfortunately apparently turning out to bring many of these concerns to light in the very suspicious public eye...I just hope it all turns out well...the participants are I'm sure a great group of guys-some many of us are well acquainted with already. We very well may have to add another line to the Treasure Hunter/Metal Detecting Code of Ethics...JMHO...HH

 

[Jackpine Savage]

IMO you are not a "nobody" regardless of whether you posts finds or not!

As to posting finds, I feel there is less harm in posting a few bits of jewelry, some crusty IH's or and old silver coin or two on a detecting forum than the harm to the hobby caused by the bad press the large organized hunts are getting. Now I'm not knocking any of the organizers of these hunts. The opportunity they give to guys that otherwise would not be able to hunt decent CW sites is awesome but, we have to step back and think about the negative effects these hunts can have on our hobby due to the bad press they have been getting.

Tom

 

[BarnacleBill]

Brad,

While there may be a variety of reasons why people post finds, imagine for a moment what the forums would be like if there was no photo posting capability, just flat text. Or if posting of finds were not allowed, and only other photos, then what? Sunsets, cats, trees etc?

I don't see where posting coins or jewelry will have any repercussions from archaeologists or tree huggers. Posting pix of relic type items from say around an old farm will also probably bring little attention. But the minute it has civil war, war of 1812 etc. tied to it then the connotation of looter or grave robber can get attached whether true or not.

Now I happen to hold a particular strong view about not only posting finds, but even any mention of hunting in cemeteries, my view is that you are gone, history, banned, no warnings, kaput! Talk about bad PR for the hobby????

Will I continue to post finds, yep unabated, and I'll continue to post the trash with the good stuff. Beginners and lurkers in my view need to see that there's no free lunch, trash comes with the territory.

Just some ramblin thoughts......

HH
BarnacleBill

 

[Waterman]

It has been awhile since I used a Fisher detector but today I met with a local dealer in hopes of making a deal on a CZ3D. Since I live in central Alberta, Canada and we are going into the winter season now it will be approx 6 months before we can detect due to the frozen ground, snow & -30 temps. Watching the forums during the winter months helps to take the edge off not being able to get out detecting, plus some of the hunts & finds are what dreams are made of. I always enjoy the discussions on detectors & accessories, depth of finds as long as every one treats the poster as he or she would like to be treated because for the most part nobody wants to start a war on which detector is best. I'm a water hunter mainly and use several brands of detectors for land as well, and have used the 1280X, 1235, CZ3D in the past. Please continue to post your hunts & pic's,,, Thanks for listening H.H.

 

[Chris(SoCenWI)]

Brad,

I always enjoy seeing what others are posting. I do believe all the observations you make are valid, some of it is just human nature and happens in all aspects of life; not just metal detecting.

I have been checking out all the forums for several years. I find it hugely valuable to observe who is posting what found with which detector, and what their techniques and settings are.

Proof is in the pudding. There are many users on the forums that I have come to respect; they don't participate in the flame wars, are open minded and reasonably skeptical about claims made. And it seems that they are usually the ones that post the most finds. So posting finds can be a great BS filter.

Seems like every time a new detector comes out there is a big hullabaloo, but after a short period of time you no longer hear about that machine. There are a few exceptions that seem to stand the test of time; without seeing posts how would you know?

I don't think most of the general public has any particular hard on about people metal detecting and that posting finds is ammunition against the hobby.

There is serious problem overseas with people raiding and ruining historical sites and I think this is often carried over here to the U.S. by some archaeologists that have lead to some bad feelings. On the other hand there are a few bad eggs amoung our ranks that may be unethical about hunting on protected land, no different than hunting in a game refuge or poaching. And there are those who are not careful about filling holes. And there are those who go on rants about all archaeologists and say some really stupid things that probably do much more damage to the hobby than all the things posted.

Chris

I think one thing we should be stressing in our hobby is that land development does WAY more damage to history than us detectorists.

 

[Mr.Bill]

I can't see a problem with posting your finds, but I do feel a need of some discretion of showing the find in a large dug hole or in a photo of surrounding land.

As in the recent case in VA., they took the posted photos of hut digging out of context to use as ammo in presenting their case to authorities. They grabbed these photos off a well known detecting forum. There was never any mention that the holes were filled back in.

Beach/water hunters don't usually have this problem, but it's easy to have it with land hunting.

It's just something we all should think about when we go to post our finds. Do the words common sense come to mind ?

 

[John in Florida]

n/t

 

[christopher-ohio]

since I lived in an 1894 farmhouse as did many of my neighbors. Unfortunately, we had to spend all of our time getting that old place in shape to sell it to move for a new, much better job for me which now leaves me with little free time to detect. I look back at my Kellyco catalogs from that time and I marvel at all the CZ models available. Often it seems significant or rapid change in anything can stress one out, even if they are trying to build a better proverbial "mousetrap". The politics do seem to be getting much heavier but there sure are a lot of new machines out since then which does fuel the fire as well. I guess one could stop forum surfing and just get out and enjoy digging in the dirt looking for goodies which is what we all have in common anyway...HH

 

[BuckeyeBrad]

n/t