Help out the new guy...

[PaprGod]

Hi all,

I am brand new to this disease and haven't even been out hunting yet. I've been interested in getting into this for years and recently received a Garrett AT Pro as a gift. It came with the detector and an 8 1/2" X 11" DD coil, a ball cap, Garrett Master Sound water proof headphones, a magnifying glass, owner's manual, DVD, and rain poncho.

My first stupid question is:

What else should I have with me when I go out hunting? (tools, bags, etc)

My first trip will be to the beach on our upcoming vacation, but mostly I'll be in the woods/fields of north GA.

Thanks for any advice,

PG

 

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[Lady Pirate]

Always have water or other drink for hydration. Never use your bare hands in any ground. There are nasty things that can give you a good cut, always use water gloves or leather gloves for protection in the ground or water. A few different pairs are handy. A probe is nice, but by careful not to just jam it in the ground, you don't want to harm any object that may be there. BUG SPRAY--- don't want tick bites or 'squitoes swarming you.... it's a bummer and pi$$es you off. Watch out for snakes. Maybe some type of protection. Mace or a gun if you have a concealed weapons permit. You never know whom or what is lurking around. Trust no-one if they approach you in a remote area, keep that in mind. A pouch for your finds. Remove garbage- it keeps us detectorists in good standing, a plastic bag for this stuff. I keep a wet hand towel around my neck to cool me off. It does help. Let someone know where you going to be just in case of any accident that may happen to you. SAFETY is number one. No "treasure" that you find is worth taking daring chances. If you find or think you may have a find in anything that deems unsafe to retrieve, broken down/collapsed house, cave of any kind, well, cistern, or privy. Leave it for now and bring a hunting partner back to the spot for just in case something may happen. A cellphone in a secure piece of clothing that you are wearing. You don't want to loose it. Extra batteries- it's enough to pi$$ off the pope if your batteries go dead. A first-aid kit in your car/truck/SUV. A root cutter of some sort. I have a hand held pair of PVC cutters that's perfect... and I've used them numerous times. There's more stuff, other members will chime in. I actually keep a big bin in my SUV laded with this and that's. Things will come to mind as you detect and find out that it would be good to have.. I sewn together a fisherman's vest with sooooo many zippered pockets for a lot of stuff to carry on me. Good luck grasshopper !

 

[Joe hunter]

First of all what a gift I need better friends .very sound advise lady pirate I learned all those lessons the hard way I don't have much to add pinpointers can realy keep your hole sizes and amounts down .dig neatly refill holes and replace plugs neatly (you were never there)

 

[PaprGod]

Always have water or other drink for hydration. Never use your bare hands in any ground. There are nasty things that can give you a good cut, always use water gloves or leather gloves for protection in the ground or water. A few different pairs are handy. A probe is nice, but by careful not to just jam it in the ground, you don't want to harm any object that may be there. BUG SPRAY--- don't want tick bites or 'squitoes swarming you.... it's a bummer and pi$$es you off. Watch out for snakes. Maybe some type of protection. Mace or a gun if you have a concealed weapons permit. You never know whom or what is lurking around. Trust no-one if they approach you in a remote area, keep that in mind. A pouch for your finds. Remove garbage- it keeps us detectorists in good standing, a plastic bag for this stuff. I keep a wet hand towel around my neck to cool me off. It does help. Let someone know where you going to be just in case of any accident that may happen to you. SAFETY is number one. No "treasure" that you find is worth taking daring chances. If you find or think you may have a find in anything that deems unsafe to retrieve, broken down/collapsed house, cave of any kind, well, cistern, or privy. Leave it for now and bring a hunting partner back to the spot for just in case something may happen. A cellphone in a secure piece of clothing that you are wearing. You don't want to loose it. Extra batteries- it's enough to pi$$ off the pope if your batteries go dead. A first-aid kit in your car/truck/SUV. A root cutter of some sort. I have a hand held pair of PVC cutters that's perfect... and I've used them numerous times. There's more stuff, other members will chime in. I actually keep a big bin in my SUV laded with this and that's. Things will come to mind as you detect and find out that it would be good to have.. I sewn together a fisherman's vest with sooooo many zippered pockets for a lot of stuff to carry on me. Good luck grasshopper !

Lady Pirate - WOW!! Thank you SO much!!! I had not thought of just about ANY of that! I am an avid fisherman and pretty decent amateur photographer and didn't even think about a vest (duh). Not sure what a "probe" is - just a rod of some kind? And there was also a "pin pointer" mentioned?

Anyway, thanks again. That kind of advice is exactly what I was looking for !!

 

[treadhead]

You might just want to try the 5X8 coil (?)

A LOT lighter than the factory coil and a TON easier to pinpoint in trashy areas

 

[JunkShopFiddler]

I usually take along something to dig with...(just teasing)...trying to think of something that Lady Pirate didn't mention but couldn't think of anything else. Yes to what she said!

 

[mangum]

A pinpointer is a must!

 

[Joe hunter]

Yes something to dig with not full size shovel a small gardening trowel /digger

 

[Joe hunter]

A pinpointer is a must!

Yes it is