Treasure Hunting for a living

You know many and I mean most all times you see a discussion going in the direction of trying to find that "mother load" everyone seems to concede with the ending of such discussion with words like "but its the fun of the search" or "you'll never get rich and that's not the point of it, right?" or "I almost paid for my vacation to Cancun"   So what about those who are not as inclined to think small and yet find it almost impossible to make a living at this incredible sport?  Golfers do albeit a small percentage.  But if I were to get on a golfers forum and ask the "experts" what the track is in order to eventually make a living a golf, I believe, though not substantiated, that there are basic guidelines and even a plan or two on how to get serious and have a shot at this.  Last night I read a quote that said in treasure hunting "It's better to be lucky than knowledgeable."  I sadly understand what they are trying to say but at the same time place it in the "you can't make a living at this Kid hopefully it will at least pay for the batteries you use" box of realistic but non-dreamers of the "Thinking Big" crowd.  Imagine Mel Fisher buying into this mentality.   

So here is my question and I'm going to start here in the Cache hunting catagory.  If you can lay your preconceived "it's impossible to make a living in treasure hunting" ideas aside and give this question some real thought before answering it:

In order, what types of treasure hunting give the best chances of results to make a living.  I'll start.

1.) Ship Wreck salvaging for gold and silver
2.) Hard rock Mining for gold on an industrial level
3.) Cache hunting
4.) Training a pack of labs to smell money to find rich peoples hidden currency.
5.) Slucing for gold out side the USA.
6.) Nugget hunting in A.U.
7.) Water hunting for rings in remote popular areas not hit.
8.) Water hunting in the Caribbean
9.) Diamond or precious stone hunting.

This is just a start, let you collective knowledge fly 1st class here.  Do not allow you mind to travel in the paths often expressed.  Again if you were dropped anywhere in the world and HAD to make a living at one type of treasure hunting, what would it be? 

 

I, for one, would never say it's impossible to make a living at treasure hunting. Some are doing it. But, there is a little thing called reality. You wouldn't want to sell the farm (oh, I wish I had a farm to sell) and take off for gold country. If I was gonna go into treasure hunting full time I think I would start out slow and easy, in my spare time and see how things would go. Then again, if I could afford to do it, I probably would go for it, but affording it wouldn't mean giving up everything I own. You can't find the word "sure" in gamble.
16 years away from retirement. Maybe then.

Yes, I think it is possible to make a good living treasure hunting (cache hunting) in the USofA. Quite a few of the T'Net community have recovered caches in the "almost enough" category. There are stories that circulate off forum that say that so-and-so has hit a good one. I believe.
 I bought my first detector a few years ago because I almost accidentally stumbled across a silver cache. If I had known the techniques then that I have since learned from the great people on here, I think I could have retired.
Now that I have some of the equipment that I used to just dream about, I've put in some research time and when I retire in 5 more years, I plan to make as much detecting as I ever have working.
The truth is out there...and so is the gold, silver and currency.

grizzly bare

OHIO: Yes it IS still possible, BUT, only if you go at it like any other occupation -  with the proper training, equipment, financing, and dedication.   You will not make it as a week end hobbyist who is only interested in fun with occasional luck, you must go at it full time  in both field and research...

If you hit one good one a year, you will be extremely lucky.

I know, since I have gone this route, I prob would have earned much more money, until recently, if I had stayed in my chosen civilian profession.  There were many more lean periods where I could not even think of buying a coca cola or a cup of coffee without examining my personal finaces very very carefully, than there were periods of "Wine and Roses"

If you are prepared to accept the lean periods, as well as the very scarce Fat ones, then it can give you a life style, that is in my opinion,  incomparable..

Don Jose de La Mancha

Of the designated choices I would have to say #6 offers the most potential at
this time.  Gold is at it's highest level notwithstanding it's inflation adjusted price.
With a minimun investestment of 5K and enough cash in pocket to last 3 months
in the field every day from sunup to sundown you stand a good chance of getting
a decent start in Arizona gold nugget sucess.  If after 3 months out with the best
equipment available (Minelabs 4000 GP) you are no better off maybe this life is
not for you. Read what others have found at Rob Allison's nuggethunting.com.
Rob is a sucessful nuggetfinder and is a dealer of Minelab equiptment who takes
you out to the right "ground" teach you the right way to find gold.  He can also
advise you of club claims that are known gold producers.  You will make lots of
new friends to learn from.  After you find your first nugget I bet you'll be hooked.
And if you want to try something else you haven't lost your investment either.
You can get back most of it when you decide to "sell out".

If you, or anyone else, are really interested in full time THing, get the little books written and published by Karl von Mueller entitled, The Owlhooters Manual.  Then read and heed.  Good luck.  It CAN be done, but it takes planning and preparations.  Listen to KVM's advice in those books, update the job examples and go for it.   

KVM was the man.  His books got me thinking that just maybe I could  hit
it big.  I tried but I lacked the moxie necessary for that kind of ordeal.  But
even though I found no Big Ticket I got some experience and his advice stayed
with me allowing me to cash in when opportunity revealed itself.  Anybody
interested in treasure seeking would be wise to devour the knowledge of
Big Karl.

I doubt that KVM ever found the big Pot under the Rainbow either.  But he
lived the life he chose to the max.  I had a looksee at his Segundo digs and
it warn't no mansion on the hilltop but he's still my hero.

I doubt that KVM ever found the big Pot under the Rainbow either.  But he
lived the life he chose to the max.  I had a looksee at his Segundo digs and
it warn't no mansion on the hilltop but he's still my hero.

Mr. Miller and his wife were not "showoffs".  He followed his own advice about investing his monies and not blowing chunks on fancy cars or houses.  If you've read his books, especially the THMs #6 and #7, then you are already aware of his philosophies.   

I have #6 & #7 plus "Sudden Wealth" by "Deek Gladson". KVM also used
the moniker of Estee Conatser in "The Sterling Legend".  His "Master Hunter
Manual" and the rest are all "can't stop reading" books.

You hit the nail on the head, Homestake.  It still doesn't cost anything to WISH,
to HOPE, to PLAN, to RESEARCH and WAIT for opportunity.

#3  is the payoff. No big investment in equipment or expenses.

Your biggest investment will be time and research. You can live in your Jeep (vehicle) to do that if you had to.

You can make a living if your serious and make it your life's work. Remember that this is just my "opinion"

From "what I heard" I can tell you that if you live a "simple life" and keep your business to yourself, you will do just fine.

You can "bump heads" with all the treasure hunters after the hyped and published treasure stories or you can spend the hours at the library and historical society researching things that everyone has missed or dismissed.

The ability to deal with critters, (two-legged, four-legged and the slithering kind) is required.

Map reading skills and loving solitude would be useful traits.

Having any self-employed Job would be helpful for tax reporting purposes.

Posting historical or valuable objects over $25.00 is not recommended for keeping a low profile.

Life is Good 

I choose proffession 8....im not a water hunter yet but if im gettin dumped in a part of our world without a job....let it be the Carribean baby!...........on a more serious note i asked the very same question.There was alot more doubters then believers.Mainly because most of us are just hobbyist, but i for one would like to learn about all sorts of treasure hunting to be able to work full time.example -florida and arizona would be great spots to hunt during the winter.Alaska or N.E. in the warmer months.Now what exactly to do would be the next choices.either panning for gold or diving for rings or just coin shooting & relic hunting a historical area.My guess the seasons and weather patterns would dictate where to go and your equipment and research would do the rest.I dont agree with an earlier post about the solitude thing either.I believe it would have to be a team effort.Unless your extremely smart and knowledgable about all types of tresure hunting.I read about a group of treasure hunters that hit all the right spots at the right times and correspond to each other (internet)weekly while traveling across the U.S.Thats what got me thinking about FT Treasure hunting in the 1st place..HH & Good luck

Last night I read a quote that said in treasure hunting "It's better to be lucky than knowledgeable."  I sadly understand what they are trying to say but at the same time place it in the "you can't make a living at this Kid hopefully it will at least pay for the batteries you use" box of realistic but non-dreamers of the "Thinking Big" crowd. 

It IS better to be lucky than knowledgeable--if it comes right down to it...but with Detecting (as with Poker), the knowledge increases your "luckiness"...or I guess I should perhaps say that knowledge Decreases your NEED for good luck.  Knowledge helps your odds.  And in any branch of "Treasure Hunting"--be it detecting, cache hunting, bottle digging, or what not, you have to do Everything in your power to increase your odds--even if it is a lot of work for a SLIGHT edge... True, someone may come a long and end up being more "lucky" than you on any given day (or on any given hand in Poker for that matter)--but consistenty better odds beat luck anyday. 

Do you know what luck really is, Its opportunity meeting preparedness. You know how many times I've set off to do something and something unexpected has happened along the way. When I was "Lucky" I recognized the opportunity and took advantage of it, when I wasn't aware enough the opportunity passed me by. Today was a prime example, I was scouting a possible campsite and happened to stop in a gas station down the street and asked where a certain school was. I was informed that the school had been gone for several years and was given a look that said, "So what are you doing". The short of it is when I explained my Civil War interest she gave me the name of a local gentleman told me he would know about XYZ. Well, I hadn't asked about XYZ, so I went to see this gentleman and suddenly I have access to something I was completely unaware of. Some would call this luck, but I could have just as easily said, this isn't what I'm looking for and moved on. So, I'd say to be lucky ya gotta be good at seeing opportunities.

BamaBill, I really like that explanation.

I would have to wholeheartedly agree with you as I have been in that same situation.

With knowledge and research and your description of luck that about sums it up for me.

Have a great day 

My vote would be for hard rock mining. There's plenty of veins out there that will pay the small scale guy. The big companies want nothing to do with them. Easy enough with capitol and sweat.

Hi Everyone

 If you have some save money to invest,time,equipment and the most important good information in base to your research, you can do treasure hunting for living,now I understand why the majority of the treasure hunter dedicated to this hobby as full-time are, pretty much, retired, 65 + social security's guys waiting month to month SS check, armed force' check, 401k, etc., other than that, it's hard.

 I have enough research made for more than 20 year about treasures in Puerto Rico and Mona Island but for Me it's pretty much hard to spend 1 month in one expedition search, detecting because I don't have time, I have to work for living, even as engineer, I have to do it, and I know still many place where I found as big potential to find Spanish gold still it's waiting to be found for some lucky adventurer. Other issue that cames across with this hobby are laws and regulations made for local governments. The trips to Mona Island was suspended due a new issue among government and fisherman about pay some taxes for every trips made to the island.

Now I'm working with some local treasure hunter in Puerto Rico to search there in many farms.

greetings
Amona

In response to Jeffro I was wondering what type "veins" he refers to:  gold-
bearing quartz or blood-bearing veins in the neck area?

Heyas


i think its all about knowledge...Finding treasure:...95% Research....5% Luck.....

Look at the great archeologists out there!! They have only made their discoveries through dilligent research, piling through hundreds of pages of historical documents.

Why not get a degree in archeology and then you might be able to make a living treasure hunting..If you do that then ..Some venture capital investors  or a couple of million will be needed as well. 

 

In response to Jeffro I was wondering what type "veins" he refers to:  gold-
bearing quartz or blood-bearing veins in the neck area?

 Heheheh! Both I suppose.... ain't no easy way about it, but chances are better on a gold vein than finding one of Jesse James supposed caches.....

I certainly would not invest a penny on wild goose legends either.  But I just
wonder about the number of free-gold veins left.  With a good gold machine
you have at least a chance.  Those micro-gold veins won't put groceries on
the table with the time you spend crushing and assaying.

I certainly would not invest a penny on wild goose legends either.  But I just
wonder about the number of free-gold veins left.  With a good gold machine
you have at least a chance.  Those micro-gold veins won't put groceries on
the table with the time you spend crushing and assaying.

I wouldn't try neither that way, searching for gold.No matter how much cost the gold today, nobody will pay you what your gold worths.We tried to make some investment to search gold in Georgia but, it doesn't worth.

Amona

To find enough gold you have to invest in pricy gold detectors and live in or
near gold producing areas to make it pay.  Some are doing it but most all have
sideline income to pay the high cost of travel.

# 4 Didn't work so well for me. My lab just ate all my sample money.

I think this is a very difficult question to answer, but here goes. My experience as an archaeologist and as a relic hunter tells me that this is one of these fields that if you're going to go it alone, you better be prepared to live on ths skinny side for a while, or have a decently employed spouse. Meanwhile, you are going to have to do some intensive research and be prepared to go where others fear to tread or don't know to tread. I wouldn't rely on this to bring in a steady income, but if you're real good you'll find a really decent find in the first few years that will finance going on to make some other decent finds, again after a few years. Otherwise, if you want to pay the bills on a regular basis, become an archaeologist and become the best *&^*&*& Archaeologist. That will allow you to be a professional treasure hunter on somebody else's dime.

A pack of labs is way too pricy, a pack of camels will do nicely.   lastleg

No matter what treasures you seek keep a journal. Write about all your adventures finds or busts get with a real writer treasure books do sell.  There are ways to earn some money as a side line fossils, petrified wood, meteorids, soda cans never know what you may happen to find outher than the treasure your seeking.

The ONLY reason I don't treasure hunt full time is my wife. We've discussed it. She refuses to leave a our farm,  our nice home, our good incomes, our luxuries, and our relatives and friends to go live in a camper trailer with me along some creek, and shovel dirt all day everyday. Selfish isn't she !

If you aren't willing to sacrifice a few "feel good" amenities like that, well maybe
you aren't cut out for Full Time Cache Hunting.     lastleg

If you are rich why not?

Otherwise....You will end up poor, sunburned and will have lost time with friends and family...Unless of course they are crazy enough to go with you, like for a shipwreck !

Shipwrecks are another story, you get some coords, a ship rental and some scuba gear, you could very well make some good loot...maybe not for a living but for a little while....
Larry

Of course if you want to get away from friends and family for a week or so and
you can afford the gas definitely head for the hills

wish i could do it full time....talk about a dream job....

Do you think anyone could really support themselves, much less a spouse
on income derived from the wide array of TH'ing?  Think about the amount
it takes you to survive one day in our economy and do the multiplying for
a week, month or year.  If you are retired with a hefty income, excellent
health care, good running vehicles, an RV that doesn't eat you alive, well
maybe you could especially if you had a debt free home to go to if things
go wrong on the road.  The old timers could do it since they had no other
income (pre-SS) and were desperate.     lastleg

I've thought about this same subject for a few years now. Well actually for a few decades, ever since I saw "The Treasure of the Seirra Madre" and discovered a few treasure magazines in my dad's collection of True West and Frontier Times. I got the impression early on that alot of work was involved and not much romance. I pretty much lost intrest when puberty hit.

I've been giving all this alot of thought recently. I'm more of a scrounger than anything and to me anything I find that I can either trade or make a buck off of is considered a treasure. Most of the time I come across something intresting I will either keep it or give it to someone who wants it more than me. That's the hobby aspect of it for me.

If I was going to try making a living at it, I'd consider salvage and recycling as an option. Hitting the flea markets, garage sales and estate auctions would be a good way to procure items for a profitable resale later. This could allow you to have a somewhat steady income to live on and an oppunity to find some good treasure to boot.

I just don't see anyone making it as THer without being able to take advantage of every oppunity that presents itself. You might coin shoot an old playground one day and dumpter dive the next. If you happen to be hunting caches on an old homestead and come across the site of the old outhouse or garbage dump, well get you digging tools out and hunt for bottles.

One time I was hunting arrowheads and found a fossile bed loaded with shells from some large species of sea snail. Not really worth much but I dug out a few pounds of them anyway.

Now suppose you succesed in finding your loot, next you have to find a market for it. That is an area that worries me the most since I have no experience here. If the economy is down like it is now, the market for antiques and relics will be down. Collectors will be less willing to buy stuff. There should be a tutorial on how to dispose of your goods, if there isn't one laready.

Anyway that's my 2 cents.

As Roadquest says: "Research, Research, then more Research, then dig!"
Casche is king, study your story, know it really exists (good research) then go get it. Antiques, I am not looking to sell antiques, find gold or silver that has already been processed/formed and re-introduce it into the marketplace gradually or melt it and cash it in.

Depends on how lucky you are too. You may find a big one on your first quest, and you will be set to continue your dream. You may search for your whole life and never find a thing. Research is your best tool, It will increase your chances if there actually is something to be found.
Kind of like the lottery. How lucky do you feel.

I once knew an old guy that was a "dumpster diver" he alway had money and drove a new truck!!!!!    I wouold love to treasure hunt fulltime   good luck with whatever you choose to do

This dumpster diving is the easiest way to cash in with the least amount of
work.  The best for me was when a neighbor widow put her house up for
sale and hired some kids to drag the stuff she didn't want to the dumpsters
in the alley.  At least five were filled to the brim.  For a day or so I resisted
the urge but when I saw a battery powered scooter sitting in the alley I
had to take the plunge.  I half filled my 20x16 ft shop with barely used
clothes, hobby crafts, books and an English sterling serving tray.   lastleg

Treasure comes in many forms. It can be found almost everywhere. Educate yourself on what to look for and where to look. Treasure is where you find it. Keep reading most all posts on treasure net and you will gain a wealth of knowledge. Many people in here are doing and have been doing the same thing as you want to do.
They are the ones who have the first hand knowledge and are glad to share it with you. That's more than you could ever learn from a book.

Question for all 

This is a simple idea that many folks takes just for vacation,...

Would be good take a license of 2,3,.. month in you present job to go treasure hunting after you had spent time researching for a cache?

Amona

Well, you could write volumes about this subject, but when it comes down to it, there's only three secrets to treasure hunting. 

1. Persistence
2. Persistence
3. Persistence

or the other 3 magic words:  DON'T GIVE UP!

THE GRASS ALWAYS LOOKS GREENER ELSEWHERE....   I often think that a MD in AZ on BLM Lands looking for nuggets would be worth a try.  Just a little research to where you can go and if nuggets have been found in the area.      Humm... anyone know a PLACE like that???   let me know.

Here is another little thing to pick up a buck now and then.  May not be legal.
I know a garabge truck driver that has some great routes in ritzy neighborhoods.   He and his wife have a retail shop at a Flea Market in the "Next" County.   He does real well.  They take Cruise Ship Vacations about 3 times a year.  Sometimes he makes an early run with his own truck, like spring cleaning times and what ever.   They get items from nit nacks, china, Like new Clothes, chairs, motor cycles, boat motors.....   Look around in your town, find out which day is garabge day, then.... cruise by the evening before...

Capt John:  Want to find out the skinny on detecting nuggets?
Go to nuggethunting.com & nuggetshooter.com.  Lurk and learn.
lastleg

I agree, I love this hobby, the way I look at it is if I'm going to put the time in to do this I'm going to go after the most valuable things that I can, you have to put yourself in the way of luck. Thats a really good post, thanks for sharing it. Dave

I'm lucky enough to have a good retirement plan and a wife that doesn't mind doing her thing while I'm prospecting or treasure hunting.

What I do for fun and profit.
1 Prospect
2 Rockhound (jade is my favorite)
3 Treasure hunting
4 Cache hunting
5 Garage/yard sales (for valuable stuff that's cheap to buy)
6 Dumpster diving (for profit furniture, books, antiques. And the recycled material, cans, glass, copper pays for the gas.)
7 Demolishing houses (There is a lot of treasure to be found gutting walls, removing appliances, and emptying attics and basements)
One through four are often done in any order on any given trip and one or all of them on the same trip.
HH and put your knowledge to work for you. Research, research and more research, then look diligently for what ever your looking for. I've seen people hit it big enough early on by having a plan of active researching very heavy and then acting on that plan. Their not rich but are happy campers for their efforts.

P.S. I use my metal detector a lot on these trips. One through four.

Heyas
i think its all about knowledge...Finding treasure:...95% Research....5% Luck.....

Look at the great archeologists out there!! They have only made their discoveries through dilligent research, piling through hundreds of pages of historical documents.

Why not get a degree in archeology and then you might be able to make a living treasure hunting..If you do that then ..Some venture capital investors  or a couple of million will be needed as well. 

Actually, that is not entirely correct. Virtually all of the major archaeological finds of the 18/1900's have been made by armatures. The professional archaeologist, backed by grant money, then steps in and takes credit for the development of the site. The original finder is pushed back into the background (no, this has not happened to me but has to a few I've known).

Most (not all but most) professional archaeologists are hypocritical in the extreme. They will seldom, if ever, go out and dig just for the fun of it. OK, I'm going to stop now before I get myself in trouble but I am very tempted to start a thread on this subject due to a recent trip I made. This isn't my thread though.

Deepsix

I would think you'd have to be independently wealthy, or financed by someone who is, to be a full time treasure hunter.

My idea is, shipwreck salvage would be the most rewarding. The oceans cover 70%+ of the earth's surface and man has navigated the oceans since the start of recorded history. Anything you do is going to be hard work, require quite a bit of outside influence and assistance and perhaps 1 out of 100 times, you'll find something of real value (not nec. monetary, mind you) to someone that might put you back to square one and allow you to break even.

Notice I said rewarding, not profitable...
 
Things I keep in mind along the vein of operating costs:
lawyer retainers
divers, medical staff, pilots, ship captains, translators.
Political advisors, researchers
Insurance and bonds

Relating to anything you'd find - it's value is based on only three things:

  How much it's worth to someone willing to pay for a luxury item (assuming you're after gold or artifacts)
  How important the item is from a historical point of view, and then usually it's desired by a person or collective body that cannot pay for it's monetary value (i.e. a historical society or museum)
  Is it worth more to you on your mantle for prosperity or on the auction block for a profit to recoup your operating cost (see bullet 1)

If you're a guy or gal with a SCUBA qual you could look for things in shallow water and break even finding jewelry. If you had a full blown operation (ala Ballard) you could find historical wrecks or commercial wrecks and salvage them for the company who either lost the ship or is interested in its recovery.

Again, become independantly weathly or find someone who is, and share their passion.

 I'm the first to admit I love a good daydream or fantasy, but when I get down to it, I try to remain realistic even if that's not fun.

If I'm totally off base here, please - set me straight.

   Airborne, you are absolutely correct.  Even all those resources
would not guarantee success.

I live within walking distance of and am currently looking at 6+ abandoned gold mines where several million ounces of gold has been removed (at least that's what is recorded.) Yeah I can see them from my living room window. I have tailings on my property and the 150 year old chinese built water canal which still carries water across my property. I think I had a small placer mine on my property 150 years ago...

I'm more interested in how these people lived and what motivated them than finding the bonanza. Have I found valuable stuff? I sure have. And I will continue doing this because I enjoy finding things. The truth is...It's the hunt; I get an adrenaline rush every time I get a coin sound. That has always been what motivates me. In fact, I've got a large rock with a sizable amount of visible gold decorating a flower pot on my front porch. People continually ask what I'm going to do with it. Nothing, I just like the way it looks. I like rocks.

I think what the question missed is: Does the current American lifestyle encourage successful treasure hunting. Does the current American lifestyle encourage any kind of success? (I don't think so.) How many people could be self employed. At one time most Americans were self employed. America did great things. Now only 15% of Americans can currently claim being self employed of which I can say I am (not treasure hunting.) I think it really take someone who is willing to wake at 4 and be digging in the park before most Americans are even awake. I think this is the step most responders missed.

Talk of research is okay, but very little is recorded. In fact I think most of the more interesting finds are probably in areas were society went up in flames (or sank) and ended abruptly, such as when a gold town caught fire, without any records, except for an old crab apple and a rambling rose on the side of a hill.

I think the driving force behind great finds is curiosity, not the drive for wealth. I've always believed if you need wealth, you will never find it.

 

 








 

I live within walking distance of and am currently looking at 6+ abandoned gold mines where several million ounces of gold has been removed (at least that's what is recorded.) Yeah I can see them from my living room window. I have tailings on my property and the 150 year old chinese built water canal which still carries water across my property. I think I had a small placer mine on my property 150 years ago...

I'm more interested in how these people lived and what motivated them than finding the bonanza. Have I found valuable stuff? I sure have. And I will continue doing this because I enjoy finding things. The truth is...It's the hunt; I get an adrenaline rush every time I get a coin sound. That has always been what motivates me. In fact, I've got a large rock with a sizable amount of visible gold decorating a flower pot on my front porch. People continually ask what I'm going to do with it. Nothing, I just like the way it looks. I like rocks.

I think what the question missed is: Does the current American lifestyle encourage successful treasure hunting. Does the current American lifestyle encourage any kind of success? (I don't think so.) How many people could be self employed. At one time most Americans were self employed. America did great things. Now only 15% of Americans can currently claim being self employed of which I can say I am (not treasure hunting.) I think it really take someone who is willing to wake at 4 and be digging in the park before most Americans are even awake. I think this is the step most responders missed.

Talk of research is okay, but very little is recorded. In fact I think most of the more interesting finds are probably in areas were society went up in flames (or sank) and ended abruptly, such as when a gold town caught fire, without any records, except for an old crab apple and a rambling rose on the side of a hill.

I think the driving force behind great finds is curiosity, not the drive for wealth. I've always believed if you need wealth, you will never find it.

 


 

Good post! 

I believe My friend Don Jose said it best...
Basically be well researched and well prepared.
Inspired is one thing we all need to be.
But success is only one percent inspiration and 99 percent persperation.

  
   To make a living at treasure hunting takes total commitment, you have to wake up treasure hunting and go to sleep treasure hunting. If it's not in your blood you can forget it, because you wont make that total commitment necessary otherwise.

   Oh you may play at it, but unless you eat, sleep, and drink treasure hunting it will never be more than a hobby or pipe dream. It has to absolutely drive you, only then will you do all that is necessary to achieve success. Because then you are doing what you love and are passionate about. That's how you achieve success at anything. You have to give it 110% just like anyone else who is successful at what they do.  If you fail, then you just didn't want it badly enough.

   You must believe to achieve, "Today is the day" -Mel Fisher-

   GG~

Very well said Goodyguy. Most do not have the passion or dedication.

Most guys who do it for a living have alternate sources of income.
I do, so do all the others I know. But the inherant thing that rules the mindset is the everpresent question,
" Is today the day that provides that one piece of info?"
As it sits the mind is always working on all the possibilities and combinations of information.
as well as trying to be openly presentable and personable.

LOL, taking one day at a time.
Planning farther than that is mainly out of the question.
Each day has it's own set of concerns. Getting ahead of ones self opens a can of worms and brings on attention you don't want.

Thom

  You not only have to want to find a big ticket, you may have to
completely change your comfy lifestyle.  What if your spouse is
violently opposed to your passtime?  What if you are handed a
strong lead and work out the legalities?  Then you make a couple
of exploratory trips having the contract in your pocket.
  Everything looks good, the landmarks are there, the old log
cabin still stands on the 300 acre homeplace.  The big river still
flows where the gold bars were discovered.
  This was all Comanche territory in the last century and pilgrims
had to want their own place really bad to settle there.  There was
a fort to the North, about a days ride in the wagon.  It's still there
too with a museum.
  The kids played with the bars stacked under a bed until one
night the Dad brought the wagon to the cabin door.  He tossed
the bars on board and was gone about 45 minutes.  He told his
wife about placing a big round ploughwheel over the spot.
  This tale was written up but I have never been able to find the
right treasure rag.
  Me, I went home 85 miles to my job, my spouse, my routine.
Did one of the kids go back and dig it up?  I would have.

  lastleg

 You not only have to want to find a big ticket, you may have to
completely change your comfy lifestyle.  What if your spouse is
violently opposed to your passtime?    He told his
wife about placing a big round ploughwheel over the spot.
  This tale was written up but I have never been able to find the
right treasure rag.
  Me, I went home 85 miles to my job, my spouse, my routine.
Did one of the kids go back and dig it up?  I would have.

  lastleg

You are right Lastleg,

That is exactly what I am talking about. If you have another source of income that requires your time and attention or a wife and kids then you cannot possibly give your treasure hunting full focus.

If all you had to do was look for that treasure you would have a better chance if you were spending 100% of your time focusing on that and nothing else.

As I am sure you know, lost treasure stories that are written up in magizines are usually a waste of time to persue. The treasures that will be found are by researching obscure documents that had only contained a piece of the puzzle and then you put the pieces together by gathering more and more info until the puzzle is complete, that is what finds treasure.

I have over two thousand treasure related magazines from the 1960's to present and either the stories were made up or the treasures that could be found have been. Working cold case treasure stories written in treasure magazines as you know is mostly a waste of time. Definitely not worth quitting a job over.

However, Pm me with enough info and I will research my inventory of magazines to find the story you are looking for. Maybe you already have the missing piece of the puzzle.  The name of the story and name of mag and approx year would make it too easy. I am good at research but I at least need a clue  

Good luck,

GG~

Goody guy, you are now officially on my friends list- 

 You are correct in that most, if not all, of the treasure stories in the mags are either found or fantasy, however I still pull a few leads from them especially if they list references. Never hurts to backtrack- in fact I prefer it. 

 Can be done by posting the following add.

WILL TEAR DOWN OLD HOUSES AND REMOVE ALL DEBRI AT LITTLE OR NO COST TO OWNER.

You will need a truck, trailer, storage shed and a strong back.
Reward= Valuable reclaim wood, light fixtures, plumbing fixtures, copper, etc.
Extra Reward=Hidden cache, chance to detect old properties.
 
Once I quit this working thing, I plane to do this. If the government comes after my salary any more than present, I will retire now.

  GrayCloud:

  That is one great plan.  Stay under the radar and have the
equipment in place before retiring.  Your best years are to come.
I retired in '97 and don't know how I had the time to work all
those years.  I really like your plan.

  lastleg

Lots of CASH transactions.

[yes]

ive been working for my self since 1994 buying catalytic converter cores for platinum and rhodium. although it paid fair at first, many other buyer jumped aboard and now you can't find the volume of converters that it takes to really profit. now i only make a couple of dollars each and you have to pay so much to buy them.
i also sell stuff on ebay and i dig and sell ginseng.yes i would treasure hunt full time if i had the money and opportunity. what am i saying.... thats how i already live. never had nuttin'...mabye never will - but i will not stop looking or trying. and as for working for someone else.......... well i would rather have nothing.

You know many and I mean most all times you see a discussion going in the direction of trying to find that "mother load" everyone seems to concede with the ending of such discussion with words like "but its the fun of the search" or "you'll never get rich and that's not the point of it, right?" or "I almost paid for my vacation to Cancun"   So what about those who are not as inclined to think small and yet find it almost impossible to make a living at this incredible sport?  Golfers do albeit a small percentage.  But if I were to get on a golfers forum and ask the "experts" what the track is in order to eventually make a living a golf, I believe, though not substantiated, that there are basic guidelines and even a plan or two on how to get serious and have a shot at this.  Last night I read a quote that said in treasure hunting "It's better to be lucky than knowledgeable."  I sadly understand what they are trying to say but at the same time place it in the "you can't make a living at this Kid hopefully it will at least pay for the batteries you use" box of realistic but non-dreamers of the "Thinking Big" crowd.  Imagine Mel Fisher buying into this mentality.  

So here is my question and I'm going to start here in the Cache hunting catagory.  If you can lay your preconceived "it's impossible to make a living in treasure hunting" ideas aside and give this question some real thought before answering it:

In order, what types of treasure hunting give the best chances of results to make a living.  I'll start.

1.) Ship Wreck salvaging for gold and silver
2.) Hard rock Mining for gold on an industrial level
3.) Cache hunting
4.) Training a pack of labs to smell money to find rich peoples hidden currency.
5.) Slucing for gold out side the USA.
6.) Nugget hunting in A.U.
7.) Water hunting for rings in remote popular areas not hit.
8.) Water hunting in the Caribbean
9.) Diamond or precious stone hunting.

This is just a start, let you collective knowledge fly 1st class here.  Do not allow you mind to travel in the paths often expressed.  Again if you were dropped anywhere in the world and HAD to make a living at one type of treasure hunting, what would it be?  

 

1.) Ship Wreck salvaging for gold and silver:

yes & No. You Can But
You can also Be Sucked Dry by Countries
Like Spain.

2.) Hard rock Mining for gold on an industrial level:
  again Yes & No. many have if the mine produces
well from the "Git-Go" while your digging it.
but watch out for those gov regulations. If It's
Like coal mining, they'll charge & Fine you for
Every little thing Just
to Siphon off as Much as Possable.

3.) Cache hunting: Best Chance in My Opinion
IF You get lucky, find One & Keep Your Mouth Shut.

4.) Training a pack of labs to smell money to find rich peoples hidden currency.:
A Joke Right ?

5.) Slucing for gold out side the USA.
6.) Nugget hunting in A.U.
7.) Water hunting for rings in remote popular areas not hit.
8.) Water hunting in the Caribbean.
9.) Diamond or precious stone hunting.:

All Hobbies. Don't Go in them to Get Rich.
But If you Do  

Back when i was a kid , i remember this one friend that was always embarrassed of his parents because they would "dumpster dive" and would take anything that was free ranging from small nicknack's to furniture .. We moved to California and i would keep in touch with him from time to time , a couple of years ago i asked him if he was still embarrassed by his parents and he told me that some of the stuff they picked up from dumpsters and sidewalks turned out to be very valuable antiques and rare one of a kind things . They now own 3 Antique stores and 2 pawn shops with yearly proffits usually over $900,000 combined . Just goes to show that there is "treasure" to be found even in the trash ..  

     Lost the first post while writing so this will be far less poetic.  This can be done I am convinced.  If you think of all you have found, the time it took (by hr/day), and all of your finds current value; forecast these facts on an x and y graph (event / time).  Condense it realistically into hrs of research and search, you will find your particular answer to your dream unrealized.  No kidding, use the next 6 months or 1 yr and record time spent and what you have found.  For the folks that have that big find on the beach or in the hills just weekend hunting; and imagine doing it 5 days a week.  Odds will incresase by default.  My two problems:  I can't let go of what I find, and it's the thrill of discovery not cashing in.

When the War is over, or I retire, I will disappear to hunt for Treasure, Animals, Fish, and Peace.
 

  Group, this same question was asked on a nuggetshooting forum a day
or so ago.  A man posted that he had done it for ten years when he was
younger, homeless and single.  Would any of you like to hit the road to
places that give up fresh jewelry/coins on a yearly "circuit".
  Would you like living in your vehicle living only on what you might find?
Parts of the circuit would be on the beaches for gold/gemstones.  A nice
haul would get you a good meal and a bath from time to time.  Maybe
enough for gas to the next score.  Day after day just getting by?
  He finally settled down and got married.  He still hunts but not because
he has to.

  lastleg

I feel compelled to rephrase the initial posting in a microeconomics way:

"Which of these items can be done that consume fewer resources than the resources that are recovered?"

People sometimes forget that true treasure hunting is actually salvage. About making choices that maximize personal EV (expected value). Salvage is about spending less money to recover the item than the item is worth.  In the case of coinshooters, the vast majority fail this acid test. Their time, gas, lodging, and ammoritized equipment cost, etc, don't add up to a positive return on their resources. But they have a large 'pleasure' return to their component so they do it. 

Treasure hunting as a pro, is definitely going to need a positive return on resources (time and money). So it becomes a resource economics problem. This can not be ignored.  That leads questions to be asked. What activity brings a positive EV with lowest risk? What activity brings the highest positive EV with medium risk? 

#5 Gold prospecting overseas immediately popped out as a high favorite. Especially in developing countries where locals will not have grubstakes to buy the right equipment. However, the prospector realizes he is a target for robbery and needs to factor that cost into his equation.

#3 Cache hunting has the greatest appeal to most as it can be done part time at first. Low cost, and negligible tax burden depending on ones conscience. Whether it can be done profitably depends upon the statistical size of the caches recovered. The rate of recovery will depend on 3 big factors:
1. Research quality and quantity (lead viability)
2. Social engineering (charm factor) to get on target land
3. Speed which #1,2 are done.

Therein lies some interesting variables for cache hunting. Those in hilly country may specialize in moonshine caches, those in mafia territory may go after ill gotten stashes, those in cross border drug traffic areas may go after smuggling caches, while those in old farmland areas my go for post hole banks.  I believe certain specialty niches will have cache types statistically too small to sustain a pro. I suspect the best caches to go pro on would be life savings caches.

But to reflect on the overall essence of his post. The correct answer will vary by person and circumstance. I have the luxury of having built a business, have staff, and can travel on expeditions for weeks at a time without risking a steady income. Given this situation, #3 is my correct answer. However, other occupations, with different time demands, family pressures, political problems will have a different correct answer. Like perhaps #1 (shipwreck recovery) for  a seasonal fisherman who already owns a boat and Scuba gear. Or #2 (Hard Rock Mining) for a plumber who lives in Arizona near gold country.

Hello to all. A newbie here at the forum and treasure hunting but perhaps I can put a new twist on things. It seems that nobody has taken #4 seriously so I will realate a short 1st hand story concerning Lab and money.

While at the local vfw weekly turkey shoot a guy I had never seen before showed up with a lab that was very well behaved. He didn't restrain the dog at all and in fact the dog followed him around like a good dog should.  Being a dog lover I approached the guy and introduced myself to him and began talking about dogs. He was telling me about how smart his dog was and I was just letting him go on and on about his dog. Being polite or so I thought. After a few minutes he evidently saw that I was not really believing all was telling me. The man say's here I'll show you.  He tells the dog "FIND THE MONEY"  The next thing I know the dog has his nose working the air, goes to the other room where they collect the money for the shoots, grabs a bill and brings it back to him. Yes the manager of the vfw was right behind and wondering what that dog was doing taking the money. As a dog trainer of sorts I was impressed. When I asked him how he trained the dog to do that he explained that money had a smell like everything else and that was the key to the training. I thougt, Ok,that made sense.

My point to this story is that it should be just as easy to train a dog to smell gold or silver if you have a sample. Just a thought.

welcome itsmymind  i like your story

Maybe in the past, out west, people could make a living founding cache of coins, but do not think so in the East.

Connecticut  Sam

Maybe in the past, out west, people could make a living founding cache of coins, but do not think so in the East.

Connecticut  Sam

no offence but i don't know how anyone can handle all the people out east. i guess you get used to it 

  What group of people find caches more often than treasure hunters?  I would
expect the people who move a lot of dirt on a daily basis to have good odds
of finding buried money.  Not every week of course but excavators working on
colonial ground like in Connecticut might be your best shot at finding a fortune
in non corroded coins of high value.

  lastleg

I, for one, would never say it's impossible to make a living at treasure hunting. Some are doing it. But, there is a little thing called reality. You wouldn't want to sell the farm (oh, I wish I had a farm to sell) and take off for gold country. If I was gonna go into treasure hunting full time I think I would start out slow and easy, in my spare time and see how things would go. Then again, if I could afford to do it, I probably would go for it, but affording it wouldn't mean giving up everything I own. You can't find the word "sure" in gamble.
16 years away from retirement. Maybe then.

I agree with this statement.

Digum

The ONLY reason I don't treasure hunt full time is my wife. We've discussed it. She refuses to leave a our farm,  our nice home, our good incomes, our luxuries, and our relatives and friends to go live in a camper trailer with me along some creek, and shovel dirt all day everyday. Selfish isn't she !

I got married with a woman that believe in this hobby and like it.She come with me any place I go for hunt, so this is part of my treasure found!!!

Arch

Digum

The ONLY reason I don't treasure hunt full time is my wife. We've discussed it. She refuses to leave a our farm,  our nice home, our good incomes, our luxuries, and our relatives and friends to go live in a camper trailer with me along some creek, and shovel dirt all day everyday. Selfish isn't she !

I got married with a woman that believe in this hobby and like it.She come with me any place I go for hunt, so this is part of my treasure found!!!

Arch

Does she have sisters?

I agree with #773. Good luck to all.  I live in Bridgeport, Connecticut, and looking for true stories about Connecticut bury treasures.

Connecticut  Sam

lovejoydc@att.net

April 22, 2011.  Gold and silver prices are really high.  Best of luck to all of you.