What do you guys do to get rid of annoying kiddies?

[LilloEsquilo]

I went to a park yesterday, didn't see too many kids around so I thought I'd try my luck, the ones who were there left me alone until I started digging them they swarmed me, asking the usual questions "What are you looking for what's that what are you doing is that legal what do you think it is can I use your detector" and generally being pests. I finally just gave up and left resolving to never come back as long as kids are there.

True that is one solution (but it would be my luck that I would get a good signal then they show up), but maybe you guys have come up with other ways to get them to leave you alone? I mean it's REALLY annoying to get a flock of them hovering around you bombarding you with questions when you are just out to relax and enjoy your hobby. I paid for a license to detect those parks and I have just as much right there as they do and I'm not over there annoying them when they are playing. Any suggestions? (I loved the request to use my detector, like I'm gonna hand a machine I just paid 800 bucks for to some kid....)

 

[Sonny(IN)]

n/t

 

[Architex]

Relax, try to enjoy 'em. Remember, someday one of them may grow up to be on a park board when some little old lady demands that MD'ing be banned in a park. The impression you make may decide it for him/her.

 

[LilloEsquilo]

I guess maybe I should have added they were doing it to be obnoxious, they knew they were being obnoxious and that was the point. They left (rode off on their bikes) then came back a short time later yelling as they came "hey mister we're back to annoy you some more". I just tried to ignore them eventually they went away, but I pretty much just decided to get out of there and detect elsewhere I could be left in peace.

I suppose as obnoxious as that is, it could be worse. I'm still waiting for some idiot to come up and inform me what I'm doing is illegal, I plan to show that person my detecting license, inform them what the law says, and invite them to call the cops if they feel I'm a lawbreaker, but that my taxes pay for that park and my license and following the rules gives me the right to be there just the same as them. Usually though I've had good contacts with adults, they are just curious and I do take a bit of time to explain things to people (even kids) who are polite and not obnoxious. You just get a few who do it to try to ruin your time they are the exception not the rule.

 

[North Georgia Relics]

after a while they will get tired or bored. Just be patient, nice, answer their questions and keep on detecting. I got a good lead from one about an old homeplace, you just never know.

 

[Ed in SoDak]

That way they see you as doing a service, while the finds are unexciting. Bore them further with talk of getting permission, covering holes, taking out the trash, civic duties, etc. I suspect they'd soon leave.

Sandy and I hit a school in a nearby town, three girls made themselves our companions. We let them keep what we found, it turned out to be one of our better hunts with over ten bucks split amongst the girls. I'm still not sure if that was a good thing or not, they didn't seem improverished, but none had any money beforehand. Kids can be all sweet and innocent, but they know how to take advantage when opportunity presents itself.

With the dangers of abductions, you never know how someone will consider your presence. We try to stay on the other side of the playground from any kids and generally ignore them. We're seldom bothered beyond a curious question or two.

-Ed

 

[Bill W.]

I'd try going really early in the morning. It sounds like those kids are on the extreme side. I've also told the kids I can't hear them once my headphones are on... I put the headphones back on then I sweep without digging and be pretty boring until the get bored and leave. If I run across a good signal I'll find someway to mark it that the kids won't pick up on like rubbing the tip of my shoe in the dirt/grass. If they're as annoying as you came across I would just pack up and leave. In the past, most kids bother a friend I go detecting with. He looks like their grandpap... I'm 6'4" so some kids won't bother me because of my size. Sounds strange but they bother him first 95% of the time. Then, I make a bee-line in the opposite direction....

-Bill

 

[Viking]

I think you have to play it by ear.
In some cases I only dig bad signals and in others I will take the time to explain what I am up to. Depends on the kids and how they approach me. I also some time tell them I can't hear them with the headphones on.

Worst case scenario I leave.

Viking

 

[Eddie Currents]

If I hunt a park it's early in the morning on a weekday. Occasionally I make an exception and go to a local park that has an old area that is usually unihabited.

EC

 

[North Georgia Relics]

Some of the stuff they threw were coins. I tried ignoring them because I did not have a lot of time to go anywhere else. When I found the coins they wanted them back. I just thanked them for contributing to my battery fund. They did not like that and started to be a little threatening but I guess they decided they did not want to mess with some crazy guy holding an 8 inch knife in his hand. So sometimes you run into kids showing out for their friends whose sole purpose in life is to annoy you.
Play it by ear and always have an escape route.

 

[cspene]

I tie them up and gag them! (Just Kidding!) No pun intended.

Chris

 

[KCK]

but at my pace not theirs as usually they are way to fast to want to help!
If a kid will listen I'll work with him or her to allow them to watch and sometimes even dig a little.
Now for those kids that just won't listen....I got a great game for them too!

Never leaving a kid out in the cold here's what I do.

This kid has to not listened when told something a couple of times okay!
I'll tell them since they are so agressive that I'll make a deal with them. Keep in mind they see whats in my holdings bag. I also make sure that I show them some nice rings on my finger....They already hungry for the hunt. BUt the deal is I run the detector, The first hole is theirs the second is mine, and we take turns every time we dig.

Since I'm running the detctor...He gets all Bottle caps and Pull Tabs...I get the loot and the rings. In other words if I come across a good target when it's his turn I pass it till a bottle cap or pull tab comes up!

They get tired really easy and are gone before you it! hehehe

I'm just a mean old man....But for the Kid that listens..I let them have the rings...


KCK

 

[LilloEsquilo]

I'd listen to you for a ring like that!