What do you do to promote the Metal Detecting hobby?

[BryanM362]

Are you not part of these forums ?

Not sure what being a member of this forum has to do with "promoting" the hobby?

 

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[Keppy]

I was replying to this quote by keppy-"You can bet that these treasure forums and those stupid detecting shows on tv helped flood our detecting with two many out there now …"
It seemed he was saying that these forums are bad for the hobby ,yet he is part of it. Personally I don't think the forums are bad for the hobby. There are many out there that are not part of a forum and I think they are more likely to give the hobby a bad name. Those are the ones that are probably responsible for getting areas shut down. I think a forum would be a good tool to use if a person were going to try to get an area opened back up. They would have to promote the hobby to those in authority in order to show where proper detecting is promoted.

And what i said was the truth i do not like to sugar coat things...

 

[sponge]

I use yellow caution tape when digging my holes. I am always very discreet about it. Whats cool is I recycle the tent stakes I find to hold up the caution tape. Remember saftey first.

sent from a sending device.

 

[Professor of Engineering]

Hello Everyone,

Here are a few things I do:

1. Always be friendly (even if it is sometimes not convenient; they may have a good lead for you).
2. Use proper target extraction techniques.
3. Remove all trash and be willing to show to onlookers (“see I’m cleaning the park”…etc).
4. Answer questions if you have time.
5. If a family is interested in the hobby, help them choose a machine and accessories.
6. I sometimes will give a quick demonstration of how to detect and by removing the earphone jack they can hear the tones.
7. Like “Ks Coyote” I give lessons to new detectorists.
8. Share places I hunt with others

Regards,

 

[Keppy]

The reality of the matter is that while we can stay low key and detect properly I don't think that is going to keep areas from being closed nor is it going to keep metal detecting from looking bad to others. I think we should detect properly and stay low key in the field regardless.
When I see a sign at a park that says "NO Metal Detecting" that looks negative on the hobby. Certainly a "Responsible Metal Detecting Only" sign would be far greater. When you see a sign that tells you to keep your dog on a leash or if there are bags there to put Fido's !!!! in that does not leave a negative attitude towards pets.
I don't like rules and I think the less there are is better. Unfortunately there has to be rules sometimes so those that do things properly are not kept from it by those that don't. Parks will continue to be closed down by those that bring attention to the hobby whether it is by asking when not necessary or by improper techniques. They will only be taken back by promoting the hobby to those in authority and when a park is taken back that can be used as an example to take others back.
I'll leave promoting the hobby up to those that offer places to learn proper techniques and to those that furnish equipment that lets the job get done properly. I'll try to fit in and be a part of that. If someone wants to try to get an area opened up I would be game for that too. I might get blamed by some for adding fuel to the fire by encouraging others to get on properties then can legally detect by exploring different ways to do so. I don't try to promote the hobby while I am detecting but I won't try to distract from it either.

While back in the day before we had treasure forums and those dumb metal detecting shows …. We never had to worry about hunting spots being closed … Or really never had to worry about much of any thing … To many using detectors out there now .."THANKS " to treasure web sites and the tv shows… And that my friend is the truth..

 

[thrillathahunt]

I don't promote it. I actively discourage it. I don't need the extra competition!

Agreed. But, what I think what we need to do as metal detectorists is to be good ambassadors, to make people aware of the good things we do in the pursuit of our hobby.

 

[lookindown]

Everyone that posts their finds on here are promoting the hobby...even the guys that say "I DONT WANT THIS HOBBY PROMOTED"

 

[lookindown]

I don't think forums are a detriment to the hobby. I do think there are things that bring attention to the hobby and some could be bad. Detecting shows,people knocking on doors,people detecting as a business etc are things that put the hobby in a spotlight also. This is America and I'll stand for their right to do so. I will also support those that do so in a proper way even if I don't do those things. I can't blame anyone in the hobby that I feel are are conducting themselves properly. Would it be better for me if I could choose what is allowed and what isn't? Sure ,but it would not be better for them and they have as much right to detect as I do.

Yeah, its a hobby for me and Im not afraid of competition...when Im detecting at the beach and someone asks me what I found, I show them a gold ring if I found one...even if they are detecting too...I enjoy this hobby and the people I meet, I take time to answer peoples questions and treat them friendly...some people worry too much and that's fine, they should do whats right for them...I have fun out there.

 

[pgfhgs]

my new shovel.......LOL

 

[lookindown]

Yeah if someone comes to you it is good to be doing things proper and a good idea to promote the hobby as you stated. When it comes to beaches,parks, etc I think it is best to just go and take it as it goes. Where I have disagreement with some is when they think they need to promote themselves when it is not necessary such as asking permission when they don't need to.

Yep, ask enough and you will get the answer you don't want.

 

[mikeraydj]

I am with a lot of other people here. I try to be like a ghost when I detect. People may get a glimpse of me but when they look they can't find a trace of where I've been.

 

[ARC]

Why would you promote metal detecting ?
This is silly thread...

What are you selling detectors or something ?
Why would you want to increase your competition by telling/selling everyone on MY passion ?
You must like digging for nothing. heh

 

[Jason in Enid]

Here's the thing. Metal detecting isn't fishing or hunting. You can hunt and fish everything out of a place, wait a few years, go back and hunt and fish some more. Once the good metal targets are gone, they are gone forever. They will never be replaced by more good stuff, just rotten zincs, kids jewelry, and pulltabs.

How many more people do you want detecting in YOUR town?

 

[Higgy]

Everyone that posts their finds on here are promoting the hobby...even the guys that say "I DONT WANT THIS HOBBY PROMOTED"

I would like to address this in a most-congenial way, LD. There are two different promotions in play here. The OP is outwardly promoting this hobby via the decals he has on his truck. His decals are directed to everyone, both people who detect and those who don't.

Displaying your finds inside of this forum is a lot different. Its a subject for discussion within our community, and intended to promote fellowship - not to advertise the great hobby of treasure hunting. Inside of these pages, we're self-sustaining and somewhat incestuous. Display these finds in the local paper, or blab about a huge find to the news media and get on TV and then its all going to crumble down.

I'm proud to be a detectorist. I love my hobby. I like to talk about my hobby - but only with you folks in here.

 

[FragFox]

I am relatively new to this hobby. I got into it because I love hiking and being outdoors. I also like doing it alone in most cases. I like that when I go out I don't see other guys detecting. It really does seem like a low key hobby and I like that. I kinda want it to stay like that.

A woman approached me and was very nice and told me where she thought would be a good spot and pointed to the area I was already walking to. She then proceeded to say that she will split the findings with me since she "recommended" the area. Yeah Ok.

Plus it seems a lot of thought and work goes into finding and getting permission certain sites. It wouldn't be something I would just hand over to anyone.

Aside from that, I still would be open to going on some hunts with a more experienced MD'er sometime.

 

[Charlie P. (NY)]

I cut hinged plugs, replace the dirt and cover my holes carefully.

And I became a Charter Member here to promote the website.

 

[Muddyhandz]

I don't promote it. I actively discourage it. I don't need the extra competition!

Good one Jason! I see 8 people liked your quote.

I wonder if those 8 people bothered to notice your you-tube channel with 5,690 subscribers and the 100+ metal detecting videos that YOU created?

Or your Website? Facebook page?

Gee, none of that promotes the hobby now does it?

 

[ARC]

LOL ! sheesh man. heh

 

[Jason in Enid]

Good one Jason! I see 8 people liked your quote.

I wonder if those 8 people bothered to notice your you-tube channel with 5,690 subscribers and the 100+ metal detecting videos that YOU created?

Or your Website? Facebook page?

Gee, none of that promotes the hobby now does it?

You know who finds my youtube videos? People already in the hobby find them. Youtube isn't much different than a forum except the conversations are much shorter. But hopefully since you are smart enough to know I have multiple outlets for my hobby then you should also be able to realize that my post was somewhat tongue-in-cheek and playing off the post directly above that one.

What I don't do is give public talks and teachings, or anything directed toward non-hobbyists. I don't "recruit new members" If someone comes to me with an interest, I am happy to help them as a fellow hobbyist.

 

[mikeraydj]

I guess this is all moot as we can't even agree as to what is promoting and what is not. I guess that is why I love this place.