Where should I start on beach hunting?

[Gannon]

Hey everyone
I'm a "landlubber" lol I've never hunted a beach before.

I'll be heading down to the red neck Rivera Panama City soon with my deus and Etrac.

So my question is where should I concentrate? Dry sand or wet? Morning or evening?

I'm going to buy a long handled beach scoop soon but was curious on any tips you guys might have.

Thanks
G

 

[eagleeye299]

You might want to check with the local police dept first. I think PC has rules about having any metal tools on the beach. Checking first could save a hassle later

 

[Gannon]

Okay I read the ordances it says metal shovel bought at hardware store. So my custom shovel should be okay.. hopefully.
I know the beaches are public property up till the sand dunes which are protected.

 

[Tom_in_CA]

You might want to check with the local police dept first. I think PC has rules about having any metal tools on the beach....

really ? And when checking, be sure to pepper the question generously with words like "dig", "hole", "take", "remove", "lawsuit" and "indian bone". Right ? Lest they not grasp the implications of the question, right ?

If the rule is strictly about "metal tools", then I highly doubt it has anything to do with the act of metal detecting (and the .... gasp ... sand scoops we use). I'm sure it's probably about college kids having late night keg parties who dig big pits for bonfires, etc...

Example: There was a CA beach tragic story of some kid who suffocated when he and his grade-school pal were digging "sand tunnels". The sand caved in, a kid suffocated. So the city (that ran that particular beach) made a rule against "digging". Now ... seriously ... was it ever meant to rule out sand castles or md'ing ? Of course not. But sure enough: Some md'r saw that rule, and made a stink (went "seeking clarifications") thinking it meant no digging coins now.

Not saying to "throw caution to the wind", but ... on the other hand, it's possible to over-think things. I don't think a sand scoop is a tool or a shovel. It's a sand scoop. If that still really bothers someone, then for pete's sake: they *do* make plastic sand scoops sieves.

 

[tvr]

Wife and I have been there three Octobers in a row and did not have issues with a metal long handled sand scoop or shovel, but those trips were before the latest regulations were put in place. Have not booked there this year.

Check the story at this link: http://www.wjhg.com/content/news/An-Alabama-man-has-been-fined-by-PCB-Police-for-using-a-gardening-tool-to-build-a-sand-castle-417519573.html

I would hope some common sense would be applied should an officer see you with a scoop to retrieve bottle caps and pull tabs from all the beverage containers that the police department did not have the resources to keep off the beach.

Last two trips we bought a cheap shovel to dig for shells (then donated shovel to charity when we left to fly home); of course we didn't leave the hole unattended and filled the hole when done. I guess digging for shells won't be happening now either.
tvr

 

[chappy(IN)]

I have never had a problem detecting PCB, you should be fine.

 

[Tom_in_CA]

I have never had a problem detecting PCB.... .

Probably only because you didn't ask the right top brass the right questions, phrased in the right way. Shame on you

 

[Gannon]

Well good thing my long handled sand scoop cannot be found in any hardware shop! Lol

 

[tarajudy]

Their signs posted at a beaches and parks where I live (gated community) NO METAL DETECTING ALLOWED AT ANY TIME IN OR AROUND ANY OF THE 5 BEACHES OR PLAY GROUNDS. (THE BOARD)

 

[Tom_in_CA]

Their signs posted at a beaches and parks where I live (gated community) NO METAL DETECTING ALLOWED AT ANY TIME IN OR AROUND ANY OF THE 5 BEACHES OR PLAY GROUNDS. (THE BOARD)

Ok. And that has *what* to do with the issue of a rule about "metal tools" ? and the question of whether that would apply to a sandscoop or not ? I don't see the connection.

Sure, if a rule exists that truly said "no md'ing": Fine then, don't m'd. But also be aware that sometimes the VERY REASON *WHY* rules such as those exist, is that persons in the past (bless their little hearts), went in "seeking clarifications" and "permissions". The pencil-jockeys, seeking to "address this pressing question", have been know to invent rules. To "address this pressing issue". So let's do our best NOT to be neon lightening rods, begging for attention.