It seems like whenever I am on my computer or phone and have a random thought, a related feed or pop-up appears on my screen like magic. Does that ever happen to you? I don’t remember clicking on a specific post, but at some point, I must have in order to get profiled as a genuine arrowhead hunter. That is how I ended up in last year’s soybean field looking for Indian archery arrowheads.

As a young pup I held an original arrowhead and was awestruck with the sight of such a cool ancient hunting tool. Holding it in the palm of my hand felt like I was holding a priceless artifact presented to me by Indiana Jones. That was the start of a lifelong search. Every time I walk the edge of a dirt field or a shallow stream bed crossing, I always have my eyes glued for a triangle shape hoping to find my very own arrowhead.  

My long quest to find an arrowhead is not a muskie fishing type obsession but for a short time one of those online arrowhead threads that appeared on my laptop held my attention. I did learn that I was searching in the right places. Any spot or area of disturbed ground is the best place to look, specifically freshly plowed farm fields. Exposed creek beds during low water should also be considered a likely spot.

Looking for arrowheads in the bean field was now done at a shed antler hunting pace but more like a morel mushroom hunting pace. Since I had never found an arrowhead, my guess was that the slower I went the better my odds were of finding something. In areas where a tractor had been, rocks and pebbles littered the ground, so my pace slowed to make a thorough search. A thousand geese could have passed 10 feet over my head and I doubt I would have noticed. I was so laser focused that my eyes started to water.

An hour into my search I found myself on a corner of the field where it dropped off quickly. That is where I discovered an exposed pile of rocks, stones and such. Suddenly something caught my eye. It was a small rock that looked like it had chipped marks in it and it was the right shape to be an arrowhead. Could it be? I was surprised how my heart rate quickened as I leaned over to examine the stone that could be the answer to a search that started when I was a young boy. I circled the stone like I do when I find a shed deer antler. I paused and looked at the specimen from all angles. I was convinced that I had scored an awesome piece of local history. Unfortunately, the feeling of achievement and satisfaction lasted until I picked up the stone. It was a small piece of quartz. Victory had been sweet for the briefest of moments.

To be continued, as soon as I come across a newly plowed field.

Didn’t get enough Dave this week? Visit “Outdoor Trails and Tales with Dave Beck” on Facebook for photos and video of Dave’s adventures. You can share your own photos and video with him there as well, or by emailing him at dave@piercecountyjournal.news Also, check out OTT content on Instagram @thepiercecountyjournal