Discouraged from the mountains of Western NC!

[MDWannabee]

Hello to all! First of all, let me extend a "Happy New Year" from the mountains of Western North Carolina!!! I am very new to metal detecting. I got a very cheap detector last year and have taken it to the beach once (public beach, which I guess is okay??). I loved every minute of it! All I found were hair pins and bottle caps, but it was great fun, got me out doors, just the excitement of digging up and not knowing what it would be was GREAT! Therefore, I asked for a better detector for Christmas, which hubby kindly obliged. I have watched tons of videos on preserving the land, removing just a core and replacing it once you have located your item, etc., and was very excited to start detecting. I took a trip to Tennessee expecting to be able to detect the river and lake beds since the TVA has dropped the water levels, however according to what we were told by the TVA, "people were making such a mess, we no longer offer permeants to MD." It also appears state parks are off limits, as well as federal land. Now I am stumped as to where I can detect outside the public beaches!

Any help and guidance would be much appreciated!

MD Newbie

 

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[Ammoman]

I would suggest you talk to people in your area. Get permission from private land owners. Just know that a very thick skin is required. Lots of very rude people. On the flip side, some very nice people will make it worth the aggravation.

 

[Terry Soloman]

Welcome from White Plains, New York! If you are looking in local playgrounds or parks, you are looking in the same place as everybody else since 1980. You need to start trying to research places people gathered in the PAST (1870 - 1950). You need to start thinking outside the box, and be prepared to do a little work with your head, not just your machine. Good Luck!

A Few Sites to Get You Started:

1) Old Schools
2) City/Town Parks
3) Circus/Fair Sites
4) Old Churches
5) Old Homestead Sites
6) Swimming Holes and Areas
7) Picnic Groves
8) Athletic Fields
9) Scout Camps
10) Rodeo Arenas
11) Campgrounds
12) Ghost Towns
13) Beaches
14) Old Taverns
15) Roadside Rest Stops
16) Sidewalk Grassy Strips
17) Amusement Parks
18) Rural Mailboxes
19) Reunion Areas
20) Revival sites
21) Fort Sites
22) Winter Sledding Areas
23) Lookout/Overlook Sites
24) Church Supper Groves
25) Fishing Spots
26) Fishing Camps
27) Resorts
28) Old Barns and Outbuildings
29) Battle Sites
30) Band Shells
31) Racetracks
32) Rural Boundary Walls
33) Roadside Fruit and Vegetable Stands
34) Under Seaside Boardwalks
35) Flea Market Areas
36) Ski Slopes
37) Drive Ins
38) Canal Paths
39) Vacant Lots
40) Motels
41) College Campuses
42) Farmer Market Areas
43) Town Squares
44) Urban Yards and Backyards
45) Disaster Sites
46) Areas Around Skating Ponds
47) Hunting Lodges and Camps
48) Mining Camps
49) Railroad Grades, Stations and Junctions
50) Hiking Trails
51) Waterfalls
52) Rural Dance Sites
53) Lover's Lanes
54) Areas Adjacent to Historical Markers
55) Old Gas Stations and General Stores
56) Fence Posts
57) Chicken Houses
58) Bridges and Fords
59) Flower Beds
60) Playgrounds
61) Old Garbage Dumps
62) Cloth Lines
63) Military Camp and Cantonment Sites
64) Wells and Outhouses
65) Abandoned Houses and Structures
66) Areas where Old Trails Cross County or State Boundaries
67) Piles of Scraped Soil at Construction Sites
68) Old Stone Quarries
69) Areas Around Old Abandoned Cemeteries in the Forest
70) Junctions of Abandoned Roads (crossroads)

 

[DeepseekerADS]

MDWannabee,

You keep the faith! Terry gave you a great list of locations, and those 70 suggestions are just the beginning.

May we ask what make & model of detector you are currently using? Someone here may be able to increase your "experience" through suggestions.

 

[pat-tekker-cat]

If I was in W. N.C., I'd be wanting me a backhoe to dig me up some gemstones!
Maybe blow a few holes in the ground, lol.

Terry's spot on, gotta search and know your area.
Any chance to get outta town presents new area......
For me, the beaches are just the best!
Keep hanging in there, be safe, and read up and learn here on tnet, too.
Welcome!

 

[vpnavy]

Welcome Aboard! Take a look at Sub-Forums: North Carolina for information (i.e., clubs, etc.) directly related to your state.

 

[BARKER]

Hi; Greetings from Boston & Welcome to TNet. NOW the first thing We need to help you is what is the Make & Model of your detector. You'll be amazed at how much info We have here regarding your detector ok. Second, Terry is spot on with the list above. That's 70 areas for you to search and that IS only the start. Thiird, Look in the Sub Forums here for the Club closest to you. There you will meet the folks that "KNOW" the areas to go and any regulations you may face ok. They will also be glad to invite you out digging with them as well ok. With this said We here await your reply. PEACE:RONB

 

[Enginefitter]

Welcome from NE Ohio.

Engine

 

[Professor of Engineering]

Welcome to the forum from Massachusetts!

Terry gave you some great places to think about!

 

[against the wind]

Welcome to Tnet,
If you P.M. me your town, and county, I might be able to locate a spot or two that is not off duty.

 

[NHBandit]

Welcome from North East Tennessee. Just over the hills from ya. Might be some ghost towns in the Smokies that aren't off limits. Lots of places around Maggie Valley where people have been gathering for many years. One of my favorite places to go is Cataloochee but I'm guessing that's off limits to detecting due to it being in the National Forest. I'd love to poke around this place in Cataloochee but it's just not gonna happen.. lol

 

[bootybandit]

Welcome to TNET!