I'm bored.....Tell me a story :smile:

[echostar61]

What or who first interested you all into metal detecting ?
I'll go first :

Well,It was 1967,no seriously,I can be serious sometimes. I guess I
was born into it,both my parents were amature archy's. The type that
gave their finds to the local museum or historical soc. I would have to say
thats why I'm sorta a pirate at heart now,I found it and it's mine,lol. I remember
and still have some of my first finds I was able to keep.
I've taken breaks over the years but always come back to metal detecting.
Every where I go my eyes are always on the ground looking for the next
treasure and potential site to hunt......Next

Terri

 

[tabdog]

I also was first was introduced to MDing in 1967.

I was in a historical organization as a teen. We used to go to Pea Ridge CW Battlefield and recover relics. All the relics ended up going to our Chapter.

I always wanted to keep them, but I couldn't.

At one spot we got a signal and started digging up old car parts. It ended up being a complete Model T Ford. It apparently was left in the woods and just kind of sunk into the ground over time. Most of it was rusted and we didn't think it was much good. But it was a lot of fun digging up some history, even if it wasn't CW related. The head lights were real neat. Wish I had kept them.

HH

 

[echostar61]

Cool story TD,I always wonder what got people interested in the hobby.
Have you found any civil war related items since ? I have only found one 3 ringer
and one button since then.Finding a complete car would be fascinating,I found a
model T key this summer and was excited.Thanks for sharing .

Terri

 

[tabdog]

I have found a few mini balls, two and three ringer. I got a few other things but nothing special so far.

I've been doing a little research. In the spring and after hunting season, I'll be giving it another go.

HH,

 

[echostar61]

Research is great and boring sometimes,but the more we do,the bigger the pay off in the end. And there is nothing quite like holding a little piece of history in our hands. I hope we all have a wonderful hunting season in 2008,and we all find what we are looking for .

Terri

 

[IndianaSmith]

Well, since I was already told I had top be serious......I'll make my best attempt

Dad MD'd pretty "seriously" for a number of years, though my having moved-out (by choice, not booted) at a young age, I didn't see much of his results. We'd fish together alot, but by this time I'd learned about the opposite sex.I did take his detector out now & then, just for the heck of it. It was "interesting"....but didn't really trip my trigger.

That being said, I got more involved in work (to support my new-found hobby ) and started my own business back in the 80's, and pretty much worked, restored a few vehicles, and did whatever I wanted. I've always been the outdoors type, and got back into trapping as an adult (which I also did as a kid). Life was pretty good, self-employed, had some nice vehicles, chased a few women, caught a couple Then in 2003, was in a bad accident (not my fault), and long-story short, my insurer screwed me while this state stood by & watched.......paying the same insurer 30 years cost me everything I had.

Since then, life's done a 180*. Had to sell everything to live, because I haven't been able to work since 11-03. Haven't been able to fish much, had to give-up trapping (and sell my traps)and needed something to do. I've never been one to set-around, or a reader, TV is boring, and I was used to always being active.....but.....not anymore. I had the place all the guys hung-out, because there was always a project in the garage & beer in the 'fridge. Pretty much lost all my friends too, some of 20 years.

Anyway, I ran across dads old detectors in the garage one day & thought I'd give it a try. I got more seriously interested in it this past August ('07), and knowing you can find just about everything on the internet, ran across some forums & started reading. I hunted a few local parks & schools, found mostly clad, but it got me out of the house & my mind off things. I scraped-up enough for a 250 (figuring dads were outdated).

Terri & I met on another forum, we chatted awhile & once I felt safe , I met her & her husband so they could see I really do look just like Brad Pitt. She & I had a few good hunts before winter set-in. Definately looking forward to spring, but at the same time I grow more concerned I'll be up to going. Every time we'd hunt, I knew I'd pay for it for the next few days (physically), but it was helping me mentally (shut-up Terri) so it's kind of a toss-up. So, I'm keeping my fingers crossed.....bulging discs, degenerative disc disease & arthiritis, chronic carpal & cubital tunnel, to name a few, and it's continuing to worsen since I can't get treatment for any of it.. Researching has given me alittle to do the past few weeks, honestly I don't know what I'd be doing if I didn't have that to do.

So bottom-line.....it was find something to do, or go insane..........

Smitty

.

 

[mattockman]

Smitty, thats one heck of a story....and I feel for ya man! If you were in my neck of the woods I would get you out and do some treasure hunting. The guy that got me into detecting died in a car wreck and we use to have so much fun detecting. I miss hunting with a buddy. It's just not the same anymore. He use to invite his cousin sometimes and that guy would get out of the car and walk into a field and poof...old coin ....and not just an old coin but a 2 cent or something unusual....so after a few times like that I would say....Follow Dennis!!!!! I at least I can still laugh in memory.....

Well I hope Terry keeps you busy and you find lots of old coins.....Its good to see that you haven't given up!

 

[echostar61]

I knew Smitty's story,thats the reason I poke at him,not out of meaness but to keep him moving.
I was my grand mothers care giver after she broke her back at age 80 and I kept her moving for another 15
yrs. Even if it was to get up and cross the room to hit me,lol.
And Smitty, I'm not doing all this research just so I can hunt alone. You are going, If I have to drag you !
Oh and just for laughs : " Once you felt safe ", Did you ever ask yourself why one our first hunt did I have
my big dog out ? He gets to check out all the newbies. I trust his opinion. And too there was that back up,
my son didnt want to hunt,I made him,even evil little women cant be too sure . And there's that Brad Pitt
thing, no comment,see Im not always mean.
So the bottom line is get up and lets go check out some of these sites we researched. If nothing else it will
get you out and get your blood pumping.Even if it is to stomp a hole in my passenger floor looking for that
imaginary brake and yelling at me to STOP !!!

Terri

 

[echostar61]

Very nice story,Mattockman. It's always nice to hunt with a friend,and the ones that teach
us to love this sport are priceless.My dad is like that, he can just smell the old finds. I
would follow him anywhere.

Terri

 

[Ron from Michigan]

I started metal detecting in 1970 just turned 17. Got really involved with metal detecting when I was in the Air Force from 1974-1978 a military leave from General Motors Didn't have a lot of money for hobbies so metal detecting was great.Kellyco had a trade in program back then you could trade up to a more expensive metal detector got to try out 3 or 4 units before deciding on a Garrett Coin Hunter.Anyway during my service years I had a lot of good hunting and help from the experience hunters from Albuq.NM area.For those who are familiar with Madrid NM I search there when it was a real ghost town.After the Air Force and back at General Motors lost interest and started many different interest full time student for 3 and a half years,motorcycle racer,soccer coach for my older son,soccer player mid fielder,single parent raising a 11 and 13 year old,distance runner,cross country skier and racer.remarried my wife got into horses and pulled me along hunter jumper competitor,stable owner,horse breeder one of our horses Ocala Spy grand daughter of Seattle Slew and shovel a lot of manure.Again a lot of distractions from metal detecting.In 2005 at Independence Oaks county park a normal day I go into the Ski Patrol office and log in and grab a radio to patrol the park.Life is nice gliding along on the Lake Shore trail no serious injuries and only had to ask a couple of people to leave the park because they were walking their dogs on the groomed section of the trails.A call came in from the park ranger to check out a complaint on the south side of Lake Shore two individuals digging up the park.Skiing up to the two guys metal detecting I startled them.I watched the two hunter's for a half hour or so and asked them to keep the digging to a minimum.I called the the ranger back and explained they were alright.The one hunter retrieved a nice diamond ring.So here I am back into the hobby.Like Rip Van Wrinkle waking it was amazing how the equipment have changed since my break.Bottom line the good old days were great with metal detecting: but now with the networking,dealers and people the best is yet to be.

 

[coinnut]

Hi everyone, Got into the hobby in 1972 at age 11 with my older cousin. Used the old bfo units from Bounty Hunter (Outlaw and Rebel) and then graduated to a Coinmaster V Supreme. What a unit! Still using my White's DFX. I have always had a knack for finding things whether it's at a tag sale or in the ground. I'm lucky enough to live in an area that has all types of coins from colonials to clads. Love this hobby and will never give it up. One of these days I'll post my better finds (as soon as I figure out how to post pictures) Gusee I'll just have to go out hunting in the snow.

 

[Elton]

I had an elderly neighbor who metal detected. He asked me one Saturday to come along. I thought Whew, how can I get out of this and not make him mad.
I drove myself thinking maybe 30 minutes and I am gone........... Two hours latter after finding lots of coins, and some Silver..he wanted to leave. I wanted to stay.
I borrowed his detector, and the rest is history...That detector he loaned me was mine the next day.He sold it to me. (Whites 5900) I have purchased just about every new model since then from Whites. Thanks Bob.. I appreciate the great Hobby and all the time we detected together..Bob passed away a few years ago.
I still miss him !!!

 

[echostar61]

That is an awesome story Ron,thanks for sharing. I bet you have a collection
of wonderful finds.
Hunting a ghost town in NM would be a dream come true. I have always wanted to
ride in the hunt seat class,but I was a barrel racer until the age of 30,I miss having
horses. I've shoveled my share of manure too,lol.

Terri

 

[echostar61]

Good story coinnut,Thanks for sharing. I always had a knack for
finding stuff too,and I'll pick up anything,lol. Cant wait to see your finds.
If I can post a pic. it has to be easy,lol.

Terri

 

[echostar61]

Great story Elton,Thanks for sharing. I Love this type of story.
I learned so much from my elders. I bet you made him very happy,
then and now .

Terri

 

[Beale]

Well my dad is a big history buff. I used to hunt arrowheads with him as a kid, I went to bottle hunting when I was 15-17 (around the mid 70's). I guess I just enjoyed the do not know till you dig attitude.

Started looking at detectors last summer. Bought mine in August. So at 50 I am like a kid again, hunting and finding stuff, Beale.

 

[GRAY GHOST]

ha ha, readin your posts brought back a lot of memories! oh boy, the trip its been. it was sometime during the school year in 1978 [not 1778] i was 11 yrs. old and walking home from school. i spied an older man rubbing this weird looking stick with a box attached across the grass of a female prep school, frequently bending down, smiling, then rising back up to rub the grass again. transfixed and competely spellbound by the scene, i approached the man and asked the time honored question "hey mister,watcha doin?" all the while dimes, cents and a bracelet came out the ground. he said, "well cant you see boy, im diggin money out the ground." that day changed my life forever. i bought my first machine at 13 and save for a few short breaks havent let up yet.ive had good days, bad days, mostly good. but i cant help but chuckle at myself . just my 2 cents,and hh

 

[tabdog]

We are just kids at hart

 

[echostar61]

Good One,GrayGhost !
How many times have you been asked that same question "hey mister,watcha doin ?"
Now we are the older men and women with the weird looking stick with a box attached.
Thanks for reminding me to be nicer to the kids,one might truly be interested .

Terri

 

[Elton]

I hope, and," I am pretty sure", Smitty knows what a great, and true friend he has found. Smitty listen to the lady and dig, dig, dig.
Friends like Terri only come along once in a lifetime. (Priceless)