My best find if the summer...EXPERIENCE!

[ClodChopper]

This is my first season. I got my first unit (ACE350) in March of '13. Used it for two days then bought a Fischer F70. My nickname ClodChopper comes from the fact, I churned frozen ground for months.

Looking back at my finds, there is no gold. No big hunks of silver bling. I have a bucket full of copper things, brass stuff and broken toys. I found old bridal covers, lipstick cases, live ammo and other bizarre things. I've cashed in $100+ in clad and have a jelly jar half full of merc's, Wheaties and other old coins. Oh yea...I found an old butcher knife in the park my kids play in. Could you imagine.....

I was starting to get envious of you guys and you civil war belt buckles and your silver dollars. But yesterday I had an Epiphany!!

Metal detecting has always been a solo experience for me. Yesterday, I took a rookie into the feild. We practiced in the backyard, watched videos and all that stuff. She had a decent unit (Ace350), pinpointer, Garrett digger...everything she needed. It was painful to watch!

That's when I realized; its not WHAT I dug, it was time digging! Metal detecting is not easy. If you're new to the hobby, understand ....you need to put time in the field. If your lucky enough to find a standing liberty on your first day.... excellent!! If you don't, keep trying. Every trip makes you better.

Experience is my best find!

 

[vpnavy]

 

[DocBeav]

Well said! Time and effort will pay off in the future (not to mention a good bit of research or scouting before any hunts!) and get you more finds! I've found that dirt hunting is considerably more difficult or physical than beach hunting is. On the beach, and with a proper scoop, you never have to bend down or go down on one knee to recover a tgt. Detect and scoop. Gravediggermax refers to the dirt hunts as an "exercise spin", especially after digging pull tabs and aluminum foil trash. Dirt hunting definitely takes more out of you!

 

[gaspars ego]

some one is tipping the elbow again lol....jk i agree 100% this an awesome hobby!

 

[dig kzoo]

So true!

 

[Metal Magnet]

so true. me and some friends started about the same time. i have found so much more than they have, but i put the time in. that first year i was a maniac. i learned everything i could about research, digging techniques, search strategies, etc. and i got out as much as i could. they lamented that they havent found much. i just tell them the same thing. you have to work at it. work smart.

 

[MT_Joe]

.....you said "unit".... hehehe. Just kidding! Your exactly right!

 

[ClodChopper]

DocBeav, I'm a carpet installer from way back. I have the knees of a man twice my age. Bought me one of those fancy predator tools shovels. It keeps me standing most of the time. At the end of a long day, it can be used as a cane.