Hello Hoosiers

[Heatherbelle654]

I don't have a metal detector. Yet. But I'm asking for one for Christmas well, either that or another goldendoodle puppy (we lost ours unexpectedly early this summer
Hopefully come springtime I can meet up with some fellow Hoosiers who wouldn't mind showing a newbie the ropes

 

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[Peyton Manning]

umm metal detectors don't leave pootypoo around..

 

[Heatherbelle654]

True. But (and I don't know from actual experience but I'm taking a wild guess here) I don't think metal detectors are quite as comfy to snuggle
It's a sunny, mild & almost warm day here in South Bend, but windy. My nephew and I are headed down the road to a wooded pathway where we take rockhounding walks when it's nice. There's a spot that's been cleared of shrubs/weeds & recently bulldozed over and we're gonna check it out for arrowheads and neat rocks we can throw in the tumbler

 

[crank bait]

I see the post is old but. Im n Mitchell. Do you ever hunt Hoosier Ntl. forest?

 

[GRiley]

Hi crank bait, welcome to the forum.

There is a link to rules on detecting the Hoosier National Forest at the end of this post should anyone want to check my info. if you didn't already know. This is what it says.

Precious minerals including gold and gems such as garnet are found in limited quantities on the Forest. Recreational gold panning or panning for sapphires and garnets is allowed so long as no commercial equipment such as dredges or sluices are used and no earth is disturbed. Panning is not likely to yield more than very small amounts of any precious mineral however it has long been a fun activities for families. No panning is allowed in the Charles C. Deam Wilderness area.
Much of the Hoosier National Forest was once settled, and old house sites are common on the Forest. Bottles, old equipment, and other household utensils often remain at these sites. These items are protected and may not be removed. As historians and archaeologists examine the sites, many of these items allow for them to date occupancy of the site and from these traces of the past, they can learn more about our heritage. Use of a metal detector to search for coins or other antiques and historic artifacts is prohibited. These objects are part of the cultural history of the area and are protected under federal antiquities acts. However, an exception to this rule is that coins may be collected and metal detectors used on beach areas in developed recreation sites.
Just as much of the Forest was once settled by pioneers, in prehistory times, the area was used by Native Americans and there are still many reminders of their life here. Any artifacts such as arrowheads, spear points, pottery, and grinding stones are protected by law and collection of these items is absolutely prohibited. Any earth disturbing activities in rock shelters or other sites of prehistoric occupation or possession of these artifacts on national forest lands is punishable by fines and imprisonment.

Hoosier National Forest - Forest Products Permits

 

[crank bait]

The weather is changing very fast, hope the ground don't freeze till Jan. Went out and bought clothing for winter detecting, Kudos to the Gerry clothing co. , found wind and H2O proof jacket, pockets galore, sleeves are wind proof , bottom of jacket is also wind proof, they do this with little draw strings, makes it very comfortable and very fitting. Tried to H2O proof gloves and towels, the jury is still out on those, lol. As I see it anything above 35 and no frozen ground, im gonna be digging in the dirt all winter! This dang MD has gotten ahold of me!!

 

[crank bait]

LOL, this poor pathetic state, I was under the assumption we owned this land since we pay taxes. Oh well, they can sell our toll roads and not ask us but we cant make little holes in the dirt LOL!! Ok thanks for the info I was almost sure we couldn't MD in the Hoosier. Lannie

 

[GRiley]

In regard to the Hoosier National Forest. I believe we are historians and archaeologists. We date our finds, preserve them from further decay, photograph and then display them proudly. How many of you have seen an archaeologists while out detecting old home sites? There are not enough of them to ever get around to common 100-150 year old sites and most of them wouldn't bother with one.

 

[bountyhuntergirl86]

I'm in Davees County IN

 

[GRiley]

I don't have a metal detector. Yet. But I'm asking for one for Christmas well, either that or another goldendoodle puppy (we lost ours unexpectedly early this summer
Hopefully come springtime I can meet up with some fellow Hoosiers who wouldn't mind showing a newbie the ropes

Heather,
May I ask? Did you get either for Christmas?

 

[Heatherbelle654]

Haha! Actually,my kids and husband surprised me yesterday and i DID get one! A metal detector that is, but we have been looking for a puppy too
So, i will probably spend the winter annoying everyone with questions, and i already have one. Where CAN i md in Indiana? I will likely start out with friends/family who have large properties, and i know better than to go on private property without permission, but what about areas that are public (or assumed to be public?) Parks? I live outside city limits, not "in the country" by far but lots of space and peacr and quiet. A block down from me on the street that mine intetsects, there were several houses over the past 4 years that were tore down. Now there are about 2 city blocks of fields where houses were. Can i go there? What about along the river? My daughters and i go on what they call"adventure walks" almost daily until it gets too cold out. By our house, we walk along some railroad tracks near us, rockhounding, the girls like to find old railroad spikes and we have rock tumblers so we look for pretty ones we can put in there. Can i MD there, on the path we walk along that is adjacent to the tracks? It is not along anyones property, the pathway we walk is just off the side of the street, i.dont know if that area is "public" or the property of the railroad line or something like that? We also go to some spots along the St Joe river where they hunt for shells and i collect river rocks. We only walk around the river in public access areas,can i take my MD there?
Of course i want to go out NOW and play with it, lol, but the ground is covered in snow and probably frozen :/
Thank you for checking on that i honestly did not have an interest in metal detecting, other than the idea "ooh that would be fun to do sometime", until i.started coming to this site for our family rockhounding hobby. I dont have expectations of getting rich with this, my interests are with the adventure, with finding stuff! Thanks in advance to anyone who chimes in about the above questions, ive already learned so much from all you in just reading through the forums here.
I hope you all had a Merry Christmas, and thanks again and i hope i don't annoy you over this next year with my newbie questions!

 

[wingmaster]

State parks are off limits and so are federal lands. HH

 

[GRiley]

Heather,
Congrats on the detector. In my county all parks are open to hunting. I'm sorry to say that's not the case everywhere. To be sure your local parks dept. should be contacted. You could also check to see if your local fairgrounds allows detecting. Here in Indiana some state parks with a swimming beach will allow detecting on the beach only. Again you will need to check. Public hunting spots are getting harder to find. I suggest making a lot of new friends with older homes. This Forum is great with advice as I'm sure you have discovered. Please keep us informed of your detecting adventures........HH

 

[ModernMiner]

Hi Heather,
Let me start out by saying Hoosier's are ALWAYS welcome here. They are the best people on Earth.
Welcome to Tnet. What brand and model of detector did you get?
I am originally from LaPorte (1978 graduate of LPHS), and live in NC now. I still have a house up there in Fish Lake where my Mom stays. My wife and I come up there quite often so I can see my family and my wife can get her fix at the Blue Chip Casino.
I have a lot of contacts around LaPorte and normally detect late 1800's-early 1900's homes when I come up. I would be glad to meet you and show you the ropes next time I come up in the spring. In the meantime, you should sink your teeth into some city parks, picnic areas, and playgrounds to get used to your detector. Those are great places to learn the various type of signals (alum, copper, silver, tin, gold, etc.). You will dig a lot of junk, but on the plus side you will also dig a lot of coins and perhaps some bling.
Myself, I am hooked on old properties and CW relic hunting. There is another great up up there in South Bend that goes by the name "JGAS" here on Tnet. He and his buddy dig out the old privies at old SB homes and make some amazing finds. You may want to shoot him a PM and give him a call. He could probably point you in the right direction. Tell him Doug "Modern Miner" sent you.
Good luck to you and I hope you are very successful in your detecting "career". It's very addicting.
Happy Holiday,
Doug

 

[wingmaster]

They for sure wouldn't do it for fun only if they are paid to do so then they get people to volunteer to do the actual digging part. HH

In regard to the Hoosier National Forest. I believe we are historians and archaeologists. We date our finds, preserve them from further decay, photograph and then display them proudly. How many of you have seen an archaeologists while out detecting old home sites? There are not enough of them to ever get around to common 100-150 year old sites and most of them wouldn't bother with one.