Learned a lesson, and no more being chicken!

[Johnny Cache]

Two weeks ago my wife told me she saw a guy metal detecting not far from our house. Our town is very small, 150 people, and I am the only person here with a metal detector. When I heard about this new dude with a detector, it bothered me. Last night I happened to be chatting with a couple that lives down the street, in a 100 year old house. They asked if I ever find anything with my detector, and mentioned that their friend from out of town was here a couple weeks ago, detected their yard, and was going to get permission for other yards too. It's a free country, he can detect wherever he wants, but I was KICKING MYSELF for not getting permission to do that yard since I started detecting two years ago. What am I waiting for? Someone else to swoop in and get the goods? I'm not going to be hesitant about asking permission anymore. The couple from down the street told me I could try their yard too, even though their friend had just detected it. I went over there tonight, and I was amazed by what I found. This other detectorist must be a beginner, because there were coins all over the place, some less than 1 inch deep! My first target was a 2 coin silver spill...woohoo! No more being chicken, I'm gonna hit the yards HARD this year...

 

[JoshuaA]

Great story and lesson learned!!! I called a place earlier this week but they told me I could not hunt there....Im not giving up though!!!

 

[William-NM]

Point taken! As a coward when it comes to knocking on doors, I am just going to have to 'buck up' and get out there and do it!!

 

[Joel-Winnipeg]

You did well for a site that was hunted in.
You never know if you don't ask.
Just be ready for no's just say politely thank you and move on.

 

[GoGoGopher]

Very good advice, and I should listen to this myself...I am a wuss when it comes to rejection...Guess it is my Anxiety Disorder taking control of me...Time to fight back!

HH,

 

[John-Edmonton]

Going that extra mile should get you some fantastic finds.....

 

[Johnny Cache]

GoGoGopher, I have some anxiety issues too, but I'm just going to toughen up and do it. One of the first times I asked permission at a farm (2 yrs ago) I was granted the permission, but then the family's son freaked out when he saw me, so I had to leave. I was embarrassed and felt bad about the whole thing.

In fact, I received permission TODAY to do the 110 year old yard right across the street. I know the owners, so why haven't I asked before? Everybody sees me detect in town here, everybody knows I'm a die-hard, why on earth would I be shy to simply ask to do some yards?

I'm glad that I learned this fact: If I don't seek permission, eventually SOMEONE ELSE WILL!!

 

[dugaplug]

also don't forget that word of mouth goes a long way also. the other day i was granted permission to hunt a late 1800 resort. when this guys mother showed up she said, "well, why dont you hunt the lot next to me also. i own it and it used to be the house of the chef for the resort." BONUS! I also live in a small town, so word does travel (sometimes a little too quick).

 

[Johnny Cache]

Dugaplug, I love it when stuff like that happens. Good luck, it sounds promising!

 

[William-NM]

Yep, I'm a proud (founding) member of the anxiety issue club, too. I've found that it isn't too hard to slip in a soft request when chatting with people. Something like "I love hunting old properties, so keep me in mind if you know anyone..." or some variation on that theme. I've received a couple of invitations that way. Couple Valium helps, too!

 

[TerraDigger]

The other day I went to a property that I had secured permission for last year. I always let a property owner know before I start detecting when I arrive at a site. Even if I previously have gotten permission. This time she was somewhat agitated and said she didn't want me on the property. I looked at her, direct in the eyes with a suprised look on my face. Then she stutteringly changed gears and gave me a excuse that her father-in-law detects the property. She didn't remember that last year she told me that her EX-father-in-law had detected the property years ago. He magically became her current father-in-law for the moment IMHO.
Anyway's...I follow Joel's advice "Just be ready for no's, just say politely thank you, and move on." which I did. BTW, after that 'No', I went to a different site I had permission to and found a 1941 quarter & 1952 dime. Now this property I was shooed away from a couple weeks ago by an employee who had no real authority, unlike the employee who had given me permission. I never confront people's authority, whether imagined or not, at the time their exercising it. All it does is make them even more hostile.
The moral of the story.....perseverance and a little courage to face the 'No's' that will happen on occasion.

 

[Blink]

I have a permission form that I always ask to be signed by the land owner. I have never been turned down. I have been approached by other members of a family and was told that I was tresspassing. I always have my signed permission form ready for such an occasion. I know of a person who was arrested for tresspassing, don't let it happen to you. Always be prepared. HH

 

[Bushmasta]

Asking permission to metal detect can be little awkward sometimes depending on who your talking to. It reminds me of asking the hot girl in school to the prom. Fortunately in my little town I am a familiar face and gaining permission has been relatively easy. None the less there is always a little anxiety involved.

 

[hotrodzincoln]

Good finds - love that Canadian silver. That other guy might have been a beginner, on the other hand he may just have been impatient. I hunt a lot of areas that its apparent that others have been there before, but were choosy or in a hurry. Like places where there are no quarters but lots of pennies and nickels. Those are the places where I make my best finds.

 

[Onus]

Bock bock!

 

[goldentouch]

I put out the word in my small town that I would be glad and try and find anything they might have lost. This has opened up several more places that let me in including one a Club had asked and was turned down now the owner even helps me dig the holes. He has not purchased a MD yet but I told him he was welcome to use one of mine.