Metal Detecting Etiquette

[GuerillaBill]

So there I was on the beach. Detecting a simple grid pattern of a 50' x 100' area.

I was there early, no other people on the beach, just me and the birds.

So I'm detecting, with my scoop dragging behind me leaving nice grid lines behind me. Anyone with a detector would instantly recognize the grid lines.

I'm digging up a coin, and I look up to see another guy with a detector heading right toward me, right into the line that I've detected.

Now this beach is 6 miles long, and I'm just working a 50' X 100' area. Yet this other guy comes within 5 feet of where I'm digging my coins, circles around me, and then takes off on the line that I'm working!

I can't believe it. Six miles of beach (nokomis beach), and this one guy feels he has to work the area that he clearly seems me walking.

I don't say anything to him - he didn't seem to be in a talkative mood. So I just ignore him, and keep going on my line - even though he has just detected it by jumping in front of me.

He's swinging his detector fast, keeping it 14 inches above the ground on the edges of his swing, and not really finding much.

So I just ignore him.

And I do find a few more coins, and get a hit of something that sounds like gold.

I start digging, and passing the detector over the scooped sand, and trying to find the target.

I look up, and the guy is back - circling me, as close as 5 ft on each side.

I'm trying to dig a hole and this guy acts like he wants me to move out of his way!

Again, I just ignore him and keep on digging, and eventually recover something that looks like an encrusted band jacket button.

I decide to yield the beach to him. So I pack up and go to the car.

But then, I decide to get my other detector (my excalibur) and go back out to that hole.

And when I get to the beach, the guy is gone.

So whats the deal with that? Why bother me, when there is an entire beach, and if he wanted to detect where I was, why did he leave?

I've seen this same guy on other beaches in Sarasota county. He walks fast, swinging high, digging holes which he doesn't fill.

Basically he gives us all a bad name.

Tomorrow I'm hitting another beach. Hope he doesn't show up and ruin the day.

Bill

 

[txkickergirl]

I would try to strike up a friendly conversation with him and just in passing mention that I would soon be out of his way, because I got a really good place at such and such(of course make sure it is somewhere you know has tons of trash) that has produced more in one hunt then I have found in years of detecting. I just stopped by here because it was on my way before heading over there.

See how fast he leaves to beat you too it.

 

[busted leg beach bum]

I agree, I would try to communicate with him, I myself try to give others their room as I would like to have too! A little common sense and courtesy goes a long ways. And it would be nice if he filled his holes all we need is someone taking it to the right politician and getting the beaches closed for all of us!

 

[mumszie]

Bummer! We've all met this guy or someone like him. I watch them and when they are swinging fast and high above the ground and walking fast.... I don't worry about them. They are a pain and leaving the holes uncovered would bother me more than the way he was cutting in front. I figure he isn't going to find much anyway but the holes concern us all. Maybe we will get lucky and a few of those guys will read these posts and recognize themselves. Who knows.

 

[954hunter]

Dude, if you had added the details of "he was swinging an Excal.", and was "skinny and looked like a saddle bag with eyes" I would swear I've encountered this guy too.

 

[Sandman]

Mumszie, I agree with you totally. I would talk to him, asks his name, how long he's been at this hobby, does he have any tips for you as you are just starting out. If he is agreeable it just might mean he hasn't learned the proper ways of technique. You could show him the difference he'd get by keeping his coil level.

Course it just might pay to bury him in one of his holes too..............

 

[SC_hunter]

You must be an Aqua Velva Man, GuerillaBill, and he likes the smell early in the morning..lol.....Think we have all met that same guy somewhere...Think he travels from New England to California..

 

[treasurefiend]

Man that sux!!! Call him out. Tell that dumb-dumb that the beach is 6 miles long, and you don't appreciate him moving in like a vulture every time you start to dig a target!!! Also tell him that he is going to get everybody in trouble by not covering up his holes!!! He prolly has never been told off so he has no reason to stop!!!

I let a lot of things slide, but sometimes I have to speak my mind. Getting encroached upon like that is definitely one that I will make it perfectly clear for him.

 

[JP]

Guerillabill,

I'm sorry that happened to you. I have been having the same problem lately with one hunter at Clearwater. The beach is big, why he has to hunt close to me, even does the same pattern as me. He gets out of the water, walks down 50 feet and walks in front of me. The other day he did the same and I still was able to pull a nice class ring where he walked in front of me. I guess he swings too fast. I have talked to this guy before and he seemed nice, I noticed lately he has this look like he is actually mad that someone else is hunting there. He told me the other day he doesn't pick up clad anymore, he only stops for gold. (yes I know he's full of it)

If I notice I am in a lane with someone else, I just move out a little bit further. I take the move to be courteous. I ran into a few hunters the other day that seemed like we were close to the same lane. I moved over and they did too. I guess that its common sense. I believe he said his name was Les and the other was named Ken. Both are very nice and show professionalism at hunting. I have also run into cavedweller with the same results. Mumszie is another that hunts nicely. There are one or two out there that are claim jumpers.

I guess what I want to say is that most of us out there are professional in our actions. Most of us look at this as a hobby not as a living.

The beach is big enough for many of us. It's impossible to get it all. I'm sure I have passed up a lot of things, maybe the coil was a few inches off. That leaves something for the next hunter.

HH

 

[jimb]

I would stay away from the guy. It seems to me that he is one brick short of a full load!

 

[greengorilla]

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I was talking to
GuerrillaBill when this guy started this weirdness, it was pretty freaky listening to the play by play. This cretin was wearing phones so GB would have had to tap him over the head with his scoop to get his attention. Some people are just jerks.
I hope it doesn't spoil Bill's beach time or make him miss a good find.

The sand is always whiter on the other beach

 

[Maui Mike]

Seems others before me about covered it, heres a snag... the other day i had a few partyers tossing and dropping pennies where they sawi was going to be next.. bit my lip..sure wanted tosay something to them, and just went elsewhere. told my wife and she wasglad i kept mymouth shut... she knows i might have had them for lunch...i never liked being ucked with.. Mikey

 

[Bigcypresshunter]

I have seen the type. I watched a guy on the beach throwing his trash targets back in the holes he just dug! I couldnt believe it! I wonder how many times he digs the same beer can.

He also didnt fill his holes. It looked horrible. I didnt know how to approach him. With everyone on the beach watching, I kicked sand in any hole I ran across after he left the beach.

 

[kaptainkosmic]

I recently read of a similiar situation that was repeating. So the first detectorist took along a couple of previous nice finds and when the second detectorist showed up and repeated the pattern. The first detectorist started following the second detectorist and made several "nice" finds right behind the guy in area's he had just detected. Did it help, probably not, but you know it had to feel good!!!

hh steve

 

[Foilman]

My take is he doesn't have a clue and he sees you digging and thinks you know something. So as soon as you leave he thinks he might as well leave too.

I would of and have done is stop and just let him do his speed laps watch him and he will be like a shooting star and soon out of site. People that are clueless can't stand to watch someone else dig, even if you are digging junk.

He's like Forest Gump, he's not a smart man but he knows what digging means!