Any Helpful Advice Extremely Appreciated

[Newline]

Hello everyone,
I have been reading this site long enough to develop a real thirst to try out md'ing. I have gotten my beginner detector and spring is not far so I just have a couple of questions. I live in northern Maryland and would like to do some local detecting to get the hang of my machine and even things as simple as digging without leaving a devastated lawn behind. I want to be sure of myself and my technique before I even look into asking for personal property permission and traveling out of state. My first question is, what would be the best kind of place to learn? My own yard has really given me little to start with and besides some old siding and a can, I've not found a thing. I am also leary of breaking laws so I want to be within my legal rights. Should I try schools? Does anyone know of any places around me to try out? Also, question number two is in regards to beach hunting. I will be going to Ocean City Maryland this coming summer and will be trying my luck. Has anyone had any kind of luck here? And in general, should I ignore the higher part of the beach to detect the surf's edge or woud it be worthwhile to check up higher where the water rarely reaches? Thanks for any advice in advance and I wish all the best. Maybe someday I'll be able to tell of my "great" finds here too. Thanks, Newline

 

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[The Beep Goes On]

Hi NewLine and welecome to the hobby! Here's a URL that was written by a very savvy beach hunter... http://www.thegoldenolde.com/ It has great info and is a must read for any aspiring beach hunter.

As far as hunting a safe place...I always feel a bit more comfortable hunting sand, gravel, woodchips, etc. that can be found in parks, schools and playgrounds. You really can't damage anything, unlike grass. There are a number of tools out there meant to help you pull a small, neat plug out of the grass...pinpointing the item is very important when digging the smallest hole possible. Take a piece of plastic with you to put the dirt on. Fill the hole and replace the plug...some people even take some water along to water the plug to help it along.

I'm not familiar with your area, but, in general, parks, schools and beaches are ok to hunt. Federal and State parks are a no-no. Private property requires permission. Don't take my word for it, however...check your local laws.

Hope this helps a little. HH and let us know how it goes!

 

[Newline]

Thank you beep. I am looking at the beach site now and it is exciting! I can't wait to get in my "schooling" at the local schools. Thanks Again. ---Newline

 

[Diamond Spike]

Welcome to the hobby/sport Newline. Just a word of advice. Remember to go slow and over lap your swings, this way you will cover the ground better.
Try and grid off an area in your mind. Don't just hit an area helter skelter.



Welcome again

Diamond Spike

 

[Jeffro]

Take the time to re-read your manual thoroughly. Slow down a bit- if all you found in your yard was big stuff, I got a feeling you may be whipping it a bit too fast A sand scoop is a good investment for the beach. Take your time and practice, practice, practice. Even if you don't find much, you will learn lots! Best of luck and HH!

 

[jmginmd]

Welcome Newline. Maryland is not a MD friendly state. I have asked several "public" parks and the answer has always been no. I have been told that MD is not allowed in any parks in MD. I can't say if this is true because I have only asked about parks in Frederick county. I think personal property is your best chance.

 

[warsawdaddy]

Welcome to the net!Just keep your coil on the surface.Every inch above the ground is an inch of depth lost.Goodluck

 

[mdart]

Newline, where are you located? I live in frederick area and would be glad to give you a few pointers and/or have you tag along on an outing. Let me know.
Mdart

 

[littlehugger]

Take it in stages.
First stage, sandy beaches, wood chip playgrounds and other easy to dig places. Dig everything. You will learn your detector and pinpointing technique doing this.
Because its easy digging, small mistakes in pinpointing, false signals and junk targets will be a lot less frustrating.
Once you have a feel, start detecting parks and schools. Places with large, open grassy areas. This will give you practice honing your pinpointing and digging with minimum damage. Your yard is a good practice place too, where no one will fuss about ugly spots.
Once you start feeling confident, you can step up to harder digs, farther away, with more valuable potential, but more demanding of time, skills, tools, etc.
Dont forget basic tools.
You will need a specialty detector trowel or other detector digging tool. Standard stuff is junk. Full size garden tooks are a burden to haul around. Buy a variety and make your own choices.
Always keep one hand/wrist/arm clear of jewelry, watches, snaps, etc. As you dig, run the dirt by the detector coil a fistful at a time to help you find your target. If you are wearing jewelry, it will beep every time.
The detecting field of the coil runs up as well as down. You can set your detector down next to you in a normal position and run the dirt over the top of the coil.
Wear grubby clothes. You will probably get them dirty.
Another reason not to wear jewelry, is so you dont lose it. That $1.68 in clad is not going to console you over the loss of your wedding ring, or your 21 jewel Timex. You will also feel very foolish, as you are supposed to be the guy who finds the goodies, not loses them. You will get teased unmercifully if you lose anything valuable!
Batteries, Batteries, BATTERIES!
Batteries are important. Always check before leaving, and keep spares handy. Arriving with no or low batteries is probably the most common mistake detectorists make.
Get knee pads, or get one of those foam kneeling pads gardeners use. They are very common and cheap. It does a nice job of keeping your knees clean and dry. So you will not look like a homeless wino who slept in the woods. Its a personal choice between knee pads or a gardeners pad. The knee pads have comfort issues, cost more and need maintenance, not to mention looking a bit odd. But, they do keep your hand free, unlike the gardeners pad.
Work out a system for holding your finds. Its a lot of work digging this stuff, and not very cost effective to lose what you found. Cargo pants with pockets at the knees, shirts with velcro closers on the pockets, jackets with pockets etc. Whatever works for you.
Take the junk you dig with you. Or dig it again next trip.
Take a plastic grocery bag, or small piece of canvas to hold the dirt from your holes while digging, to keep things neat. Develop a recovery technique that minimizes damage. We dont need any more restrictions.
Some people wear gloves to protect themselves.
Use headphones. Your batteries last longer, and you will hear much more and better detail. It also cuts out the beeping that attracts the curious and resentful.
Try to be an ambassador for the hobby. Over time you will run into the curious and resentful of all stripes. Detecting is a hobby, not a religion, so I will not ask you to turn the other cheek, but keep in mind that its a hobby that is vulnerable to the resentful. Too many politicians subscribe to class warfare and an "Us vs Them" philosophy. One moment of bad temper could destroy years of goodwill.
I personally wear a hat. A baseball cap. It protects my balding head from sunburn, and rain. The brim makes a great sunshade and rain cover for my glasses. It works as a sweat band too.
I usually keep at least one detector in my car, spare batteries and trowel. A towel and/or baby wipes would not hurt either.
Oh, and remember to HAVE FUN! LOL
Hope This Helps,
Hugger
u

 

[Newline]

Firstly, I want to thank everyone for the great advice and support. From all I have seen here, detectorists are nothing if not kind and honestly good people. I was able to try some practice on the yard of my wife's childhood home. I found many chains and sunken swing tie downs, a digital watch and its band pieces, a silverplated spoon ring, a couple garden stakes and nails, and an entire sandbox burried about 5 inches under the ground. I must have been picking up the nails in its frame. I dug down and found the sand and an old tennis ball. It was pretty odd. So, no great and profitable haul but definitely fun and enough to get my wife excited about detecting too! Now I will have a partner. I am really excited about this hobby and can't wait for more. And I've found that pre-cutting the grass with a knife and pulling it off of a dig spot allows me to reset it after digging and leave almost no trace I've been there. I am truly hooked and can't wait to have the exciting news to post in the Todays Finds section. Thank you all and happy hunting. ---------Newline

 

[SHERMANVILLE ILLINOIS]

Newline,

welcome to the board; just take it slow; learn all you can about your machine.

have a good un.............