New hunter in Gulf Breeze!

[Lost But Not Forgotten]

I'm new to the boards and just started MD again after about 10 years. I live in Gulf Breeze and have been researching some P cola,Destin,Gulf Breeze areas to start looking. Ive been debating Crab Island in Destin but I like to find items with history.
I used to metal detect in Georgia years ago and as far as I can tell its a whole new ball game down here in Florida. I already miss being able to hunt 10 acre pastures all to myself. Most of my old spots in Georgia were historic sites in cow pastures and with the owners permission I could hunt until my batteries ran out. Down here it seems that most of the good spots are either hunted out or off limits.
I'm not against beach hunting I'm just not sure how to approach it yet with all of the people I'm afraid it will mess with my concentration.

I saw some info on crystal lake in DeFuniak Springs about how it was a good potential spot to hunt.
I have some family friends that own a lake house on crystal lake and was wondering if anyone else has heard anything about the area.

 

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[pcolaboy]

I'm new to the boards and just started MD again after about 10 years. I live in Gulf Breeze and have been researching some P cola,Destin,Gulf Breeze areas to start looking. Ive been debating Crab Island in Destin but I like to find items with history.
I used to metal detect in Georgia years ago and as far as I can tell its a whole new ball game down here in Florida. I already miss being able to hunt 10 acre pastures all to myself. Most of my old spots in Georgia were historic sites in cow pastures and with the owners permission I could hunt until my batteries ran out. Down here it seems that most of the good spots are either hunted out or off limits.
I'm not against beach hunting I'm just not sure how to approach it yet with all of the people I'm afraid it will mess with my concentration.

I saw some info on crystal lake in DeFuniak Springs about how it was a good potential spot to hunt.
I have some family friends that own a lake house on crystal lake and was wondering if anyone else has heard anything about the area.

I know a ton of awesome areas to hunt but unfortunately it's quite illegal on most of them :-). Gulf Breeze does have it's share of historic places as you may already know - Deadman's Island, Old Boy Scout Camp (on the Live Oak Preserve), as well as an old Confederate Battery that was located at Deer Point. One thing to do is look for any private development going up anywhere near those areas and get the owner's permission to metal detect - perfectly legal on private property.

Pensacola is certainly where I spend almost all of my MD time. Again, I look for private developments in the older parts of town (definitely NOT in the historic district) and get permission to hunt. I have found a few Spanish pieces of eight, British and Spanish buttons, misc. colonial relics, and many old American coins and bottles. One place that immediately comes to mind is the old Runyan Shipyard that has been cleared off in the last year for a new development but has not yet been environmentally approved. I've been going out there unopposed for several months now and have found a giant variety of items. This place is located immediately to the west of the Oarhouse Bar&Grill - at the very southern end of Pace Boulevard. If you look at Google Earth or VirtualEarth, the aerial photographs still show the old shipyard buildings which have since been cleared away. This site was once part of a plantation during the first Spanish, British, and second Spanish periods (1752-1821). The area was also a temporary Spanish encampment during the Siege of Pensacola in 1781. After that it was somewhat downsized into various private residential sites until the turn of the 20th century when Bill Runyan built his shipyard that was in use until the late 1980's. There's alot of modern trash at the site but a good metal detector with decent discrimination works out fairly well. There are also many old bottles that can be found on the northern edge of the property by gently digging or probing for them with a wooden or fiberglass rod. I have also found several old marbles lying right on the surface that are all hand made.

Probably more information than you wanted to know but I can certainly answer any questions you have about the area since my family has been here since the 1820's.

Take care,

Pcolaboy

 

[Lost But Not Forgotten]

Probably more information than you wanted to know but I can certainly answer any questions you have about the area since my family has been here since the 1820's.

Take care,

Pcolaboy

The old Runyan Shipyard sounds like a good idea. Do you recommend going at a certain time ?

 

[pcolaboy]

Probably more information than you wanted to know but I can certainly answer any questions you have about the area since my family has been here since the 1820's.

Take care,

Pcolaboy

The old Runyan Shipyard sounds like a good idea. Do you recommend going at a certain time ?

It's been a few weeks since I've been out there but I've usually gone after 4PM. Alot of people actually go fishing down there so you won't be alone. I'd say you could probably fit about 10-12 football fields inside the area we're talking about. Just so you know, there aren't any "No Tresspassing" or "Private Property" signs anywhere around.

Pcola

 

[Lost But Not Forgotten]

Thanks pcolaboy! If you ever want some company on a hunt let me know.

 

[Lost But Not Forgotten]

Well I went to Pensacola beach last night until about 10:30 and only found about 65 cents. It was my first time out with my new Ace 250 and let me just say that this machine Will alert on blue sky if the sensitivity is maxed out and its on the all metal setting. I quickly learned to set the sensitivity to about half. This thing has more tones than a orchestra! Anyway it was a good learning exp. and next time will be better.

What is the best areas to hunt on the beach? shoreline, ankle deep, in the sand where everyone sits?
I hit the area where all of the wooden chairs are set up for the condos.There was allot of trash where everyone sits on the beach. I could use some pointers for beach hunting in Pensacola.

 

[Bridge End Farm]

Well I went to Pensacola beach last night until about 10:30 and only found about 65 cents. It was my first time out with my new Ace 250 and let me just say that this machine Will alert on blue sky if the sensitivity is maxed out and its on the all metal setting. I quickly learned to set the sensitivity to about half. This thing has more tones than a orchestra! Anyway it was a good learning exp. and next time will be better.

What is the best areas to hunt on the beach? shoreline, ankle deep, in the sand where everyone sits?
I hit the area where all of the wooden chairs are set up for the condos.There was allot of trash where everyone sits on the beach. I could use some pointers for beach hunting in Pensacola.

under the pier especially under the binoculars is always good for a few bucks if no one beats you to it

I also always hunt from the east side of the bathrooms (casino beach parking lot) go down the ramp and angle to the water edge of pier.

Most but not all jewelry is lost in the water and the best time/place to hunt is to go about an hour before low tide and hunt from the high tide mark (you'll see the debris line) to the water. We haven't had much of a fallen tide lately and if you look at a tide chart the higher the minus number is the lower the tide will be. Good luck maybe see you out there sometime

 

[larch22]

Hello, Pcola and Md ers.
Yes i too just arrived from Concord, Cal (SFBAYAREA) I bought a BH300 today. I went to p Beach and found a quarter! I am learning how to use this detector. I like the visual/audio detection combo. Having an issue with my threshold. I turn it on low and after about 8-10 min it gets very loud on its own. I toggle the metal switch and the noise goes away. but it comes back! Oh well Is this normal? Anyway thanks
cheers Bud

 

[Up to my ____ in Pulltabs]

I lived in Navarre and in Ft. Walton for a few years during the late 80's Early 90's.
Navarre has a good spot when you cross the bridge on 399.
You go across the bridge and about 1 mile and the road turns right.
If you go straight or to the left your in the parking lot at the beach.
There was a nude beach about 1 mile east of the main Navarre beach.
Just head for the water and take a left.
You'll see volley ball nets or at least the stakes for them and your in the right area.
It's a bit of a walk but its worth it. No one hunts there becasue of the mile walk
but I know you hit some good stuff there. I found gold and silver jewlery, and coins dating back to the 50's.
Make sure to take your sand scoop, you'll wear it out.
No relics but great hunting for coins and jewlery.

 

[kakcsdad]

i went to runyan this past weekend and it is fenced and posted. is it just to keep the bums out??
would like to hunt it if they dont care but wont go in till someone says its ok...(PCOLABOY)

 

[kakcsdad]

tried to pm you pcola but your box was full

 

[Bridge End Farm]

Lost where ya been?


you get lost ?


pm'd ya to see if you wanted to hunt sometime on the beaches

 

[pccvanwilder]

hey guys! i am somewhat new to the forum... few weeks... and i am in p-cola as well. i am really looking for a hunting buddy to hook up with. anyone? look forward to hearing from you

 

[Bridge End Farm]

hey guys! i am somewhat new to the forum... few weeks... and i am in p-cola as well. i am really looking for a hunting buddy to hook up with. anyone? look forward to hearing from you

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welcome