Living on Treasure at the Ocean!

[JakePhelps]

Is it possible

One guy did it in the 24th volume of W&E Treasures in July of 1990.

Heres a quik summary of the article in my words:

Ernest L. Mitchell spent a week MDing on cape cod in october.
He just spent a week on a family vacation to disneyland and was a little short on money.
Rather than living out of a motel for a week he lived in his converted van.
He brought coffee cakes, oatmeal, tea bags, and other breakfast foods and such.
All he needed to cover now was gas, supper, and lunch.
His major interest was detecting shallow water at low tide.
He says "I can hunt two hours before low tide and up to two hours after before the tide chases me out".
He arived at 7:00, just in time for the 9 o'clock tide.
By 11 o'clock he was done hunting and had two gold rings, one silver ring, and a pouch full of dirty change.
He ordered a BLT for 4.50 and paid for it in dirty change, the clerk gave him a nasty look.
Next he bought a pint of ice cream! ate the ice cream, filled the container with sand, soap and water, threw in his change shook it up and it was all clean to spend.
Next he hit a schoolyard and had a "good handfull of change".
By 5:30 he was back at the ocean working to beat the sunset.
That night he went to friendlys for a sit-down dinner, payed for it with cleaned change!
For the rest of the week he was able to pay for both supper and lunch plus put gas into the van.
He returned from the cape with all the rings and some of the silver coins he found. He also found a blue saphire ring with twelve diamonds and a very large gold cross.

Now....Iv been to capecod many times, been detecting on almost every beach on the mid cape, plus lots of parks and such. Im wondering what beaches he hunted when he found all this in a week. He must have found loads of change in order to pay for lunch and dinner plus put gas into his van(which was alot cheaper then, but still..)this was 16 years ago, is there nothing left to find now?? Living on treasure would be THE life to live, but is it really possible for someone who wanted to? Has anyone else tried since?

 

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[mlw67]

From what little I hunted in Cancun, it looked like I could probably survive off of it. You probably couldn't live well, even in Mexico where your dollars go farther, but you could eat and probably even keep an apartment. I didn't hunt down there long enough to tell for sure, though--but what little time I hunted I was making $6 an hour in change. I didn't hunt in the water and I didn't find jewelry, but there is no question that you would. The beaches go on and on and on, so you wouldn't run out of turf very quickly, and by the time you had covered it all (yeah, right) the places you had originally started your hunt would be reseeded by then.

 

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[Silver Striker]

Thanks MLW67. I might be retiring in Mexico, so that info could come in handy. Hey Jake Phelps, how does your Cibola do in wet beach sand? I was considering buying one, as it sounds like the overall best and deepest MD in the $400-500 price range, but I also heard that the pre-set ground balance is not good on wet beach sand and that the pinpointing on that machine isn't very accurate on wet beach sand. Is this true? Also, have you found any gold with it yet? If I plan on hunting primarily wet beach sand, should I go with a Vaquero, Tiger Shark or Sand Shark instead of a Cibola? There are a few beach-worthy Minelabs and White's in my price range too, but I'm leaning towards Tesoro, if I can get a good deal on one. Thanks, SS

 

[Bigcypresshunter]

Re: Where do I put the MD when I'm shoveling sand?

Ok, I have a beginner question that's been plaguing me. If I go hunting on a beach and I have my MD in one hand and a shovel in the other hand and a water bottle in my 3rd hand (yeah, I wish), how do I juggle all of that stuff while I'm digging in the sand, without getting sand all over my MD? Do you guy wear tool belts or backpacks to hold your shovel, food, drinks, finds, etc? Do you park close enough by that you leave your drink in the car? Does it matter if you lay your MD down in the sand? What's the best way to handle this, as I am an MD virgin and really have no clue? Thanks, SS

I wear shorts with the big side pockets for a water bottle. Cooler in the car. I have a clip on my belt or belt loop to attach my scoop . I use a waterproof MD on the beach and I always wash off the salt and sand. I am thinking of getting a pouch for finds, because my pockets get too much sand in them, and fish hooks and lures are a problem.

 

[Silver Striker]

Thanks for the tips, Cypress. I'd probably just re-bury the fish hooks in the same hole. Not worth getting harpooned by one. But I would properly dispose of all pull tabs, out of courtesy to other TH'ers and since I wouldn't want to keep digging up the same ones over and over again. lol

 

[deepsix47]

Not sure where I'll be sleeping yet, Cypress. Hopefully, either in an RV or the back of a van. But if that doesn't pan out, probably in a sleeping bag, inside of an underground bunker or a cave or on a friend's couch. Too early to tell. But it won't be no picnic, that's for sure. MD'ing for a living isn't really my dream, like it is for many of you. It's more of a desperation/survival situation. I can't give out any more details than that at this time though. But at least I'm not waiting until the last minute to plan this out. I should have another year and a half to save up some money, while still living in the lap of luxury (an apartment with a/c, heat, tv, a computer, a bathroom, a lounge chair, a bed, etc.) Boy, I'm sure going to miss those things. Ok, nuff said. SS

A couple of things you said made me think of something. There is a book still available on amazon. It's really great "Bacon and Beans from a Gold Pan". It's a true story of a couple that survived the Depression era by gold panning. Very interesting reading. The best of luck to you.
Deepsix

 

[deepsix47]

Re: Where do I put the MD when I'm shoveling sand?

Ok, I have a beginner question that's been plaguing me. If I go hunting on a beach and I have my MD in one hand and a shovel in the other hand and a water bottle in my 3rd hand (yeah, I wish), how do I juggle all of that stuff while I'm digging in the sand, without getting sand all over my MD? Do you guy wear tool belts or backpacks to hold your shovel, food, drinks, finds, etc? Do you park close enough by that you leave your drink in the car? Does it matter if you lay your MD down in the sand? What's the best way to handle this, as I am an MD virgin and really have no clue? Thanks, SS

If you plan on working the same general area, a cooler on the beach will do well. If you're going to be covering some distance, a small day pack is my answer. Remember to put anything that should not get wet into zip lock bags. A sudden rain shower can soak everything very quickly.
Deepsix

 

[Silver Striker]

Thanks Deepsix. Yet another reason to buy a waterproof MD, huh? That's the only thing I'd worry about getting wet. SS

 

[Monty]

If I had to depend on my finds to make a living I'd have starved to death in the past year! Monty

 

[ScubaFinder]

I think most serious THers have at least thought about this once or twice. I've been of the midset that i'll keep my dayjob, and look for a big cache to make life a little better for me. I do have plans opf living on the treasure coast, looking at live-aboard treasure ships with good leases that pay a small salary + percentage. Right now I am very seriously considering this, but I don't think I'd try it living on beach finds alone.

My reason for this is because the only beaches that will give enough loot to marginally sustain you will be tourist places. Problem with that is that it costs twice as much to live (and eat) in a touristy kinda place. It's kind of a catch 22. I think a lean-to near a good california prospecting stream would be a better choice, but that has it's own problems.

If I were in a situation where I felt I would be broke and desperate in a year or so (as you said), I'd be busting my butt to find a way to NOT end up in that situation rather than planning a dream life of a bum Just kidding you, but seriously, if the lap of luxery will be leaving you, I'd be looking for a comfortable lap at least! Get scuba certified and apply with Mel Fishers group Good luck with whatever you do, but consider it carefully before you end up with an address that starts with "under a bridge".

Jason

 

[Silver Striker]

Thanks for the advise, ScubaSeeker. Hopefully, it won't come down to that. SS

 

[Bigcypresshunter]

When you're young, you can be a beach 8) bum, when you're old, you are just a bum.

 

[deepsix47]

Actually, there are those that make their living TH'ing and I'm not speaking of the ones that have big money investors. Most of these tend to stay away from the limelight. Some specialize but most of the ones I know are pretty well diversified. Between prospecting, MD'ing, Relic hunting and Indian artifact hunting, they make fairly good livings and many do very well. They all have several things in common though. They know how to market their finds (turning your finds into needed cash is a biggie), how to research, how to search, and how to deal with certain realities (some of which have been brought up in this thread). Some are old, some young and both genders are represented. They also tend to be people that instead of thinking of why they can't do it, just do it. They are a breed apart.

It's a completely different world and if you've been TH'ing for a while you've most likely crossed paths with one or more and not even known it. Through the years its been my pleasure to know some of these people and we still see each other occasionally and stay in touch. One is a 32 year old mother of 3 that lives on a small floating home on Florida's west coast. Another 35 year old brunette lives in northern New Mexico. Two brothers and their families live in northern Utah. The gold rush country of California hosts at least a dozen I know. There are more in the Carolinas, Georgia, New York, Colorado, Wyoming and Texas. These are just the ones I know personally.

If you really want to join this group, that's great, go for it. Before you do however, know the pitfalls (again, some have been addressed in previous posts) and decide what you will do to overcome them. Everyone of these people have become experts in their fields and their knowledge would stand against any of the recognized experts out there. Many have something else in common also. They eased into it, gained experience, then just immersed themselves into the lifestyle. It's not for everyone but if you're up to it, it's not a bad way to go.
Deepsix

 

[Jeffro]

I did something like this once, found out real quick its a hard life. Next time I do it, I'll be set with backup. Don't get me wrong, I did OK. But just OK. Wouldn't do it again unless I can have a steady income from another source and it won't matter if I find something or not. There's the rub, heheheheh!

 

[bakergeol]

From time to time full time detectorists( retired) post their finds total for the year. Believe me it is certainly not enough to pay my car insurance much less my gas bill for the year.

I also know quite a few people "living the dream" of living off the land. One guy regularly visits the dump to salvage junk for resale. Another visits flea markets for items to sell on E-Bay.They make enough for them to get by but of course they drive 25 year old cars and live in cheap apartments. Even if they could afford mortgage payments they wil never have the credit to buy a home. They could do a heck of a lot better with full time jobs but heck they are lazy and want to sleep until noon everyday. Thank God they are single(or that is why they are single).


George

 

[Silver Striker]

Hey Baker, there's nothing wrong with that. Who says that we have to be rich or even middle-class. Too many Americans are caught up in that "keep up with the Jones's" frame of mind. I would be very satified driving an old car and living in a cheap apartment and not having to answer to a boss every day. Been there, done that. I march to the beat of my own drummer. I'm not trendy and don't care if my neighbor has more things than I do. All of those things can be wiped out by a fire, a hurricane or a tornado, in a flash. I'm very content with living a simple life. Great post, Deepsix. That is my plan, to work into it slowly and to go pro in about 2 years. SS

 

[stud564]

i wonder if his batterie ever died when he was out and how he got more juice.

 

[stud564]

remember, you could also go to the blood bank and sperm bank now and then to make some extra money.

thay have some plasma thing also that pays good

 

[LadyDigger]

Re: Where do I put the MD when I'm shoveling sand?

Ok, I have a beginner question that's been plaguing me. If I go hunting on a beach and I have my MD in one hand and a shovel in the other hand and a water bottle in my 3rd hand (yeah, I wish), how do I juggle all of that stuff while I'm digging in the sand, without getting sand all over my MD? Do you guy wear tool belts or backpacks to hold your shovel, food, drinks, finds, etc? Do you park close enough by that you leave your drink in the car? Does it matter if you lay your MD down in the sand? What's the best way to handle this, as I am an MD virgin and really have no clue? Thanks, SS

As for me...I have one of those "fanny packs" and mine has a holder for a bottle of soda/water (water in the heat of summer), and zippered pouches (3 of them)...one for my car keys, cigs and whatever, another for my finds and one to spare. If I find something in the sand (beach)...I just lay my detector on the sand and dig....when done on the beach, I brush off my detector and wait for my next trip...I also put on my detector a garbage bag (you know, the kind you get your grocercies in...those plastic bags)...so I can put in the trash, but it's hell on windy days...the bag flying everywhere LOL. I hold my detector in my right hand and my scoop and pinpointer with my left...all works well for me...but I am also very short...so I don't have far to reach the ground

HH........Ann
PS: 4 foot 11...incase you are wondering

 

[ClonedSIM]

Don't rebury your trash! Especially not fishhooks!

 

[deepsix47]

Don't rebury your trash! Especially not fishhooks!

I agree. You dig it, carry it out or at least dump it in the closest trash can. It will save digging it againm when you come back and maybe keep some kid from ending up with a fish hook or spent sparkler in their foot.

Well guys, Hi ho, Hi ho, it's off to work I go. I've been threatning to work a particular stretch of beach for a few months now so tonight is the night. It's 4/5 miles of Condos, high dollar homes and private beach clubs with virtually no public access except from either end or boat (I love these kind of places). It's going to be a long night and my lady wants to catch the sun set when she drops me off. I've still got to load up my day pack so have a good one.
Deepsix