Detectorists Gone Wild: One Man’s Trash Is Another Man’s Trauma

WARNING!!! If you don't like crude photos don't read on!

"Dude… I Don’t Think This Is Treasure."

Okay, so picture this:

It’s a random Saturday, weather’s decent, and I’m out doing my thing with the metal detector in this small forest next to an old, sketchy-looking property. Like, the kind of place where you'd either find buried loot or an old toilet seat — no in between.

Anyway, I’m scanning the ground, just minding my business. Birds are chirping, trees are swaying, and my detector starts going off like, BEEP-BEEP-BEEP, in that “OH MY!, something good is here” kind of way.

I get hyped. Could be a coin. Maybe a ring. Maybe pirate gold. (A guy can dream, okay?)

So I start digging.

About six inches down… I see it. Something black. Kinda smooth. For a second I’m like, “Oh sick! Maybe it’s a bag of gold or one of those weird vintage Louis V bag or something.”

Spoiler:
It was not that.
It was NOT that at all.

Uhhh… What Is That?

So I pull it out (bad choice of words, I know), and realize… it’s a bag full of adult toys. Like, battery-powered. You know… that kind of treasure. Absolutely not something from the 1800s unless Victorians were way freakier than we thought.

It was in a really weird spot in a bush in the middle of nowhere (which somehow made it worse???). And they looked… pretty new. Except for the one I didn't notice 5 ft away with a giant bite mark out of it. Like someone had to come to this area and burryit into the dirt a few months ago and dipped.

At that point, I just stared at them, looked up at the trees like they were gonna help me, and straight-up whispered:

“WHO?… what happened here?”

Abort Mission

So now I’m sitting there, looking at these things of mystery in the middle of the forest, thinking:

Do I take it?
Do I rebury it?
Do I just throw my whole detector in the river and walk home?

In the end, I gently tucked it back into the hole like I was putting a cursed object back to sleep, marked the spot with a stick, and walked away like I just summoned a ghost or something.

Still not sure if I should’ve done a cleansing ritual or at least burned some sage.

What Did We Learn Today?

Metal detecting is wild, man. Sometimes you dig up coins or history.
Other times… you find someone’s deeply personal forest secret.

Lesson learned: Not every beep is gold.
Sometimes it’s silicone. And now you have to live with that.

Only I find this type of stuff! Like come on now!

Your Turn

Have you ever found something that made you stop and go “NOPE”?
Hit me up @windydigger — I want to hear your weirdest finds. Bonus points if they’re more awkward than mine.Keep diggin’… and maybe bring gloves.

Just in case.

~ The Windy Digger

P.S

Where My Mind Goes…

My mind always goes wild when I find something like this. Like seriously — who or what played out here? Was it a jealous boyfriend or girlfriend trying to erase the past? Someone getting rid of the evidence that they used to have a good time? Or maybe a parent passed away and the kids had to clean out the house... and then boom, they find that. I mean, what would possess someone to go out into the forest and bury it? Not toss it in the garbage, not donate it (please don’t), but actually walk into the woods with a shovel and dig a hole. That takes planning. That’s effort. It makes you wonder what was going through their head at the time. Maybe it was guilt, maybe embarrassment, or maybe just straight-up panic. Whatever the reason, they went out of their way — and now, years later, it gets found by some random metal detectorist and ends up on a blog... on the internet... for everyone to see. What a journey. What a legacy.
P.S.S. Can't forget the photos! ENJOY!! HAHAHAHAHAHA!!!

Comments

Top 5 Myths About Metal Detecting (That Just Won’t Die 😩)

Okay, so listen. Metal detecting is actually a legit hobby. Like, real people do it. With machines. Outside. On purpose. But for some reason, people believe the most ridiculous things about it. So let’s clear some stuff up. Here are 5 metal detecting myths that need to get buried forever. (See what I did there?) Okay, so listen. Metal detecting is actually a legit hobby. Like, real people do it. With machines. Outside. On purpose. But for some reason, people believe the most ridiculous things about it. So let’s clear some stuff up. Here are 5 metal detecting myths that need to get buried forever. (See what I did there?) Myth #1: You’re Gonna Find Treasure and Be Rich by Friday LOL okay Indiana Jones, calm down. Yes, it’s possible to find cool stuff. But like... most of the time you’re digging up bottle caps, rusty nails, or that one weird old spoon that makes you question your life choices. If I had a dollar for every time someone asked me if I’ve found gold yet, I could ac...

Beginner Guide for Metal Detecting: Top 10 Simple and Easy Rules

1. Don’t Be a Dirt Goblin. Fill Your Holes. If you dig a hole and leave it like a raccoon went to town on it, you're basically telling the world you have no manners. Fill it in, pat it down, and make it look like you were never there. 2. Ask First, Dig Later. Your detector isn’t a “go anywhere” pass. Parks, private land, beaches—ask permission. It’s not jail, but trespassing might get you there. 3. If It’s Trash, Stash It. You will find garbage. It’s part of the deal. Just carry a bag and toss it in there. Be a trash hero. The world already has enough jerks. 4. Respect the OGs. If you see another detectorist, don’t be a weirdo and start scanning next to them like you’re in a metal detecting mosh pit. Give space, say hi, maybe trade stories. 5. Don’t Hunt Angry. If you’re mad, maybe skip the hunt. Swinging around a metal stick with rage isn’t fun for anyone, and your detector will probably sense your bad vibes and beep at squirrels. 6. Know Your Beeps, Bro. Every b...

DIY! How to Fix Broken Coil Ears on an Metal Detecting Coil

If you’ve been swinging the Minelab Equinox long enough, chances are your coil ears may eventually crack or break — and, let’s be honest, it usually happens after the warranty runs out . Don’t panic — this blog post walks you through how I repaired my 11" Equinox coil ears using Plastic Bonder JB Weld , a strong two-part epoxy. It’s a simple, inexpensive fix — and I’ve included photos for each step (which you’ll find below). What You’ll Need: Plastic Bonder JB Weld (2-part epoxy for plastic) Toothpick or small stick (for mixing and applying) Cardboard (for coil ear spacing and mixing) Rubbing alcohol (for cleaning) Paper towel or cloth Optional: painter’s tape or clamp Gloves (recommended) Step 1: Clean the Area Thoroughly Before doing any repairs, clean around the broken ear with rubbing alcohol to remove dirt, oils, and dust. Let it dry completely. Step 2: Mix the Plastic Bonder JB Weld Squeeze equal parts of the resin and hardener onto a piece of ca...

How a metal detector actually works in simple terms

What’s Actually Happening Under Your Metal Detector? (And How to Find More Stuff) So you're out there swinging a metal detector like a treasure-hunting Jedi, but have you ever asked: What’s this thing really doing? Like, how does it know there's a rusty nail down there? Or a coin? Or your future retirement in gold bars? Let’s break it down—no science degree required. The Coil: Your Detector’s Superpower At the bottom of your detector is the coil—that big circle thing you wave around like you’re casting spells. But it’s not magic. It’s actually science. Here’s the basic deal: The coil sends out invisible magnetic energy into the ground. When this energy hits metal, it causes something called “eddy currents” in the object (fancy term for tiny electric swirls). Those eddy currents push back with their own magnetic vibes. Your detector senses that “pushback” and goes “BEEP!” That’s it. That’s the moment you start digging like a pirate who’s found a clue. Beep...

One-Spot Wonders: My Best Find from the Smallest Spot

One-Spot Wonders: My Best Find from the Smallest Spot You know those moments where your gut says, “Just give it a quick swing” ? Well, this story is exactly that—and it taught me a lesson I won’t forget. The Setup It was a long day out at a rural permission I’d had my eye on for months—an old farmhouse with history stretching back to the early 1900s. Most of the yard had already been combed over. I’d pulled a few relics earlier in the day, a button or two, a rusted spoon, and plenty of old iron junk. The usual. After hours of detecting in the hot sun and feeling like I’d tapped the place dry, I called it quits and started packing up. But as I walked past the side of the house on my way back to the van, I noticed this little 6x6 foot patch of grass wedged between a crumbling concrete step and the base of a downspout. Honestly, it looked like nothing. Too tight to swing in, trampled flat, and filled with roots. But that itch hit me. The one that says, “Just swing the coil one...

Talkin’ the Talk: Metal Detecting Lingo in Real Life

Talkin’ the Talk: Metal Detecting Lingo in Real Life Metal detecting has its own language — a mix of wit, wisdom, and hard-earned experience. If you've ever wondered what terms like "canslaw" or "coinball" really mean, here's a walk through a day in the dirt using all the slang we love. No glossary here — just stories. Clad I kicked off the morning with an easy park hunt. Thirty minutes in and I already had a pocket full of modern change. Not a relic in sight, but hey — clad adds up. It’s not glamorous, but it keeps the hunt alive. I call it “battery money.” Digger The sun was barely up, and the ground was still cool from the night. I drove my digger in deep, working around a faint signal. Clean plug. And there it was: a crusty 1919 Wheat penny. My digger's been with me for years — it’s practically an extension of my arm. Heartbreaker I got a solid tone under an old oak tree and my heart jumped — it was hitting high, steady, and deep. I was sure I...

Update May 25, Bucket Sorting: Rediscovering Forgotten Metal Detecting Treasures

After years of swinging a detector and chasing beeps in the dirt, you end up with a lot of stuff. Some of it’s exciting right away, and other things... well, they get tossed in “the bucket.” You know the one—the catch-all container for the rusted, the weird, the unidentifiable. Mine sat untouched in a crawl space for a couple of years until curiosity got the better of me. Bucket #1 So, I pulled it out, dusted it off, and started the satisfying process of bucket sorting . It’s like a time capsule of past hunts and forgotten excitement. Axe Head with a Story One of the first items I pulled out was this old axe head (photo #2). Caked in rust, but still holding its form. The shape and wear suggest it could be early to mid-20th century. What really caught my eye, though, was the faint lettering still visible on one side. It looks like it might say " AMGENT " or something similar, possibly a brand or owner's mark. I haven’t nailed it down yet—if anyone out there recognizes it...

Cheap Metal Detectors vs. Brand-Name Detectors: The Ultimate Trash or Treasure Debate

Alright, so you’ve decided to get into metal detecting—awesome choice! Whether you’re hunting for buried treasure, lost jewelry, or just really enjoy digging random holes, you need a good detector. But hold up! You go online and see a sleek-looking detector for $500 from a trusted brand… and then right next to it, some random website is selling a similar-looking one for $50. What gives? Are you about to score the deal of the century, or are you buying a plastic stick that barely works? Let’s break it down. 1. Build Quality: Will It Survive More Than One Dig? Brand-name metal detectors (think Minelab, Garrett, Nokta, Fisher) are built to last. These things are like the Jeeps of metal detecting—tough, reliable, and can handle mud, sand, and you accidentally dropping them when you trip over a root. Chinese knock-offs? Yeah, not so much. They’re more like the dollar store version of a toy lightsaber. Looks cool in the ad, but the moment you actually use it, something’s gonna snap. Mo...

The Best 12 Metal Detecting/Fun YouTube Stars to Watch in 2025!

Alright, fellow treasure hunters and couch adventurers! If you've ever fantasized about unearthing buried riches but can't be bothered to leave your comfy chair, I've got the perfect solution: YouTube! Dive into the world of metal detecting with these 12 epic channels that will have you itching to grab a detector—or at least click "subscribe." Honestly, I could go on for days about all the awesome channels I love (seriously, my watch history is just beeps and dirt), but I’ll spare you the novel. Let’s get digging! So grab your virtual shovel and check out the top 12 metal detecting YouTubers to watch in 2025! 1. The Hoover Boys 🔎 Why Watch: These guys are like the Avengers of metal detecting. Their hunts are packed with old coins, relics, and great humor —all wrapped up in an epic quest for history. If you want a mix of knowledge, excitement, and bad jokes , you’re in the right place. 📺 YouTube Channel: The Hoover Boys 2. Nugget Noggin 🔎 Why Watch: This ...

Search This Blog