James Kirkpatrick, a dedicated member of the Southern Saskatchewan Metal Detecting Club, is a treasure hunter with a unique passion. His hobby involves uncovering history buried beneath the earth, with each discovery holding a story waiting to be told. Kirkpatrick's enthusiasm for metal detecting is infectious, as he shares his experiences with the kind of wonder that many people lose as they grow older.
One of his memorable finds was a Second World War-era gold ring engraved with a man's name and the words 'Royal Canadian Air Force.' Kirkpatrick spent countless hours researching the family, hoping to return it. While he never found them, the ring remains a part of his collection, a small piece of someone else's life frozen in time. This highlights the emotional connection that metal detecting can foster.
Kirkpatrick's most memorable coin find was a British half penny dating back to 1738, bearing the mark of King George II. This discovery transported him back to the fur trade days, and the mystery of how the coin ended up buried in Regina adds to the allure of the hobby. Metal detecting, Kirkpatrick explains, is really storytelling disguised as treasure hunting.
However, treasure hunting is not always glamorous. Kirkpatrick admits that there are endless pennies and bottle caps, and old parks can be especially difficult territory due to decades of trash left behind. He estimates that 99.9% of what detectorists recover is garbage. Yet, even this becomes part of the challenge, and Kirkpatrick takes pride in respecting the areas where he metal detects, ensuring they are left untouched.
Kirkpatrick's dedication to the hobby is evident in his commitment to proper digging techniques and his role as an unofficial park cleaner. He has a growing collection of pet tags he's accumulated over the years, and his passion for metal detecting is driven by a genuine love for the activity and a belief in the universal desire to find hidden treasure. Whether it's in a park, a park bench, or a park bench in a park, Kirkpatrick's spirit of adventure and his commitment to preserving history make him a true treasure hunter.
