My Humble Tip to New Hunters

[oklasodak]

I've noticed a lot of new hunters have been asking for help on locating new places to hunt lately and I thought I would offer a little food for thought. A while back, I started counting flakes in ratio to complete points after each hunt. Here is what I have found so far (for rivers and streams that I hunt at least):

I find, on average, 59 flakes for every whole point. Somedays are better than others but this is my average.

Doing this has a purpose for me. First, it helps me to realize that in order to find points, I have to put in some real long days (REAL LONG). Second, it helps motivate me. In fact, I've started to count flakes as I hunt. When I get up around my average number (59), I figure I'm about due for a good point.

I'm sure that some folks have "honey holes" where they find more points than flakes (or a least their average is lower than mine). They are doing better than me then. Arrowhead hunting isn't for everyone. If you think it would be cool to go out and find a whole bunch of arrowheads (and it would be cool), please realize that this is a "pipe dream." You will have to work for them, get skunked more than a few times, then work for them some more.

No studying of topographical maps or historical documents can replace the reality that you have to put in a ton of hours (though these ARE good things to do).

Just my two cents anyway. 59 flakes for every complete point. Something to think about when you're disappointed after an unsuccessful two-hour hunt.

[wiseshanks]

Originally Posted by oklasodak

I've noticed a lot of new hunters have been asking for help on locating new places to hunt lately and I thought I would offer a little food for thought. A while back, I started counting flakes in ratio to complete points after each hunt. Here is what I have found so far (for rivers and streams that I hunt at least):

I find, on average, 59 flakes for every whole point. Somedays are better than others but this is my average.

Doing this has a purpose for me. First, it helps me to realize that in order to find points, I have to put in some real long days (REAL LONG). Second, it helps motivate me. In fact, I've started to count flakes as I hunt. When I get up around my average number (59), I figure I'm about due for a good point.

I'm sure that some folks have "honey holes" where they find more points than flakes (or a least their average is lower than mine). They are doing better than me then. Arrowhead hunting isn't for everyone. If you think it would be cool to go out and find a whole bunch of arrowheads (and it would be cool), please realize that this is a "pipe dream." You will have to work for them, get skunked more than a few times, then work for them some more.

No topographical map or studying historical documents can replace the reality that you have to put in a ton of hours (though these are good things to do.

Just my two cents anyway. 59 flakes for every complete point.

Great advice! I went yesterday and got skunked. Went today and had a good day. I've learned not to take getting skunked personally. You just have to cover lots of ground and when you get to a good spot, slow down and take your time.

[neralich]

Well said, Oklasodak and great thread idea! Persistance is the name of the game! I do a similar thing as you , however I don't count my flakes... My routine is as follows... Get tuned in and focused... I try and pick up every single chip I find and remove these flakes via backpack! It's hard on the back, but, I couldn't tell you how many times I've "accidently" found a point this away. I also do this in hopes of discouraging future headhunters that happen up on said creek. Another reason... The next hard rain we get, I will know for sure that I have not already happend up on these flakes.. I average a coffee can of flakes but my ratio is knowhere close to yours... Then again, I have had days where I find 8+ or so, plus tools and brokes, etc... P.S., I'm probably gonna be countin 59 chips tommorrow, lol

[oklasodak]

By the way, my average went down a couple of points today in order to hit the 59 mark. Guess it was a better-than-average day, literally!

[ClearCreekBeauty]

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[marksimerson]

Hunting is TOUGH up here. Ive kept track of miles over the last 5 or so years. We average 10 miles walking per each BROKEN point! But I will never stop as long as I can still walk!

[PLS]

I actually have six major hobbies. Hunting, fishing and arrowhead hunting and getting ready for all three.

[Scotto]

Good thread. I think when some lurkers read here, see the pics of everyone's finds and the in situ pics, some assume they just gotta go out, look at the dirt and start grabbin 'em up.
I figure I have to find about 20 brokes for every whole point, how many flakes I have no idea. But a whole lot of 'em.

[kirby]

I find one broken point for every 100 flakes and at least 3 broken ones for every whole point. Between two of us, sifting, we find on average 1 full or partial point per hour. On average, I come home with at least a broken or full point for every 2 hours I invest. But, I must admit, it's worth the effort.

[oklasodak]

Originally Posted by ClearCreekBeauty

Oklasodak, sadly while many will come out and agree with you, there a lots of voices that send the message that you must study maps, topograpy, water patterns, culture of particular tribal paths, etc. in order to be successful. I think that there are people who obviously know where to look because they are constantly posting their point finds while others can't come close to finding that in a lifetime. So it has to be something about where they are doing their hunting. When I look at a map of water, it's like looking at a book in another language. I have no way of determining how much space that could be from the road to the edge of the water or if it looks like it has potential. I have no real way to get far in the middle of nowhere like many do for hunting or fishing. And then I get embarassed when I'm looking into water sources that eventually I find out are man made lakes and reservoires. And to top it all off, I'm unable to hunt very often because I am not allowed to go alone (especially where a cell phone can't be used) and not many people who are uninterested in arrowhead hunting are willing to bear the heat with you so you can get out and look more often. Not all of us are able to physically or locationally do what others can and while I don't necessarily need to find what they are finding to be happy, just getting some leads on an area or even *how* to look at a map could be nice advice.

I'm willing to put in the hours, but my hours have to be so carefully planned in order to be safe with another adult, have a sitter or rent a canoe to get upstream to some of these spots.

I'm so novice I have no idea what a shed is or a flake is for that matter. But luckily i've had nothing but kindness shelled out to me for my questions and greenness, I've seen others get their a*s handed to them for asking the same question many want to.

I have no doubt that you have received a lot of varied advice and most of it is probably something to think about. As for how much people are finding, it varies I'm sure but I do alright by the only standards that count (my own).

You are from the area where I hunt and I was thinking of you and a few other recent new hunters when I started the thread. I'm trying (as you know) to help y'all out without sounding like a "know-it-all." I understand that you are very frustrated and it is hard to make the time to go on a hunt. The hunt I had today with Wichita was a couple weeks of planning and the help of my very supportive wife who watched my son for 9 hours today.

My thread was started to make a case for patience and persistence. If you don't trust what I've told you, than don't listen to me. But if I were new to the hobby, I'd be seeking the advice of realists who find arrowheads. I believe what I typed: "this is not for everybody." You seem to really want to find one, so I believe it IS for you. But it will take patience and persistence.