How deep do you go?

[rossman85]

I am newer to the hobby, and i was in a local park today, and i am just wondering how deep do you guys dig in parks? I was only digging 4-6" due to the park being shared by everyone.

 

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[ticm]

I am newer to the hobby, and i was in a local park today, and i am just wondering how deep do you guys dig in parks? I was only digging 4-6" due to the park being shared by everyone.

As far as needed.

 

[Tom_in_CA]

rossman, about the deepest I've gone for older coins in parks is 9". To get 10" on a coin sized object, with any discriminating detector, is quite a feat. Perhaps a quarter to 10", if you have an un-obstructed view, and a half to 11", etc...). Certainly there are machines that can get a coin-sized target deeper, but once you go beyond depths like that, you're talking all-metal, or very very poor TID's (gonna get fooled by wierd teensy stuff, etc...). But typically, not more than 8", .... or 9" if I'm really grasping for deep turf silver.

You say you didn't want to go deeper, : ".....due to the park being shared by everyone ....". A word of advice to you, since you're new in the hobby: If the park is filled with regular park-goer traffic, .... is NOT the time to go turf hunting. You need to pick a little bit more .... uh .... discreet times. Like before 8am, or after 5pm, etc... Once beach blankets, and frolicking park goers start to be lookie-lous, is not the time to be going for turf deepies. Not that there's anything illegal about it mind you (since you plan to leave no trace), but ....... you have to keep in mind you're in an odd hobby that draws lookie lous, and has connotations (that you might leave a mess). So the best time for md'ing, is in low traffic times, where you need not fear the gaze of the "everyone" you allude to.

 

[cudamark]

Once you've cut a trap door or plug, what difference does it make how deep you go? It's just a little more dirt to remove and replace.

 

[norbyx]

As deep as my detector let's me. I agree that if you have your plug cut there is no difference on how dip you will go after. As long as you collect all your dirt in a cloth of some kind and don't make a mess out of your digging I doubt there can be any issues.

 

[rossman85]

As deep as my detector let's me. I agree that if you have your plug cut there is no difference on how dip you will go after. As long as you collect all your dirt in a cloth of some kind and don't make a mess out of your digging I doubt there can be any issues.

I definitely kept my plugs clean, as I don't want to ruin the hobby for others in the future.

 

[norbyx]

I definitely kept my plugs clean, as I don't want to ruin the hobby for others in the future.

Well done,
And thanks from every metal detectorist

Sent from my iPhone using TreasureNet

 

[LuckyThirteen08]

Im the type of person that will dig a pull tab at 3 feet if i can find it and the area is old enough...Not that ive ever found a pulltab at three feet but if i ever did,You can bet your money id most likely dig it up.Like i said,Id dig a hole so deep that id be trespassing on the devils land if i thought there was a good target down there.

 

[rossman85]

Im the type of person that will dig a pull tab at 3 feet if i can find it and the area is old enough...Not that ive ever found a pulltab at three feet but if i ever did,You can bet your money id most likely dig it up.Like i said,Id dig a hole so deep that id be trespassing on the devils land if i thought there was a good target down there.

I dont think i could do that to a park, but some old wooded homesteads for sure

 

[hikeinmts]

You have to make a judgment about the depth.....dig until you get uncomfortable, then quit. The suggestion about the time was also good. When I
hunted parks in the States, I went out at about 11 p.m. or 12 midnight....to begin my hunt. But, I always had someone else with me, to ride shotgun. But,
most people steer clear of the parks at night, for obvious reasons. So, should have no problem digging. Good comments about keeping the area clean, too.
Leave the area so you can go back later, and no one will say anything to you.
(When hunting at night, I would always use headphones, and wear dark clothing. Did not use a light....just let my eyes become adjusted to the dark.
For sure, take someone else with you.)

 

[sheep]

Well done,
And thanks from every metal detectorist

Sent from my iPhone using TreasureNet

That's for sure. HUGE THANKS! I went to a big park yesterday and seen hole after hole left open with can slaw or other junk laying right on top. Whoever it was left the hole and the trash. I cleaned up every one I seen before its reported and they enforce a ban because of lazy mders ruining it for everyone.

 

[LuckyThirteen08]

I never leave a hole open,We had that problem with some group from out of state last year,They left so many holes behind that alot of our normal spots are no longer open for metal detecting,I believe you should always leave a site as good or better than when you found it.

 

[Tee1up]

My depth depends on soil conditions. Right now we have been without rain for quite some time and most of the areas I've been hitting are getting really hard to cut into. Even if you go after-hours, when digging in a public park I like to spread out a canvas rag next to a dig spot. I roll back the plug and then any additional dirt goes on the rag. When I'm done, it all goes back in the hole and then stamp down the plug. Good as new. Otherwise it will take weeks (and a rain) for that fresh black dirt to dissolve away. Try and keep public areas pretty.

 

[rossman85]

You have to make a judgment about the depth.....dig until you get uncomfortable, then quit. The suggestion about the time was also good. When I
hunted parks in the States, I went out at about 11 p.m. or 12 midnight....to begin my hunt. But, I always had someone else with me, to ride shotgun. But,
most people steer clear of the parks at night, for obvious reasons. So, should have no problem digging. Good comments about keeping the area clean, too.
Leave the area so you can go back later, and no one will say anything to you.
(When hunting at night, I would always use headphones, and wear dark clothing. Did not use a light....just let my eyes become adjusted to the dark.
For sure, take someone else with you.)

Around pa here most parks, local or state, are open dawn to dusk

 

[Del Digger]

I found that starting really early in the morning is best for parks. I mean just past dawn. Long about 9 am I get too many watchers, especially kids.