i get paranoid hunting in public areas

[mcockrell]

I have never had anyone say anything negative to me so far. but whenever I am in a public park or a school playground I can feel the eyes of others on me and it kind of creeps me out. I start getting paranoid. it just seems like wherever I go other people always come right up on me for no reason at all. if im at a park that has a huge grass area I will always go to a spot or corner where no one is. and it never fails, within 10-20 minutes there will be people playing Frisbees or walking dogs within 20 feet of me. so I move. and it happens again.

every once in a while someone will actually strike up a conversation or something (which I would rather them do instead of stare at me from a distance). last weekend we went to a park that has a disc golf course (I hope that is the right lingo) and several of those guys struck up conversations. but other than that I will either get stares, get moved in on, or get the usual "finding anything" or "you didn't find my rolex did you?" type deals.

I just always feel like im doing something im not supposed to do for some reason. there are lots of places I would like to go that here in my city or very close. we don't have a real big MD base where I am so im fairly sure any place I go would pay off, but every time I pull into a parking lot and I see more than just a handful of people then I start freaking out and I go somewhere I know there wont be a lot of people.

just curious if anyone else shares similar feelings

 

[Limitool]

Absolutely... I went to a boat landing in town on the Duck River to "hunt" around. Not a soul around... within minutes several people were "watching". And then when I decided to dig a target here came a couple of them to see. I felt like I was doing something wrong also. Then a city police car showed up and parked about 50 yards away. He just sat in the car and watched me. And talk about uneasy feelings I was then paranoid about digging ANY targets. I left. But I do know the feeling and your not alone buddy.

 

[huntsman53]

I know what you all mean but you can turn it around on them. Just get you a Go-Pro Camera with a head-mount, take it with you and turn it on whenever folks show up and turn their way occasionally so that they will know or at least believe you are filming them. Many folks like to gawk but hate to be filmed and especially so the unsavory characters watching you and even Cops. You will be surprised at the results! If anyone comes up and gives you crap for filming them, just say that you were just filming your metal detecting adventure and finds and it is not your fault that they invaded your space and got filmed. You might even have to go further by stating that when you edit the video, that you will edit them out.

Brad... In your case, just bring Jordan along as I am sure he will have his' Go-Pro Camera with him!


Frank

 

[airscapes]

Have not had that happen... I don't pay any attention to them.. In fact, I would think if you constantly stop what you are doing to look around to see who is watching you, you look to them like you are doing something wrong and they want to investigate what you are doing. Never mind all the TV shows they may have seen and want to see what you are digging up, thinking it will be something really cool, like on TV!
Anyway, I just pay attention to what I am doing and act like I belong there, cause after all, if there is no rule against MD, I have just as much right there as they do! In a place I am not familiar with, I will use only one in-ear driver so I can hear what is going on around me.

One other thing to keep in mind.. For those folk (majority of people) the don't know or understand the interest in Metal Detecting, they just see us as old frats looking for loose change.. Look why a nit wit.. At least that is what I used to think when I would see someone with a MD in a park..

 

[VernonWalter]

Yes, without fail. I think it's a personal confidence thing that I want to work through. Basically, I can tell people are interested because there's an element of potential jealousy. Sort of like the saying "You can't win the lottery if you don't buy a ticket," when detecting, I'm out there trying to play a grown up version of finder's keepers. A part of me has reservations about this kind of game, and can understand people looking down on it somewhat. I can see their perspective, but I also don't agree in the sense that I'm actually a big history and arts person, just like being outdoors, and yes I'm rather poor and would enjoy finding something of value. The universe knows I've lost, or had stolen, a fair share of items over the years. A little excitement and return would be appreciated.

As for the note about filming, I think that's great! I'm going to start trying that too. I've got a itsy bitsy tri-pod thing, so I'll put my camera on that and point it in the area I want to search. Wide field view. If anybody asks, it's for a tutorial or something. What I'd like to emphasize is that I agree people take a totally different approach when there's a camera involved. Might not even need to turn a GoPro on, just wear it around haha!

I do intend to eventually take my dog with me, but she's still a goofy puppy and needs training. Once she's up to speed I know she'll basically just follow and then sit whenever I decide to dig. Hopefully people would be more interested in the dog than me, if at all.

 

[Tom_in_CA]

mcockrell, I feel your pain. Let's be perfectly honest folks: a man with a metal detector has "connotations". Ie.: that you may be about to (gasp) dig and thus leave marks. Or (gasp) "take" something home with you, blah blah blah. As much as we wish everyone loved and hugged us and rolled out red-carpets for us .... it just aint gonna happen. There will always be the connotations and "magnet for lookie lous" that the odd-fellow with the geiger-counter thingy invokes.

So a few observations:

a) your fear/feelings, believe it or not, can set off the VERY THING you wished to avoid, in the first place. Because the vibes you give off, are picked up by those around you. You know, like if you're subconsciously looking around at passerbys with the "oh no does he see me" or "oh no is he going to come up and say something or boot me", etc.... will be picked up by those who .... may otherwise have cared less. Therefore I find that a look of confidence (the old "act like you own the place and know what you're doing" look) goes a long way, to KEEP people from wondering "gee what's that guy doing?".

b) Still though, even with practicing (a) above, it's not bullet-proof. Which is why I've gotten to where I do a lot of my hunting (at least turf anyhow) at night. So peaceful. So serene .

 

[Muddyhandz]

When lots of people start staring, I usually loosen my belt so that my pants fall down.
Every time I bend down to dig a signal, I "crack them a smile."
Or I stop swinging, stand still and stare right back at them until they get uncomfortable and walk away.
I have no time to waste answering stupid questions or feeling uncomfortable from stares.
They can all just kiss my a$$.
I've promoted the hobby enough in the last 30 years so I don't owe anybody my time and I'm sure as hell not gonna let them ruin my mojo!
Cheers,
Dave.

 

[Boatlode]

I just tell them I'm with the government, finding and removing unexploded ordnance. They usually stay away from me after that.

 

[VernonWalter]

I just tell them I'm with the government, finding and removing unexploded ordnance. They usually stay away from me after that.

Originally I was going to post "Just pretend you only speak German or something" but this easily takes the cake. Nicely done!

 

[NGE]

It should not make ya paranoid, unless you've been doing "jane" too much, card or no card. I have been detecting for over 50 years, and it was the same back then as it is now. But it doesn't bother me. If you're worried about people sneakin' up on ya....... If the sun is out, watch where your shadow falls, then when ya get down to dig, make sure your shadow falls where ya can see it, this will give you enough time to use your digger as a weapon, if need be.......nge

 

[BosnMate]

First, the bad news. Ya pretty much gotta go where the people are, because they loose the stuff you are looking for.
If you go to the unused portion of the park, stands to reason there isn't going to be much lost there. If you go to the beach, your best bet is the blanket line where the people congregate. So for me, the answer is to go either early or late. Some people even detect at night. I'm retired, so I go to the beach during the week, and try and get there early. Same with parks and kiddie lots.

 

[Escape]

Make a business card that says, “I'm sorry, I would like to speak with you but I can't. I have no vocal cords. Please keep this card for good luck. Any money you could give me would be greatly appreciated." Once you start raking in those dollars you won't mind people comming up to you.

 

[DDancer]

Hmm, Its not all that unusual to feel a bit of paranoia while detecting. I get the feeling myself from time to time and will stop and look around to see if there is some justification for it. I find it interesting that one often can "feel eyes staring at them" and during my looksee there usually is someone, or a bunch of them, watching.

Unless the watchers look to be someone or something I don't feel are peaceful I just chalk it up to curiosity and move on about my business. Consider yourself in their position... this maybe a park or school where the observers often come. You have your space too however your a stranger here. They don't know you and probably know less about what your doing. Are you a possible threat? Are you going to find something unusual and maybe bring a spark of excitement to their people watching? Because you may not be one of the "locals" maybe they are watching you to "protect" their space, the people and place, they know and would like to preserve in peace.
These kinds of things are thought experiments I use, and have used, to put myself into a thought frame where in I justify my presence and remove that bit of paranoia that I am feeling from time to time. Unless there is some rational reason to feel fear I let the matter drop and act as I should to indicate to the watchers that "Yes I do belong here, No I am not a threat". Body language is a real thing and, believe it or not, that is what the watchers are observing as well as "what" you are doing.
I feel its a basic element of nature~ all creatures do it.

Things I do to stave off paranoia:
I dress so I don't look like a hobo or a predator. I check my surroundings regularly, this lets watchers know I'm aware of them, and I don't stare at anyone longer than it takes to acknowledge their presence. I move with a purpose that lets others see I'm engaged in what I'm doing and discourages thoughts that I may pose a threat or that I'm inviting conversation. When encountered with people "moving into my space" I work around them and I don't enter the space of people who have established themselves.... they are not detecting *and though it may be frustrating* so I can come back at another time and check that space out later. When approached I evaluate how I will react to them and act accordingly however if they are "pests" I can pick up and leave. As said, they are not detecting and I can come back later. I will show respect and answer questions to some extent however I will never show them What I've found and have my standard answer to that always ready.
People tend to get bored quickly, though children are an exception , and by tone and body language I find they quickly screen me out of their thoughts leaving me be to dig my holes. The big open spaces are, as I understand it, not there for just my use. They are their for others as well and places like ball fields, Frisbee courses or just tot lots have a purpose... to which my use is secondary.

All in all if I have found that these things work for me. If you really want to test paranoia detect a woodchip park full of little kids. The thoughts I have outlined for myself really prove true to me. And if you do try the woodchip park you'll find that you'll have to use every bit of what I said to get thru it as well as having to be a good actor

 

[Fletch88]

I feel the same way which is why I hate public parks and places. I even feel this way on semi crowded beaches. My wife says I better grow thicker skin if I want to continue this obcession! Lol

 

[Limitool]

I know what you all mean but you can turn it around on them. Just get you a Go-Pro Camera with a head-mount, take it with you and turn it on whenever folks show up and turn their way occasionally so that they will know or at least believe you are filming them. Many folks like to gawk but hate to be filmed and especially so the unsavory characters watching you and even Cops. You will be surprised at the results! If anyone comes up and gives you crap for filming them, just say that you were just filming your metal detecting adventure and finds and it is not your fault that they invaded your space and got filmed. You might even have to go further by stating that when you edit the video, that you will edit them out.

Brad... In your case, just bring Jordan along as I am sure he will have his' Go-Pro Camera with him! Frank

Great idea.... in fact he can dig all the targets also. Well.. just the ones I let him. Maybe I'll take him horse and oxen shoe hunting!!!!

 

[huntsman53]

Great idea.... in fact he can dig all the targets also. Well.. just the ones I let him. Maybe I'll take him horse and oxen shoe hunting!!!!

LMAO!!


Frank

 

[Treasure_Hunter]

I hunt crowded beaches and some parks with no 2nd thoughts about it.. Doesn't bother me in the least...






American by birth, Patriot by choice.

I would rather die standing on my two feet defending our Constitution than live a lifetime on my knees......

 

[Stacy0476]

LMAO at all the ideas! Mcockrell... I feel the same way sometimes when we first start the day (Mcockrell.... My better half 😉) but most of the time I get so lost in detecting that I forget about the other people) That is..... Until that frisbee whizzes by my head... Lol

 

[justdon]

Iam kind of the oposite if iam in a new place or bad part of town i get paranoid and iam always looking around to see who is there.When its a park or beach with lots of people i know they are watching to see if i will find anything.If i don't won't to talk to them.I just keep my headphones on and pretend i can't hear them.

 

[JunkShopFiddler]

Opposite for me, I actually like to detect in a more crowded spot, makes me feel like I blend in. I get paranoid detecting in a ballpark or school field when I am the only one there, poking around the premises like a potential thief. That is the only time I have attracted the attention of law enforcement officers.

If someone comes up and tries to start a conversation when I don't feel like talking I say to them very politely, "I'm sorry, I can't hear you with these earphones on". They usually get the message, nod their heads and walk away.

The best comment I ever got was from an eight or nine year boy who rode his bike up to me in a park where I had found nothing (including trash) after two hours of hunting. And the little guy says to me, "You're not gonna' find anything here". Then he points to a house across the street says, "My Grandpa lives over there, he has one of those things and he's already got it all"