Richard Senate’s 13 Rules of Good Ghost Hunting

1. Let People know where you are going so if there is a mishap they can inform the authorities of where you went and with whom. Good advise for hikers too. Try to go in a group if possible.

2. Get permission to visit the sites! Never trespass as this can lead to all sorts of problems. Because of this some of the better places will be closed to you but, if you do not have permission you will not be able to publish your findings and evidence.

3. Wear comfortable clothing and shoes. Dress in layers as places can be cold or hot. Wear a hat when in the sun. Hiking shoes are best in an outdoor setting, rubber soled walking shoes best for indoor work.
Always take water with you and, if possible, a cell phone to call for help.

4. Take ways to record your findings and evidence. Cameras, Tape Recorders, Videos etc…are good for this. If you are using a film camera use high speed film only--At least 1,000 ASA. Black and White seems to work best. If you have a tape recorder, use new music quality tape. ALSO: Carry extra batteries as ghosts can drain energy from batteries.

5. If possible, research the history of the site and who lived there or what action happened there. This will help you in many ways. The more you know, the better your investigation will be. Remember, you are there to collect data.

6. Carry a flashlight (torch) with you to illuminate dark places within a site or to find your way back if you are stranded after dark. The flashlight is your friend and it can be the best tool you have in your kit.

7. Always carry with you a pad of paper, clip board, pencils and pens. These can help you record interviews and anything you experience. Try to draw a picture of the site, a floor plan of the place or map. You can use this to draw a picture of what ever you encounter at the site--Drawing and sketching are skills all ghost hunters ( and archaeologists) need to develop.

8. Always be respectful in doing investigations. Yes, have fun and don’t be too serious, but, respect the ghosts and your chances are better that you will encounter an apparition or supernatural sound. Don’t insult the ghosts or mock them. Remember, ghosts are people who just happen to be dead.

9. Don’t drink alcoholic spirits, take drugs or smoke pot. Anything that might impair your senses are strictly forbidden. If you do these things it will cast doubt on your findings. Skeptics will denounce anything you collect--even the best evidence you have. We must be professional!

10. Don’t harm or vandalize a site. Be like a ghost so that no one will know you were even there. Our goal is to collect data to prove the existence of ghosts not damage property. If possible, leave it better than when you came.

11. If possible try to re-enact an event that happened at the site. If it was a Civil War battlefield, dress as a Civil War soldier. If the haunting was linked to a poker game, play poker. This is called re-stimulation and it can enhance your chances of getting supernatural phenomena.

12. Music can be important, as well, to stimulate events but, it must be real music, not taped. So a flute, guitar, etc.. can be helpful. Play songs that are linked to the era of the ghost. This is good for collecting spirit voices (EVP) as well.

13. Lastly, write up a report on all you find. Try to publish your findings as well in a local publication or magazine. FATE Magazine is good for this. If you don’t write the report and submit it, all you have done is spin your wheels. Ghost hunting is a science not a lark. Good Luck and Good Hunting!

Ghost Hunt - going to a place were there have been no sightings of ghosts and trying to catch some on film (video and photos), sounds, eyewitness, etc. And of course your local haunted graveyards are often the number one place to start.