Beginners/MD Research Sites?

[xtanne]

Hello!
I'm just starting out.
Here are things I would like to learn:
MD technology and how they work.
Techniques for beginners - specifically beach hunting.
And here's a good one... where could a gal from Okla learn about what tide lines, tides, etc. are.
I am excited when I get a hit - modern or trash even. Best finds so far are a 1995 penny and a pop top!
Not discouraged - it is great excersize and definitely a fun sport!
My Dad got me a Bounty Hunter Quick Draw II for Christmas and I'd like to learn the ropes before upgrading.
Any help would be greatly appreciated.

 

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[stoney56]

Welcome, xtanne. Nice to see another Okie on the forum. You'll find a lot of answers as you go along and the people here are quite intelligent and nuts at the same time! HAHA Best of luck with your finds. One question: When did we start getting tides in Oklahoma?

 

[xtanne]

Ha! Though... Lake Arcadia does have a "beach"! (Might be a great place to MD with all the swimmers!)
But I moved to Brevard County, Florida last year.

 

[stoney56]

Well, now I see how Arcadia can have a tide. Just let a twister get close and the water level really changes. I know about where it's at- E of I-35. Dad got his Master's at Central State. From my understanding, Florida's a whole lot different than here although they still have tornado's-just bigger and called hurricanes. HH and dig some of that Spanish gold on the coast.

 

[sherpa t]

OK , the BASICs on beach are ( for your BH )
High and low tide are on a chart or in the paper ( weather page )
after a good storm the waves will mix up the sand and hopefully the stuff you want to find.
Your BH isn't going to be real happy in / near the salt water. So you are going to hunt the dry sand.
Early in the am is good because people won't have walked all over it and ruffed up the sand.
Start at the dune line and head to the water , in all metal , when it gets unstable turn and head back towards the dune line.
When you find a coin , look at where you are , and what it is. lighter ( penny / dimes ) will normally be highest to the dune side. Quarters and nickels lower , two to three feet back. Run this line parrell to the water, good finds continue, poor - return to the zig zag and try again. Drops from the day before tide comes up will be where people were camped out, follow the butt prints and holes kids dug. (afternoon hunting )
Gold in water or moved by water is going down to the hard surface under the sand just like gold prospecting. So if your not there before the tide moves it you won't be recovering jewelry.
You can visit sand and surf posts to learn more, but this will get you started

 

[xtanne]

Thank you very much! I figured there were places to look for information, but I had no idea where to begin. Your tips are very appreciated. It makes total sense now, but before I got your tips I had no direction as far as how to tackle the beach analytically. Many, many thanks!

 

[KevGA]

Here's a good one that answers the tech questions:


http://home.howstuffworks.com/metal-detector.htm

Welcome to Florida and HH!

 

[treasurekidd]

Also, another good beginners info source is any of the coin/treasure hunting books by Charles Garrett, founder of Garrett Metal Detectors. I got a free copy of The New Successful Coin Hunting Guide when I ordered by ACE250, and it's loaded with tips, tricks and techniques, including a great explation of how a metal detector works. Good luck and welcome to the greatest hobby on Earth!!

 

[xtanne]

Thank you all for your helpful suggestions! After reading many links on my lunchbreak at work, I went straight to the beach Friday night. The boyfriend and his kids went along and thought I was nuts. Didn't have a serious hit other than aluminum trash all night. Went walking back with a full trash bag and a few shells in the keep bag. Right as I was about to go up the wooden stairs, I hit! As I was digging I kept thinking it might be a dime or quarter or something. But it was this: My First Non-Coin Find!!! I had to go back to the beach today and will hit it again tomorrow! Thanks everyone!

 

[rvbvetter]

Great find!! We have a 12 step program here. It's not for recovery, but to further your addiction. Welcome aboard. HH

 

[jeff of pa]

Great Find "X"

Welcome to the Treasure Hunting Addiction

and TreasureNet. You came to the right place.

Congrats on the Ring, Jeff

 

[surfrat96]

Welcome to the forum. Nice ring. We'll see you posting more finds soon, as you come to realize you'll be addicted! We are all non-recovered MDing addicts! LOL. HH 8)