Saturday, September 27, 2008

Treasure Hunting and Making Money

It is hard to actually define the words 'Treasure Hunting'. In the Oxford English Dictionary the nearest find is Treasure Hunt ' noun a game in which players search for hidden objects by following a trail of clues' or 'Treasure' - noun 'a quantity of precious metals, gems, or other valuable objects' and 'Hunt' - So what actually does it mean??

Firstly we must read into the phrase 'Treasure Hunting' - hunting for treasure. From this we can see that it is a hobby or job that involves hunting for precious metals, gems etc. So we call assume that any job or hobby involving hunting for such items has an element of 'Treasure Hunting' involved in it. This could include Metal Detecting, Wreck Hunting, Gold Panning, Bottle Digging.

So basically Treasure Hunting is a collective name for a group of hobbies or jobs that look for Treasure. Some (in fact most) only participate in one particular type of hunting. So those who Metal Detect don't usually dive in wrecks - however you will find that some of the hobbies overlap in some way.

The next question is how can you Treasure Hunt and will it make you money?? In answer to this the answer must be that 'yes' it can make you money but only to a few hard working and lucky hunters. For example if you look at Metal Detecting - a hobby I have been involved in for over 20 years - I have spent many thousands of hours hunting on Beaches and Fields etc. I've also found some really nice Coins, Jewrellry, Artifacts etc running into thousands of pounds. Some I keep in my local Bank others I've sold and either cashed in as scrap or sold to dealers. However if you work out my expenses and man hours it probably equates to no more than a few pounds an hour. I could have made more if I'd stayed in work. However I also have friends or have found items running into hundreds of thousands of pounds. I suppose at the end of the day there is an element of luck. I'm sure that those who Pan Gold and do Wreck Hunting or Bottle Digging will say exactly the same.

The bottom line is that if you want to take up the hobby to purely make money - the odds are against you. If you want to take a hobby and meet all interesting people, go on digs or dives together, have frills of finding Gold and Silver, Old and New ..............with the chance of finding that one off find, then join the hobby. It has a lot to offer. There are also Coins and Rings being dropped every day so there will always be a hobby there. It all depends on what you want to do. You can Bottle Dig, Metal Detect and Wreck Dive in most parts of the world - as for panning gold there are only certain countries you will be able to go such as Australia and Canada. If you live in England you have more chance of meeting an Alien than Gold Panning.

A Humorous Bow Hunting Story

A man and his friend were bow hunting elk in the Colorado mountains near Stoner Colorado. They rode their horse's from early morning until late evening. The high mountain terrain was very rough with tree's blown down and large boulders in the path. Their horse's had to step very carefully or chance breaking a leg.

With no sign of any elk the man told his friend that the elk must have all moved to the lower country. They decided to go down and try again the next day. The next morning the man and his friend decided to hunt closer to the town of Stoner.

They hunted most of the morning with no luck, the sky was clear and it was a beautiful day. As they got closer to the black top highway they saw a herd of cow elk. In the middle of the herd was the biggest bull elk you ever saw.

The hunter got down off of his horse and carefully drew his bow and took careful aim. Before he could release his arrow, his friend alerted him to a funeral procession passing on the highway below their stand.

The hunter slowly let off the pressure on his bow, took off his hat, bowed his head and closed his eyes in prayer. His friend was amazed. "Wow, that is the most thoughtful and touching thing I have ever seen. You are the kindest man I know." The hunter shrugged. "Yeah, well, I was married to her for 25 years."

Mule Deer Hunting Basics

Have you dreamed of backpack hunting mule deer far from the nearest highway or road? It has been said that its not hunting sheep that is the most exciting part of the venture, its where bighorn sheep live. The same can be said for true mule deer hunts. Mule deer thrive and live in some of the most enticing, uninhabited areas around the world. Just visiting these magnificent beasts and the place they live is worth all the effort. With that said, here is some advice to make your first mule deer hunt a real success.

First, and most importantly, you've got to get yourself into shape! I'm not just talking about walking to your mailbox each day or playing basketball on weekends. To truly enjoy your backcountry mule deer hunt, you've got to be in great shape. I do realize, that dependent on how old you are, that this may not be possible, so if that's the case, aim for the best shape you've been in for the last five years. The important thing is to do the best you can. Personally, my workout program is jogging three or four times each week. I start out by walking and work up to jogging around three months before the hunt, and when the trip arrives, my target is to be able to jog for at least an hour. I found this is easier than trying to give specified distances. If you can build up a jogging pace for at least an hour, you should be capable of climbing the mountains that would be required for mule deer hunting. I also hike, bike, jump rope, and walk with my pack (around 50 lbs) . All of these activities are good to build the muscles you'll need on the mule deer hunt.

Second, shoot your hunting rifle. I recommend shooting your rifle weekly at ranges out to 300 yards. You'll need to know where your gun is going to shoot at different ranges. Start at 100 yards with a fixed mechanical rest. Experiment with assorted types of ammo until you figure out what your rifle works best with and stick with it. I prefer Winchester 130 grain Ballistic Silvertips in 270, but each gun shoots differently and you have got to use the load that works. When you know where your hunting rifle shoots on the range, experiment with a shooting stick, prone position, over your pack and also other positions you might run across on the hunt. Just remember you won't have access to a bench in your real hunt and even if you are an excellent bench shooter, that doesn't necessarily make you a great shooter in the hunting field. You will also want to study distances versus angles. Most shots at mule deer are either up or downhill and hunters have a tendency to shoot over deer. Get out and practice some downhill and uphill shots. You'll be amazed at the difference an angle can make. I also suggest that finding a laser rangefinder to use as you practice. It's also helpful to learn how to judge mule deer in the field. Hunting DVDs and videos by Mossback titled Mulies Gone Wild are a great tool for learning how to judge big bucks. They report the score after you've seen footage of the bucks on the hoof.

Third, get the best gear you can. There are great products out there. Get the lightest, strongest material for your backpacking and clothing items. I don't want to go into detail with each item, but a few I recommend are: sturdy, stiff, hiking boots - I use Lowa Sheephunter boots, an internal pack I use a North Face pack, but there are many different kinds on the market, wool socks I use Smartwool, and light packable rain gear I use Frogg Toggs. If you are planning to hunt with a guide, request a list and make sure to follow it. Buy quality optics! I personally like to use Brunton Epochs in 10.5x43 on account of their magnification and light weight, but there are many fine optics on the market. Once again, buy the very best you can manage to afford.

Advice On Finding Hunting Binoculars

If you are a hunter, you have to have binoculars. Though your eyes may be good and your aim may be wonderful, there are still times when these come in very handy. You may be able to see what is nearby, but wouldn’t it be great to see what might be coming your way long before it comes into the range of normal eye site? My father is a hunter, and he won’t go out into the woods without his hunting binoculars. Last year I bought him a new pair for Christmas because he had had the same pair forever, and he said he really appreciated the new and improved brand that we bought for him.

You can buy hunting binoculars in all types of strength. Some magnify only 20 times, and some go much higher. It depends on where you hunt and what type of game you usually are looking for while out. If you hunt in an area that has a lot of hills and deep forest, you might not need something that is very strong, however, that is up to you. If you hunt in wide open spaces, you definitely want something that is super strong so you can see as far as you need to see.

They also make hunting binoculars that have a feature to keep them steady. If you have ever tried to look at something that is a long ways away by looking through hunting binoculars, you know that things can be quite shaky no matter how steady you try to hold them. There are some that come with protection from this type of shaking. They aren’t perfect, but they can help you stay steady when you are searching far off into the distance.

You can find hunting binoculars in outdoor and sports stores, and you can also find them online. Though you can’t try them out online, you may find better prices that way. You could even go to a store and see what you like, and then see if you can find a better price online. A good set of hunting binoculars is going to be expensive, so taking some time to find the best brand for the best price is always a great idea. Just be sure to find a company that has a return policy if you order online just incase they arrive broken or you don’t get the model you ordered.

Hunting Outfits

While hunting can be traced back to the time of the cavemen, modern sport or game hunting emerged much later in time, with its roots seemingly coming from ancient Greece. Divided into two types, recreational and trophy, sport or game hunting has long been a pastime of choice for a lot of outdoorsmen.

As with other sports, hunting often requires specific equipment. One of these necessities is the hunting get-up or outfit. Built to withstand certain weather extremes as well as be versatile enough for a variety of terrains, these outfits have to pass certain quality standards and meet consumer tastes and specification as well.

Some prime examples of these kinds of outfits are the Redhead CWS Parka and Bibs for men. These are built from a windproof and waterproof material that also boasts of breath ability. This breathable fabric facilitates the transportation of sweat out of the clothing while keeping outside moisture at bay. This technology also ensures that this fabric can keep out stiff, bone chilling winds and cold weather to keep you warm and focused while you hunt.

The Redhead CWS Parka is designed with the serious hunter in mind. Incorporating certain design elements such as its ultra-efficient pocket scheme and thermal liner, the Redhead CWS Parka is indeed a piece of hunting clothing you shouldn't do without. Other features of this remarkable piece of hunting clothing include taffeta lining, a polyester shell that is ultra-quiet, under-arm gussets, an insulated hood that is removable and has snaps and a full-zip front complete with storm flap. Adjustable wrists, shock cord tighteners, cargo pockets equipped with hand warmers and a 7 inch accessory pocket and a whole lot of other features complete the Redhead CWS Parka.

The Redhead CWS Bib for Men is the perfect partner for the Redhead CWS Parka. Built with the same cold weather system as the parka, the Redhead CWS Bib for Men keeps the cold weather out while keeping the warmth in with its insulated interior. This tough piece of clothing is also remarkably easy to wear, wasting none of the hunter's time in dressing. Like the parka, the bib also comes with multiple features that include numerous pockets and non-glare snaps. It also has a 2-way 17 inch zipper complete with storm flap, a partially elastic waist, hip-high leg zippers also with storm flaps and 2 zipper pockets that are lined. Other pockets for the bib include the security flapped back pocket and 2 more cargo pockets. All zippers on both the bib and the parka are reliable YKK brand zippers.

These outfits come in the camouflage designs aptly named Mossy Oak and Real Tree Hardwood. Available in sizes: ranging from Medium to Large and all the way to 3XL. Other outfits included in this line are the Redhead Deluxe Overalls and Redhead All Season Jackets, which are also for men. These hunting outfits can be had for prices ranging from $69.95 up to $139.88, with some outfits currently on sale.

Friday, September 26, 2008

Apartment Hunting Tips

Apartment hunting can be very daunting for some potential renters. Often the variety of options available to these renters is a source of overwhelming frustration for the renters. With so many appealing options it can be difficult to choose just one. However, there are some tips which can help to ease the process of apartment hunting. The process of finding the perfect apartment can be broken down into three simple steps. The first step is to set a budget. Next the renter should research their available options and then comparison shop to determine which option is the best.

Set a Budget First

For many renters the most important consideration is how much they are willing to spend on an apartment per month. For this reason it should come as no surprise that the first step in the apartment hunting process should include establishing a budget. Renters should consider their monthly income and subtract out all of their monthly expenses from this amount. Monthly expenses should include all bills which are paid regularly as well as money spent on food, entertainment and miscellaneous items each month. The renter may also wish to subtract out an additional amount to allow for some savings each month as well as emergencies. The total left after these subtractions is the amount the renter is able to spend on an apartment per month. Once this amount is established the renter will have a better understanding of the type of apartment they are able to afford.

Research Available Properties

Once a budget has been established, the renter should begin researching the properties which fall within his budget range. It is likely to consider properties which are slightly above the range as well as properties which are slightly below the range. Doing this will allow the renter to see if there is an opportunity to either make improvements on the amount of monthly spending to allow for the renting of a more expensive property. The renter can also determine whether or not they feel there is the opportunity to negotiate a lower rental rate on a particular property.

When initially researching properties, the renter does not necessarily have to visit each property. Most of the pricing information can be obtained from resources such as Internet websites, newspapers and rental magazines. Since pricing is the primary concern at this point, the initial research will enable the renter to eliminate properties which are too far out of their price range.

Comparison Shop

Once the renter has narrowed down his list of possible apartment complexes to a more manageable number it is time to start visiting these properties. It is during this step that the renter will really get a feel for the quality of the apartment as well as the amount and quality of amenities offered by the complex. This is very important because this information can be used to decide between properties which are otherwise very similar.

The comparison shopping process is also worthwhile because it gives the renter some bargaining power in negotiating more favorable rent rates. Renters who have visited a number of apartments likely have a good idea of the going rate in a particular area for a particular size apartment. These renters can use this information to potentially convince some leasing agents to lower their prices at least a little bit. There will not likely be huge drops in price from these negotiations but it will likely be enough to be considered worthwhile.

The Gist To Hunting Supplies

If this is your first time hunting, it is good to know a little about hunting supplies you will need. Hunting supplies vary with the type of hunting. Hunting is a practice that dates back into historical times. Since the prehistoric period, hunting is a skill that is important to homo sapiens survival – our ancestors hunted for their survival. Today, hunting is a sport that many take on as recreation or as an alternative meat source. For many, hunting is a way to enjoy the wilderness and for that to be an enjoyable experience, it needs preparation and good hunting supplies. Because your hunting supplies are such an important part of your trip, you will want to keep in mind that once in the wilderness, you will not be able to buy extra food or forgotten equipment.

Depending on what you are on a hunt for, hunting supplies varies and your needs may differ with what you are hunting for. Also, depending on where you are from hunting different animals require different license and season as well. So pack your hunting license, tickets and permits with you whenever you go on hunting trip. Nothing spoils the fun more than being apprehended by officials and your hunting trip is shortened. However, hunting supplies is the gist in this article and this is a step by step guide to your basic hunting needs.

Whether you are hunting fowls, deer or moose there are some hunting supplies that you will need to have, which is the basic. Animals have a keen sense of smell and it is likely that they could sense your presence even before you spot them. The first thing on your hunting supplies’ list should be Scent Control. You will need the basic wear hunters use to limit their scent like balaclava hunting headwear, base layer hunting pants, out camouflage pants, camouflage shirt, boot socks, hunting radar hat, and gloves. Of course, they even have camouflage wear for colder seasons as well. With this as your first items on your list, it is time to move to hunting equipments.

Basic equipments that you should have in your hunting bag:

1. A map
2. A compass
3. Rifle with at least 10 cartridges
4. A good standard binoculars
5. A Swiss Army knife
6. A large skinning knife
7. A saw (optional: for sawing off antlers, horns, legs and ribs)
8. A good cotton game bag
9. A good nylon string to hang your game meat
10. Garbage bags
11. A good backpack to carry all your hunting equipments

Last but not least, if you decide to hunt for more than a day, which is likely because some hunts and traps requires more than a day to take effect, you might want to include food and shelter as part of your hunting supplies.