My first beach hunt..................:detecting:

[tabdog]

I decided to go beach detecting yesterday.

I went to a Corp of Engineer's lake. I had to go to the Field Operations Department to get a free permit. It last for one year.

I had to drive for one hour to get there and it took one hour to get the permit.

The name is De Gray Lake. That's funny cause De Water Ain't Gray. Da should a called it Dis Gray Lake. Dat means Dis Lake Ain't Gray

Well, anyway.

The swimming beaches have sand that's been hauled in because the lake doesn't have natural sand beaches.

I started at a smaller beach with my Euro Sabre and the 5.75 concentric coil. The ground balance did not need to be changed form the previous setting.

I could see where other MDers have already been there but I found an ear ring and a junk ring and some coins. Then I got a deep signal. It was below the sand and in the natural ground which is clay and rocky. At about 7" I got a 1958 wheaty in good shape. The lake was built in about 1974, so that went back before the lake was here.

There was a fluttering sound that was loud enough I heard it with my headphones on. I looked up and a bunch of ducks were desperately trying to all huddle up together in the water. I looked up and saw the reason why.

A Bald Eagle was circling above them and trying to single one out.

The Eagle finally gave up and went and perched in a tree.

I wish I had my camera because I was able to get close enough to get a photo.

The Bald Eagles come through here in the winter to get to warmer climate.

It was spectacular.

Next I went to the largest beach on the lake. This beach was so cleaned out that the only signals left were iron. I didn't find anything there but bobby pins.

It was a wonderful day even if I didn't find much.

I found a lot of enjoyment.

HH,

 

[Bowie]

Heya tabdog,I been to Lake DeGray. You should check out Lake Ouachita also, lots of folks go there. Buffalo River just popped into my mind, lot of folks canoe it.
You and I gotta meet up at a half way point someday,Im not all that far away. Only problem for me is getting off work.
HH
John

 

[greenmeanie]

Our corps says no to detecting
Says the land falls under the arpa act.

 

[rmptr]

Would that be the


Americans Recovering Pulltabs Act?


Abbreviations always confuse me.

 

[tabdog]

That's nuts.

what is the arpa act?

I was glad they let me after what every body was saying

HH,

 

[tabdog]

That's ridicules. What archaeological items are we going to disturb on a swimming beach or a tot lot?

Maybe they want to protect the Match Box cars lost in the tot lots. That's pretty important.

Glad they have important things to do, like protecting the tot lots from us unscrupulous detectorist

HH,

 

[Pap]

Hey Tab aren't you overlooking something which makes your argument rather meaningless? This country is no longer for, by, and of the people. Rather it is for, by, and of the ruling class! And most of us folks aren't part of that little group. Just remember that your vote counts even in a two party dictatorship! Yea. right...

 

[tabdog]

Yes. I'm with you.

Been missled too many times.

Just hope the young ones can deal with it.

HH,

 

[Pap]

n/t

 

[tabdog]

I have just about spent enough time trying to have much success at Lake De Gray. It's a beautiful place and I like it there a lot. But this is not the best time to metal detect there. I'll be back when the time is right. Now I know where to go and more about how to proceed.

This is a view looking NW from the south end of the dam.

This is at the North end of the same dam. Those specks in the water are ducks. This is a very popular lake for fishing and recreation. The dam was constructed about 45 years ago by the Corp of Engineers. This was one of the first lakes to have Stripper Bass in the state.

This is a small swimming area not far from the largest swimming area on the lake. This is a cove and is protected from waves and wind. This is where I found what little jewelry I got and most of the coins I recovered.
This is also where I saw a Bald Eagle on Wednesday. Those ducks fluttered together so fast I could hear it through my headphones. That's what caused me to look up and see the Eagle. He wouldn't show up when I got my camera.

This is the largest swimming beach on the lake. Both these beaches are close to the dam. There are about ten public beaches on the lake. I need to find where the college kids go at night. I knew when I was younger but I've forgotten.

After three days of driving all over this lake and trying to find a good spot, this is the best I could come up with. I forgot to put the 58 wheaty in the photo.

Here's a close up of the junk jewelry. I think that rock is was probably my best find. Looks neat anyway.

That's a shot tour of Lake De Gray. Not the biggest but a beautiful lake none the less.

Hope you enjoyed my little adventure,