New Girl Needs Help!!!!!

[lilynluv]

I am VERY new with treasure hunting and metal detecting. I recently got my Explorer II, No great finds just yet, (only some old beer cans, a potato chip bag, an old dog collar, and a can pull top). Still trying to figure out the sounds. But, I

 

[Mike (Virginia Beach)]

I'm running late for work at the moment and I'm sure there will be several other responses but for now I'll post a pic of a head light I have. It's dual-LED, runs about 60 hours on AAA batteries, and the price was like $10 at Wal-Mart. It's very lightweight and throws a nice beam.

 

[jb]

Mike is correct as you will need some sort of night light. My biggest concern would be the night factor and I would heartily suggest that you have a hunting partner with you and even in the day light it helps to have a buddy along. As far as sounds that was one of my biggest problems starting out but will change as time goes along and you will become used to them. If you can't get out that much after work due to light try setting up a little test garden to practice your sounds and sweep speeds and other setting. This will get you started and others will respond thru out the day. We have one area we hunt where we carry along a special friend with us in case and even take little walkie talkies as a back up. Starting out stay in the factory settings until you are comfortable and read and reread the manual and watch the video over a couple of times. Hope some of this helps

 

[Joe G]

I got this one a Petzl "Zipka Plus". Cost about $50 (someone gave me a gift certificate). It has a retractable cord so it fits around my hat and stays in place; very compact. 4 LED lights with 3 different intensities. It's very bright with very long battery life. 100 hours on 3 AA's at maximum intensity; up to 150 hours at lower intensity. Personally, I wouldn't go hunting alone at night. Aside from the danger of nutjobs out there, you could get hurt just walking around. No one around to help...
<img src=http://en.petzl.com/images/Produits/Produit_Image_464.jpg>

 

[Buzzz (Southern Tier NY)]

My advice: Stay in Factory Settings, Dig everything in and around upper top right hand corner. Make some good finds and you quest for knowledge has just begun. Re-read the manual and watch instructional DVD. Participate in the Finds Explorer Classroom (no dumb question there !!). Headlamp at WallyWorld ( I got the Rayovac about $10.00) or you could get a Detecting Light which attaches to the Detector itself, and carry a mini-mag light (in its own pouch). Think safety, Get permission (if necessary). HAVE FUN !!!!!!!! ........By the way Metal Detecting is addicting and a great hobby. As you can see, I agree with the previous posts (at this time). Go dig some Silver !!!!!!!

 

[James N.D.]

Just was reading the other posts and the guys are right about having someone with you if you are going to detect at night. It probably would be wise to carry a electrical shocking unit or some pepper spray also. Also, what state are you in and are you in a big city or just a small town. If in the big city, you are definitely going to need some kind of protection from some of those lunatics out there. I hope you learn your new Explorer-II and have the best of finds. Good Luck and Happy Hunting!

 

[Ocean7]

n/t

 

[mitch]

We don't night hunt but my partner has a huge German Shepard (115 pounds)and we have never been approached by anyone while we hunt.

 

[Jason in TN]

Forget the pepper spray or tazer gun. A 45 auto will convince any bugger out there that they may want to find a new treasure hunter to fool with.

 

[James N.D.]

n/t

 

[Ace]

I usually go out with my dog Kimo...

Sadly he's still in El Salvador, damn I miss him, but we'll bring him in around a month or two, hopefully... I used to take one of those black caps with LED lights in the 'rim' of the cap which looked great, I have to buy a new one though, I lost the one I had, they're like $10 at the Home Depot. For protection I used to carry a handgun with me, but I have to buy a new one since I moved here to the US, but that's later, so now I carry a Voyager X2 folder from Cold Steel, it has a 6" Blade, which is wicked sharp, and the point is a clip point but the end of the point is like a Tanto to insure it will remain needle sharp, I can't say anything bad about this knife, it's super lightweight, extremely strong lock made of Titanium, the grip is so great, it can be unfolded in less than 1/8 of a second (it's a folder not an automatic), and perfectly legal here in CA (go figure). Here take a look:

For comparison in length:

http://www.ColdSteel.com/ I highly recommend their knives, specially the Voyager series. Check your local laws regarding knives and other laws regarding knives, daggers, etc. And concealement. Here in CA folders are ok, even a full 6" blade like mine.

 

[Ocean7]

nobody's going to get the 'jump' on him. But if you're wearing headphones or on a windy beach - a bunch of punks can come up behind you, crack you over the head with some object, and make you realize just how unsafe night hunting really can be. the gangs are getting worse in this country - those who think they are bullet-proof leave themselves open to a very rude awakening IMO

if you're night hunting - make sure that knife is open and very handy.

 

[Ocean7]

always took his shepard. He cleaned up in a place dating back to 1700's. Nobody ever bothered him. Unfortunately he was killed in a head-on car accident coming home from metal detecting. He was one of the most productive hunters I ever knew. Least one of the last things he did was what he loved most - MD'ing.

But a large dog usually speaks volumes to the low-lifes. stay away!

 

[Ace]

I'll make sure it is Ocean . And you're right, I hate these gangs, in my country a plan was made against gangs since our 'new' President started his precidency, it has been very successful and has put 3 forces against them and armed them quite well:

The Police: They hahve Galil Automatic Rifles, pistols, and about 5 extra clips for each, plus bulletproof vests for some. For the special Police forces (like the SWAT here in the US) they're all equiped with Bulletproof vests, automatic rifles and submachine guns ranging from MP5's to G3's and MC-51's.

The RURAL police wanders usually dressed like civilians in the farms, haciendas, etc. The rural parts, they're equipped with shotguns when not in civilian clothing, and pistols. They're a special unit sent specially for gangs who reside in the Rural parts of the country.

The Army: They're disperssed as if they were the police and have the same authority, and are accompanied by police officers, thanks to you (Americans) they carry the same equipment as your Army , yeah we bought a lot from you (i.e. M16/M4/M733 rifles, MP5's, body armor, Minimi's, etc.).

I'd like to see a plan like that take action here in the US since gangs are a horrible problem, and I'm not proud to say the MS gang is from El Salvador, they're the lowest of the low, what you would call a murderer/rapist/burglar, etc. BUT we're taking care of it over in El Salvador, we're even killing the heads of the gangs along with lots of their members , yeah we hate them that much, my family has roots to the early 1500's (I'm technically Spanish, not an ES native), but still... I feel like it's our responsability to get rid of the gangs once and for all. Did I mention all of central America is enforcing the law against gangs?

 

[Ace]

Specially a fierce looking dog, and those German Shepheards do mean business when angered .

 

[RingProfessional]

They send us to jail over here in the uk for carrying a knife to protect our selves. You have to let the nutter knife you first then you can hit him back ( thats if your still alive) or you may call the police only after you have been knifed. The bottom line is we are not allowed to defend our selves. :angry:

 

[jimb]

Redneck is a way of life, not a gang. Careful calling us rednecks lowlifes. Rednecks are the kind of people that will be able to survive for more than 12 hours after a hurricane hits. You wont see us on TV complaning the government isnt doing anything for us. We plan ahead, grow our own food, raise our own animals. We may smell when its barn cleaning time, start fights with our family when the half barrel runs dry. And last convert a pickup truck exhaust into dual stacks that come out the truck bed so you think you own a semi. We have a problems just like everybody else but you dont see us killing our neighbor as often as you see it in the inner city. Just because he has the wrong tatoo or wrong color hat or looked at me funny. But come Sunday morning if we are not out hunting (insert your own word here) we might be sleeping in church. I would rather get into a fight in a redneck bar than a inner city bar. I may get my but kicked and a que stick in the chops, but more than likely I am going home in my own truck and not a herse because I got shot. To be a Redneck is a badge of honor around here. Rednecks are country folk not low lifes. So its no problem on the mix up of words and I hope this cleared up what a redneck is and can be. If your car broke down who would you want stopping to help? The Crips, 2-7s, Latin Kings or some ole stinky redneck with tools and a tow chain?

Take care
Jimb
Burlington, WIsconsin

 

[mitch]

Jimb,
It's good to know rednecks are in other parts of the country. I thought us Southern guys had a monopoly on redneck status. You will never find a more generous person than one raised on a farm.

 

[Boony]

Hi RingProfessional,

Likewise here in the land of OZ, we are not allowed to defend ourselves, however if I go bush I usually drop the 45 long colt in a big shoulder holster, just in case, better to be tried by 12 of your peers that carried out by 6 of your mates.

All the best.....Boony

 

[jb]

I posted once already on this subject but from reading the post's since. I think the general consensus is not many people are recommending night hunting from what I gather. Is that a fair assumption from everyone.