New to the hobby

[Double H]

Hi everyone, my name is Johnny and I'm new to the hobby. Actually, my son is also coming along for the ride too and he's new to the hobby as well. I wanted to find a hobby that I could share with a 9 year old that would keep him excited. I didn't want him to simply get stuck on playing video games all the time, I wanted him to be active and to get outside to enjoy nature. I'm also a paintballer, but he's too young to get into that sport. I tried to get him into collecting baseball and basketball cards, but that didn't seem to work.

So one day I suggested metal detecting. Well to be honest, I tricked him! I told him that we would be treasure hunting. He instantly fell in love with the idea of hunting for lost coins and relics. For me, I love history and this hobby gives me the perfect opportunity to hunt for historical relics and at the same time I can teach him all about their historical significance. So its a win - win!

I just recently purchased a Fisher F2 detector and we have been detecting in our backyard to get familiar with our machine as we read the manual and put it to the test. The cool thing is that we found our very first coin!

We found a 1987 quarter. Now I know its not a relic, I know its not a really old coin, but its our first coin that we found together as father and son and to me, that makes it priceless to me. We both worked as a team to pinpoint the location and we both dug it up together. That was truly awesome.

Like I said, we are rookies to this hobby, so any tips and advice is greatly appreciated. Or simply introduce yourself and say hi, we are always happy to make new friends.

Thanks everyone!

-Johnny & Cruz

 

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[Terry Soloman]

Hello guys, and welcome from White Plains, New York! Make sure you both practice pinpointing and cutting clean plugs for your targets. You NEED a "Lesche" brand hand digger (once you have it you'll understand why), a good "finds bag," and maybe some kneepads. Always wear gloves to protect your hands, and go S-L-O-W. Every inch your coil is off the grass, is an inch of depth you lose. BIG Gold to you both!

 

[dbennett7]

i take my grandson my advice would be to go to places where you can find plenty of the newer clad coins at least for awile that will keep him interested if you go to a place where there is a chance for older coins just make sure that he doesnt get bored as long as they are finding coins they will stay focused a lot longer and as he gets better then he will let you know that he wants to find a silver coin or a older penny also take a cooler for snacks and drinks good luck dennis

 

[cntrydncr1]

welcome from Florida!

 

[DPBOB]

Welcome Double H

Practice in your yard first. Schools are great starting areas for kids. You'll do fine as long as your finding something.
Remember COOK CO and DUPAGE CO forest preserves are off limits.
Schools , parks and beaches are good to go....

Have fun and enjoy.....
You can check out my facebook page.....https://www.facebook.com/MetalDetectingChicagoArea to see some finds from the area.

 

[Double H]

Thanks for the tips Terry, definitely need some knee pads and gloves! I went out detecting today and my hands got cold and dirty and my knees started to hurt a bit too.

I checked out the Lesche tool you mentioned but I found this digger tool at the store that worked great and it was only $9!
Photo by doublehdiggers • Instagram

 

[Double H]

Thanks for the advice Dennis, that's exactly what I was thinking about doing too, taking him to the beach and parks to keep him interested in the hobby by finding more modern coins.

 

[Double H]

Thanks for the welcome Debby!

 

[Double H]

Thanks for the welcome Bob. My son is already excited to go hunting at the beach, so I'm planning to take him down there next weekend. We've been practicing in our yard and we've gotten pretty decent with our plug digging and neatness. We actually found 3 more coins!

I will make sure to check out your page on Facebook soon. Thanks for the tips!

 

[Double H]

Hey everyone, I started up an Instagram page for our metal detecting finds. Be sure to check it out. Thanks!

Instagram

 

[Gimmie The Loot]

Hey Johnny - good luck to you. It's a fun hobby but it can control your life. Hope you find that proper balance.

HH

 

[Double H]

Thanks Loot - I know exactly what you mean, when I get into a hobby, I really get into it and I have to remind myself to take it easy at times. When I got into paintballing, I went all out and bought up all the gear I could get my hands on. I still paintball today, but not as hard as I used to. I actually sold off some of my gear.

Another hobby I have is that I collect sneakers....and that hobby right there is super addictive, but what can I say, I love my kicks!

This hobby of metal detecting is more soothing to me. There is nothing better than doing something out in the woods. I love to explore, I love to research, I love history! So I think that this hobby will be able to calm me down and help relax me.

The cool thing is that its something that I get to do with my little buy, so seeing him get excited about finding and digging up out finds.

Speaking of getting all into a hobby, I jumped on photoshop and I put together a little logo for my lil guy and me to wear proudly!