The woods hold many secrets
With a metal detector, you can connect with history.
Very often, the past is hidden somewhere out in the woods, under a thin layer of dirt.
That’s why Swinging and Dinging Detecting, a local metal detector enthusiast group, loves their hobby.
“You never know what you’re going to come across and dig up,” said the group’s admin, Joseph Hunter, who admits he has a perfect name for an artifact enthusiast.
His group already has 139 members on Facebook. Those interested in joining are welcome to look up its name.
Even if they are treasure hunting, people like Hunter know it’s highly unlikely that their finds will make them rich in Gilmer County.
“I’ve been doing it for 20 years and have never found anything worth more than $100,” he said.
But what they do find can be incredibly exciting.
Hunter has found pieces of iron, silver coins, buttons from the 1920s military dog tags and more.
When you look for lost artifacts, you need to follow standards, Hunter said.
Before you go on a property, members of his group ask for permission from the owners and give them first pickings on whatever they find.
If something is found that can be traced back to its original owner, Swinging and Dinging Detecting members will try to give it back.
“We try to return stuff if their family’s still alive,” he said.
The artifacts Hunter finds tell him much about the past.
Often, they are very worn down. Spoons bear wear patterns that show someone was using them for years until the metal eroded. Plow points are also often worn to the nub.
“People used stuff back then till it was absolutely worn out,” he said.
Some of Hunter’s favorite things to find are old kids’ toys.
“Stuff like that is really treasured to me,” he said.
Usually, the best place to look for artifacts is in places that people often visited. Locations near old houses or foundations are great.
Sometimes, things are found because kids took them into the woods to play with, then forgot to bring them back.
uch of the joy of treasure hunting comes from adventures with friends and family.
“Hopefully, you’ll save some history before it gets lost to time,” Hunter said.