Bringing Metal Detecting and Treasure Hunting Into the 21st Century With GPS

Do you remember those old treasure stories where quartz outcroppings, placer gold deposits, lost cabins, etc. were lost, then found, then lost again? It could be expected in the days before modern electronics, but even now, in the 21st century you’ll come across a tale of a recently found quartz outcropping after the spring runoff that was lost again.

Enter the Global Positioning Satellite receiver. I do not go anywhere in the mountains or unfamiliar territory without my GPS whether it be looking for that big buck or treasure hunting.

I will demonstrate how I use the GPS for treasure hunting in the mountains, or an old field where you think there were dwellings in the past with all traces removed by man or the elements.

A lot of times I will use relic or all metal mode when metal detecting with my White’s DFX in a field or in the mountains. Yes, depending on where I am at I may get signals on a lot of junk, but even junk can come in handy while trying to put a puzzle together.

Let’s say for instance while detecting I find several metal cans, or other metal waste in one generalized location. I will mark the spot with a flag or stick, or if I a not in a real hurry I will mark the spot on my GPS and label it “dump site.” If I am in a hurry I will wait until near the end of my search time and mark all spots with my GPS previously marked by flags.

Moving along I find an area with a mixture of horseshoes, horseshoe nails, and square nails along with maybe an old axe head, saddle buckles, etc. That would leave me to believe a barn or stable possibly sat in this location. Again, I would mark the spot with my GPS. As I move along I may find silverware, pots and pans, more square nails, bed springs, etc. This could be where a house or cabin may have stood. I mark this spot as well. Do you see where I a going with this? Once I am back home I upload these coordinates into my map software and get a birds-eye view of the entire area. By doing so I can actually imagine seeing a cabin, barn, corral, etc. If you are looking for a suspected cache this is very important. Most caches are hidden within sight of a cabin or other dwelling so that it can be watched and protected. The majority of caches that I have found have been within 50 yards of a dwelling and some within 25 feet!

Also, if you can’t locate a dwelling that you believe should be there getting a birds-eye view of your coordinates may help you find it. Use your imagination!

If your metal detecting preference is high-traffic areas such as parks or schools you can mark the locations you find coins, rings, etc. as well. Over a period of time as you upload these coordinates into your map software you will start seeing a pattern of where the best places to detect and where to avoid.

If anyone has comments or suggestions on techniques or anything else regarding treasure hunting in Idaho be sure to let me know.

idahotreasurehunters.blogspot.com

Steven M. Crist writes for the Idaho Treasure Hunters blog at http://idahotreasurehunters.blogspot.com

You can reach him by email at steve@treasurevalleyrepairs.com

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Steven_Crist

Tags:Business,Database,GPS,mapping,metadata,metal detecting,treasure hunting

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