Getting started

[lextcee]

Hi:

I'm new to his field and am anxious to get started. I have a Pioneer 505 detector. Please weigh in on whether or not this is a good beginners model. But my real question is about getting started. i live in the New York area, close to Long Island. I "get" beaches. Sometimes while driving around I see wooded areas in my neighborhood and get curious if it's worth tooling around to see what I might find. I also want to be consicous of unintentionally pissing off folks by digging around areas that are considered private property. I realize that this is probably "ass backwards"--that most of you do the research as to where you might have the best luck of finding something. If this is indeed the case, can someone give me tips on doing research to locate areas where I can roam freely in hopes of making a find? Is it normal to feel self-conscious pulling off a road to head into the woods to see what I might find? Anyone ever get stopped by the cops? Thanks. Just laying it all out there.....

[Dwight S]

Read 700+ times and no replies... I'll be the first. Can't tell you anything about the detector, don't know anything about it. Read your manual, toss a couple of coins out on the grass and run the coil over them. Get used to some of the sounds it makes. Work around your house, in your yard. You may be surprised what you may find. As for driving around, keep your eyes open and look for older structures. Large clumps of trees in middle of farm fields usually mean there is something in there. You can begin your research for places to detect by doing internet searches. Expand from there by visiting your local library, ask about county and town history. Refer to web sites such as this for additional tips.

When you find something you need to recover, don't dig gaping holes and leave them open after you recover your find. Always take the time to fill in your holes.

Most importantly, ASK PERMISSION. Don't assume just because you're in the woods that nobody cares. All property is owned by somebody, either a private citizen, business, city, county, state or federal government. Without permission, you are tresspassing. You can get in trouble, in some places you can loose your detector and have to pay fines. It also gives the rest of us bad names.

Play by the rules (Metal Detecting Code of Ethics) and have fun.