I've been interested in metal detecting for a long time. I'm only now getting serious about buying a detector and researching potential spots. Here is what I need help with
Regarding mineralized soil. How do I tell if my area might be mineralized? I'm located in Wisconsin and plan on hunting all over the state. The majority of my hunting will take place in the sections of Wisconsin where the glacial features are most prominent. This is due to the fact our cabin is located right on the border of the last glacial push. The landscape is extremely rocky with the soil being a type of silt loom. Also, how does this affect my decision for the type of detector I purchase?
I do not want to spend a lot of money, $300 max, as I'm brand new to the hobby. Are there any concerns with buying a used detector? What should I look out for if I do purchase a used detector? The $300 will be on just the swinger, I'll be buying a pinpointer at a later time.
A question that probably gets asked more than any other... What would be a good detector to consider? My initial thoughts are I'd like something fairly user friendly, reliable, and with room to grown. The obvious contenders are Garrett, Fisher, Tesoro, and Whites. I'm leaning towards a used Tesoro or Whites as they seem to have a good reputation and performance. If I buy new I'm leaning towards Garrett or Fisher as they seem to have decent entry level units. Any flaws in my reasoning?
On to potential sights.
When you hunt private land are you offering any share of proceeds if you find something of value? Do you have a "waiver" or "contract" you provide to the land owner to help with the potential issues of finding valuables?
Is hunting in water, shallow streams and shoreline, any different than hunting dry land? Does freshwater matter when dealing with mineralized soil?
For the people who frequently operate in wilderness as I will be, do you carry a sidearm with you? I'm a hunter and general outdoors person so I'm extremely familiar with wildlife and firearms. I've just never felt the need to carry a sidearm due to the fact I'm normally carrying a rifle or shotgun. I probably will carry during the remote hunts but just wondered if anyone else does too.
Any advice you can give me is greatly appreciated. I like to be fairly knowledgeable regarding things before I jump in. I'll be doing lots of research in regards to technique and approach. I'll be sure to learn the detector and would like to be extremely comfortable I'm operating correctly when I hit some of my high potential areas.
On to those high potential areas.
I've got an old (dates back to 1915) bar/inn/club near our cabin on our lake. The owner has given me permission to hunt all the land surrounding and stated it's never been hunted as long as he or his family have owned it. I'm sure someone has been on the grounds but I've got a few spots I think will deliver. The swimming hole and the hill many used for sunbathing are just a few. There are pictures of the swimming hole dating well before the inn was ever developed. Rumors are the swimming hole was popular from the early days of the area which was 1880s. Pretty stoked for this one as I can spend lots of time since my place is within walking distance.
Another area is a ghost town about 10 miles from our lake. This isn't as much of a ghost town as it was a train stop and a post office. The tracks were removed many years ago but there are traces of where they were. The train depot was basically a platform and an old box car. It saw the majority of its traffic from 1890-1925. I have almost certainly located the area where the old platform was and it's now on private land. My thought is lots of goodies dropped through the slates of that platform.
The long-shot is an old moonshining area. It was the sight of a rather large operation that burned down. The farm is not far from me either. I'm sure the family could show me the exact area the old barn was which housed the still. My thoughts here are the old moonshiners may have buried proceeds around the property. This could be a tough location as I'm sure there is a ton of old farm junk buried. The upside is the area where the original farm was is nowhere near the current structures. I know this as the original structure was located on a stream. The stream bed is still there but has dried. The current house and barns are all located much further down the road from the stream, close to 1/4 mile.
The last area of interest may not be possible at all. I'm not sure who owns the property but I'm thinking it's state land. It's the location of an old school. The structure was on the same plot dating from the 1880's. There are lots of interesting areas surrounding the property which are visible on google earth. I believe I've found what looks like an old road or path which now would be leading into the middle of the woods. Where ever it may have led there is nothing there now.
Sorry for the long post. Thanks for any help you can provide!
Regarding mineralized soil. How do I tell if my area might be mineralized? I'm located in Wisconsin and plan on hunting all over the state. The majority of my hunting will take place in the sections of Wisconsin where the glacial features are most prominent. This is due to the fact our cabin is located right on the border of the last glacial push. The landscape is extremely rocky with the soil being a type of silt loom. Also, how does this affect my decision for the type of detector I purchase?
I do not want to spend a lot of money, $300 max, as I'm brand new to the hobby. Are there any concerns with buying a used detector? What should I look out for if I do purchase a used detector? The $300 will be on just the swinger, I'll be buying a pinpointer at a later time.
A question that probably gets asked more than any other... What would be a good detector to consider? My initial thoughts are I'd like something fairly user friendly, reliable, and with room to grown. The obvious contenders are Garrett, Fisher, Tesoro, and Whites. I'm leaning towards a used Tesoro or Whites as they seem to have a good reputation and performance. If I buy new I'm leaning towards Garrett or Fisher as they seem to have decent entry level units. Any flaws in my reasoning?
On to potential sights.
When you hunt private land are you offering any share of proceeds if you find something of value? Do you have a "waiver" or "contract" you provide to the land owner to help with the potential issues of finding valuables?
Is hunting in water, shallow streams and shoreline, any different than hunting dry land? Does freshwater matter when dealing with mineralized soil?
For the people who frequently operate in wilderness as I will be, do you carry a sidearm with you? I'm a hunter and general outdoors person so I'm extremely familiar with wildlife and firearms. I've just never felt the need to carry a sidearm due to the fact I'm normally carrying a rifle or shotgun. I probably will carry during the remote hunts but just wondered if anyone else does too.
Any advice you can give me is greatly appreciated. I like to be fairly knowledgeable regarding things before I jump in. I'll be doing lots of research in regards to technique and approach. I'll be sure to learn the detector and would like to be extremely comfortable I'm operating correctly when I hit some of my high potential areas.
On to those high potential areas.
I've got an old (dates back to 1915) bar/inn/club near our cabin on our lake. The owner has given me permission to hunt all the land surrounding and stated it's never been hunted as long as he or his family have owned it. I'm sure someone has been on the grounds but I've got a few spots I think will deliver. The swimming hole and the hill many used for sunbathing are just a few. There are pictures of the swimming hole dating well before the inn was ever developed. Rumors are the swimming hole was popular from the early days of the area which was 1880s. Pretty stoked for this one as I can spend lots of time since my place is within walking distance.
Another area is a ghost town about 10 miles from our lake. This isn't as much of a ghost town as it was a train stop and a post office. The tracks were removed many years ago but there are traces of where they were. The train depot was basically a platform and an old box car. It saw the majority of its traffic from 1890-1925. I have almost certainly located the area where the old platform was and it's now on private land. My thought is lots of goodies dropped through the slates of that platform.
The long-shot is an old moonshining area. It was the sight of a rather large operation that burned down. The farm is not far from me either. I'm sure the family could show me the exact area the old barn was which housed the still. My thoughts here are the old moonshiners may have buried proceeds around the property. This could be a tough location as I'm sure there is a ton of old farm junk buried. The upside is the area where the original farm was is nowhere near the current structures. I know this as the original structure was located on a stream. The stream bed is still there but has dried. The current house and barns are all located much further down the road from the stream, close to 1/4 mile.
The last area of interest may not be possible at all. I'm not sure who owns the property but I'm thinking it's state land. It's the location of an old school. The structure was on the same plot dating from the 1880's. There are lots of interesting areas surrounding the property which are visible on google earth. I believe I've found what looks like an old road or path which now would be leading into the middle of the woods. Where ever it may have led there is nothing there now.
Sorry for the long post. Thanks for any help you can provide!
