cti4sw
Bronze Member
- Jul 2, 2012
- 1,555
- 919
- 🥇 Banner finds
- 1
- Detector(s) used
- Minelab Equinox 600, Garrett AT Pro, Pro Pointer
- Primary Interest:
- Relic Hunting
Just some basic tips to know before going out hunting... I know I got pretty discouraged my first few hunts until I got very lucky with my bell... but not everyone is that lucky. Here's about 10 basic things I've picked up, both from experience and from TNet:
1. (Old) surface garbage is a good sign that the area hasn't been searched before. Remove the garbage, and the goodies will start appearing
2. Rain softens the ground and makes it easier to dig
3. Research is a hunter's best tool for relic and numismatic hunting. Just because it's a field or woods today doesn't mean it was a century ago
4. Going out early in the morning helps to beat the heat, but more importantly, keeps you out of the public eye
5. Good hunting ethics supports the hobby for everyone. Get permission where necessary, and leave as little trace of your presence as possible
6. Post ALL your non-obviously-garbage finds. You could be wrong about its identity, but more importantly, you'll help a fellow amateur identify their finds
7. Copper, silver, and brass sound a higher tone than gold and nickel on most detectors. Iron and aluminum read staticky in most discrimination settings. You will rarely, if ever, fully distinguish large masses of junk or soda cans from strong hits; might as well get used to it
8. Do yourself a favor and watch out for poisonous plants like poison ivy, oak, or sumac
9. By the same token, watch out for poisonous animals, like snakes and spiders, especially near creeks and rivers
10. Finally, REMEMBER WHERE YOU FOUND IT!! It's probably not the only thing there to find
Please add to this if you can think of anything I missed...
EDIT: something else that would be handy is a guide on how to clean stuff off (like corrosion and dirt) without ruining the value...just saying...
1. (Old) surface garbage is a good sign that the area hasn't been searched before. Remove the garbage, and the goodies will start appearing
2. Rain softens the ground and makes it easier to dig
3. Research is a hunter's best tool for relic and numismatic hunting. Just because it's a field or woods today doesn't mean it was a century ago
4. Going out early in the morning helps to beat the heat, but more importantly, keeps you out of the public eye
5. Good hunting ethics supports the hobby for everyone. Get permission where necessary, and leave as little trace of your presence as possible
6. Post ALL your non-obviously-garbage finds. You could be wrong about its identity, but more importantly, you'll help a fellow amateur identify their finds
7. Copper, silver, and brass sound a higher tone than gold and nickel on most detectors. Iron and aluminum read staticky in most discrimination settings. You will rarely, if ever, fully distinguish large masses of junk or soda cans from strong hits; might as well get used to it
8. Do yourself a favor and watch out for poisonous plants like poison ivy, oak, or sumac
9. By the same token, watch out for poisonous animals, like snakes and spiders, especially near creeks and rivers
10. Finally, REMEMBER WHERE YOU FOUND IT!! It's probably not the only thing there to find
Please add to this if you can think of anything I missed...
EDIT: something else that would be handy is a guide on how to clean stuff off (like corrosion and dirt) without ruining the value...just saying...
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