For a beginner detector, what would be the top three mistakes?

[Spirtgold]

I've been doing a bunch of research and have learned a bunch in the past couple of weeks...but starving for more!!
To help out a new hunter, what would be you top three list of "don't do this"?
I'm speaking of hunting the usual areas like beaches, playgrounds, etc.
Thanks!

[RvaDiggn]

Dig very carefully, I see alot of people in videos going crazy with the spades and shovels scraping at the entire hole. Keep in mind if it is a very valuable artifact, you can ruin it by not digging it properly. You never know whats down there.
(sorry, just 1 "what not to do")

[SeaninNH]

I'll give you a few more than 3 lol

Do read your manual
Do read your manual again
Do read your manual once again.
Do go in your back yard with your detector and read your manual again.
Do cut plugs. Don't dig "holes"
Do sweep all the dirt you can back into your plug hole.
Do replace your plug.
Do your best to leave the area looking as if you were never there.
Do fill in your holes if you do dig one. Holes are ok to dig on the beach or in the woods where you don't have to worry about digging a hole, but ALWAYS fill in your holes.
Do swing parallel to the ground.
Do swing slow.
Do dig every target because I've had rings come up as pulltabs, nickles, quarters and even pennies. I've also had deeper signals change when you get some dirt out of the plug hole.
Do take your findings even if they are trash. Just throw the trash away.
Do look at old maps of the areas you want to hunt.
Do show land owners what you find if you get permission to hunt on their land. It's not worth it to hide the "good" stuff. You may lose out on a hunting spot if you do.
Do offer said land owner their pick of the findings and don't be upset if they take the "good" stuff.
Do be happy that you could find it in the first place.
Do try to return any items that you can if possible. You'll find that returning a ring will make you feel a LOT better than keeping or selling it.
Do get a sturdy digging tool. I use a small 30" shovel with a 6" head and I love it. I paid $7 for it at home depot.
And the most important Do there is.... DO POST YOUR FINDINGS ON TNET!

Don't wear steel toe boots. You'll be chasing signals all day.
Don't arch your swing.
Don't get frustrated. You will most likely get frustrated at times. Swing through it and remember that you can't find "good" stuff every time you hunt.
Don't just wander onto people's land withought asking permission.
Don't let idiots get to you. You will have kids reaching in your holes, they are just either curious excited kids. You will have people harassing you about digging in the parks or taunting you about beeing poor. They are just idiots that don't have a clue. Ignore it and keep on swinging.
Don't forget that it's a hoby and not a job. Have fun with it.

HH

[sniffer]

I think that covers it

[N.J.THer]

What Sean in NH said...Although I will add one...Do keep a journal of finds. If you are in this hobby for many years it starts getting hard remembering where and when everything was found.

NJ