Detecting along an old power line easement

[brianc053]

TreasureNet community: there is an old easement in my rural, woodsy neighborhood that apparently had a power line running through it at one point. Today it's completely grown back into woods, but using old aerial photography on NETR Online ? Historic Aerials I can see where it used to run. A long portion of it runs through what is now a 900 acre nature preserve that surrounds a reservoir; there aren't any restrictions (apparently) on the use of detectors in the preserve, and my son and I have poked around randomly in that woods, finding primarily old shotgun headstamps (side note: turtlefoot's database is awesome for identification; our oldest find is from the late 1800's)

So the question is: is it worth it to walk the old route of the power line? I'm sure that the answer is, "it depends" on other options in the area. Let's say the options aren't that great, and the convenience of this area being in the backyard is a bonus. But I guess what I'm really wondering is if others have used this approach (detecting old power line runs, or even current ones) and if so, what kind of stuff do you find? Your experience is what I'm really looking for.
If no one's ever found anything, I may look elsewhere.

Thanks in advance for your advice.

Brian

 

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[ivan salis]

remember its not what the land is now , or even what it was a short while back but what it has been over many years that can make a place "worth while" place to hunt --the general history of the area can be a bit tip off --was there American rev war activity , civil war troop emcampment areas --old houses or taverns was the easement along a old road or trading trail (many were placed upon old dirt roads or trails since they followed the "path of least resistance / solid ground".. )

 

[RobRieman]

If it's in your back yard you can wonder over there for an hour or two and you will have your answer right away! I have found some of my best finds in places they shouldn't be. Heck, it's free and good exercise.

 

[Tom_in_CA]

I don't think there's any reason to expect old targets along "power lines", any-more-so than anywhere else. The rule of thumb for where's-good-to-detect, is where people played (recreation), spent $$ (stage stops, saloons, etc...), slept/camped, or habitated (homes, cellar holes, foundations, etc...). And I do not see any of those criteria as being present at old power lines. The short-time that it took to erect them, for a possible worker loss, it not enough to merit detecting. Any-more-so than any other place that people work for a short period (putting up a fence, etc...) is worth it.

Hence, there would need to be more to past-activity, than merely a power pole.

 

[brianc053]

Thanks for the feedback guys.
I might take Rob's advice and get out and get some exercise, but based on Ivan and Tom's feedback I will not expect to find much.
I will keep searching for historically active locales near me.

Good luck out there.
- Brian

 

[cudamark]

I agree with Tom. Unless you know of some other "better" use of that land sometime in the past, it's very unlikely it will produce anything of value.

 

[maxxkatt]

NETR Online ? Historic Aerials if they have maps of your area this will show you if there were any structures along the power lines. I have found old home sites under power lines in North Atlanta.

 

[Craftbunny]

Would power lines interfere with the detector?

 

[Real de Tayopa Tropical Tramp]

Possibly, in which case you have to sweep parallel to the lines, same as for a wire fence or reenforcing bars.

 

[Craftbunny]

Oh,OK thanks

 

[Charlie P. (NY)]

Powerlines are evidence of people, but generally not where someone goes in and out of their pockets or carries out transactions. But depending on what you're looking for - as others have noted - they get you in to where older sites may have been. And someone may have dropped a coin fishing a cartridge out of their pocket when hunting.

You might find some old copper wire - which is nothing to sneeze at. But you might also be asked how you came up with it when you try and sell it.

Remember too - the "easement" is between the utility and the property owner. It is not license for the general public to trespass if the owner is against it. Hereabouts they are kind of "public domain" but that is not always the case. I have a high-tension line that cuts across the back of my property and have found some odd bits (a brass valve, chain, pocket knife, farming and logging machinery iron bits, etc.). Standing right under the lines will test the EMI shielding of your detector for certain.

 

[brianc053]

Thanks everyone for the additional comments.

- Brian