TOT LOT ETIQUETTE

[RW]

I am not big on hunting tot lots. Maybe I just feel like a dork in a play ground. Nevertheless I have hunted a few. It is no doubt great finds come from the wood chips as many people prove daily. On the rare occasion that I do hit a tot lot, I ALWAYS make sure that I am the only person there, which is no easy feat. And I leave the moment anyone else shows up. How do you guys do it? Do you just swing the coil under little Johnny's feet? Am I the only one who feels like I am intruding by being there? Am I just shy and too self aware? Do most of you tot lot hunters mix it up with the moms and kids?

 

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[Bum Luck]

Unscientific answer: it depends.

For each of us, the answer will be different.

I read the Mom; if she's uptight, I leave. If not, I may stay and move to the fringes. I'm a social character, and can strike up a conversation with strangers, but it's important to know when that's OK.

In the end, the tot lot is made for them, not me. It is great to be a kid, and noble to be a Mother, but for me it's just a past time.

 

[KEVTEC]

I too find it a little uncomfortable to hunt a tot lot with children there. Usually I have one or two approach me to ask what I am doing. That's when I notice the mom to see what her expression is, if it is a positive one I then ask her if it's OK to give the child a coin thus eliminating any tension while there. I have always been told to go ahead and give them a penny but not necessary and have never been met with any negativity.

 

[desertfox]

Like you, Ron, I find it easier to just leave and come back another time when the kids start showing up. Makes it easier for everyone.

HH

 

[Lowbatts]

Totlots are part of my sunrise tour. Kids who drop, even throw mems down without regard for them will sometimes go nuts when you're there. Many will not ask but if they think you've got a target they'll start tearing into the dirt under your coil.

And liars?!? Biggest lairs on earth are the little ones around you sometimes. Had them tell me their aunt, cousin, mom and pet dog lost whatever I found. Without ever laying eyes on it.

Other times it's all good and only one or two kids will approach and seem genuinely interested.

Overall, get out when kids step in is my advice. Just move on to another totlot. There's so many of them out there these days you hop from playground to playground fairly quickly.

One thing I don't understand is the design of modern playground equipment. There's gotta be something wrong with them people. Those Picasso-esque designs are beyond my ability to figure out.

 

[TORRERO]

If there are a lot of people I would not stop, but if the playground is large and obviously big
enough for them to play on "that" side and me to swing on "this" side then I might tempt it.
Only rarely have I had kids recently come up to me....
In this day and age a metal detector is not the romantic "treasure machine" of the past and most
people, kids included know what you have and what your doing...

 

[Diggin-N-Dumps]

I used to find it real uncomfortable when i would hit those around here...the first time i went out a woman in her mid 40's said to me "Well arent you having fun?..My son has a Metal detector"

at first i just brushed it off...but i felt like an idiot being a grown man out there hanging out at the playgrounds...But that was when i first started dectecting..Now i could careless what i look like..But there has been cases where kids(little ones) will show up with there parents..and i always leave the area for them to play in..Other times i will see some kids maybe 10-14..much to old to be on the equipment..When i see them..i figure..I was here first..so they usally stay away once they see the lesche digger in my hand

But most the time there is a grassy area i will hit around ..in fact i usally find more change in the grassy areas

 

[dogpound]

if there are kids on the equipment i just go hit a grass area someplace else. i hit areas like that early morning to avoid traffic. i couldn't imagine anyone detecting right under little jimmy's feet at the swings, just like detecting over peoples towels and shoes at the beach. it all falls pretty much under general etiquette........you would think

 

[mrwilburino]

I think it's just one of those situations where the detectorist feels uncomfortable but everyone around them could care less. I usually save tot lots for early morning or cold weather hunts.

 

[pyledriver]

Headlamp and hunt at night...

 

[Diggin-N-Dumps]

Headlamp and hunt at night...

Done that...Thats how i started Detecting...At night..or in the rain...But after a few months i grew some and started hitting them early in the morning..but im usally looking for something old so i dont hit them much anymore

 

[mud dog (aka) Salty Dog]

When tecting tot lots and you get approached by kids ,just grab the littlest one and beat the others off with him ,they leave you along real quick ,no really if i am by myself and kids show up i head 180degs the other direction to get away from them,don't want parents thinking I'm some pervert looking for small kids...If ihave my hunting pard along then we just hunt around them giving little johnnie all the room he needs,now if i show up to tect and see another tector working that spot,I just drive to a different place to tect...We have lots of tecting pressure in my neck of the woods,Dave

 

[Toby1858]

Ron, I feel the same way! I would much rather hunt in the woods or a private lot. But the addiction to this hobby is such that the need to go hunting overwhelms the self-conciousness. The few years I have been detecting I never seem to have had any negative feelings from others derected at me, in fact the few people who do come up and speak have been very friendly and have made the hunt that much more enjoyable!! I'm sure I'll meet up with unpleasant people eventually, but for now in my town metal detecting is'nt illegal in city parks and as far as I'm concerned parks are to be enjoyed by everyone, including responsible metal detectorists.

 

[Kiwijohn]

In the end, the tot lot is made for them, not me. It is great to be a kid, and noble to be a Mother, but for me it's just a past time.

Beautifully expressed B L..That's exactly how I see it.
I usually only hunt the ones on the way to better hunting grounds, and then in
the early morning.

 

[prodrigsr]

I too leave. To me they have priority as far as tot lots go. There will always be a tomorrow.

 

[Iskuli]

Well. Well. Well - this is one of those advantage goes to the chick thing. I don't have any problem at tot lots at all. I prefer to have them to myself. I have never had a parent give me the "look." I usually leave if its busy out of respect for what the area was designed for...kids. If there just a few, I give a class, chat up the parents to see if they have a "I lost my jewelry" story.

 

[RW]

Well. Well. Well - this is one of those advantage goes to the chick thing. I don't have any problem at tot lots at all. I prefer to have them to myself. I have never had a parent give me the "look." I usually leave if its busy out of respect for what the area was designed for...kids. If there just a few, I give a class, chat up the parents to see if they have a "I lost my jewelry" story.

Texas huh? Are you the one that has been cleaning them out around here?

One thing about tot lots, they really push my speed detecting to a new level! I am in an out in 10 minutes. Last time I got up early to hit one, there were a dozen high school girls there at 6AM doing yoga.

 

[Iskuli]

yep. I do well; espeically with rings. My average is about 100 a year. I prefer swimming holes when I can find them to tot lots. I use those for quick hunts and clad for Wendy's hamburgers. Girls gotta eat, right?

 

[Diggin-N-Dumps]

Well. Well. Well - this is one of those advantage goes to the chick thing. I don't have any problem at tot lots at all. I prefer to have them to myself. I have never had a parent give me the "look." I usually leave if its busy out of respect for what the area was designed for...kids. If there just a few, I give a class, chat up the parents to see if they have a "I lost my jewelry" story.

Texas huh? Are you the one that has been cleaning them out around here?

One thing about tot lots, they really push my speed detecting to a new level! I am in an out in 10 minutes. Last time I got up early to hit one, there were a dozen high school girls there at 6AM doing yoga.

Damn...we must be going to the same park..the last time i went to a tot lot the sun wasnt even up but there were about 10 highschool girls doing yoga..or some kind of dancing

 

[RW]

Well. Well. Well - this is one of those advantage goes to the chick thing. I don't have any problem at tot lots at all. I prefer to have them to myself. I have never had a parent give me the "look." I usually leave if its busy out of respect for what the area was designed for...kids. If there just a few, I give a class, chat up the parents to see if they have a "I lost my jewelry" story.

Texas huh? Are you the one that has been cleaning them out around here?

One thing about tot lots, they really push my speed detecting to a new level! I am in an out in 10 minutes. Last time I got up early to hit one, there were a dozen high school girls there at 6AM doing yoga.

Damn...we must be going to the same park..the last time i went to a tot lot the sun wasnt even up but there were about 10 highschool girls doing yoga..or some kind of dancing

That was in Crowley. Where you at? Lets dig some holes! Maybe bottles...