Explorer Onslaught/12 Hour Hunt-08-17.....

Ricardo_NY1 · Aug 18, 2008

ended up with a new best. Tom and I hunted the previous day and I remember telling him that an 11 silver day would be hard to ever beat. And the thing is, I was there only for one more coin. That was the real purpose. I personally don't care for personal bests. Days like this, I simply like to test out what can be done. How far you can go, how far you can hunt. I take just as much pride in the number of hours I was able to swing that heavy son of a gun as in what I found. On to the day.......
I left home at a quarter to six and started the day at a quarter after. It took me well over an hour to find the first day's silver off the side of a path. Mission accomplished. A short time later, I ran into two rosie's in close proximity to each other and then a barber dime about three feet away. In that same area, I also found a first (The silver nickel). Moving around a bit, I ended up with 8 coins by 9:30ish. At this point, I'm thinking I have more than enough time (And gas) to tie or break Friday's 11. I call my buddy and tell him the situation. I called him back again at 1ish with a count of 12. At this point, I took a break until 2:40pm. Lower on gas but still up for it, I started combing the same areas and managed another four. Over 11 hours later, a flat minelab battery since miday (Threw on the AA version) and on my last reserve, I headed into some wooded areas where we have always hunted and dug up one last Rosie before calling it a day. Total of 17 silver coins, and a crapload of wheats.

creeper71 · Aug 18, 2008

holy Crap Ricardo your on a silver roll lately!! I hope my luck picks up as good as yours!!

Captn SE · Aug 18, 2008

Holy Cow!!! Ricardo, what's going on over there?? Have you found new parks, or are you going to your same worked parks, and everything is just clicking with the Explorer for you now?

Md'ers would assume you're swinging in virgin areas with finds like that. I remember you having some dry spells a few months back, but that sure has been wiped away.

Even though you don't care for personal bests, I'm sure that's a day you will never forget. I don't think you could have accomplished that with your Ace last year.

I remember days like that last year for me, but now I'm happy just to get 1. I know you'd be satisfied too.
Save some for next hunt, buddy!

Congrats!
CAPTN SE
Dan

Ricardo_NY1 · Aug 18, 2008

Captn_SE said:
Holy Cow!!! Ricardo, what's going on over there?? Have you found new parks, or are you going to your same worked parks, and everything is just clicking with the Explorer for you now?

Md'ers would assume you're swinging in virgin areas with finds like that. I remember you having some dry spells a few months back, but that sure has been wiped away.

Even though you don't care for personal bests, I'm sure that's a day you will never forget. I don't think you could have accomplished that with your Ace last year.

I remember days like that last year for me, but now I'm happy just to get 1. I now you'd be satisfied too.
Save some for next hunt, buddy!

Congrats!
CAPTN SE
Dan

Hey Dan,
This was definately not a virgin park........everyone in the Bronx knows about it and has hunted it. They can figure out which one of the two I was at. Tom and I were there the day before and I only managed two in about two hours. But I said to Tom what I always say........the longer you stay in this park, the more you get. It is huge and the silver is scattered. There is no point in even gridding here, (With certain exceptions). Moving around is the best tactic. No way with the Ace Dan.
As for the Explorer Dan, I attribute things to the following 1) Going from default pattern to -6 Iron Mask 2) The 8" coil 3) Following those signals/squels that stick even after you've moved the coil a foot past 4) Reviewing carefully those areas where the "Bumps" are heard. I've learned that going back to those threshold bumping areas can redevelop into a solid signal. I've also slowed down my swing speed and cadence in general. I've found that not being in a rush and taking your time can have better results. 5) Not relying on the crosshairs period. If it sounds good, dig ( I rely on the depth & Pinpointing in the final decision). I like to hear the "Putt, putt low intensity PP sound when the target is reading in the silver range 4-6 here. You know this machine well Dan.......so I think we are on a similar page with things. I learn new things almost everytime I go out. Lately, I've developed a very good knack for telling the wheats vs silver dimes apart simply by noting the tone drop off when you wave the coil several inches too far away from the center. Dimes normally maintain the high tone and don't drop off the tone once you wave off their center. The sound simply goes away. The wheats and pennies don't act the same. There is usually a drop off in tone and then they go quiet. I find this easier to discern with the 8" coil. Agree Dan?

Bartman · Aug 18, 2008

Wow, way to get it done Ricardo. Congrats on #100.

JerV3 · Aug 18, 2008

Killer hunt man,

Love to find silver

HH Jer

Captn SE · Aug 18, 2008

Dimes normally maintain the high tone and don't drop off the tone once you waving off their center. The sound simply goes away. The wheats and pennies don't act the same. There is usually a drop off in tone and then they go quiet.

I've never noticed that, Ricardo. To me, the silver dimes sound higher-pitched than the wheats (I say that, but it's not fullproof. Copper Memorials and wheats on edge can sound like silvers some times, while silver can sound like a wheatie sometimes). I have my variability set to 10, and the silver tone is actually higher pitched than a wheatie when both coins are laying flat. Sometimes I'm right, sometimes not. A worn silver (barber) could sound even lower than a wheatie. A lot of the early wheaties (teens-20's) can sound like injuns/zincs. But, you've got it down....if the tone is true and it's a deepie, "a digging we will go"!! As many wheaties as I have pulled out of my areas, I'm happy to still be digging them when I find them. I know you and I will never pass those signals up anyway...a green light goes off in our brains, and it's a sign to "begin plugging"!!

Congrats, again!! The way you're going, anything is possible!!

CAPTN SE
Dan

Ricardo_NY1 · Aug 18, 2008

Captn_SE said:
Dimes normally maintain the high tone and don't drop off the tone once you waving off their center. The sound simply goes away. The wheats and pennies don't act the same. There is usually a drop off in tone and then they go quiet.

Click to expand...

I've never noticed that, Ricardo. To me, the silver dimes sound higher-pitched than the wheats (I say that, but it's not fullproof. Copper Memorials and wheats on edge can sound like silvers some times, while silver can sound like a wheatie sometimes). I have my variability set to 10, and the silver tone is actually higher pitched than a wheatie when both coins are laying flat. Sometimes I'm right, sometimes not. A worn silver (barber) could sound even lower than a wheatie. A lot of the early wheaties (teens-20's) can sound like injuns/zincs. But, you've got it down....if the tone is true and it's a deepie, "a digging we will go"!! As many wheaties as I have pulled out of my areas, I'm happy to still be digging them when I find them. I know you and I will never pass those signals up anyway...a green light goes off in our brains, and it's a sign to "begin plugging"!!

Congrats, again!! The way you're going, anything is possible!!

CAPTN SE
Dan

Hello Dan,
My limits are set at 10 and Variablity set at 8. I don't hear much of a difference between silver dimes and wheats sometimes. With these settings, wheats can sound just as good as a silver dime.........the only tell tale way that I've found is what I mentioned. You can wave your coil all over the place and the dime will maintain the high pitch/tone throughout. With the wheats or tricky memorials, the tone drops off a notch and then the sound goes away.
And you're right, I know better than to not dig those signals. As I always mention to Tom who is going to be using his Explorer soon...........I dig those anways. A worn barber or on edge silver coin can sound like a penny...........And I'm not getting tricked (Digging trash/wheats/memorials........I am making a decision to dig those signals because IT COULD be silver, even if it turns out to be a cap or whatever. If it's deep and it sounds like a memorial, I dig it regardless. One major reason why I don't bother to notch up the variablity is because I don't want to get into a mind frame where I can tell clad dimes from silver dimes, etc. Some say they can tell differences between mercs and rosie's etc. All that could lead to a really bad cherry picking habit. I can call it and be correct when it's definately silver 90% of the time............and the same for a non silver. But to that extent only. I dig anything that could be silver. Not just the textbook sure shots.

washingtonian · Aug 18, 2008

I'm speechless

Goes4ever · Aug 18, 2008

not sure I am doing wrong.....I only have 6 silvers for the whole year, but digs wheats constantly. Congrats on a superb day

mastereagle22 · Aug 18, 2008

Man Ricardo Minelab needs you to do a commercial for them!!

DrJoePrime · Aug 18, 2008

CONGRATS Ricardo! :thumbsup:

Pretty amazing hunt (length) and super-impressive results! That Minelab in the right hands is fantastic.

And the great thing is that you seem to really enjoy yourself.

HH Joe

LI Tom · Aug 18, 2008

Rick you just keep pushing the envelope!!Had I not known 17 silvers in one hunt to be a fact,I would not have believed it.This is not a virgin spot but a spot that has been well hunted for many years.We saw evidence this weekend,of other MD's being there and not covering their holes >:(

.Ricardo has pulled out 32 silver coins over the last 3 days,that was more than half of his last year's total.Three weeks ago,we were tied for silver count and now he has me by over 40 coins.He has been on fire with the silver lately!!! :thumbsup:

mastereagle22 · Aug 18, 2008

Don't want to stir the pot or open old wounds but MINELABS RULE!!! :thumbsup:

Ricardo_NY1 · Aug 18, 2008

LI Tom said:
Rick you just keep pushing the envelope!!Had I not known 17 silvers in one hunt to be a fact,I would not have believed it.This is not a virgin spot but a spot that has been well hunted for many years.We saw evidence this weekend,of other MD's being there and not covering their holes .Ricardo has pulled out 32 silver coins over the last 3 days,that was more than half of his last year's total.Three weeks ago,we were tied for silver count and now he has me by over 40 coins.He has been on fire with the silver lately!!!

There is definately some crackhead out there leaving holes. I saw some huge craters in the woods yesterday. Tired as I was, I took a moment to clean them up. Hunted as these places are Tom..........even by us as is the case at that Queens park where I found that first SLQ............magic happens, as was the day you walked out with seven, and I bagged six in that place............you know.........that place we crossed off the list numerous times buddy