Things only understood by organized hunt veterans

[Laxsaltman]

I joined my first club a little over a year ago and am on the fence whether I would want to continue or not. It's more of a clique than a club as it was tough meeting people beyond the "Hey there,my name is......." The "Hospitality" lady would ask me my name repeatedly over the months and ask if I was a member. Their book-keeping was iffy and there were only two or three guys who would give me the time of day at meetings or hunts. I think I'll save my dues for the next re-up and return to soloing. I'm more of a solo-type hunter anyway.

 

[davidlhyde63366]

sorry for getting off topic , easy to do

 

[KOB]

I joined my first club a little over a year ago and am on the fence whether I would want to continue or not. It's more of a clique than a club as it was tough meeting people beyond the "Hey there,my name is......." The "Hospitality" lady would ask me my name repeatedly over the months and ask if I was a member. Their book-keeping was iffy and there were only two or three guys who would give me the time of day at meetings or hunts. I think I'll save my dues for the next re-up and return to soloing. I'm more of a solo-type hunter anyway.

Over the years I have been asked to join a local club. And have heard many crazy stories come out of them. I think they just wanted another person to add to their war chest. But I can see now how some , especially older would buddy up and join for something to do and get out of the house. I've watched many of these seeded beach hunts and all I can do is sit back and laugh. Coned or taped off , seeded , relatively small area as young and old are furiously swinging away. Very aggressive and competitive as they can brag for the top cupie doll. Maybe when I get old.....but not for me yet. I'd rather tell my war stories here....

 

[Pete e]

I get the impression that for many people, the Club is actually more important than the activity it's meant to promote.

Some folks just seem to thrive in their role as a club official, and positively reek of "self -importance"..

The TV series The Detectorists nailed it beautifully with their depiction of a small British detecting club, the Danbury Metal Detecting Club....

 

[kamogawa]

Metal Detecting Groups

I joined my first club a little over a year ago and am on the fence whether I would want to continue or not. It's more of a clique than a club as it was tough meeting people beyond the "Hey there,my name is......." The "Hospitality" lady would ask me my name repeatedly over the months and ask if I was a member. Their book-keeping was iffy and there were only two or three guys who would give me the time of day at meetings or hunts. I think I'll save my dues for the next re-up and return to soloing. I'm more of a solo-type hunter anyway.

You were very pro-active in wanting to at least check out the detecting club. There are actually numerous clubs still around from the 60's and 70s. Hoosier Hills in Seymour, Indiana has been around since 1966 or so. I think the founder, Kenny Wray, still attends some of the meetings. The one's with a lot of history tend to have more depth to them. But as several people here have said, the forums have taken the place of a lot of the traditional club meetings. It probably takes just one time of attending to see if it is educational enough and with the type of buddies you would enjoy getting together with every month. Like you said, some can probably be very clique-ish. I think solo hunting works best for most, but I haven' yet given up trying to find an occasional hunting buddy. I am not having any luck right now, but will try again in a couple of months. If I continue to make an effort, I will find someone out there near me.

 

[Silversmith45]

In the past I have been a member of a local club. I was the President for eight years and we had a lot of fun and met some great fellow members. I ended up having to quit because of other duties. I am now a member of another local club. My car has been down for several months and not once has any of the others invited me to go detecting with them. It isn't like it used to be. They daily post finds from places that I know for a fact aren't that productive. I always enjoyed attending hunts put on by other clubs. Often it is the only chance that you will have at finding coins and artifacts not found in your area.

 

[diggin4clad]

Sue and I attend one seeded hunt per year. We enjoy the hunts but quite frankly the cost is becoming prohibitive and may change course in the near future.

 

[T-Man]

I've only done 1 organized hunt a few years back and had a great time at it. It wasn't a huge event, maybe 20-30 people in a park, no dealers, but it had some great prizes and it was really cool to meet other people in the hobby. I love hunting for history as much as anyone else here but also like to mix it a up a little now and then.