I poated this 4 years ago on another forum, but I just stumbled on it again and wanted to share.
Things that I have learned while detecting:.
Make sure that the detector is in the car or truck before leaving a hunting spot.
Do not wear headphones while detecting in rattle snake country.
A large detector coil is best to use as a shield while backing away from a rattle snake that you stumbled into.
Never carry extra gasoline for your car in the trunk unless it is in some kind of container.
Take along, and drink enough fluids. You can get dehydrated faster than you think.
Early mornings and after dark are great times to hunt when it is hot out.
Keep your eyes open for hunting spots while going about your day to day life. A torn up sidewalk or a construction site you just happen to see can be a hunt of a lifetime kind of spot. Think outside of the box.
When you get an iffy kind of signal, dig the darn thing up. You might be surprised. At the very least digging up those kind of signals will teach you something. "When in doubt, dig it out!"
Do not get sucked into the hype concerning any detector. If you get to really know the one you have, you are better off than with a new one that you can't figure out. Take time to learn to dance with the gal you brought.
When asking for permission to hunt a place, do not dress or look like a criminal. Try to think what kind of a person you would let on your own place. Be smart and polite and for goodness sakes bath and shave. (It would also help to be sober and remember to spit out your chaw and leave the stogie in the car.)
Never carry a shovel around with you while hunting in any kind of civilized setting. It makes you look like you are going to damage property and make a big mess.
Never assume that the State appointed psychiatrist is really your friend.
If you are going to find gold rings, you are going to need to believe they are there. If you pass up pulltabs, you are missing gold rings. They are out there and I have found a lot of them in the darndest places by digging up those pesky and hated pulltabs.
Dig every hole in a manner that will leave no evidence that you were ever there. Nothing like a bunch of messy holes in nice grass to get you and other detectorist banned for good.
When you encounter someone else's unfilled holes, fix them. It is for your good and the good of the hobby to correct the boneheadedness of others.
When you encounter another detectorist that is using a shovel and a pick to dig in a nice park, take the time to politely teach him how to dig undetectable holes. Again for the good of the hobby. Most of the barbarians I have talked to out there were grateful for the lessons. If the dude still doesn't get it, you can make a very large hole undetectable by using the same digging techniques as for small holes.
Try to not draw attention to yourself while detecting. Using headphones will cut down on your impact in a park or other public area. It also helps to not jump around and scream when you find a real goodie. Be cool dude!
The words "All you can eat" at a diner is not to be taken as a personal challenge.
Be aware of your surroundings at all times. Never get into a position where an animal or 2-legged animal blindsides you. It can be dangerous out there so be alert.
If a nice grassy area is too dry do not hunt it. Even a well dug plug will die out if the ground is dry. Come back after a rain or watering of the area makes it possible to dig without leaving a minefield of brown, dead plugs.
When a friend talks to you about helping him move, listen for key words, like "Piano" or "Safe" or "Alaska highway in winter".
NO place is hunted out. Some of us like to hunt a hard hit spot as a lot of the clad and trash is gone.
Do not let a teenager with a chicken stapled to his face that is carrying a skate board in one hand and a boom box in the other "Try out" your expensive detector.
Be nice to folks that ask questions like "Whatcha doin'?" I have had folks invite me over to their yards because I treated them nice instead of blowing them off.
Never fry bacon in the nude.
Do not brag about, or show off your good finds to strangers while detecting. It is a great way to get in all kinds of trouble.
Dress appropriately for the weather. It is a bummer to have a hunt cut short because of sunstroke or freezing to death.
Do not eat sushi at a truck stop.
Slow down the pace and enjoy the sport. This is a hobby and is supposed to be fun. If it ain't fun, do something else.
It is more fun to hunt with a partner. I am blessed by having Nancy with me on almost all my hunts. My son Rich is also in this hobby and is fun to hunt with. It makes the days more fun and safer to not be alone.
Have fun out there!!!! DC
Things that I have learned while detecting:.
Make sure that the detector is in the car or truck before leaving a hunting spot.
Do not wear headphones while detecting in rattle snake country.
A large detector coil is best to use as a shield while backing away from a rattle snake that you stumbled into.
Never carry extra gasoline for your car in the trunk unless it is in some kind of container.
Take along, and drink enough fluids. You can get dehydrated faster than you think.
Early mornings and after dark are great times to hunt when it is hot out.
Keep your eyes open for hunting spots while going about your day to day life. A torn up sidewalk or a construction site you just happen to see can be a hunt of a lifetime kind of spot. Think outside of the box.
When you get an iffy kind of signal, dig the darn thing up. You might be surprised. At the very least digging up those kind of signals will teach you something. "When in doubt, dig it out!"
Do not get sucked into the hype concerning any detector. If you get to really know the one you have, you are better off than with a new one that you can't figure out. Take time to learn to dance with the gal you brought.
When asking for permission to hunt a place, do not dress or look like a criminal. Try to think what kind of a person you would let on your own place. Be smart and polite and for goodness sakes bath and shave. (It would also help to be sober and remember to spit out your chaw and leave the stogie in the car.)
Never carry a shovel around with you while hunting in any kind of civilized setting. It makes you look like you are going to damage property and make a big mess.
Never assume that the State appointed psychiatrist is really your friend.
If you are going to find gold rings, you are going to need to believe they are there. If you pass up pulltabs, you are missing gold rings. They are out there and I have found a lot of them in the darndest places by digging up those pesky and hated pulltabs.
Dig every hole in a manner that will leave no evidence that you were ever there. Nothing like a bunch of messy holes in nice grass to get you and other detectorist banned for good.
When you encounter someone else's unfilled holes, fix them. It is for your good and the good of the hobby to correct the boneheadedness of others.
When you encounter another detectorist that is using a shovel and a pick to dig in a nice park, take the time to politely teach him how to dig undetectable holes. Again for the good of the hobby. Most of the barbarians I have talked to out there were grateful for the lessons. If the dude still doesn't get it, you can make a very large hole undetectable by using the same digging techniques as for small holes.
Try to not draw attention to yourself while detecting. Using headphones will cut down on your impact in a park or other public area. It also helps to not jump around and scream when you find a real goodie. Be cool dude!
The words "All you can eat" at a diner is not to be taken as a personal challenge.
Be aware of your surroundings at all times. Never get into a position where an animal or 2-legged animal blindsides you. It can be dangerous out there so be alert.
If a nice grassy area is too dry do not hunt it. Even a well dug plug will die out if the ground is dry. Come back after a rain or watering of the area makes it possible to dig without leaving a minefield of brown, dead plugs.
When a friend talks to you about helping him move, listen for key words, like "Piano" or "Safe" or "Alaska highway in winter".
NO place is hunted out. Some of us like to hunt a hard hit spot as a lot of the clad and trash is gone.
Do not let a teenager with a chicken stapled to his face that is carrying a skate board in one hand and a boom box in the other "Try out" your expensive detector.
Be nice to folks that ask questions like "Whatcha doin'?" I have had folks invite me over to their yards because I treated them nice instead of blowing them off.
Never fry bacon in the nude.
Do not brag about, or show off your good finds to strangers while detecting. It is a great way to get in all kinds of trouble.
Dress appropriately for the weather. It is a bummer to have a hunt cut short because of sunstroke or freezing to death.
Do not eat sushi at a truck stop.
Slow down the pace and enjoy the sport. This is a hobby and is supposed to be fun. If it ain't fun, do something else.
It is more fun to hunt with a partner. I am blessed by having Nancy with me on almost all my hunts. My son Rich is also in this hobby and is fun to hunt with. It makes the days more fun and safer to not be alone.
Have fun out there!!!! DC
