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Are you "HIDING" when you go metal detecting?:surrender:
- Thread starter Fraulein
- Start date
Was hunting a local park surrounded by a walking track and a female college professor approached me as she walking the track...Tried to downgrade me in front of her co-walkers and simply cut her short with who's crazy me or you as you are just walking in circles. Red faced she quickly left and I continued with a smile on my face 
I used to see the old guys mostly from Canada at Panama City Beach, Fl in the early 1980's and I thought, life must be pretty boring to drive all the way from Canada and swing a metal detector. Little did I know, most of them probably found enough jewelry to pay for their trip and then some. I really believe it was just a hobby for old geezers before they died.
When you have never been exposed to a hobby or culture, you just don't know what's going on. It was something I completely dismissed until just a few years ago. Before I started doing a little research and bought a metal detector myself, I didn't have a clue.
My only regret is I didn't find out about this fascinating hobby in the early 1960's. I've been in a lot of places in the states where I would have been happy to metal detect. The video about the Atocha got me interested in this hobby. Mel Fisher was using a metal detector or his son.
I have tried to not only educate myself, but everyone I talk to. I have 13 books checked out from the library and most of them are about metal detecting, history and lost treasure.
Interlibrary loan is a feast or famine deal. They either don't come in for 2-3 months or they all arrive at one time.
Some of them look at me and smile that patronizing smile and say a silent prayer that they are metally healthy, but poor old Fongu is off his rocker. Just smile and he'll move on and bore someone else. Lol. Some people are interested and I have more people giving me permission to metal detect than I am able to get out and do the dirt fishing that's available.
The one comment that I hear over and over is you can metal detect here as long as you don't bring a crowd with you. One person lets me metal detect outside this old frame house, but for some reason will not let me metal detect or use my UV lights inside the house. You take what you can get and don't ask too many questions.
This one old house that used to be a mansion in another county really interests me and it was built early in 1830's and I'm trying to get in touch with the current owner to get permission to check it out. The one hurdle that I find hardest to overcome is when an owner is afraid you will sue them if you get hurt and when you mention you have a waver, they really get paranoid on you.
I have found it most beneficial to send short letters with my name and address and phone number and go ahead and let them know right away that I have a waiver form.
Khouse, you never stood a chance. 8 & 9 years old, you're lucky you got out of there alive. lol
Dan-Pa, great comeback. My Grandpa would have told her; "The Guilty Dog Barks First". lol
Old Ranger, I like to hunt alone also.
Fishers Ghost, I was at a Martial Arts store getting some vitamins for someone and these little kids asked me if I knew Kung-Fu. I replied no, I'm a master of Run-Fu. They looked at me like I was insane and looked at each other like I was pulling a fast one. The older boy asked me, Mister what's Run-Fu? I've heard of lots of martial arts disciplines, but not this one.
I told them Run-Fu is where the more you Run, the Fu'er times you get knots on your head. The oldest kid said you're kind of fat and old and you can't seem to walk straight like we do, so what do you do when you can't use your Run-Fu anymore. With a smile, I told them that's when I reach for my gun. They realized they were late for class and I made my purchase and left.
When you have never been exposed to a hobby or culture, you just don't know what's going on. It was something I completely dismissed until just a few years ago. Before I started doing a little research and bought a metal detector myself, I didn't have a clue.
My only regret is I didn't find out about this fascinating hobby in the early 1960's. I've been in a lot of places in the states where I would have been happy to metal detect. The video about the Atocha got me interested in this hobby. Mel Fisher was using a metal detector or his son.
I have tried to not only educate myself, but everyone I talk to. I have 13 books checked out from the library and most of them are about metal detecting, history and lost treasure.
Interlibrary loan is a feast or famine deal. They either don't come in for 2-3 months or they all arrive at one time.
Some of them look at me and smile that patronizing smile and say a silent prayer that they are metally healthy, but poor old Fongu is off his rocker. Just smile and he'll move on and bore someone else. Lol. Some people are interested and I have more people giving me permission to metal detect than I am able to get out and do the dirt fishing that's available.
The one comment that I hear over and over is you can metal detect here as long as you don't bring a crowd with you. One person lets me metal detect outside this old frame house, but for some reason will not let me metal detect or use my UV lights inside the house. You take what you can get and don't ask too many questions.
This one old house that used to be a mansion in another county really interests me and it was built early in 1830's and I'm trying to get in touch with the current owner to get permission to check it out. The one hurdle that I find hardest to overcome is when an owner is afraid you will sue them if you get hurt and when you mention you have a waver, they really get paranoid on you.
I have found it most beneficial to send short letters with my name and address and phone number and go ahead and let them know right away that I have a waiver form.
Khouse, you never stood a chance. 8 & 9 years old, you're lucky you got out of there alive. lol
Dan-Pa, great comeback. My Grandpa would have told her; "The Guilty Dog Barks First". lol
Old Ranger, I like to hunt alone also.
Fishers Ghost, I was at a Martial Arts store getting some vitamins for someone and these little kids asked me if I knew Kung-Fu. I replied no, I'm a master of Run-Fu. They looked at me like I was insane and looked at each other like I was pulling a fast one. The older boy asked me, Mister what's Run-Fu? I've heard of lots of martial arts disciplines, but not this one.
I told them Run-Fu is where the more you Run, the Fu'er times you get knots on your head. The oldest kid said you're kind of fat and old and you can't seem to walk straight like we do, so what do you do when you can't use your Run-Fu anymore. With a smile, I told them that's when I reach for my gun. They realized they were late for class and I made my purchase and left.
BigCatDaddy
New member
I keep a couple of flourescent safety vests(just a few bucks at the hardware store) in my car and when I detect around a park or school and even house lots, I don my vest. People just assume you are doing some kind of work and pretty much leave you alone. I use a carpenters tool pouch on a web belt to keep my digger, screwdriver, knife and Propointer in so I do look like just somebody doing a days work. As far as kids go, I tell them that I'm working and they should return to their play.
Great topic. Really enjoyed reading the responses. Just started tecting last summer. But as far as encounters with people while doing my thing, I've got to say it's been all positive. I've had numerous people approach me asking questions--usually like "find anything good" (mostly just pennies and trash) or "how much does one of those things cost" (prices are all up and down, you can spend pretty much what you want) or "good luck" (thanks, I'll need it).
I've even had 3 people direct me to areas where they've lost valuable items. First one was a park maintenance man who said his fiance had dropped a $5K engagement ring under a tree about 6 months earlier (showed me which tree). Second one was a lady who said she'd lost a gold pinky ring with diamonds in a tot lot and the 3rd was just a passerby who used the park on a regular basis and said he'd lost a dime dated from the 1800's under a specific tree. I wasn't able to find a durn one of em!! I really did want that dime though. (He said I could keep it). Old coins are why I got into this. The manager of the fairgrounds I hunt in stops by on occasion in his truck just to see how it's going. Last time he asked me to keep an eye out for his Blackberry which he'd lost 2 days before. Even showed me the area. Struck out on that one too. (Battin zero).
Even though I have both a city and county MD license (legally required), I've never been approached or questioned by any of the authorities. In certain of the parks they drive by on a regular basis and I'm out there in full regalia--tector, web belt with my Lesche digger and pro pointer hanging off of it.
Just last week I was approached by a little guy on his bike, probably about 6 years old with his dad. Asked me what I was looking for (gold, probably the wrong answer) and he was totally fascinated--didn't want to leave until his dad insisted. Met him later on in another part of the park and he asked me if I was a good guy or a bad guy and his dad chimed in that he'd told his son "you never know". "Can't be too careful" and of course I agreed. We both got a chuckle out of it and his dad was obviously a little embarrassed but I told him he was entirely right.
Even so I seem to be in agreement with most of you in that I much prefer to do my tectin with no one around. For some reason I can't help but feel I am infringing even though I'm totally legal. Could be due to some of the earlier threads/comments I've read here and there (and I'm sure they're all true) dealing with negative encounters.
Forgot about the lady jogger who stopped to tell me I should go check out the soccer field in the middle of the park and how every week-end she sees guys out there with gold chains flashing around their necks and gold rings. I took a look but came up empty. Just scratched the surface though and there's hours worth of tectin yet to do on it. But that's just another example of the kind of people I seem to meet.
It's a great hobby but I'm sure if I keep it up long enough I'm bound to end up meeting one of those busybody's who's only intent is to ruin someone's day or an officer of the law who got up on the wrong side of the bed but I'm not going to let it ruin my day and try to keep in mind all of the positive contacts I've had.
I've even had 3 people direct me to areas where they've lost valuable items. First one was a park maintenance man who said his fiance had dropped a $5K engagement ring under a tree about 6 months earlier (showed me which tree). Second one was a lady who said she'd lost a gold pinky ring with diamonds in a tot lot and the 3rd was just a passerby who used the park on a regular basis and said he'd lost a dime dated from the 1800's under a specific tree. I wasn't able to find a durn one of em!! I really did want that dime though. (He said I could keep it). Old coins are why I got into this. The manager of the fairgrounds I hunt in stops by on occasion in his truck just to see how it's going. Last time he asked me to keep an eye out for his Blackberry which he'd lost 2 days before. Even showed me the area. Struck out on that one too. (Battin zero).
Even though I have both a city and county MD license (legally required), I've never been approached or questioned by any of the authorities. In certain of the parks they drive by on a regular basis and I'm out there in full regalia--tector, web belt with my Lesche digger and pro pointer hanging off of it.
Just last week I was approached by a little guy on his bike, probably about 6 years old with his dad. Asked me what I was looking for (gold, probably the wrong answer) and he was totally fascinated--didn't want to leave until his dad insisted. Met him later on in another part of the park and he asked me if I was a good guy or a bad guy and his dad chimed in that he'd told his son "you never know". "Can't be too careful" and of course I agreed. We both got a chuckle out of it and his dad was obviously a little embarrassed but I told him he was entirely right.
Even so I seem to be in agreement with most of you in that I much prefer to do my tectin with no one around. For some reason I can't help but feel I am infringing even though I'm totally legal. Could be due to some of the earlier threads/comments I've read here and there (and I'm sure they're all true) dealing with negative encounters.
Forgot about the lady jogger who stopped to tell me I should go check out the soccer field in the middle of the park and how every week-end she sees guys out there with gold chains flashing around their necks and gold rings. I took a look but came up empty. Just scratched the surface though and there's hours worth of tectin yet to do on it. But that's just another example of the kind of people I seem to meet.
It's a great hobby but I'm sure if I keep it up long enough I'm bound to end up meeting one of those busybody's who's only intent is to ruin someone's day or an officer of the law who got up on the wrong side of the bed but I'm not going to let it ruin my day and try to keep in mind all of the positive contacts I've had.
Fishers Ghost
New member
fongu
Like your sense of humour. Yep, there is just no beating a bullet.
I remember getting rumbled by a dead head outside a club one night and he pulled a knife on me, I was sittin on my motor bike at the time,
Told him how tough he looked and that I wouldn't have a hope of beating a knife and then said that his knife was a beauty,one of the best Iv'e seen n asked where he got it from. In a minute I had him talking about bikes n chicks and then he stuck his knife back in his belt,said cheers mate and walked off down the street.
it was a close call but choose the right words and you can get yourself out of a bit of trouble, I guess it is handy to be able to read people but you still have to be on your guard just incase you are dealing with a psychopath
Like your sense of humour. Yep, there is just no beating a bullet.
I remember getting rumbled by a dead head outside a club one night and he pulled a knife on me, I was sittin on my motor bike at the time,
Told him how tough he looked and that I wouldn't have a hope of beating a knife and then said that his knife was a beauty,one of the best Iv'e seen n asked where he got it from. In a minute I had him talking about bikes n chicks and then he stuck his knife back in his belt,said cheers mate and walked off down the street.
it was a close call but choose the right words and you can get yourself out of a bit of trouble, I guess it is handy to be able to read people but you still have to be on your guard just incase you are dealing with a psychopathI make it fun, I hunt beaches and there are always lots of folks. Took some time to get accustomed to the attention detecting seems to bring. A few weeks ago two guys came over and asked what I was doing, they had no idea what the "machine" I was using did. One asked if I was from the "government" and asked what I was doing. Couldn't resist and said it was a radiation survey due to the contimated water from Japan. Should have seen his face, sheer panic. Of course I told him I was only kidding and showed him the days finds including two silver rings that landed in my scoop that day.
I don't know if this fits this post but here is what I'm thinking. Almost everytime I meet a treasure hunter in the field I think to myself, "What a geek!" Then I'm forced to admit that I'm one of those geeks. A while ago at a family gathering somebody said they were at the beach and there was this old man hunting for change with a metal detector. It was a funny conversation and the attendees who knew this was my hobby all shot me uncomfortable looks. I proudly admitted that I was one of those not so old, not so geeky, men. The conversation turned to what's your best find? Most folks ears perk up when they hear the words gold, silver, emeralds, diamonds..... Who isn't fascinated with treasure?
Chris
Chris
mark_ad1970
New member
Pretty hard to hide if you stand well over 6 feet tall.
N.J. shore in middle of winter fellows surfboarding.
Young and old walking in circles around a track that goes nowhere.
Grown man flying a kite.
In the field next to me a group hitting a little white ball and chasing after it.
Hunter sitting in freezing temps. in the snow waiting for a buck.
Throwing a 16 pound ball that knocks over pins that immdediately stand back up...
Well you get the idea.
Heck I walk proud, am friendly, fill my holes, get some exercise and some gas money for next time out and am having fun...old geezer or not .....
Young and old walking in circles around a track that goes nowhere.
Grown man flying a kite.
In the field next to me a group hitting a little white ball and chasing after it.
Hunter sitting in freezing temps. in the snow waiting for a buck.
Throwing a 16 pound ball that knocks over pins that immdediately stand back up...
Well you get the idea.
Heck I walk proud, am friendly, fill my holes, get some exercise and some gas money for next time out and am having fun...old geezer or not .....
I have been doing this for some thirty years and i'm not embarrassed one bit. I don't hide any more and go on to the beach and weave in and out of people with no complaints. I have never been asked to leave but i don't invade their privacy either. I think after a while if you really love this sport it won't matter who is watching you especially when you are finding money and jewelry when other hobbies cost you so much to do these days with no pay back. Go play golf for three hours and spend some big bucks with no pay back. For me this is more exciting.
I have been asked to find rings on the beach that people said they have lost but most of the time i feel it was a prank or a joke to see me walk around and search for something that was not there.
I do believe that when approached be complacent and get out of the situation as easy and as no conflicting as possible, we don't want any bad publicity and nothing is gained by smarting off and not being polite.
The more you enjoy this sport the more comfortable you will be
I have been asked to find rings on the beach that people said they have lost but most of the time i feel it was a prank or a joke to see me walk around and search for something that was not there.
I do believe that when approached be complacent and get out of the situation as easy and as no conflicting as possible, we don't want any bad publicity and nothing is gained by smarting off and not being polite.
The more you enjoy this sport the more comfortable you will be
Florida Keys Pirate
New member
Had a European tourist ( a dude ) ask me if I was listening to the seashells ! WTF ! I just smiled and said ,yup .