DID YOU LOSE SOMETHING?

First of all, this page does not offer metal detector rental.   I have made this page to intercept you from renting a detector (low success rate) until you know about the volunteers who can give you a much better chance of success.

If you’re in central Kentucky, my contact information is here after you’ve read this page. If you’re not in Central Kentucky, this page may have a lot of information that will help you.

If you’ve lost an item, do these things!

1. If you can, be patient and do this search systematically.  The items are not going anywhere.
2. Mark the location where you lost the item!  A surveyor’s flag is ideal, but improvise.  GPS is a last resort – phone GPS is accurate to around +/- 30 feet.
3. DO NOT move dirt and leaves around, especially if a detectorist volunteer is on the way.  You’re more likely to scatter the item further than to find it.
4. IF POSSIBLE, after marking the location, try to just stay off the grass near the loss.  Untouched = best, but not always possible.
5. Is it getting dark and did the item have diamonds?   If so, skip to the bottom for the “flashlight technique.”

FAQs:

How much do you charge?

No money is involved unless I have significant expenses helping you – this is not a business.

You can pay me back by introducing me to friends or relatives in Central KY with:

• Access to pre-1850 properties I can metal detect.
• Access to plowed fields (often tobacco fields) for arrowhead hunting (even if the access is scheduled for a different season.)
• Access to long swaths of secondary creek beds for arrowhead hunting.

Is this a Scam?

LOL – no.  But I understand the caution.  You can use Google to learn more about me if you’d like.  I’m legit, and I have no hidden agenda.

How long will you search?

An hour usually.

How far will you go to help?  

In most cases, a 10-15 mile radius around Lexington, KY is reasonable but if you’re trading access to property as mentioned above, I will go further.

Don’t hunt in front of a crowd if you can avoid it.

Do not let large numbers of people see you “hunting for something.”  Some will be motivated to continue the search once you’re gone.

No mowing or leaf blowing at the loss site.

Try not to allow grassy areas with lost rings to be mowed.  It’s not the end of the world, but does cut down the chances. Leaf blowers push items against fences where I cannot swing the metal detector.

Will you hunt near livestock?

Usually fine…   Horses and cows can eat lost items and they can smash it, ruining the item.  But I have found them before.  If you have curious horses, it can be harder for me to hunt.  Better to tie them up temporarily.

Where can you find items?

• Grass/Lawns less than shin-high.
• Sand
• Gardens – no plants in the way.  If planted, we can schedule a winter hunt.
• Gravel (limited success here.)
• Bags of Leaves (sometimes.)

Where will you not hunt?

• I don’t search in water or indoors.
• I WILL NOT HUNT YARDS full of dog poop.
• Along roadways or in gravel driveways.
• Near an “Invisible” dog fence (that cannot be turned off.)
• I also won’t move lawn furniture, hoses, and toys – please do this before I arrive.

No Costume Jewelry Searches!

Wedding bands, class rings, and similar items are fine.  Sentimental items are usually fine.

Likely Successes

• Gold rings (wedding bands, class rings, etc.)
• Silver rings and thicker jewelry
• Platinum and Titanium
• Keys (only ask me to hunt for keys you don’t have copies of)

Unlikely or Impossible 

• Items with less metal than a child’s ring.
• Picnic areas at parks (due to the amount of litter.)
• Low metal objects such as Hearing Aids or Electronic keyfobs.
• Non metallic items
• Items lost right next to large metallic objects such as chain link fences or piles of metal.

Can you find survey or property stakes for me?

No – this is a job for a licensed surveyor.

Stories:

Recovery 1: Engagement Ring Recovery

Recovery 2: Gold Ring Recovery at Horse Farm

Recovery 3:  Large Wedding Band Saved!

Recovery 4: Wedding band at Winery found!

Recovery 5: Soldier’s Wedding Band Found.

Tips:  FLASHLIGHTS FOR DIAMOND RINGS

Is it getting dark?  Try to find the ring bright flashlights –  especially if it contains diamonds.   LED flashlights with multiple LEDs are fantastic for this because they illuminate the facets of the ring diamonds from slightly different directions – causing a glimmer.  Having more than one person is great, attack the area from different angles.

Step 1:
Sweep flashlights very slowly and look for a glimmer.  More eyes = more chances to see the shimmer.  If you see trash or other items reflecting your lights, remove it and search more.  Go at it from different angles in case the ring is behind a blade of grass.

Stage 2:
Get down on hands and knees and sweep closely to the ground.  Go at it from different angles.

Stage 3:
If you’re getting desperate you may want to gently drag a leaf rake across the suspected area – one pass– hopefully turning the ring to “diamonds up” position.  Repeat the flashlight search.

Stage 4:  No ring?  Mark the area and send me a message.