You may find that having a spare battery for your equipment is a good idea. We really love this multipurpose rake and hoe combination tool by Carrolner for this purpose. A rake that can move these items out of the way so the digging chore can happen is an invaluable tool to bring along. Some treasures may be beneath extensive root systems, rocks, and other debris. Although sometimes you’ll get lucky and find something of value just sitting on the ground, most of the time you’ll need to dig.įor tough jobs, we highly recommend this 46-inch shovel from Fiskars.įor digging in sand, we recommend this mini-D shovel from Bond.Īnd for surface digging for coins or small objects, we recommend this folding shovel from Pyle.ĭigging isn’t the only job you may need to do to reach the treasure that you’ve found. Some discoveries would fire the imaginations of the most skeptical outsiders.Metal detecting is about finding what is underneath your feet. They would rather imagine an item’s past than do research. Though some are history buffs, many treasure hunters are not concerned about provenance. Most of a hunter’s time is spent either looking for treasure, or, perhaps even better, pondering a treasure’s origins. The occasional hole in the ground, they say, isn’t going to have much of an effect.īut that’s as close as hunting gets to real conflict. Though treasure hunters think environmentalists are acting in good faith, many believe that they have been overzealous. In the name of conservation, government agencies have cut off access to many beaches and parks that were once favorite destinations. One veteran club member recounts the misdeeds of an unsavory character who spiked the most fertile hunting grounds with aluminum rivets to distract his competitors.Ī more significant obstacle for metal-detecting hobbyists is not internal rivalry, but environmental regulation. Ost treasure hunters are friendly to each other, but things occasionally get ugly. Long-handled versions can snag targets that are close to the surface without requiring any crouching down, and will set you back anywhere from $40 to $150. The majority range in price from $50 to $200, though there is a $600 option as well.Ĭombination scoop and sifter: This tool speeds things up and saves on back strain. It’s a small metal detector capable of more precise measurements than full-sized models. Pinpointer: Another mandatory sidearm, the pinpointer looks like a barbecue igniter and can also be belt-mounted. (To be taken seriously in the treasure-hunting community, wearing the holster is a must.) The standard Lesche retails for around $50, and includes a belt holster for convenient access. Lesche digging tool: Essentially a trowel with a serrated edge for cutting through roots. Of course, there are several crucial accessories to the metal detector. Every squeal and pop from the detector is a clue, and concentration is key to distinguishing the squawk of a soda can from the purr of a gold coin. Committed enthusiasts choose top-of-the-line detector models that retail for $1,500, though decent entry-level models can be found for around $350.Ī good metal-detecting device can distinguish different metals by the sounds they make, hence the importance of wearing giant headphones. S with any hobby that involves gizmos, metal detecting provides the opportunity to spend an infinite amount on gear. (Some readers may prefer to load all the pages of this article at once, so we’ve provided this link.) Read on for an introduction to the tools of the trade and the inner life of the modern treasure hunter. We learned the ropes and the lingo, and saw what keeps them searching. Wired recently spent time with some avid beachcombers in the Bay Area. Behind the metal-detector stigma are thoughtful people seeking some atypical thrills. The activity hits a sweet spot in the Venn diagram of escapism, community, imagination and outdoor strolls. Many participate in clubs, where they meet up for show-and-tell and swap war stories about returning lost engagement rings and having close encounters with dog mess. Dedicated hunters compete against each other in time trials, searching the beach for pre-seeded targets. Though metal detecting is a solitary pursuit, the hobby can be surprisingly social. For many, like Kelley, the hunt itself is a meditative experience, a way to escape from the daily grind. “It’s my Zen,” says Alex Kelley, President of the Bay Area Searchers. Sealed off from the world by giant headphones, happy to reward young tagalongs with a bottle cap. They move purposefully along the beach, captivating young onlookers with the promise of magical treasure. They are specters from our collective childhood, observed from behind half-finished sandcastles.