Ok what does everyone REALLY THINK about the "Diggers" show that was on NatGeo a few weeks ago??

[crk2]

I watched the first episode and was disappointed. There was no thought of explaining the hobby, no mention of the Code of Ethics, unless I missed a few minutes of the programming, I didn't see that they bothered filling the holes, and the antics when they found a target were plainly theatrics for making the show exciting for the audience. If I started dancing and carrying on like that, I'd probably be talking with the authorities about creating a disturbance in public. I know the filling of holes is boring stuff and the hunts they do do are on private land, however not all dectorists have that opportunity to hunt on private land. I had a conversation with a local park worker who stopped by while I was detecting and was all set to ask me to leave. Fortunately we had previous conversations and saw that I wasn't doing a "gopher", "his words), and leaving a trail of destruction behind me. His concern is valid and we need to respect that.

Granted that it is a TV show and needs the excitement to attract a viewer, however spending a few serious minutes talking about the hobby and educating people about the why's of the hobby would not be out of order and would go a long way in not alienating people who already look upon metal detecting as "EVIL" thing. There's another show on TV where detectors are used and the Men of that show do explain the why of what they do almost every show.

I've sent an email to NatGeo expressing my concerns and would encourage anyone on this forum who is concerned about this hobby to add their voice to making sure NatGeo understands there is more to the hobby than looting history.

 

[D Merc]

Let me say this, I did enjoy the show, and also most of my family members (even those who are not into detecting) enjoyed watching as well. Now let me say this did the two gentleman on the show set the best examples as ambassadors of our hobby? Probably not. I however do not feel the need to bash them about the fun they were having even though at times it may have been a little over the top (to some of us). Yes they should have dug better plugs with a ground cloth, and yes there was a little too much emphasis put on the profit of the items dug. However, they did discuss some of the history involved with the items, and they did show how much fun this hobby can be. However, in my opinion no one on this forum has the right to say they should not sell their items. I say this because, who on this forum could honestly say they have not considered selling a dug item? I know there is much more to this hobby than financial profit (especially for me) but isn't profit a part of hunting treasure? Seriously, I know I have considered selling a valuable dug item many times because I like most people have other hobbys that I love, I also have considered selling a dug item to upgrade to better detecting equipment; and who is to say that they were not going to use their profit for an equipment upgrade or to purchase some ground clothes I believe this show does need great improvement, but I do not think it was a horrible show, or will put a major stain on our hobby. On the other hand i believe the show "American Diggers" could be posing some big problems. C'mon seriously, diving into caves? Using a back-hoe to tear up someones property? Selling every item to make a living? That is not a hobby, and what they were doing should not be associated with the metal detecting community in any way.

 

[Ex-Sox]

Hopefully only detectorists watches these shows. Might make it a bit tough to get permission to hunt that virgin Civil War camp that we put so much effort in finding through months of research on a property if the landowners watched these shows the night before. Television has a huge influence on today's society and this is how we will be perceived...... it would be a bit naive to think differently.
Hey, sell it if you want but for me it is about the history of the artifacts that keep me searching not the value and profit potential. I cover my holes miles from humanity in thick woods too! Heck, I cover holes made by squirrels if someone knows that I am detecting there. Just part of it.

 

[FortuneFinder73]

I definitely think they could have went about it in a better way..... First off this will attract people into metal detecting for the sole purpose of thinking its a quick way for them to make a buck by seeing how they portrayed it to be SO EASY to find valuable treasure in the ground and sell it... even though they were just getting them appraised....but of course these people will not last long because they will have no clue on what it takes to find valuable treasures and plus the majority of metal detectorists i know cherish and collect their treasures they find and are definitely not in it for a quick buck, they are in it because they love it and have a passion for it. Second of all the guy they call King George and it being his first time to be in a National Geographic television show and what do you know he finds a King George coin...lol...Really hmmm coincidence or tv?

 

[cintitomcat]

Has anyone talked about the new show starting next Wednesday after Auction Hunter, I think its a different diggers show. Not sure what channel, A&E. Tom

 

[chuck ky]

its been advertised here on spike tv and i thought it was the same show but i hope i'm wrong

 

[xterranomore]

I did not like the show at all and think it gives the hobby a black eye.

 

[BerntOut]

Another assault on our sanity. Are they kidding "roundess", "juice".... give me break. Just another stupid "reality" show for the dull minded publik.

A HUGE black eye for our hobby.

 

[Mike Moutray - St.Louis MO]

I saw the first episode and thought it was an utter black eye on our hobby. It sensationalizes treasure hunting and makes all of us look like money hungry bandits roaming the earth with backhoes looking to dig anywhere that we might find a lump of rust worth 600 dollars. That show was nothing more than a combined "Storage Wars" and "American Pickers" with a metal detector. I can't wait for the first person to come up to me in the park thinking I'm getting set to dig out King Tut's tomb with heavy equipment and call the police on me. Like I've said many times before people take "reality TV" WAY too seriously. Just my 2 cents worth...
Mike.

 

[NICKLE BABE]

RICK AND I DID NOT LIKE THIS SHOW AT ALL. WE ALSO HOPE IT DOESNT PUT A BLACK CLOUD OVER OUR HOBBY

 

[Prep1957]

Just watched show LUCKY MUDDERS with Chicago Ron in England.I liked it,shows what will happen if you do not fight back and keep an eye on your elected officals you could become Illinois.