First metal detecting experience tomorrow

[GirlWithWolf]

I’m still saving for a metal detector, but someone my father knows overheard him talking about my interest and offered to let me borrow his so my father can take me hunting Sunday afternoon. It’s a Bounty Hunter TK4 Tracker IV and is brand new and still in the unopened box.

I’m open to all suggestions, especially if you’re familiar with this model and the settings. I’m hoping to find coins and jewelry, but an abandoned box of gold from a stagecoach would be nice too. 🤑

 

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[robertk]

That will be fun!

I'm not familiar with that model of detector, but it sounds like it should be pretty easy to use. I found this article that talks about it.

Since it's your first time out, I'd say "dig everything", that way you'll start to see what's a "good" target and what's just junk based on how the detector reacts. (But of course sometimes the detector and the operator can be fooled either way.).

Have you got a good site in mind to hunt? Someplace with a long history is best, but even your own back yard can be a good place to start. You just never know what's out there....

 

[Chilli]

I’m still saving for a metal detector, but someone my father knows overheard him talking about my interest and offered to let me borrow his so my father can take me hunting Sunday afternoon. It’s a Bounty Hunter TK4 Tracker IV and is brand new and still in the unopened box.

I’m open to all suggestions, especially if you’re familiar with this model and the settings. I’m hoping to find coins and jewelry, but an abandoned box of gold from a stagecoach would be nice too. 🤑

Hi. The shop I once worked in used to sell them. They're a good basic entry level detector. Don't set the disc too high. Try a few coin types starting from zero, go across them, then raise it a little, go across them again then repeat until you see what level knocks out what. If you can get a nail or two and ring pull to throw in the mix even better. You won't knock out all iron junk, some shapes and sizes fool even the best of detectors.
I typically go high on the sens to start then wave the coil over the ground on a clear patch and lower it if I hear false signals. Drop it if you hear any until they stop.
Good luck. 👍

 

[ArfieBoy]

Good luck on your outing with a detector! I look forward to hearing about your recoveries.

 

[pepperj]

Learn how to did a proper plug if your doing grass detecting.
U Shape (horseshoe) leaving one side attached.

Straight sides, not like a saucer.

When you place the plug back give it a good stomp with the heel.

Fluff up the grass again.
Remove everything you dig, no matter where you dig.
Best of luck.

 

[GirlWithWolf]

That will be fun!

I'm not familiar with that model of detector, but it sounds like it should be pretty easy to use. I found this article that talks about it.

Since it's your first time out, I'd say "dig everything", that way you'll start to see what's a "good" target and what's just junk based on how the detector reacts. (But of course sometimes the detector and the operator can be fooled either way.).

Have you got a good site in mind to hunt? Someplace with a long history is best, but even your own back yard can be a good place to start. You just never know what's out there....

Thanks for the article, I’ll be reading that and taking your advice to dig everything. There is a lot of history of where we will be and with my father’s knowledge we hope to find some great spots. In the morning I’ll give it a test run in the field by our housing.

Hi. The shop I once worked in used to sell them. They're a good basic entry level detector. Don't set the disc too high. Try a few coin types starting from zero, go across them, then raise it a little, go across them again then repeat until you see what level knocks out what. If you can get a nail or two and ring pull to throw in the mix even better. You won't knock out all iron junk, some shapes and sizes fool even the best of detectors.
I typically go high on the sens to start then wave the coil over the ground on a clear patch and lower it if I hear false signals. Drop it if you hear any until they stop.
Good luck. 👍

Thanks for the advice, I’ll do as you suggest!

Good luck on your outing with a detector! I look forward to hearing about your recoveries.

Thank you, hopefully I can post some bars of gold haha. 😊

Learn how to did a proper plug if your doing grass detecting.
U Shape (horseshoe) leaving one side attached.

Straight sides, not like a saucer.

When you place the plug back give it a good stomp with the heel.

Fluff up the grass again.
Remove everything you dig, no matter where you dig.
Best of luck.

Thank you for the advice too. I understand what you mean, and I’m glad you told me because I would have been shoveling like a grave digger. Respect for the land is in my blood so no one will know we stepped foot where we search.

 

[pepperj]

Thanks for the article, I’ll be reading that and taking your advice to dig everything. There is a lot of history of where we will be and with my father’s knowledge we hope to find some great spots. In the morning I’ll give it a test run in the field by our housing.

Thanks for the advice, I’ll do as you suggest!

Thank you, hopefully I can post some bars of gold haha. 😊

Thank you for the advice too. I understand what you mean, and I’m glad you told me because I would have been shoveling like a grave digger. Respect for the land is in my blood so no one will know we stepped foot where we search.

In a field or bush, dig like like you never dug before.🤣
There's a certain rule: Dig a little wider and a little deeper.
Nothing hurts more than hitting the target.

 

[GirlWithWolf]

In a field or bush, dig like like you never dug before.🤣
There's a certain rule: Dig a little wider and a little deeper.
Nothing hurts more than hitting the target.

Roger that! Thank you.

 

[releventchair]

Wear gloves.
Use a stout flower/garden trowel if you don't have a certified(by you)digging tool.
Put a coin down and put the coil over it. No all buried coins won't sound or register the same. You're only listening to a new language.
Try another metal object.
Beep? Something must be there.. L.o.l..
Now where in relation to your coils position and greatest signal strength?
Figure out where under the coil. (Remember your coin experiment?)
I like to mark the ground with a gloved finger scratch. A paper or similar marker could substitute. Or just watch the ground where you would mark your target...

Keep it fun.

 

[GirlWithWolf]

Wear gloves.
Use a stout flower/garden trowel if you don't have a certified(by you)digging tool.
Put a coin down and put the coil over it. No all buried coins won't sound or register the same. You're only listening to a new language.
Try another metal object.
Beep? Something must be there.. L.o.l..
Now where in relation to your coils position and greatest signal strength?
Figure out where under the coil. (Remember your coin experiment?)
I like to mark the ground with a gloved finger scratch. A paper or similar marker could substitute. Or just watch the ground where you would mark your target...

Keep it fun.

Thank you, I didn't even think about gloves or something to use as markers. I have some cupcake flags (on toothpicks) I can use for the markers. It will be a lot of fun, even my brother is debating whether to go or not, it seems I've got his interest.

 

[Loco-Digger]

Good luck and have fun, here are some beginner settings for you.

 

[Loco-Digger]

How did your hunt go? Did you dig many targets? Did you find some cool relics and coins?

 

[Chilli]

How did your hunt go? Did you dig many targets? Did you find some cool relics and coins?

She killed it.

My first metal detecting hunt

Went on my first hunt today and it was cut short because we had to make an emergency trip to Texas, but I managed to find several coins, a rusty old knife, and a wallet with a metal tag (land owner knows the family of who the wallet belongs to, his decades old drivers license was in it, so he is...

www.treasurenet.com

 

[Tesorodeoro]

Just make sure you are not detecting parks frequented by riff raff (syringes).

Dig everything and have patience.
You will find every recovery interesting and learn how to pin point accurately and to carefully dig without damaging the object (mostly trash).

The next step is to research history and learn to digitally overlay historical maps and navigate to areas that had old occupations. That’s the most interesting aspect to me. Takes time and patience.

Lastly, if you have an outgoing friendly attitude, you will find that many people are interested and will let you detect their yards. Just make sure Dad is there W/you and do not be afraid to ask once you have their interest.

 

[GirlWithWolf]

Just make sure you are not detecting parks frequented by riff raff (syringes).

Dig everything and have patience.
You will find every recovery interesting and learn how to pin point accurately and to carefully dig without damaging the object (mostly trash).

The next step is to research history and learn to digitally overlay historical maps and navigate to areas that had old occupations. That’s the most interesting aspect to me. Takes time and patience.

Lastly, if you have an outgoing friendly attitude, you will find that many people are interested and will let you detect their yards. Just make sure Dad is there W/you and do not be afraid to ask once you have their interest.

Thank you for the info. I was on a ranch and might do some parks, but that is great advice to watch out for items like that no matter where I'm at. I've been reading threads here about overlays, I find it interesting and I'm learning a lot.

I'm not outgoing and friendly is questionable haha, but I might give some yards a try. On a side note riff raff is one of my favorite songs. "I ain't done nothing wrong, just having fun..."

 

[metalman2024]

Thank you for the info. I was on a ranch and might do some parks, but that is great advice to watch out for items like that no matter where I'm at. I've been reading threads here about overlays, I find it interesting and I'm learning a lot.

I'm not outgoing and friendly is questionable haha, but I might give some yards a try. On a side note riff raff is one of my favorite songs. "I ain't done nothing wrong, just having fun..."

Just make sure you are not detecting parks frequented by riff raff (syringes).

Dig everything and have patience.
You will find every recovery interesting and learn how to pin point accurately and to carefully dig without damaging the object (mostly trash).

The next step is to research history and learn to digitally overlay historical maps and navigate to areas that had old occupations. That’s the most interesting aspect to me. Takes time and patience.

Lastly, if you have an outgoing friendly attitude, you will find that many people are interested and will let you detect their yards. Just make sure Dad is there W/you and do not be afraid to ask once you have their interest.

that is excellent advice

 

[metalman2024]

In a field or bush, dig like like you never dug before.🤣
There's a certain rule: Dig a little wider and a little deeper.
Nothing hurts more than hitting the target.

we are in good hands with the pros of this hobby

 

[metalman2024]

I’m still saving for a metal detector, but someone my father knows overheard him talking about my interest and offered to let me borrow his so my father can take me hunting Sunday afternoon. It’s a Bounty Hunter TK4 Tracker IV and is brand new and still in the unopened box.

I’m open to all suggestions, especially if you’re familiar with this model and the settings. I’m hoping to find coins and jewelry, but an abandoned box of gold from a stagecoach would be nice too. 🤑

I hope you get to find the great targets you're after!