New Detectorist

[Obsidiantalon]

Hello everyone!

I have been lurking here on TreasureNet for some time, and have gleaned a lot of great information! Thanks for that!

I wanted to say a quick hello in this forum, as I have just purchased a metal detector and gotten out with it a few times. I purchased a Bounty Hunter Tracker IV. I know this is very much an entry level machine, and I'm fine with that for now. I do plan on upgrading down the line. I wanted to ensure that I enjoy the hobby as much in practice, as in research. So far, I've found it to be quite enjoyable! My only struggle thus far is finding a decent location. I have been out to 'practice' in my own back yard and woods, and one local park, near the baseball diamond. I have found a handful of clad and more bullets, bullet casings, shotgun shells, pull tabs, etc. than I can count. Any suggestions from anyone familiar with southwestern Virginia are definitely welcome! As is any other advice for a newbie, just starting out!

Thanks everyone, and happy hunting!

 

[Terry Soloman]

Welcome from White Plains, NY!

 

[Sandman]

Just start out swinging around town and see what turns up. Its an interesting hobby even with the junk we find. No need to upgrade unless you want too.

 

[airscapes]

As is any other advice for a newbie, just starting out!

Thanks everyone, and happy hunting!

Study (i.e. read more than one time) this article
Truth About Search Coils
also read this one
Halo Effect

They should be mandatory reading after the first 3 or 4 hunts for everyone new to MD. They helped me immensely!

 

[Obsidiantalon]

Thanks for the welcome, everyone! And Airscapes, thank you for the reading material! I've gone through both once, and will go back for a re-read after I've got a bit more practical experience to compare all of the info to!

Just came back inside from my "Lunch break" and managed to unearth an old cake pan, some sort of small plate (Aluminum, I believe? Nice high tone, exciting to hear!) and a couple of very crumbly wads of aluminum foil. Pulled all of these out from under a huge tree on the back side of the property. I guess someone had a picnic there at one point, and left some of their stuff. Maybe they rushed off to get out of a sudden shower? Maybe it was a young couple and the lady's dad broke up the party? Crazy to think of the "possible" history behind some of this stuff. Or maybe I just have an overactive imagination!

Thanks again everyone!

 

[morris-code]

welcome to TNet from another newbie. I got started this spring after the ground thawed out here in the Midwest and am having a blast! I've learned that location is a key factor in being consistently successful and a quality pinpointer is a valuable tool. Good luck!

 

[dirtscratcher]

My advice to someone new is to try to get on all the old yards you can. Start with family or coworkers yards and graduate to knocking on doors. Most public places have had a lot of people detect them before. Old yards are where you will find hopefully untouched by others. What is the worst they can say no?

 

[DigIron2]

welcome!looking up old maps of your area could be helpful.Try typing in "old maps of your county and state"I found one of my whole area that show's where old plantation's,and homesteads use to be as far back as 1863.The roads and such might be a little different on the old maps,but if you find one of your area it might give you a good idea of locations to look!Someone posted a video some time back of using something called 'google crome",where you can actually make a modern map transparent and over lay it with a old map to give a pretty accurate location of where old places use to be,looks like it would be a awesome tool,but for some reason I cant download it.I am not very computer savvy ,but If I can find the link to that post,I will try to post it!joe

 

[rainyday101]

When you are driving around keep an eye out for potential spots. Most of my spots were found driving around.

 

[redcobra8u]

When you are driving around keep an eye out for potential spots. Most of my spots were found driving around.

go pack!!

 

[TallTom]

My advice to someone new is to try to get on all the old yards you can. Start with family or coworkers yards and graduate to knocking on doors. Most public places have had a lot of people detect them before. Old yards are where you will find hopefully untouched by others. What is the worst they can say no?

I agree completely, but I'd also add that you need to practice your plug-digging
and replacement technique first. Be sure you can dig a plug in a lawn, recover the
target, and replace the plug so that your dig is completely (or VERY nearly)
undetectable. Until you can do that, you're not ready to detect and dig on
private lawns. It took me quite a bit of practice on different lawn types
before I felt I was pretty good at it. Good luck!

--Tom