If you’re a property owner of whom I’ve asked permission to search your property, I wanted to address the most common questions in one place. Thank you for considering!
This hobby has been my passion since 1985. I have no profit motive – it is simply a way to relax and pursue an intellectually stimulating activity.
FAQ
1. Will you dig holes on my property?
To retrieve coins, after pinpointing electronically, I use a turf knife to cut a U-shaped slit which does not kill the grass. It becomes a lid keeping roots intact. Most of the time, the coin is at the bottom of this plug and I’m done. Any loose dirt is put on a cloth so it can be easily returned to the hole. Once retrieved, the plug is “closed” and tamped down…After 24 hours, you cannot tell where the hole was made. Clean retrieval is very important to me and the mark of an expert.
2. Why did you choose my property?
I use all kinds of maps, history books and sometimes just intuition to choose properties. I like for a place to have around 80-100 years of human occupation at a minimum. Places where there was a lot of foot traffic, sitting on the grass, and entry and exit from cars or buggies.
3. How deep does your detector go?
Approximately 10-11″ in moist soil, but most coins from the past 100-150 years rest at around 6-8″. Modern items are usually in the top 1-3″ of soil.
4. What do you do if you find things that can be identified?
My first priority is to return it to the owner. This is only possible if the items are engraved or can be identified by the property owner. I have returned wedding rings, class rings, keys, and dog tags. It’s one of my favorite parts of the hobby! I have even tracked down veterans who lost their military tags and returned it to them in other states.
5. Do you find trash?
Yes, this is an inevitable part of the hobby. I bag and remove all trash and it is disposed of properly. This includes items I may see on the surface. I frequently remove dangerous items such as razor blades, live ammunition and knives that would be a problem especially if found by children.
6. Could we meet in person to discuss?
Of course, just let me know a good time. I’ll demonstrate my retrieval technique for you if you’d like.
7. When will you hunt?
I’d like to have flexibility to come when the weather is nice. I do not stay after dark. If you have a commercial facility with specific schedule restrictions, I’ll work around them. I may ask to hunt multiple times so I can cover the property carefully. I will identify myself to anyone who asks what I’m doing and give them my hobby business card.
8. Can I see what you find?
Of course! It’s fun to show things off.
9. I lost _____ years ago, can you find it in the yard?
Possibly… the longer amount of time that elapses, the harder it is. But I will be pleased to try!
10. Will you pay me to hunt my property?
I do not pay property owners fees to hunt. This is not a commercial venture and I do not sell my finds. The monetary value of coins found is very low compared to the enjoyment of fresh air, research, and beating the odds to rescue old items.
11. What if you get hurt?
You have no risk. I am fully insured via a liability umbrella policy from State Farm and will be happy to show you the letter from my insurer stating that I am insured during hunting.
