How often you guys have dry spots metal detecting?

[Californio]

The one thing that discourages me is not finding anything at all. I'm just starting to get back into metal detecting after many years of my Bounty Hunter sitting in its bag. How do you guys keep the motivation of wanting to metal detect?

 

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[SD51]

Sometimes just being out there with a detector is enough for me. I know that each hunt might produce and it might not, but I got exercise and helped clean up a park or a yard. Good karma will catch up to you the more you go out!

 

[smokeythecat]

I like the thrill of the hunt. These days, its research, research and then some more research. We have over 400 years of history here on the East Coast, with some earlier Spanish thrown in, but the really early stuff is scarce.

 

[smallfoot]

Just keep thinking,,,that next signal might be a gold coin, or buckle, or whatever(insert favorite here)...

 

[smallfoot]

Actually, when I get to hunt, the biggest thought when I start is: I wonder what will turn up! I'm pretty happy to get any kind of relic. Coins are good too but not primary in most of my spots. I always keep thinking as I'm wading thru iron signals, there were people here and where ever people were, they lost stuff, so I'm in a good spot.

 

[smokeythecat]

Smallfoot, you're right on. A few years ago I was digging junk iron parts to Civil War ration cans previous diggers had tossed up against trees. The one had a kinda funny sound to it, I dug it and it was a pristine breastplate.

On another farm, another year, I was with a digging buddy and was happily removing aluminum cans from along an old road, with an occasional modern bullet thrown in, now a paved driveway and the one "aluminum can" was a Confederate buckle. I got so excited I almost threw up!

 

[CASPER-2]

Never dry ..Im a water hunter (mostly)
inspiration...
http://www.treasurenet.com/forums/members/29748-albums.html

 

[Deep1]

Went out today, waited til 7:00 and the temp to drop to 90 and humidity to 60%, heat index 97.
It is miserable hot in the Lowcountry. You don't want to be in the sunshine in the middle of the day.
Hunted 3 sites. Didn't find a damn thing.
Day before same story and day before that, same story.
And Monday, went to a beach an hour of heavy traffic away each way.
Got there about 4:00, there were thousands of people on the beach. Started to try something else and decided to dodge people and work the beach. I thought there had to be some good stuff there. It there was, I couldn't find it.
Worked non stop til 9:30. All told 7 1/2 hours with drive.
Found 2 junk rings, 3 junk earrings, $.87 and 3 rivets and a screw I thought were silver earring backs .



Last week found this:



Sometimes you hit and sometimes you miss.
Find some new sites.
Do some research, do some door knocking.
Make sure your detector is still working as it should, by burying a target or two and testing.
It's been a while since you detected, go to a local school or park and dig some clad to refresh your skills.
There's still good stuff to be found, it just takes more effort these days.

 

[smallfoot]

Smallfoot, you're right on. A few years ago I was digging junk iron parts to Civil War ration cans previous diggers had tossed up against trees. The one had a kinda funny sound to it, I dug it and it was a pristine breastplate.

On another farm, another year, I was with a digging buddy and was happily removing aluminum cans from along an old road, with an occasional modern bullet thrown in, now a paved driveway and the one "aluminum can" was a Confederate buckle. I got so excited I almost threw up!

I'm back and forth across an old trail out here where I live. Found enough cast iron to build a stove, but I still dig them. Never know when it might be a big tool. Deep large iron all over and I can still pull non ferrous out. I tune out some iron but not much and dig the large deep stuff every time. But I really think if you take most of it out it helps next time thru. I'm not kidding, the other evening I swung across an area that I've been over many times. Lot's of small iron and other signals. I dug 36 firearm related items out of a 10x10 foot area. All kinds..shot shells, bullets, round balls, pistol cases, rifle cases and one big chunk of plow share.

 

[RustyGold]

Let’s face it, California is Corona Cap Capitol of the world next to pulltabs. Try backyards with permissions. Look for old homesteads or open areas that host swap meets, carnivals and other people get togethers.

 

[Trezurehunter]

I just enjoy being outside, so a dry outing or two doesn't bother me. We are always more motivated to go on another hunt when we make nice finds. Like some have said, research is the key to finding nice old "treasures". Look for old schools, churches, and go knock on some doors of older homes. Sometimes you will be told no, and sometimes the yard will have been hunted, just keep on knocking ! If you continue to hunt the same newer school yards and small parks, chances are your finds will be minimal after time.

 

[smokeythecat]

Casper-2, I like the pic of the knight on the horse. Good stuff there.

 

[xcopperstax]

Dry spots certainly happen to us all and it's no fun when it does because time is precious. Those of us who aren't retired only get so much time. When I'm not finding stuff I try to soak in my surroundings when its nature or picturesque. To keep the motivation I watch youtube videos, read books about the history in my region, read American Digger magazine, and live vicariously through the people on TNet and their finds!!! Also I really like to take out my finds and sit and look at them think about their unknown history and I often pick up a coin or relic and I can almost replay the experience of finding it in my head! Also you have to know that the dry spell will come to an end.

 

[rjeffw]

Every time I go out I hit a dry spot. Either my entire county has been hunted bare, or I just stink at it, or these people were very careful with their money. I go where there should be old money about, but none is there. I am envious of all those who seem to find something all the time.

 

[alaskaseeker]

I love history and reading about places of old, a lot of good leads in the 900 section at your local library, or visit a meeting of the historical society, keep your ears open these places are dripping with leads...Geo...

 

[Groves9T]

These are easy to locate when scanned over by a metal detector blue stacks.