Ever feel youre doing wrong metal detecting?

[CincinnatiKid]

Ever feel you're doing wrong metal detecting?

Occasionally I do.
I'm to the point of avoiding parks, schools, inland beaches, you know.
I only detect sidelines of ball fields, dig near perfect "plugs", and use a drop cloth. Yet, I'm the most scrutinized?
I'm usually polite, , and enjoy discussing detecting with others.
Any thoughts..?
Peace

 

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[jcCALIF]

It's a trick of the mind. I "pretend" I don't exist, other than the my purpose of the hunt. Usually most people will also "pretend" you don't exist until the curious ones approach you. I then smile and tell them I am getting exercise by looking for loose change. Happy Hunting!

 

[Rawhide]

You could go early in the am as there will only be a few folks out doing their own thing. Only time I got uncomfortable was this very pretty gal doing yoga. Her outfit left nothing to the imagination. She was watching me watching her. She won the staring contest lol. Had to go, just couldn't stay. (Almost turned on the go pro)

 

[Boatlode]

Grow a pair. If its private property, get permission. If its public property, it belongs to you as much as anyone else.

 

[topdogintampa]

I just imagine myself as Cartman and I'm detecting in South Park....nuff said.....

T

 

[Tom_in_CA]

reply

Occasionally I do.
I'm to the point of avoiding parks, schools, inland beaches, you know.
I only detect sidelines of ball fields, dig near perfect "plugs", and use a drop cloth. Yet, I'm the most scrutinized?
I'm usually polite, , and enjoy discussing detecting with others.
Any thoughts..?
Peace

Hey cincinnatikid, do you know why we all probably have those feelings at times (especially in turfed parks) ? Is because ..... let's face it:

a) we're an oddity. You know, the thought in some lookie-lou's minds: "ooh look at the man with the geiger-counter ! I wonder if he's found anything ??" or....

b) there's ... uh .... "connotations" that our hobby has: That you might be about to leave a mess, a hole, or whatever. Even though you and I know FULL WELL that we'll leave no trace. But to the lookie-lou watching .... they won't know that.

c) that you might be about to "take" or "remove" something that belongs to someone else (the entity on who's park you found it, or the poor soul who lost their ring, etc...)

d) that you might be about to harm the "cultural heritage" (although probably only a handful of purist archies that think this ramification).

So when it comes to turfed lawns, or any place where someone's imagination may run wild with any of the above: I do as casca says: Pick low traffic times. I mean, it's gotten to the point where I do a lot of hunting (turfed parks anyhow), at night. So peaceful. So serene No about his running into scantily clad women at those hours ? No, I haven't been so lucky

 

[Tom_in_CA]

As for what boatlode says ("grow a pair"), yes: you have to have a tough skin sometimes in this hobby. You might have to know/learn how to give lip-service, etc.. Because if you're waiting for the day that red-carpets get rolled out, and neon signs appear telling you "metal detecting welcome here", then perhaps you're in the wrong hobby.

 

[Boatlode]

If anybody says anything to you, tell them you're working for the government removing unexploded ordnance. Works for me everytime - they leave me alone after that.

 

[CoilyGirl]

If loving you is wrong I don't wanna be right. In one word....no.

 

[Moresound]

I always use the Jedi mind trick ..... I am not the MDist your searching for .....

Works every time. The force is strong with me.

 

[Davers]

I used to worry about such things ,( sometimes still do ).
But
Now my Motto is" Just Do It"

Davers

 

[Msbeepbeep]

Ya know, I used to feel that way, I don't now. Now I just don't want "them" bothering me cutting into my detecting time!

We have all lost things that other people find, do they feel bad for us, no! They pocket that quicker than we do with a smile in their faces, & feeling lucky!

I have just as much right to be in a "public" place as the next person, my tax money goes to maintain part of it! In fact I actually am doing free community service cleaning out sharp, rusty, sometimes dangerous metal trash I also pick up glass! Unlike the majority of people using the park AND THROWING THE TRASH THERE!

And what is this I "might" damage the lawn digging holes! Have they ever seen the lawn after any sports game especially if they are wearing cleats? A squirrel digs a bigger hole than I do, and I fill mine, squirrel doesn't!
I take pride in my recovery technic, when I'm done you can look back over the "lawn" and you can't tell where I've been.

Maybe I'm just older and don't give a hoot of other's opinion of me and what I'm doing, or maybe Boatlode's right and I grew a pair, amazing considering...

Your not breaking any laws, your not threading anyone, your not stealing anything, like me you are just out there enjoying the fresh air getting some exercise while pursuing your hobby. MD'ing IS my pursuit of happiness!
So if you think about it the public is actually interfering or denying me my Constitutional Right! I won't be counting on the backing of the ACLU on that one either.

Hope this helps you to get over the public's scrutiny and fear of you.
Your a good person and the only opinion of you that should count is yours!

 

[releventchair]

Nope I,m just out detecting. It is something I do that does not harm others or interfere with them doing what they do. Over the years there was only one mouth remembered and because I had headphones on I had to be told what she said. I looked for her as an answer was at hand but could not find her.
Maybe I,m relaxed as few people seem to pay much attention to me for long except sometimes youths who are welcome to be polite and learn what is going on.If not they risk mumbly peg with the Lesch at recovery time and the resulting verbal warning will result in them leaving or being more patient/polite. Police if watching from a distance get a brief wave and I resume detecting. Folks close get a smile. Workers get a hello if they approach and I have not received a negative from any.

 

[hvacker]

When some see a detector being used for legit reasons like exploration or science they see the value. When they see a guy digging up a park many see a scrounge. Someone capitalizing off someone's loss.
I never could understand why someone will spend $$ for a high dollar detector and go looking for some ones lost change. I also don't care if they do it's just a matter of understanding.
It's not about your personal reasons for detecting. In this case, it's others perception of it.

 

[RustyGold]

I never feel like I'm doing something wrong! Sometimes though, I might get a little uncomfortable if someone's staring at me without any sign of communication. Like if I look up and wave and there's no response!
Other than an occasional but rare instance like above I find most people are genuinely interested in the hobby! This is usually at the beach where people act like they are on vacation and are generally nicer!

 

[mick56]

I've told people that I'm just trying to find enough pennies to buy some supper.