Anyone use a GPS while relic hunting?

[WVaTom]

I finally learned how to use mine. It is a big help to mark sites of all kinds. I also use mine to keep track of where I have been.Great tool for marking homesites etc also.

[sarge_relics]

Tom,

I use a GPS for recording each and every find and where it was found! At the end of the day, I will connect the GPS to the computer and download all the locations and information about the finds. I will then save the information (by using the site name) to a new file. This helps in plotting a pattern for a camp or for troop movement. It also gives me a record of exactly where the item was found. I also carry a small pocket notepad, when entering a waypoint for a find, I will note the waypoint #, with the best possible guess as to what was found. When the information from the GPS is downloaded, it posts the locations by waypoint #. I will then edit the # and replace it with the description from the notepad.

Got this little idea from "SEAC.gov". I was invited to several hunts, on Shiloh, Corinth, and Stones River battlefields. This is the same procedure that they use for logging and plotting finds on national battlefields. I used the same procedure for tracking my finds and hunting areas.

Send PM for further information.

[Gregory]

Very good ideas Sarge!

Thanks for sharing them with us:smile:

[WVaTom]

i will need to go on a long relic hunt very soon.

[skip_1984]

Tom,

I have a Lowrance Ifinder Pro with the map create 6 software.. One downfall is that it doesn't have topographical references to it.

Here's what I do: upon finding a relic I mark the position with a quick waypoint (Upon getting a good pinpointed posit, I'll get into that more) I then pull out my cellphone and leave a voice note on it telling exactly what that waypoint number is, including depth and approx distance from the last item I found. I then go home and download those waypoints on the Map Create program, once thats done I break out my cell phone and edit the waypoint with exactly what it is.

Like I was saying, finding a pinpointed position can be tough if there is alot of overhead cover around your area. I sometimes spend way too much time walking in circles to get the posit closer than 35 feet. There are times when its about impossible and am happy if its within 50 feet (when I record the voice note I also mention this too).

There is a book I recently picked up called "Finding Civil War Campsites in Rural Area's" that has a chapter (which I haven't read yet) that talks about using a aerial photo and two known LAT/LONG points to transfer your waypoint info. It sounds interesting...

Aerial Photo's can be extremely helpful too, Terra Client has a good one, the photos are about 10 years old but heck its free.. I can actually see trenches of Petersburg in some of them.

Well I've gone on enough, hopefully this info is helpful to you.

Skip

[WVaTom]

use my gps in a simular way but do not mark finds. i just plot a course in the area i want to hunt.

[skip_1984]

I have a specific area (25 acres) that I hunt on and marking each bullet along with trails I'm able to figure out where to go next. I'm hunting picket posts in front of Union forts. The Official Records have been a great asset for research, got the following from the area I hunt in. One of the Picket/Rifle pits had over a 100 Union men taken without a shot. What happened was one of the union soldiers defected to the Confederates and gave away the nightly password so about 10 minutes before the real turnover that next night the confederates came through used the password and went right down the line until someone finally let out shout and fired his gun.

[WVaTom]

plus other info i get from the state archives. I hit a area hard when i find something because i always seem to find several fired bullets in the same area.:wave:

[KAZ]

my buddy and i use are gps to find sites and to mark areas that produce. and also so we can find our way home,as some areas it is a 2-3 mile hike into the hills and one could get lost for a long time in them.lol

the last 3 mile hike produced several bullets and a 1854-0 seated half in very great shape. that was our 1st coin ever while searching for cw relics.the next day we got sixteen 69 cal muskatoons and other assorted bullets.

also do any of you carry pistols for protection from bears? the one day i did not take mine we had a bear following us. but i think he was after the sardine can that had held my lunch...i am not one to litter but at that time decided best to open another can along with the empty one and leave it for the bear.

[WVaTom]

I do carry a Colt .45 but very rarely. I see signs of bear's often but have never seen a black bear. Mainly carry it as protection against the mean weed farmers.

Found a 6# solid shot by a pile of bear poop a long time age.:eek: :cool: . I do mark as a way point items and locations when I wonder away from my primary search site.

If I get lost or forget to download the area map,did that 1 time, I follow the creeks down hill or go to the peak of a mountain and get my bearings.

My GPS is going to help me find a artillery shell this year or I am going to eat a handful of leaves.LOL


KAZ,would you be interested in joining a detecting club in Siloam Springs,AR?
I am a member and we have some very nice events lined up for the summer and fall.

[KAZ]

I AM ALREADY A MEMBER of that club. have been for several yrs...

name is steve,from mtn. home.ar

you are taking about the one with james beyers in it right?

the fall seeded hunt will be comming up in sept.

[WVaTom]

:lol: I found that out about 10 minutes after I made the post. I am going to try to come out for a visit next year.