I may have jumped the gun a little on Spring. The forecast is calling for another coating of snow on Friday–and I use the term ‘coating’ in the hopes that the suggestion will manifest and we’ll only see a coating of the white stuff. Fortunately, Saturday is expected to bring temperatures in the sixties… so maybe I’ll still be able to hit my permissions by Sunday.

My chosen topic for this post is Respecting the Fellow Digger–something that has really been weighing on me recently. As you know, I write a lot about respecting and appreciating the property owners who grant us permission, but I’ve never really touched on respecting fellow diggers. I feel like respecting each other should just be second nature.

I mean this in every aspect of what we do–not just in the field but also on the internet. When I discovered my first coins, I was ecstatic. I even performed my happy dance… which I’m sure all of you will see on camera at some point in our journey together. These coins were nothing special–and I say this as the wife of a coin collector. Among my coins were a 1916 Canadian cent, a 1924 Mercury dime, and a 1911 V nickel.  I had found the silvers under a large tree beside a creek and the cent underneath an old picnic table.

When I posted them in one of the groups, all wrath ensued. For the post part, people were excited for me… but then there were the others accusing me of staging my finds. As I said, my husband is a coin collector, if I want to fake find some coins… I could certainly do so.

I like to think I have pretty thick skin… but I was still hurt. Fortunately, the backlash from other hobbyists didn’t change my mind about metal detecting. Having gone through that experience, I sympathize with other new detectorists who have similar experiences. I would hate to see their blossoming passion for the hobby wither away and die.

Respect for other diggers extends beyond being helpful and courteous to new members of the hobby. I’ve had several experienced hobbyists cautioned me against using the specific locations of my most prized permission. Now, I’ve always been a trusting person–I suppose you could call me a bit naive. I like to think the best of people and the concept of someone swooping in and stealing my permissions never crossed my mind.

I did take the advice of other diggers and started leaving out specific locations, but I can’t help but get a little fired up having to do so. As many of you know, there is a code to address how hobbyists should represent themselves in public, but where is the code that tells how to treat one another?

I’ve heard the stories. I’ve heard stories of detectorists spending the day at a site, coming back the next day, and being told by the owner that detectorists were lining up at his door asking for permission. Why would anyone think that was okay? I’ve hear stories of detectorists inviting a friend along on a permission and seeing that friend–I use the term loosely–in their spot the next day.

To me, these incidents are a lack of common sense. To others, these incidents are an act of war. I try not to think ill of people, but a part of me realizes that some people don’t care whose toes they are step on to get a piece of a monumental permission.

I know Spring is almost here… Well, I thought it was here but then it wasn’t. Now it really is almost here. I urge everyone to respect their fellow diggers–in addition to respecting home owners–and use common sense.

I wish you all happy hunting this Spring and please share your finds on my facebook group Metal Detecting 101. I get such a thrill in seeing what everyone is digging out of the ground. Also, make sure to like my page so you don’t miss out on blog updates and exclusive videos. Lastly, make sure you subscribe in the widget below.