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What does everyone hunt for anymore

DigDog

DigDog

Well-known member
In a discussion about different detectors was wondering about a topic that has changed the hobby of metal detecting over the last few years.
Commercial applications aside,
Is it a dying hobby for the most part unless you do gold prospecting which is probably more than just a hobby at that point
All good targets are getting more scarce.
Years ago common for detectors to find gold / silver chains, bracelets, rings and old coins here in the US
Old coins have been for most part picked up already in common areas, once they are gone they are gone none to replace them.
And jewelry pretty much the same nobody can afford big gold or even silver jewelry for that matter and get different alloys like stainless steel, various other metals, plated and even rubber or synthetic materials. That leaves relics, like civil war and gold prospecting and is usually only done in certain areas of the country.
So those that are not fortunate enough to live or frequently travel to those areas what do you primarily hunt for and is it fruitful. Why pick metal detecting anymore vs say fishing which requires to go to certain areas weather permitting in hopes of finding something.
If you look at it as just a pass time is one thing but how competitive the market has gotten with prices with claims of some machines getting more depth and so forth its only getting increasingly difficult for them to pay for themselves
How many are actually doing it to make money vs a pass time. Locally anyway nowadays it would take years to pay for itself when you are getting some clad with $1000-$2000 detector unless you got really lucky.
Got to have two things one is the location and two is the time.
 
I have been in the hobby for 15 years and have have made some nice finds.
I have searched around old house sites, in water, at the beach, parks and school yards, and I am still finding enough to keep me interested.
In fact in the last 2-3 years, I have found more silver coins than any other years since I started detecting.
I never really got into it for the money, but I have accumulated quite a bit over the years.
I still enjoy it as much as I did when I first started.
 
fwcrawford said:
I have been in the hobby for 15 years and have have made some nice finds.
I have searched around old house sites, in water, at the beach, parks and school yards, and I am still finding enough to keep me interested.
In fact in the last 2-3 years, I have found more silver coins than any other years since I started detecting.
I never really got into it for the money, but I have accumulated quite a bit over the years.
I still enjoy it as much as I did when I first started.
Click to expand...
I’m not so sure about getting into it for money 🫢🫢 I have seen staggering amounts of quarters being harvested 😂
 
I've been a old coin hunter for 50+ years and there are still good numbers of silver coins to be found. One just has to keep their eyes and ears open for new opportunities. And some of this new detector technology helps, too. HH jim tn
 
Still finding plenty of coins, silver, and jewelry here with a Equinox.
Id estimate perhaps $500 total for the year, and thats just a hour or 2, here and there, relaxing and enjoying the hunts.
I gold ring, 1 gold ear ring, several silver jewelry pieces, and plenty of coins.
I have not cashed it in, but I estimate about $500 this year alone.
No shortages here!
 
CoinShooter01 said:
Still finding plenty of coins, silver, and jewelry here with a Equinox.
Id estimate perhaps $500 total for the year, and thats just a hour or 2, here and there, relaxing and enjoying the hunts.
I gold ring, 1 gold ear ring, several silver jewelry pieces, and plenty of coins.
I have not cashed it in, but I estimate about $500 this year alone.
No shortages here!
Click to expand...
Correction...2 gold rings this year...
Maybe $600 total for the year???
 

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DigDog said:
In a discussion about different detectors was wondering about a topic that has changed the hobby of metal detecting over the last few years.
Commercial applications aside,
Is it a dying hobby for the most part unless you do gold prospecting which is probably more than just a hobby at that point
All good targets are getting more scarce.
Years ago common for detectors to find gold / silver chains, bracelets, rings and old coins here in the US
Old coins have been for most part picked up already in common areas, once they are gone they are gone none to replace them.
And jewelry pretty much the same nobody can afford big gold or even silver jewelry for that matter and get different alloys like stainless steel, various other metals, plated and even rubber or synthetic materials. That leaves relics, like civil war and gold prospecting and is usually only done in certain areas of the country.
So those that are not fortunate enough to live or frequently travel to those areas what do you primarily hunt for and is it fruitful. Why pick metal detecting anymore vs say fishing which requires to go to certain areas weather permitting in hopes of finding something.
If you look at it as just a pass time is one thing but how competitive the market has gotten with prices with claims of some machines getting more depth and so forth its only getting increasingly difficult for them to pay for themselves
How many are actually doing it to make money vs a pass time. Locally anyway nowadays it would take years to pay for itself when you are getting some clad with $1000-$2000 detector unless you got really lucky.
Got to have two things one is the location and two is the time.
Click to expand...
I think it is a gradually dying hobby for sure , excluding beaches ,some beaches though i have tried detecting on seemed barren of finds . The fact is inland sites are getting depleted of good finds worth digging,
Good Pickings are far far less nowadays. Too many detectors have been sweeping over the soil now for 50 + years. My opinion is that for 99% of detectorists it will be a money loosing hobby .
A small percentage get lucky . VLF is really just scratching the surface , many old treasures and coins will remain hidden underground until we can get at least DOUBLE the depths we get with VLF.
Those paying not much short of £2K for the manticore will be having to dig a million holes at least just to break even!:biggrin: Whites have folded , i predict C-SCOPE will be the next manufacturer to fold within 5 - 10 years.
 
Last edited:
CoinRobber said:
I think it is a gradually dying hobby for sure , excluding beaches ,some beaches though i have tried detecting on seemed barren of finds . The fact is inland sites are getting depleted of good finds worth digging,
Good Pickings are far far less nowadays. Too many detectors have been sweeping over the soil now for 50 + years. My opinion is that for 99% of detectorists it will be a money loosing hobby .
A small percentage get lucky . VLF is really just scratching the surface , many old treasures and coins will remain hidden underground until we can get at least DOUBLE the depths we get with VLF.
Those paying not that short of £2K for the manticore will be having to dig a million holes at least just to break even!:biggrin:
Click to expand...
I think the main factor is many people just don’t wear gold and silver jewelry anymore because for one its so expensive they can’t afford it and if they do are more cautious and don’t wear it to the beach.
I would think that is the case more than its being found more often by others metal detecting.
 
I am still just an old coin shooter at heart. Every target is a reward in this hobby that’s why I liked it over other hobbies.
In my early years I made good friends and we shared the fun . Today, it’s different I have lost interest. I stopped going and have to try to think of things to look for in order to get out. So I may decide to dig a certain VDI or just cherry pick high tones. Other days it’s a nickel hunt. I hear that there are good targets left in the zinc cent VDI, so next time out that’s the game.
I have paid for a few organized hunts by a Historical Society. The money goes to a museum as a donation. You get to detect private property and the chance for silver is always there but it’s costly, room, gas and tolls and membership fees.
I love construction sites but here in NJ they made a law that these sites need a six foot fence around the property. Bunch of crap
 
BigTony said:
I am still just an old coin shooter at heart. Every target is a reward in this hobby that’s why I liked it over other hobbies.
In my early years I made good friends and we shared the fun . Today, it’s different I have lost interest. I stopped going and have to try to think of things to look for in order to get out. So I may decide to dig a certain VDI or just cherry pick high tones. Other days it’s a nickel hunt. I hear that there are good targets left in the zinc cent VDI, so next time out that’s the game.
I have paid for a few organized hunts by a Historical Society. The money goes to a museum as a donation. You get to detect private property and the chance for silver is always there but it’s costly, room, gas and tolls and membership fees.
I love construction sites but here in NJ they made a law that these sites need a six foot fence around the property. Bunch of crap
Click to expand...
Just have to do this as a hobby to break up the monotony get some fresh air and exercise. People get crazy over it like they are relying on finds for survival sometimes lol
 
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