Raccoon
Jr. Member
The University of Arizona had a book out called, "The Rephotographic Process." I bought a copy when it first came out, for around $45. Then I used the process on a visit to Colorado. You get old photos of the area where you want to hunt. You can often find these cheap at souvenir shops and second hand stores. Then you find the location. There are some tricks and shortcuts, but mostly it's just good sense and reasoning ability. The idea is to find the place where the camera stood and then locate the old buildings, parks and such in the present day landscape. That was a great trip. I started in Silverton and located the old mill. There was no sign of it remaining, but I immediately found foot-long square nails and brass fittings. I found two old saloons that had stood outside any town, just out on the trail, and found some good coins there and a piece of jewelry or two. I did the same at the old zoo near Cripple Creek.
Now, to add to this method, use psychology. Get in the mindset of a traveler who really wants a beer or whiskey and who is carrying a significant amount of cash, probably in coins. He's going to hide it where he can find it again. If you have ever hid anything outdoors, you will know how hard this is to do. In fact, it's almost impossible. So you have to find an easily located place so you can come back tomorrow, after you sober up. Add to this the fact that everybody else knows things like this happen, so some of them will be hiding near the saloon to try to see where you hide your gold so they can steal it. One way to train yourself to find these caches is to go out in the wilderness or desert or countryside and hide stuff and come back weeks later to see if you can find it. By doing this, you will know what to look for. Some of those oldtimers died before they could go back to the stash; saloons weren't the healthiest of places back then. Some of them couldn't find the "three rocks" or "tree that looks like a chicken" or whatever they chose for a marker.
Hunt the places where you would have hidden your treasure. The trees and bushes will have changed and erosion takes its toll, but certain features last for decades or centuries. Learn to recognize them.
If you do these things first, your time with the MD will be a lot more rewarding.
-Rock
Now, to add to this method, use psychology. Get in the mindset of a traveler who really wants a beer or whiskey and who is carrying a significant amount of cash, probably in coins. He's going to hide it where he can find it again. If you have ever hid anything outdoors, you will know how hard this is to do. In fact, it's almost impossible. So you have to find an easily located place so you can come back tomorrow, after you sober up. Add to this the fact that everybody else knows things like this happen, so some of them will be hiding near the saloon to try to see where you hide your gold so they can steal it. One way to train yourself to find these caches is to go out in the wilderness or desert or countryside and hide stuff and come back weeks later to see if you can find it. By doing this, you will know what to look for. Some of those oldtimers died before they could go back to the stash; saloons weren't the healthiest of places back then. Some of them couldn't find the "three rocks" or "tree that looks like a chicken" or whatever they chose for a marker.
Hunt the places where you would have hidden your treasure. The trees and bushes will have changed and erosion takes its toll, but certain features last for decades or centuries. Learn to recognize them.
If you do these things first, your time with the MD will be a lot more rewarding.
-Rock
