Places to Detect?!

[MasonRoberson]

Hi guys! So I'm kinda in a situation right now where I no longer have places to detect... I'm only 15 and I really want to door knock, but I kinda am doubting that they would let a 15 year old detect there yard, as well as that is what is holding me back from door knocking as well... HELP!

 

[RobRieman]

Get yourself one of those stick on mustache and beard

 

[dirtscratcher]

All they can do is say no, but they can and do say yes.

 

[TheHunterGT]

Perhaps the fact you are only 15 will get you some positive results. People might just look at you like some young nerdy kid with his detector and let ya have at it.

As a home owner myself I would probably feel more relaxed if some 15yo came a knocking compared to a middle-aged man. Stereotypical I guess...but whatever. I got kids and a wife and my brain is always in protect mode.

I'd say go knock away...getting a rejection is not the end of the world. Builds character. You will absolutely get a yes eventually....and that will hopefully be the yard the rad stuff is in.

 

[MasonRoberson]

Thank you guys for the help!

 

[enamel7]

Just make sure you leave the yards in good shape!

 

[Lord Verdigris]

If the yard looks old enough and to good to pass up on then you could also offer to do some free yard work as a trade. One of my best sites for finds was a elderly mans huge old yard and he was super happy for me offering to cut down some overgrown bushes and alders. Literally 45 min job for free access to hunt the place anytime.

 

[Cool Hand Fluke]

Try to catch the homeowner doing their yard work out front. It's much easier and much less intimidating than knocking on doors. I've had much more success using this approach.

 

[Tom_in_CA]

I agree with hunter GT: I used to get lots of permissions from cold-call knocking on front doors when I was a kid (in the late 1970s with my Whites 66TR, and my garrett Groundhog). But as I got older, I got less permissions and more rejections. So you're actually better off as a youngster, than a suspicious adult

I disagree with kiddo1979: Don't bargain for yard work. Because 1/2 or 3/4 of them could be silly low results (clad only, or nothing, etc....) And before long, you'd find yourself doing yard work for nothing. Also, the mere act of "offering yard work in exchange for blah blah", puts you in the immediate camp of a sales-person. And we ALL know what we do with door-to-door salespersons, right? We say no thank you and close the door.

 

[Lord Verdigris]

I agree with hunter GT: I used to get lots of permissions from cold-call knocking on front doors when I was a kid (in the late 1970s with my Whites 66TR, and my garrett Groundhog). But as I got older, I got less permissions and more rejections. So you're actually better off as a youngster, than a suspicious adult

I disagree with kiddo1979: Don't bargain for yard work. Because 1/2 or 3/4 of them could be silly low results (clad only, or nothing, etc....) And before long, you'd find yourself doing yard work for nothing. Also, the mere act of "offering yard work in exchange for blah blah", puts you in the immediate camp of a sales-person. And we ALL know what we do with door-to-door salespersons, right? We say no thank you and close the door.

I agree mostly but i did say only if it was a certain situation that was a spot that was worth the risk of a little work. Helping a elderly neighbor can go a long way for other permissions or leads in the neighborhood also.

 

[MasonRoberson]

Thank you guys im busy today but will try it sometime this week or weekend

 

[toolmanbutch]

The Art of Sales!
First make sure your appearance is as neat as possible. Even though you may be digging at least try to appear neat. Bring your tools of the trade with you when you are in front of them, this could lead to an opening to get the conversation going.
Talk so they can understand you. Please and Thank you also.
Reassure them that you will leave the yard as you found it.
Tell them you will let them know when you will plan on being on their property and you will tell them when you are leaving.
The biggest thing about rejection is that you will hone your skills for the next possible door you knock on.
Good Luck and keep us posted.

 

[The Dirt Fisherman]

Definitely be presentable as stated above. it really does go a long way. im 25 and i have a hard time finding spots to go and even knocking on doors is tough cause it seems like everyones brother or uncle metal detects and is "saving their yard" for them. also, you're going to get A LOT of rude people to tell you to hit the road. dont let them discourage you. always use your manners. yes ma'am, no, sir, etc. youll also come across the people whove seen "those metal detecting shows" and want to tell you that they know what a confederate button is worth and that youre not going to make money off of them. always remember that anything you dig up is property of the land owner and what you find is up to them to let you keep. make sure they know that. you will also find that there are a lot of people who dont actually know what metal detecting actually is. be sure to explain to them the best that you can in simple terms what youre actually doing so it doesnt sound so intimidating. always respect the property and assure them that you will everything as you found it. do not turn of electric fences because of interference. i cant tell you how many times i get rejected because of how many people actually do that. just simply go elsewhere. im kind of just going on a tangent here lol. youll have better luck than me im sure. at 15 people will go "hey, hes just a kid with a hobby" and at my age its "hey, that guys looking to make profit" and they get that idea from tv unfortunately. to this day ive never ever sold any of my finds and ive been doing it since i was your age. good luck dude and happy hunting!

 

[MasonRoberson]

Thanks for the tips

 

[Phantasman]

Leave the yards alone, kid. People have an affinity for the place that surrounds their habitat.

Seek out common areas, places where your local activities set up (fields where carnivals, fairs, outdoor concerts, etc. set up), areas along a river/stream where people tend to picnic/relax/fish, parks/hiking trails, ...........

Always make sure you cover your holes the best you can and dispose of the trash you find. If people try to talk to you while hunting, and they will, ask them about places that may be good to hunt. Don't let them be the only questioner about what your doing. One time a conversion like that got me permission to hunt an old yard where the guys grandmother passed away a year or so before. Didn't find a whole lot, but split what I did find, and he got back an old MatchBox car he remembered as a kid.

Be innovative or you'll just hunt where everyone hunts.

 

[MasonRoberson]

I'm not a "kid" and I dont like how you kinda insulted me by saying " cover you holes the best you can". No I alway have and will dig and nice clean plug...

 

[Phantasman]

Sorry, no insult intended. Your profile has nothing. Just want to assure your continual success. Being 50 years younger than me still makes you a kid to me.

 

[flgliderpilot]

Hey, you have an advantage. Being 15 you are "just a kid doing kid stuff" (no offense, I don't mean to insult you, but that's how the old ladies who like to complain will see you...). Embrace that... be the cute kid looking for stuff. It will get you into places where use adults who "know better" can't. Most adults will let it slide since you are doing something harmless rather than what most teenagers are doing (at least around here). Be that naive kid they believe you are, and be nice, it will take you a long way.

Ok the reality:

Anyway... avoid SODDED grass.. it's usually loaded with trash underneath... find old baseball fields, swimming holes, places where people met long ago... even the side of the road if it's old grass. There are lots of gold rings to be found in parks believe it or not. Get there early before the dog walkers to reduce suspicion.

Good luck with your hunts.

Don't be afraid to ask, worst they can say is no. Tell them you are looking for old silver coins and that you "avoid" digging holes (I just make cut slit and spread it apart and reach in for the coin... doesn't always work but a slit is not a hole

 

[MasonRoberson]

Thank you guys

 

[Ogre1190]

Mason...if you're leery about door knocking, you might get a few good leads on locations to go from your local Librarian or someone at the local Historical Society. They may be able to steer you to places like old campgrounds, fairgrounds, locations of long-gone schools and churches, etc. Also, if you have computer access, hit www.historicmapworks.com. You're bound to find something in your area. Good luck! 😁