Ghost hunting isn’t just a mix of eerie thrill and scientific curiosity—it’s a deep dive into stories untold and energies unexplained. For some, it’s about connecting with something greater, while for others, it’s a rigorous pursuit of proving what’s typically dismissed.
In this blog we will walk though ” Exploring The Basics: How To Get Started In Ghost Hunting” where i will talk about Essential Gear , Planning Your First Trip, To Developing Your Skills.
Lets get started :
So the roots of ghost hunting go way back. People have always been fascinated by what happens after we leave this physical realm, and ghost hunting is just a modern iteration of age-old attempts to bridge the gap between the living and the afterlife. From medieval seances to the spiritualist movement of the 19th century, humans have sought communication with spirits.
Ever chatted up a veteran ghost hunter?
They’ve got tales that’ll make your hair stand on end. From uneasy whispers in abandoned buildings to friendly chats with old-timey spirits, these stories bring life to a rather spooky hobby. They’re a treasure trove of insights on what works and what doesn’t when roaming haunted places.
Getting into ghost hunting isn’t just about the ghostly side; there’s an ethical component too. Respect is key—both for the departed and the places you visit. Imagine tramping through an old cemetery without a thought! Understanding and adhering to guidelines or permissions helps keep the experience respectful and allows continued access for everyone.
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Essential Gear for the Aspiring Ghost Hunter
Before you head into the mysterious realm of ghost hunting, you’ll need some gear to help you on your way. Let’s start with A handheld digital recorder is handy for capturing those eerie whispers or any ghostly mutterings. It’s straightforward, affordable, and a staple for any ghost hunter.
If you’re looking for next-level stuff, an EMF meter is the gadget that picks up all the electromagnetic vibes ghosts are supposedly messing with, You can find beginner models that do the job without costing a ton. For the truly tech-savvy, thermal cameras might be the way to go. These show heat signatures and can help spot cold spots associated with spirits, but these babies can get pricey, so maybe hold off if you’re just dipping your toes in the spectral waters.
When out in the field, think safety first. A good flashlight is essential, not just for navigating spooky places but for avoiding accidents. Spare batteries are a must too; nothing worse than running out of juice when things get interesting.
While you’re at it, a notepad and pen (yep, old-school) can be invaluable for jotting down immediate thoughts or experiences. Sometimes tech just can’t beat pencil and paper for quick notes but that just me.
Remember, you don’t need to buy everything at once. Start with essentials and upgrade your kit as you go. Staying within budget isn’t just wise—it’s practical as your interests develop over time.
“The good news is you don’t need to break the bank to get started either “,
I have put together A beginner kit’s below this section from amazon this kit is a very cheap way to start out and the gear is really top end stuff with lots of great reviews to go with them.
Beginners budget kit $594.96 CAN To order full list @ Amazon CLICK HERE
- handheld digital recorder $32.99
- EMF meter $30.49
- good flashlight $39.99
- Video camera $269.99
- thermal cameras $229.00
Also have a look at GHOST STOP just click on the package your interested in and you can learn about what they offer. This is where the more experience hunters go or a beginner thats ready to go full tilt never hurt to look!!
- Pro Ghost Hunting Kit CAD $952.68
- Intermediate Ghost Hunting Kit CAD $255.47
- Learner Ghost Hunting Kit CAD $242.83
- Beginner Ghost Hunting Kit Sale: CAD $201.60 on right now
Planning Your First Ghost Hunting Adventure
Once you’ve got your gear pick out and ready, it’s time to start planning your ghost-hunting escapade. Choosing the perfect location is where the adventure begins. This might mean an old hospital, a historical battlefield, or even a humble family home with a haunting story. It’s smart to start with spots known to be less intense if you’re just beginning—sort of dipping your toes in before tackling bigger, spookier places.
Permissions are crucial. Some sites are private property or require special access. Always get the necessary permissions or permits to avoid legal hiccups. Reaching out to site owners or local authorities can go a long way in smooth planning. “This is Key“
Create a detailed investigation plan that includes the place, date, expected start and end times, and a clear set of objectives. Having a plan keeps things on track and ensures every team member knows their role. It helps to list all gear you’ll bring and check everyone’s prepared for the plan before heading out.
So for example : Lets do a investigation plan
- The Place – Banff Springs Hotel
- The Date – Oct 31-2024
- we will start @ 10:00PM and we will end @ 6:00AM
The objectives – The Banff Springs hotel is 136-year-old hotel to-date and said to hold 3 main hunting that happens here. This hotel was opened in the year 1888 , This hotel hold a very rich history from being built to the everlasting hunting ghost stories. Now as this is a fully operational hotel we can only hope to run in to Sam the bellhop and the bride along our way to find the room 873. Now stories told room 873 was combined with room 875 and that is what we are going to find out. lets have a look at some of the stories that where told.
1.The Bride- A young woman whose wedding dress caught fire by the lit candles as she walked down the marble staircase. In a panic, the bride tripped and broke her neck, leaving her unsettled ghost to linger.
, 2. Sam the Bellman,– Stories of Sam McCAuley, a genial old Scotsman who was the head of the bellman during the sixties and seventies, have been circulating around the hotel since his passing in 1975. Supposedly, Sam is a helpful spirit, and most stories involving him mention some service he’s provided to guests.
3. Haunted Rooms 873– The ghastly ghost tale involves a young family and a murder suicide scene. Of all the haunted Banff Springs hotel tales, this one is the most gruesome. As the story goes, the spirits of the mother and daughter never left.
Great now we know where and why we want to investigate this place, let pick the team !!
- Lead investigator– This will be the person that is the one talking to the spirits asking the questions and running the EMF reader.
- sound investigator– Will be your person that will run the vice recorder and the spirit box. and will log all the sound on the investigation.
- Camera investigator– will be the person in charge of the videos and picture on the investigation.
- Safety watch investigator- this will be the person watching out for the investigator, Normally watching the monitors that are set up in a main room that we will use for base camp.
Deciding between exploring alone or with a group is important. Solo hunting can be thrilling but comes with its own set of risks and less corroboration of findings. A group can offer different perspectives, safer conditions, and a ton more stories to share. Balance what works best for your comfort and experience level.
Developing Your Skills and Building Experience
Ghost hunting isn’t one of those things where you just buy some gear, head out once, and call it a day. It’s an ongoing journey of learning and growing. To hone skills, one can look into ghost-hunting workshops or tag along with seasoned hunters. Nothing beats firsthand experience and picking up tricks from the pros.
When it comes to evidence, recording and analyzing your findings is crucial. Every scratchy audio clip or shadowy figure caught might add up to something significant. It pays to be meticulous. Dive into your recordings, be patient, and embrace skepticism—a lot of what seems spooky can often be explained.
Every ghost-hunting adventure is unique, with its own set of challenges and atmospheres. Whether tackling a dense forest or a lonely farmhouse, adaptation is key. Being flexible and ready to adjust plans will help you make the most of each hunt.
Community engagement is another piece of the puzzle. Sharing experiences with fellow ghost enthusiasts can lead to unexpected opportunities and help grow your expertise. The ghost-hunting community is vibrant with meetups, online forums, and social media groups buzzing with ideas and discussions. Joining in can be as haunting (in a good way) as the ghost hunts themselves.
Thanks for following along i hope this blog may help you along your Journey but if your looking for more of a journey have a look at this blog i did !
Ghost Hunters And Bigfoot: Paranormal Adventures

Very interesting article, I’ve never read about ghost hunting and paranormal investigations. Do you offer trips for beginners or someone interested in ghost hunting. I don’t know how long I would last in a haunted house. Do you normally stick to locations already on the paranormal map or do you search out new locations that haven’t been explored yet?
Hi David,
Thanks for the great comment, yes check out my website there are other posts on there that will help with learning how to start your own investigations, Yes some house can take a toll for sure.
for your question
Do you normally stick to locations already on the paranormal map or do you search out new locations that haven’t been explored yet?
No i do research on places I want to hunt and explore, and i’m very interested in places that have not been explored these are the ones i’m looking for first
Thanks again
A super interesting article on how to get started in ghost hunting. I do have a question for you if you don’t mind. I found the tools fascinating, such as an EMF meter, but I would like to know How much of our ability to sense paranormal activity is influenced by our own human perception and intuition, without relying on ghost-hunting tools. Can we truly feel the energy of a space, and how does this natural perception compare to using technology for validation?
Hi Catherine,
I’m glad you enjoyed the blog if i can help someone start out maybe they will share their story with us on this page, Now this is a great question.
Your question
Can we truly feel the energy of a space, and how does this natural perception compare to using technology for validation?
Yes we all can, Some way more than others as we all have our own energy.
But everyone has felt this once or twice, For an example – Having your hair stand up on the back of your neck, Or how about a cold spot in a room and you noticed it, Or the feeling you are being watched or not alone. I’m sure you have experienced at least one of these in your life.
People are their own emf reader they just have to be-leave in themselves more with looking deeper,
and honestly all you really need is a Cell phone nowadays and your self, So try this out and anyone can that reads this. When you get one of those feelings turn on your camera and start asking questions like can you turn a light on for me or can you knock on a wall. you never know what you will see or hear. and if you do please feel free to share it here.
So yes we use the tool to validate, Document, Share that all the tools are really good for it just give a bigger hype and make it more real to prove to people about your experience in the paranormal.
Thanks I hope this may have helped out. be safe take care
This article is such a great introduction to ghost hunting! I love how you balanced the use of technology, like EMF meters, with the idea that we can also rely on our own intuition and perception. One question I have is: Do you think it’s possible for beginners to strengthen their natural sense of detecting paranormal energy over time, or is this something people either have or don’t have? I’m curious to hear your thoughts on how intuition develops with experience in this field. Thanks for sharing such fascinating insights!
Hi Jonelle,
I’m glad you enjoyed it, It was a fun article to write i’m always looking to help other hunters along the way.
For your great question, I do think beginners can strengthen their scenes for sure. the more you learn about something and the more you do it the better you will get. it just like anything else
thanks take care