Brand new to detecting in the DEAD OF WINTER!

[Kerist]

Hello folks. I finally got my first metal detector, the Land Star, for Christmas! I have never detected but have wanted to all my life. Needless to say, I am very excited to get to it. Unfortunately, I live in upstate NY and we have just gotten 2 feet of snow in 4 days! I am more determined than ever and am just going to get dressed appropriately and hit the spots I know with little to no snow but are there any tips or advice that you folks might have for this kind of environment? Thanks!

 

[Ed Steinhoff]

With two feet of snow I would be hitting all the sledding and tubing hills, especially the rough ones. My experience has been once they get up enough speed to wipe out in the rough spots--- things in the pockets go flying! At the bottom of the hill when they get out of the sled they dump what gets lost in it on the way down. If there are fire pits at the bottom to warm up by, hit those areas to. Wet mittens get pulled off there and the rings come off too! There will be lots of trash at the fire too but it is good practise to start learning the difference there. I really started to learn my machines at one of these sled hills and it is a lot of fun. Good finds also ( see john from Edmonton's post on the Garrett at pro and gold forum ) he makes some fantastic finds in the dead of winter! Two hints a hand warmer packet strapped to the battery compartment helps the batteries last longer and I think the machine runs smoother. ( just my opinion ) Also put a plastic bag over your control box to protect from snow and moisture getting in. Two good days on one of these well used hills and you will be afflicted by this glorious addiction! Be warned there is no cure! Only more and more desire to hunt! You never look at the world around you the same way again. From now on one part of your mind will always be considering every school yard, sidewalk strip, ballpark and playground as a potential hunting spot! Welcome to the disease! HH Ed in co.

 

[Kerist]

"Welcome to the disease." I think I have it pretty bad already as I am making my very first trip in 20 degrees tomorrow morning on a river and am so excited I feel like a kid before Xmas!

Thanks for the advice. I will hit the trails and also the ski runs too as I have access to one after hours here. WIll do the hot pack, just because it wont hurt, and the plastic on the box. I hope to have some pictures to share tomorrow!