Here's what you do:
1. Gain Permission ( I know a guy who was banned from a whole city and fined some HUGE bucks because he assumed he was in a spot no one would care about) he said it was like 10,000 or more fine...It's close to a poaching penalty.

Or same as.
2. Do Not Tear anything apart ok?

3. Your representing me, and all of these other folks that enjoy the hobby that work very hard to keep doors open for the hobby so, please be respectful of the property, even if it's in the woods.

4a. Before detecting, look at the site, think.

That old oak tree or stump was probably a good spot to lean on, or play around.

The entrance. The back. Is there water nearby.

Fruit trees. Look for pottery shards suggesting a dump.

There were no trash removal services back then.

Privy. (potty)
Alot of real epic finds come from digging and sifting Privy's...But that's another monster we can discuss later.
4b. Start metal detecting.

5. Your going to encounter a lot of iron and scrap in the beginning,

so bring along a Rubbermaid trash barrel or set the scrap aside in a pile to be removed later. It's a process my friend. You must go through the bad to get to the good.

Have fun, be safe, and always donate something to your local museum, or the Landowner.