Scavengers?

[thrillathahunt]

A while back a non-detecting friend and I were talking about metal detecting and he was asking me about the kinds off things I find. When I mentioned that most of the stuff I dig is trash or modern coins, but occasionally come up with a piece jewelry, old coin or relic. He then said, "So it's like scavenging."

Hmm, I thought for moment and said "Well, I like to consider myself a metal detectorist."

So when I got a chance, I looked up the definition of "scavenger" online. Scavenger (noun) 2. A person who searches for or collects discarded items.

In further reading I found that in turn of the century England a scavenger was someone who cleaned the streets, removed refuse, and kept anything of value for himself.

Wow, this was surprising to me because I had always thought of scavengers as beach bums or dumpster divers. But technically what we usually find are "lost" items.


Now I know a lot of you might consider yourselves "treasure hunters" but that term has never set well with me persay. So, I don't know. What am I? I am just a metal detectorist I quess.

 

Amazon Forum Fav 👍

How to Research for Treasure Hunting and Metal Detecting From Lead Generation to Vetting - Grab it through Amazon!

[Catobra]

I'm ok with scavenger. I've always searched for discarded items. As far back as 2nd grade I was the kid in the school yard who stayed after school on the last day to collect all of the discarded pencils, pens, erasers, etc. that all the other kids left behind.

 

[Jeremy S]

It is finally going to cool down some this weekend around here (maybe some rain too!). Might have to go scavenging in a few yards around here

 

[thrillathahunt]

I quess it is all a matter of semantics. Different strokes for different folks as they say.

 

[Catobra]

It's the old-"a rose by any other name" and all basically the same thing-finding stuff that either people lost or people no longer want/need. Whether it's in the ground, in a dumpster, in a thrift store, in an abandoned house's dump, etc. I could care less what other people call it-I call it FUN : )

 

[thrillathahunt]

I remember as a kid, probably 8 or 9 years old, I would go with my mom downtown and when she went in the store I would check out all the bases of all the parking meters in the grassy strip by the sidewalk and load up on silver dimes that people dropped. What an opportunist huh?

 

[Catobra]

It's a sickness from birth, I tell ya! : )

What's nice to know is that since finding this site I now know that I am not alone or as weird as everyone else thinks I am (ok, so maybe I am that weird..... : )

 

[Kentucky Kache]

So when I got a chance, I looked up the definition of "scavenger" online. Scavenger (noun) 2. A person who searches for or collects discarded items.

I think the difference can be seen in the word "discarded" in the definition. Discarded sound like something that people purposely throw away. People don't usually throw away money. Then again, treasure can be anything a person treasures, I guess, so maybe there's a thin line between "scavenger" and "treasure hunter." Call me either, as long as I get to hunt.

 

[CWnut]

electronic scavenger, maybe

 

[austin]

You're just another overheated, drought stricken. semi-cultured, scavenging, dumpster diving, flea marketing, under paid, soul searching, metal detectorist, treasure hunting Texan, LIKE ME. But don't we got it great here?

 

[thrillathahunt]

You know, I resemble that remark. Yeah, aint life grand?

 

[seekandfind]

At least we are not bottomfeeders(lawyer) yet. I hope.

 

[gunntekk1]

now if we can talk them into changing the name to ScavengerNet. lol

 

[thrillathahunt]

now if we can talk them into changing the name to ScavengerNet. lol

Now that's funny!

 

[AC1955]

"A rose by any other name is still a rose".

Call us what you will, we are just a band of merry MDers, hoping to make the find of a lifetime so we can pay for all of our toys!

HH,
Anita

 

[New Orleans Relic]

I consider my self a liberator with character. Just don't work on a buisness card! LOL
Ray the "extruder" don't sound right.
HH Ray

 

[ivan salis]

prior asset recycler --

 

[N.J.THer]

When I started detecting I thought of myself as a Treasure Hunter which is reflected in my T-Net ID..N.J.THer. Back then I was always wondering the value of what I found. Over time that became less and less important to me. I'm not saying I don't get a huge thrill at seeing gold at the bottom of a hole or in my scoop because I do but since I don't sell what I find it does not matter. I'm more interested in the history of an item. That has really become my passion. I would rather find a rare piece of history then something that was worth more money (unless it was worth so much it would be a life changer...lol).

The hobby of metal detecting has introduced me to the world of archaeology and I've been lucky enough to work on some amazing sites as a volunteer. I'm also involved with creating a local museum in my town. So for me the history has surpassed the value in importance for my finds.

As far as being called a scavanger. I does not bring to mind the best image...I always picture a vulture when I think scavanger. Something that takes advantage of something elses misfortune. As a detectorist I always try to return any items that I can identify the owner. Awhile back I found an I-Pod in NJ and tracked the owner down in FL. I don't think a scavanger would do that.

I guess I change what I call myself depending on the audience I'm speaking with.

NJ

 

[Frankn]

Scavenger maybe, but of different degrees. Some are happy with the clad, some push for the jewrly, while still others go for the caches, but in reality it is the thrill of the hunt that drives us. It just takes a little more to satisfy some of us. The older you get, the more you have seen so it takes something more interesting to satisfy.