Did I waste my money???

[mwaynebennett]

I have recently located a seasoned fellow metal detector enthusiast close to where I live. Each time I suggest detecting in a specific local, he tells me that it has already been searched.

1) Are spots that have already been searched worth re-searching with more modern machines?

2) Have all/lions share of the silver coins been located and all that is available are clad coins? If this is so, then I am working for about $0.37 per hour.

What are your thoughts?

 

[drummerman]

People have found stuff in places that have already been searched. And/or he or she wants to keep it to them-self. I would search the area anyway. What could it hurt?
It depends on how a person may discriminate while searching. I find lots of trash, but if you use high discrimination, you may pass up something valuable.
I don't really expect to find anything that will make me rich, it's just fun to see what you can find.
The best part would be if you found something cool. You could show it to him with a big smile on your face!!!

 

[fishes02]

I would think that you are not wasting your money.

I've been doing this for only 18 months, and I've already collected over 500.00 in clad. Yes, the silver is a little more difficult to find, only six pieces, but it's the thrill of the hunt. Silver rings on the other hand seem to be plentiful. Never know what you will find. Pulled up a platinum/diamond ring last year; which paid for the detector in one swing; which also allowed my to upgrade my detector.

By all means, go over areas that have already been hunted. I find that there's always something that I or someone else has missed. Further, as you get to know you detector a little more you will note that your finds increase. Additionally, I enjoy the peacefulness, the exercise, and the excitement when I do pull something other than a pull-tab. Hang in there, it only gets better with time.

I'm also looking into joining a MD club. They appear to have so much to offer, not only club activities, but the people as well. The knowledge base is unbelievable.

Thanks/Cliff

 

[dave5710]

NO, you did not.

He may be trying to keep you off of locations he wants for himself. I was hunting a wooded park area a couple months ago when an older gentleman stopped to talk to me.

" You won'ta finda much here. Ia hunted here alota back in 1975a to about 1980. Mya mentor and hisa friend hunted here justa bout every daya."

Then I told him about The large cents, shield nickel, Barber, WLib and Franklin halves etc. etc. that I had found there. I showed him by fresh dug buffalo and my friend showed him a fresh dug Barber dime.

He looked at us and just walked away.

It's not hunted out until you say it's hunted out. and even then you should go back in a couple years and see if anything has worked its way up.

I don't know if freezing and thawing pushes coins up to the surface as much as it could level out a coin that is standing on edge. Anyway in a couple more years you will know your machine better and you will see things you didn't see before. You will " think outside the box" better than you do now. Park workers will have planted new trees, removed old ones, replaced sidewalks and playground equipment etc. that will stir things up alot.

As long as you have permission to hunt it, hunt it. You'll know when it is time to move on and when it's time to go back. Take care, Dave

 

[ronaldj2]

Never really hunted out, especially if you have newer technology. There have been times when I only made .25 cts per hr. It is still the thrill of the hunt.
If I depended on this hobby for a source of income boy would I be in trouble. Ron

 

[JJ]

I'm really not sure if you wasted your money. You may have wasted your money if you were promised 9 bucks an hour for every hour spent swinging a coil. If that's the case, Mickey D's is always hiring. MD'ing is a hobby and you're gonna have to learn to take the good with the bad real quick or you won't be detecting long. I enjoy detecting the same way I enjoy fishing, good days and bad days. I have allot of money invested in fishing gear and the only reward is the occasional tasty morsel and time well spent relaxing. Dirt fishing is the same but offers the possibility of paying for itself. You will get out of it exactly what you put into it. I'm glad you found someone nearby to hunt with. The fact that he may have 20+ years on you detecting doesn't make his word gospel, though I'm sure you could learn plenty from him. You will also learn that like fishermen, many detectorists are master BS artists and be careful with the info you share until you develop trust. The fact that there is a prize at stake seems to change people. Getting into detecting now, you are about 40 years late to the party, and people have hunted some great spots very hard over the years. Did they get it all? Not even close, though the older stuff is a non renewable resource. You just have to look a little harder for it. Researching your local area will be the key. Don't take anybody's word, hunt it yourself. Chances are good all the obvious spots have been hit hard. Think out side the box, and spend the "off season" researching. I also believe private property is second to none, so spend some time driving around, talking to people and knocking on doors. Chances are good that your buddy hasn't detected every square inch of private property in town. TC&HH, JJ

 

[ronaldj2]

n/t

 

[Jharhed]

There is no place that is totally hunted out, probably just wants to keep the spot to himself, especially if he picks up the garbage finds as he goes and disposes.

 

[JJ]

If you really want to make some spectacular finds, I'll hook you up with one of my hunting buddies that seems to think we're on an easter egg hunt. Tree's aren't the only things planted at the places we hit. I guess his heart is in the right place and he just wants to keep things interesting, but he's still a good guy and works his butt off to get us into some good hunting grounds. JJ