(Searching for treasure is one thing...)
Treasure Hunters/Treasure Finders
In the title for this post you can see that I mention treasure finders as well as treasure hunters. Granted, any treasure hunter worth his or her salt will become a treasure finder if they are patient, persistent, and persevere (my "3 Ps" of treasure hunting and gold prospecting). However, I'm aiming this post at those of you who have found (or are about to find) treasure of one sort or another.
Treasure Hunting
So what's the Number 1 rule if you do get lucky and find that treasure cache or trove, wherever and whatever it may be? You've heard me mention it in passing in other posts here in "Treasure Trove Dreams," but let me refresh your memory:
KEEP YOUR MOUTH SHUT!
That's it? Yes, pretty much. If you can learn to follow this simple and easy-to-learn rule, then you'll save yourself a ton of heartaches down the road. What sort of heartaches? You name them:
- Relatives and "friends" looking to share in your joy and, more importantly, help spend that hard-earned loot yo just recovered.
- Lawyers and other "legal eagles" representing land owners, corporations, and municipal, county, state, and Federal interests who are looking to give you your day in court and at the same time, take your treasure away.
- Other treasure hunters, perhaps even that partner or partners you trusted so well in the beginning. Lo and behold, now they suddenly want a bigger slice of the treasure pie or perhaps all of it, claiming what's yours is really all theirs.
- Internal Revenue Service (IRS) agents and other governmental tax types looking to ensure that the best part of your trove goes into the public coffers (in other words, the pockets of corrupt politicos).
Metal Detectors
Of course, I would never advise you to do anything that was even remotely illegal, like not paying taxes. Still, I think you get the drift of what I'm trying to say.
The Fewer the Better
"Keep my mouth shut and say as little as possible." Repeat that. "Keep my mouth shut and say as little as possible." To whom? Relatives, friends, co-workers, other treasure hunters, legal types, bureaucrats, even the wife or sweetheart if push comes to shove.
The fewer the people in your treasure hunting and finding loop, the more of that treasure you'll get to keep. The fewer the better. A very simple axiom that should be taken to heart.
(...keeping your mouth shut is another.)
Granted, if you are involved in a significant treasure hunt with major players and big-time money in the picture, then keeping your mouth shut will do little because the press and the IRS and other treasure hunters will be dogging your every footstep anyway. No, what I am speaking of here are you and I, the individuals or small groups of treasure hunters out there. Not the major leaguers like Odyssey Marine or Mel Fisher's crew.
So do us all a favor. Learn to keep your mouth shut....
Adios and good hunting to you.
Wolverine Boots
If you liked this post, you may want to read:
(c) J.R. 2009
Questions? E-mail me at jr872vt90@yahoo.com
