Personal Safety and Metal Detecting...?

[alicearl]

I am new to metal detecting and can't wait to get started. I am located in South Ga which to my understanding is great for relic hunting and coin shooting. Being new to this outdoor hobby I do understand that in a public place like a lake, park or beach front it's ok to take note of your surroundings but you can pretty much freely concentrate on metal detecting, but if I plan to take my metal detecting into the woods or out of my county to more rural areas, what do yall use for personal protection? Not that it will be needed, surely my Gator Digger or my knife can be used for self defense, but what if you are hunting solo, without a partner? Or maybe it's not wildlife that threatens/harasses you... does anyone carry a firearm of any sort while out, especially alone. I would greatly appreciate yalls advice or stories.
Thanks

 

[jmaryt]

i am NOT an unfriendly person,however that said,when i am detecting,i carry a piece with me hidden in my pocket,0R if i am in a"tough" area,AND want to detect in THAT area,i will carry it in my waistband to be seen by the curious!..i am NOT nuts,or crazy,just cautious,and show the weapon for "security" reasons,AND because i want to detect,and NOT be bothered!..i am retired and work part time,so i am NOT a "weekend warrior" so to speak!..been at this over thirty years!

(h.h!)
j.t.

 

[Elton]

Georgia has a concealed carry law.......................but...Do you really need a Gun....................If it looks like that type area....stay out of it..This is a hobby, not a living. Always best detecting in pairs anyway..more fun too.

I just don't think detecting is important enough to get in a shootout, or maybe put you in a position where you had to injure someone.Or get arrested for concealed weapon.

Common sense should prevail............There is plenty of safe areas to detect...........Now wild animals or snakes are a different matter...............use caution going into woods and always be aware.........No headphones in snake country...............Use good judgement if you arm yourself.

 

[dirtdigginlady]

I carry a firearm if I go out in the woods esp by myself and sometimes even with a buddy. However, I do have a permit for a concealed weapon.

 

[grumpyolman]

If you want to carry why let the potential opposition know you have the 'last' option in a potential life threatening situation? Take a use of lethal force training from a reputable instructor. Remember, you don't have any authority to use lethal force unless you fear for your life (or your family) and if you do that act you'll have to prove that it happened the way you perceived it happening. Using a gun as a threat or an intimidation tool will get you in deep doo doo both legally and situationally. Law enforcement folks have some iron clad rules they follow. Don't point a gun at anything you don't want to shoot. Make sure the backdrop downrange of your potential shot is not going injure others.(A blatant example is it's not a good idea to be pointing a gun at something that has a school in the background) There are other rules but those two are major considerations. All that being said, I'd rather be tried by 12 than buried by six....
The smartest thing said so far is don't wear headphones in rattlesnake country.
Regards...Jim

 

[silvernail]

Predators and sociopaths can show up anywhere, including in your house and your church. Chances for an encounter with with creeps are higher in some areas than others but the idea of "safe" areas is wishful thinking. Take it into account, try to be smart, and try to have a buddy who is also alert and smart. One needn't get paranoid about it, but it is wise to Be AWARE wherever you are, not just while detecting. Me ? I've run across one guy who was stoned out of his mind, another semi-rational one who kept trying to work his way behind me, another who gave the impression he'd like to hijack my car and probably my wallet, a dead body (suicide) and a few other odd things - but have been lucky so far (and wary).

 

[alicearl]

Thank You for the responses and and experiences you have shared. EL, you are right, this is a hobby not a job, I should not need a firearm and I can always choose not to MD in less "safe" areas. There may indeed be a time when I choose not to MD in a certain area that looks unsafe.... but on the flipside, at this point I don't have a partner and some of the best relic hunting sites are in or close to dowtown (the rough, worn down) areas if you get my drift, where you can find yourself isolated "if" confronted by the unscrupulous type of individual(s). The Augusta Canal is over 200 years old and has a very historic past especially as it draws in near the Confederate Powder Works Factory, which literally supplied the south with much needed gun powder and weapons throughout the Civil War. Then there is the Savannah River our natural border with South Carolina. I want to hunt these areas, as permitted ofcoarse, but I think having a "small innocuous pocket pistol" would be using common sense in these areas. I stress using the common sense part with safety. I never want to use a firearm on anyone and I don't mean anyone any harm, but it would be naive of me in the least to think that someone else might not have ill-intentions towards me. I guess, I would rather have it and not need it than need it and not have it.

 

[NH Bob]

I would stay away from anyway. Carrying a gun is giving those who out # you or get the first jump on you a weapon to use against you.
I have carried since I was in the armed forces and I'm retired now. I have never had to use my weapon for protection. But I would rather have that option if necessary. On that note, I don't intentionally put myself in a situation where I think I might need it.
Just be careful, you can't change your mind once the bullet leaves the chamber.

 

[Leslie(nova scotia)]

n/t

 

[Elton]

n/t

 

[silversniper]

I carry a .45 ACP every chance I get, metal-detecting or not. Not because I feel threatened, or ever have, but because it is my CONSTITUTIONAL right!!! Some say more strict regulations will cut down on "gun violence". I have two things to say about that:

1- People kill people. Guns do NOT kill people. They are just a tool used to complete a job, just like an author uses a typewriter.

2- If EVERYONE carried do you think there would be an increase or decrease in crime? I think the latter.

Just my opinion. But do have fun out there and just be aware. Common-sense goes a long, long way!!!

 

[echostar61]

Hello & Welcome . Your choice to carry a firearm is a personal matter.
If you intend to hunt an area where you feel in danger by all means do
what keeps you safe . I enjoy detecting and personally do not hunt where
I feel threatened , I sure would not be able to enjoy my outing and might as well
be working . I hunt with a partner most of the time but do enjoy a quiet time alone
in the woods . I do run upon a snake or two and wild animals on ocassion, but I
just keep my eyes open and take caution. Enjoy your hunts and stay safe

Terri

 

[Roscue2]

I carry a large, thick Army knife. Not because I want to, but because its my digging tool. I have protection and a good digging tool. Also, my dad is usually close by and he's a big guy.

 

[slowmotion]

For the record;
I do not own anything that is worth anybodies life. I'm not talking family or Friends but things. I have lived in Ariz., Calif., and Utah and seen snakes. Mostly rattle snakes. They can't eat you so they leave you alone. Never had reason to kill them. I live in the Pacific Northwest now so it is a little different. Bears, moose, lions, etc. They not only kill you but can eat you, My close call was a short horn bull.
The other time was in a down town S.L.C. park with two drugers. SCARY.
The best weapon for defence I was told. BEAR SPRAY! I keep it in my detect bag. Range is about 30 ft.
Cost from $25.00 to $50.00. CANADA ,. BIG NO.
Willard in Spokane.
STAY SAFE OUT THERE!

 

[waltship]

I used to have a army bayonet to dig with, til a cop told me I could be arrested for a dangerous weapon. This was 30+ years ago. I now have tools made for digging.

 

[NH Bob]

n/t

 

[dougmoore34]

I was not sure at first if I would even post on this topic, but maybe i should. For over a decade I carried a weapon on me at all times. Pointedly if I could not get away with carrying my weapon I just would not go there. In 1997 I ended up in a bit of a scuffle with a few gang members. I ended up shooting two of the five. I spent the next year on the run from the police and another four years sitting behind bars on a maximum security prison unit in Texas. Was it all worth it? No. Was justice served? No, I should probably still be locked away behind those bars and I should have shot every one of them. Guns do not kill people. People kill people. hand guns are for killing humans. Do I think people should own them? Yes. every responsible citizen should be protected and be aware. Crime happens. The best weapon will never be a gun or a knife or even bear spray. common sense...the finest weapon on the market that can not be bought. When do you walk away and what is it all really worth to you. Those are the questions one should ask before they ever strap on that holster or carry a 'weapon'. Is it all really worth your freedom or life? Today I would like to think that maybe I would do it all again in a different fashion. odds are pretty strong that if I still carried I would do it the same...I choose not to carry. My family for the most part makes their living in law enforcement. I envy no part of their job on any level. it's a hard life. I do not know why I ever thought that i wanted to risk that sort of burden or open myself to the potential hazards involved with making those types of choices. Today I risk whatever a criminal might choose to take from me, including my life. Today I just think life is way to dangerous to even take it seriously. It's nice not to worry about such things, but I do pay attention.
Two of my kids are in college and the third is getting close. My Better-Half and I are getting older and I am lucky to have each and every day we have left. I would rather be beat to death in the streets than risk losing even one of those days to a prison cell. Justice is not just and life is not fair, but the system works (for the most part). I would love to see it get really tough on crime and not just pay lip service to that cause. I would love it if every citizen were protected and offered protection to his or her fellow man. Life just isn't that way and that's a shame.
I can not say that things are any more or less dangerous than they use to be. People change and I grow older...and I change. So I wouldn't choose to carry a weapon, but maybe you should? This is America and I am glad that you have that choice. many have died defending that very basic thing...a choice. Honor them and make your own choice.
Doug in OR

 

[John 'n' W.Va]

It could happen. I have hunted the inter city. Grew up in that kind of area for some of my life. It was one of my favorite places to MD. My work car looks like a dung heap. I carry almost no money on me when I hunt. I ain't dressed too fancy. I befriend the locals and blend in.

Now I live in WV. It has one of the lowest crime rates in the nation. People are very friendly and everyone owns a gun.

[size=x-large]ENJOY LIFE![/size]

[attachment 120255 JohnHarley.jpg]

 

[boilerdude]

We need to be careful and prepared while we are out. Swinging anywhere from a $50.00 to a $1,000.00+ piece of electronics for every one to see makes us a target. Then because we are out there we see lots of stuff. We also need to be prepared to summon help for others.
I carry: a good first aid kit, Cell phone, SWpd340 in 357 mag legally in my pocket.
Dave

 

[jay77]

I'm always strapped, detecting or not,to many nut jobs.