i get paranoid hunting in public areas

[Stacy0476]

Lol! That's funny!

 

[MuckyBottles]

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

I think I know how you feel. If your in a public park, especially in you municipality, I like to use this phrase:
"My tax dollars go to keep this park operational, unless otherwise noted, I have the right to use this park just like you"

 

[SusanMN]

One of the things that I greatly regret is giving up the hobby in the early 80's for exactly the reasons you have mention. I was too self conscious to be out in a park hunting and hated that people were looking at me. I think of all the great finds and fun I missed from then until I got back into it in 2007. Now, to hell with them. I do prefer a park that isn't full of people, but I simply don't care what the lookers are thinking of me. I know what I am doing is legal, so I don't worry about the authorities either. You just need to get over it and get on with enjoying the hunt.

 

[Papalittle]

I never feel paranoid around where I detect, reason? 95% of the people in the towns I go they know my face and most know my name. Now if I went say to Lincoln or Omaha where I am not known I probably would develop some kind of paranoia.

 

[nuggetdog]

Thanks for the post mcockrell, thats why I do most of my hunting in the mountains, away from people. When I do, do parks and such I get up real early and quit pretty early as well. It's good to know others feel the same as I do, was starting to think something was wrong with me.

 

[MuckyBottles]

Thanks for the post mcockrell, thats why I do most of my hunting in the mountains, away from people. When I do, do parks and such I get up real early and quit pretty early as well. It's good to know others feel the same as I do, was starting to think something was wrong with me.

Like your signature pic bud...a 2/5 guy huh?

Since I like to ruffle feathers, if there is people watching me i usually do a few things like stare back at them all wild eyed, talk to myself and answer myself, etc..
they usually scurry like roachs after that..lol...especially when I am hunting the jersey shore..

 

[SilverFinger]

I'm not sure if they creep me out, they just flat out bug me. Never seems to fail that when I go to a great spot, SOMEONE is either there or shows up moments after. Again, we're doing something outside the status quo. If we were littering, drinking beer, listening to football, revving our car engines, etc. nobody would even notice. Since we're swinging an alien electronic instrument and actually enjoying something outside of the last sentence, we're immediately looked upon as bizzaro. I'm workin' to change that perception. Let's all do the same. One things gotta go though is that stupid "Diggers" show. I've never seen it but I hear they show us TH'ers in a bad/dumb light.

 

[MUD(S.W.A.T)]

You know what it said on one of our first minted coins?? I think Ben Franklin said it ? Big letters in the center of the coin... "Mind your Business!!" Is what it says... I get paranoid too, but in the end I've learned just to ignore them. If they talk to you just be polite and they move on. If they stare oh well let them that can't hurt... If they threaten the police or call the police, your not doing anything illegal...

Keep @ it and HH !!

 

[MuckyBottles]

I'm not sure if they creep me out, they just flat out bug me. Never seems to fail that when I go to a great spot, SOMEONE is either there or shows up moments after. Again, we're doing something outside the status quo. If we were littering, drinking beer, listening to football, revving our car engines, etc. nobody would even notice. Since we're swinging an alien electronic instrument and actually enjoying something outside of the last sentence, we're immediately looked upon as bizzaro. I'm workin' to change that perception. Let's all do the same. One things gotta go though is that stupid "Diggers" show. I've never seen it but I hear they show us TH'ers in a bad/dumb light.

You think its bad for our hobby? I take the show for what its worth, entertainment, akin to those professional fishing shows, i.e. Jimmy Houston..and his laugh..

 

[BARKER]

Hi; After 45 years in field I've met every type of spectator there is. If they ask I usually am just polite and they leave. If they continue asking I have a talent for painting myself as a real life Indiana Jones. I can tell all kinds of stories about Spanish Galleons, A Viking Sword etc., They are usually happy and leave. Then if trouble comes I have no problems there either. I spent 6 years in the ring. I'm former Special Ops and my Smithy is glad to help when all else fails.!!!
Yes I have had trouble in the field but that is so rare for me that it is almost non existent. BUUUUT "PLEASE do keep your head up and your eyes open ok. PEACE:RONB

 

[scaupus]

a littl e bourbon clears your mind inicely.

 

[Eddie Current]

Mostly people are just curious. One more than a few occasions I have just started conversations with a few of the people, looking for local leads. Just this week, one of the Ranger's pulled up and watched me digging. Since I know my holes were all covered, he probably was just curious. Ends up he had a metal detector and gave me a few places to look for older items. Be friendly with the older people, as they might remember some forgotten sites (plus they usually like to talk about stuff...

I am always alert to possible bad situations. Plus I always make sure my diigger is kept sharp to cut the roots.

 

[DebiC]

Most people get totally crazy about the idea of digging a plug in grass. Like grass is sacred and you must never drive on it walk on it or dig it. Ive asked permission and been happily given it then the people come out later and they go ballistic because Im using a trowel to dig? WTH? Doesn't even matter if they have a crappy weed patch and I leave everything neat as a pin. I think they sit in the house thinking about the "treasure" Im taking away and they get mad.

 

[Msbeepbeep]

I think we all feel that way starting out but get more comfortable with people around the more we detect.
You have just as much right to be there as they do!
I wear headphones, I can hear them if I want to, or not, my choice. I do mutter to my self occasionally.
My detecting time is limited so I'd rather be left alone but I will talk to people that are interested in the hobby.

I've had my resolve tested when detecting alone at a park. A guy walked across the field toward me with a double barrel shot gun cradled in his arms. Since I can't out run a bullet (or much else) I was actually a little ticked off because I was doing nothing wrong, so I stayed and had a chat with him, it was his way of deterring drug dealers in their park.
After that I'm not bothered much my people being around me, unless they are actually shooting at me! Lol!

 

[DDancer]

Yep, being approached by a double barrel tests anyones resolve I had similar resolve in Western Australia prospecting some pending area surrounded by active claims. Two blokes, one with a rifle, had a chat with me and my partner about the boundries and dingo's in the area. Didn't stop our activities but we did steer well clear of the northwest claims.

 

[huntsman53]

I can guarantee that if you were to pack my' Smith & Wesson "Performance Center" Model 25-10 Revolver in .45 Long Colt on your side, most everyone will not only leave you alone but steer clear of you. However, you will get the occasional Cop come to check to see if you are Open/Concealed Permitted to Carry because someone that saw you with it on your side was concerned and called it in.


Frank

 

[DDancer]

huntsman,
Its nice to be in a state that has constitutional open carry. Saves time with permits. However I don't see carrying open or concealed as a way to dissuade paranoia. My thought is that its probably not good to be jumpy and armed. Msbeep's experience is kind of a positive one in my thoughts though it was a tense one. My experience was more of a wave off by the other guy~ and we really did not need the reminder~ but we stood our ground and came away fine. All in how you deal with the situation and the unproven fears detecting; or any hobby that might put something in your pocket the other guy wants. Myself, and probably others, don't want to be exposed to danger. The caveat to that is that the danger has to be justified and not imagined. As a song says "paranoia self destroyer..."

 

[Msbeepbeep]

If I was is a more remote area I would apply for a license to carry.
Being in the city I'm in, my safer option is to not be displaying a nice choice weapon that the local hoods would want.
I would get mugged faster for the gun than any thing else.
I would not want to go thru our legal process for defending my right to defend myself which I would have to pay for while the bad guy gets free legal defense which I help pay for. Have to weigh all the options to see if you come out ahead or not.

When someone armed walks up to someone and they're not afraid they better be asking themselves why. I do have a taser which I can't carry without a license either, but I didn't have it on me at that time, I was just real tee'd off, because I was in the right for a change!

Baptism by double barrel shot gun, so staring people don't bother me much!

 

[Treasure_Hunter]

Carry Concealed if your concearned about wanting to take your firearm. 99.9% will walk away from an armed citizen.....


I have had numerous police officers in Fla tell me they wish state allowed open carry, it is proven fact there is less crime. ..






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......

 

[releventchair]

I just go about my business. Police get a brief wave if they watch but not long eye contact as there,s no reason beyond acknowledging each other.
Using a wheel chair makes me conspicuous but few people let it change view of what I,m doing so far as I know from any conversations. Questions in honest curiosity don,t bother me and the only jerk was gone before my partner that day told me what she said. I,m aware of being watched and keep the corner of my eyes sharp but actually enjoy swinging a coil. A few cents and bottle caps and some other junk. Always willing to show trash from apron and most curious are satisfied.
Just tectin is all. A couple interesting leads from elsewhere came from a chat with a employee who works one of the parks when approached by him. One rewarded effort and the other while developed a little has far to go. The local community workers are familiar with me there from repeat visits and they would find any poor plugs and hear complaints from other users if I was bothering the park or visitors and its been a long running peaceful deal. I carry that comfortable within reason approach to the other parks I hit. Starting away from heavy traffic ,unless its a group function and use of an area I just hunt it. People are free to be near but I don,t seek them out.