Metal detecting in the winter

[Elton]

I guess we all have our own tolerance of cold weather...........

I admit mine is rather low. In fact I can not take the cold hands, cold feet, and cold ears one gets when out in near zero weather, or hard cold winds.

It's also hard to dig in frozen ground or sloppy digging in thawed out wet ground......

I think it also has an effect on your metal detector....... very hard on it in fact........ More importantly it can frost bite your hands and face rather quickly.....

If your one of the people that can tolerate the cold icy conditions I am happy for you... But I also ask that you keep tabs on your body condition when out in the elements detecting..

If you freeze those fingers they will never be the same, and hurt at the least bit of cold that gets to them in the future...............

So be careful, watch the length of time you stay out. If your hands get wet ( Gloves) change them out to prevent freezing of the fingers.. Take a break and warm up. Then continue once your warm again..

 

[skookum]

Hi,
Freezing temperatures will greatly decrease the output/operating span of the battery pack.
Best to carry a spare inside your parka next to your body where it stays warm.
hh
skookum

 

[Nauti]

Good advice Elton.I went out a few days ago to my local beach,it was'nt that cold,about 5 degrees.However the wind was blowing hard which made it feel slightly cooler.Anyway,my feet got wet and I had no gloves but enthusiasm kept me going.By the end of my session,about 5 hours,my feet were completely numb and the thumb on the hand with which I hold my detector had little movement in it.I won't be doing this ever again because as you say,i will suffer later on.
Everybody should consider your points because if you wreck your body you won't be detecting.
Take care everyone and wrap up during the cold weather.

 

[ken ward]

I just don't go out when it is that bad out. It will be there when it warms up. I like my fingers and toes... KEN

 

[REVIER]

I try...I really do, but I just can't seem to get the hang of the digging part.

 

[khouse]

Elton,
Me and Bill_S dig so much silver in the Winter that it produces a warming effect felt through out our bodies. I once saw Bill glow like a Predator digger just pulled from the oven after digging a Barber on a 20 degree day! Just kidding - We get cold too but it does help if your finding some good stuff. I also do some fishing in the cold. In my mind I will say "3 more casts and I'm going home" on the 3rd cast I will always get a little tap or tug. Well that's good for another 3 hours of fishing! It doesn't take much.......

 

[Elton]

 

[mudpuppy]

Good Post Elton! We had a guy here lose both his feet a few weeks back in that cold snap...had him on the news...was a homeless guy out hunting for empties, not much different than us, out trying to find some metal...feet got wet and froze.
Yes Sir, this Planet and especially the weather is rough on Humans, we can only take a little heat or cold compared to the other inhabitants that live here. Guys gotta pay attention and try to have the right gear, even then its no guarantee if a fellow gets wet and the cold wind is howling. A human cant last long in this environment.
Mud

 

[joe dirt_1]

I'm not gonna go out and freeze Jimmy and the twins off in freezing weather to dig a bunch of rotten zinc pennies.
I have cabin fever bad right now, but chiseling a penny out of concrete like dirt doesn't appeal to me at all.

I use my time now for researching sites to hit when the weather warms up. Not sure, but the older I get the worse the cold feels on my body
Like Ken said, they will be there when it warms up. Happy hunting to all you guys that brave the cold temps!

Roger.

 

[foiler]

I always saved my winter hunts for the woods. Vegetation is down, critters that bite are too or easier to see if still around, ground is more manageable, you can use larger tools, and I always bring my 1970's Whites detector in case the sensitive digital boards on new detectors start crying for mommy. My old Whites doesn't care what the weather is.

 

[tabman]

I bought me 6 pair of these at a great price: ATLAS- C300I-451- THERMA FIT INSULATED GLOVES

They keep your hands dry and are good to down around freezing.

They are very comfortable and flexible. Making adjustments to your detector while wearing them is no problem.

When they get dirty just hand wash them and hang them up to dry.

tabman

 

[Elton]

Sounds like that would cover most of your low temperature in TN Tabman ......

 

[Bones]

We are getting a break here on the north coast of California. It was 70 degrees here today and we did need some sun block. Even the bugs are flying.

 

[togamac]

It's a great time of year to be scoping out warm-weather sites. We have only about 4 inches of snow on the ground and with the foliage off the trees, you see things in the woods you don't get to see in the summer. I went by a stand of trees the other day that I've driven by 100's of times and spotted a stone wall and what looks to be an old driveway or road beside it. It's now on my list of sites to check out when (AND IF!) this cold weather ever goes away.

Also, I was cross-country skiing on a golf course and adjacent to one of the fairways was a huge old tree I had never noticed before. It had to have been left in a farmer's field who knows how long ago, maybe 200 years? Some one had to have sat and rested under this beauty in the past 200 years. Added that to my list too. There are a lot of signs out there, I've got to get better at reading them. I'd appreciate any discussion on doing so.

Mac

 

[OldBeechnut]

That's some good advice Elton, best to be prepared or stay home. I have all the best winter water hunting equipment but I can't take that wind, I have been out when it is in the low 30s and water temps were 35 and warm, but the same temps and wind above 10 mph I stay home. One thing I have noticed when in the water, you keep moving your fine, slow down and your feet get chilled. And the use of Hot Hands really help when you do get chilled hands....One thing about winter hunting the water, the sand really get moved. My last water hunt temps were not to bad....