How to Be a Ghost Hunter

Ghost hunting can be a blast, especially if you're a paranormal enthusiast. To be a ghost hunter, you'll have to get the right equipment, assemble an effective team, and find a truly haunted location. You’ll need a few tools, like an EMF meter and video camera, to capture paranormal evidence. If you create a solid game plan and research the location beforehand, you could run an investigation and get proof of the paranormal.

Part 1

Part 1 of 3:

Getting the Proper Equipment

1
Purchase an EMF meter. EMF meters can detect electrical disturbances and electromagnetic fields. It’s a common theory that ghosts can manipulate energy. Take notice of the average reading in any given area of the house. If the meter starts to spike, it might be a sign of ghostly activity.^{[1]XResearch source}
- EMF meters will also be affected by electronic equipment or electrical circuits.
- You can purchase an EMF reader online.
2
Get a highly-sensitive microphone. Some microphones are capable of picking up sounds that the human ear can’t detect. These sounds are known as electronic voice phenomenon or EVPs. A sensitive microphone may be able to pick up voices that you didn’t hear while you were investigating.^{[2]XResearch source}
- You can purchase a highly-sensitive microphone online or at an electronics store.
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3
Get a full spectrum camcorder. A full spectrum camera can record video in areas that are normally too dark for a regular recording device. Purchase an infrared or ultraviolet camera that can operate in the dark. A fast shutter speed will get more frames within the video, increasing your chance of picking up paranormal activity.^{[3]XResearch source}
- Purchase a high-definition 720 or 1080p recording device.
- If you purchase a WiFi camera, you'll be able to upload video to your computer wirelessly.
4
Use multiple cameras and video recorders. Ghosts may appear when you least expect it, so having multiple recording devices going at once will increase your chances of documenting paranormal activity. The more cameras and recording devices, the better. Work within your budget and get as many recording devices as you can.
- You can use mountable cameras and tripods to place stationary cameras during your investigation.
A common theory is that ghosts and spirits can make it colder or hotter in a room. Bring a thermometer during your ghost hunts so that you can examine if there’s any drastic drop or rise in temperature. If there is, it may be a sign that there’s a ghost in the vicinity.
Since you’ll most likely be ghost hunting during the night, it’s important that you bring flashlights so that you can see around you. While ghosts are likely not to hurt you, it is possible you may trip or walk into something. To avoid this, always use a flashlight when hunting in the dark.^{[4]XResearch source}
Bring batteries for all of your recording equipment, flashlights, and any other electronic equipment you plan on using. Running low on energy while in the middle of a shoot or investigation can cause you to miss ghost activity.^{[5]XResearch source}
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Part 2

Part 2 of 3:

Preparing for the Hunt

1
Search online for haunted places. Some haunted sites, like the Maple Hill Cemetery in Alabama, are well-known haunted locations. Other smaller local legends of hauntings may be harder to find. Look online for haunted locations that are close to you and make plans to set up an investigation.^{[6]XResearch source}
- Look for places that have had a murder or violent crime occur in the past.
- Other famous haunted locations include the Queen Anne Hotel in California, the Pittock Mansion in Oregon, and the Logan Inn in Pennsylvania.
2
Research the place you are going to visit. Find out as much as you can about the location before you start the ghost hunt. Have an understanding of the area’s history and read up on what others have experienced there. Doing research may help you connect and contact ghosts while you’re hunting.^{[7]XResearch source}
- Research what kind of crime happened and the personality traits of the ghosts while they were living.
- For instance, if the ghost is said to be greedy, you can bring golden jewelry or coins to entice them.
3
Get permission to investigate on the property. If the haunted location is on private property, it’s important that you get permission before you start the hunt. Hunting on private property without permission is trespassing and could get you in trouble. Call the owners of the location and make sure that it’s okay for you to conduct an investigation there.^{[8]XResearch source}
- If you’re investigating an abandoned building, be very careful because there’s a chance the building is no longer structurally sound.
4
Assemble a team of at least three people to help you investigate. Ghost hunting alone can be dangerous. Find friends who are also interested in paranormal activity and invite them on the hunt. Once you gather up a team of at least three people, you can start the plan the hunt.^{[9]XResearch source}
- Typically, more people will make the investigation go smoother.
Think of each person's best skill set and assign people to different roles. For instance, one person can work on maintaining and monitoring the equipment, one person can investigate, and someone else can film. If you have a larger team, you can have individuals work in teams.^{[10]XResearch source}
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Part 3

Part 3 of 3:

Hunting Ghosts

Once you get to the location, you can position any stationary cameras or equipment that you have. Mount stationary cameras on tripods or mount them to the wall. Place your equipment in areas that are known for high activity to increase the chance that you’ll see something paranormal.^{[11]XResearch source}
2
Ask the ghosts questions. One way to encourage paranormal activity is by asking ghosts personal questions. Think of the research that you conducted on the ghosts and the history of the location. Ask the ghosts personal questions to entice them to respond. Ghosts may communicate by speaking, making the room cold, or affecting your EMF reader.^{[12]XResearch source}
- You can say something like, "I'm looking for the spirit of Mary Anne Deckland. If you're here, make your presence known."
- Or you can say, "Bill Mathers, we heard you were a trickster. Is that true? Did you enjoy playing tricks on your siblings?"
The main part of the investigation involves waiting and monitoring your equipment. Watch the cameras and read the EMF meters and thermometers to see if there are any changes or abnormalities. If you do pick up something strange, repeat whatever it was that got the ghost to respond.
While you do your research, search for past testimonials from others who have experienced ghostly activity in the past. Find the areas of the location where the paranormal activity was reported and see if you can get the spirits to respond. If there was a violent crime or murder in one room or area of the location, concentrate your investigation in that area.
Review all of the evidence that you collected during the investigation. Search for any potential paranormal activity in the video and audio recordings and share it with your team. Isolate and save the clips that you think may be note-worthy. Try to debunk yourself before assuming that your evidence is paranormal.^{[13]XResearch source}
6
Return to the location and get more evidence. After you've collected and evaluated all the evidence, return back to the haunted location and try to do it again. You may be able to replicate the results from your previous investigation or you may discover that the cause is not paranormal. Use reasoning and try to figure out why your equipment is behaving like it is.
- For instance, if you got a spike in an EMF meter, it may be a result of an electrical box or exposed circuits.
- If you caught orbs or spirits on film, it may have been dust or a lens flare.
- If you caught an EVP, it may be a result of nearby running water or people in the area. Do a sweep around your location and try to figure out what the noises could be.
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Question
Before starting as a ghost hunter, should I know about ghosts?
Community Answer
Yes. You should know about ghosts.
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Question
Can a kid become a ghost hunter?
Community Answer
Yes, but the kid should never trespass any property, especially if it is abandoned. The kid should also have some friends, in case some trouble comes up. The kid should also have the right equipment, including a flashlight and a communication device (ie: walkie talkie or cell phone).
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Question
Where can I find this equipment?
Community Answer
Most ghost hunting equipment can be found on eBay. Cameras can be found in department stores and torches are easy to find in garden or sporting goods stores.
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