i get paranoid hunting in public areas

[mikeraydj]

I have found in my limited experience detecting that When I hunt is as important as Where. I get up early in the morning to hunt parks. That dramatically cut down the traffic I encounter. Most times I have the park to myself for 2 to 3 hours before the majority of people show up. Detecting when it is colder or light rain also keeps most others out of the parks. Also the week days during the school year are a lot better for parks than summer break and weekends. I have found that when I start attracting too much attention, it is time to leave. Not because I am doing something wrong, but because it distracts others who came there and distracts me from what I came there to do.

 

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[worsley1]

Very new to this, I have a few beaches and Ball fields I want to go to but was woundering is it legal, I Live in Indiana, Northern Part.

 

[ShiraObrien]

I know that feeling. Those creepy eyes and open mouth feels like I'm trying to hide a dead body.

 

[Fletch88]

Very new to this, I have a few beaches and Ball fields I want to go to but was woundering is it legal, I Live in Indiana, Northern Part.

Welcome aboard! Just don't carry any type shovel and use a pinpointer to locate shallow targets. Many times you can use the tip of a Lesche type digger to pop the target out or the screwdriver method without cutting a plug of any kind. I wouldn't call the parks and rec or city hall asking "is it illegal to metal detect at xyz place?" because sooner or later it will pop up on their radar screen that maybe there should be another law specifically banning detecting, because surely they all leave big holes everywhere while "digging" targets. As long as there is never a sign you were there it will probably never be a problem. Also, go at less conspicuous times like early in the morning or late in the evening.

 

[coinbug]

Being in the city I'm in, my safer option is to not be displaying a nice choice weapon that the local hoods would want.
I would get mugged faster for the gun than any thing else.
I would not want to go thru our legal process for defending my right to defend myself which I would have to pay for while the bad guy gets free legal defense which I help pay for. Have to weigh all the options to see if you come out ahead or not.

Getting mugged for your sidearm. That's some city.

You could keep a weapon in your pocket - a hammerless Smith and Wesson .38, for example - and as for your concerns about legal ramifications if you had to defend yourself, there might not be any if you just left quietly. I bet a lot of stuff goes unsolved in your town.

 

[DDancer]

coinbug, a lot of stuff goes unsolved here in the USA. But that's not what this threads about nor the issue of weapons thanks. Some people are safer without a gun than with one but I don't feel it makes much difference when it comes to feeling paranoid about detecting in open spaces. *shrugs*

 

[BC1969]

Finally a thread I can feel at home in, paranoid should be my middle name. Yes I'm like most, people creep me out, makes me feel I'm being watched/singled out all the time, but its also that way in anything I do or anywhere I go.
Best advice is try and build confidence in everything you do, because if you let it grow, that paranoia will eat you alive...I know. Just see my signature, use the paranoia to your advantage.

Mike

 

[G.I.B.]

Hunt with a buddy.

Get to know someone, maybe here on TN, and hunt with a friend.

You don't feel so all alone and vulnerable when you have a hunting buddy.

It really will make a difference.

I don't like hunting alone while I have my headphones on. Maybe it's just psychological, but I can't hear people approaching from behind me. I'd rather miss targets and be able to hear what is going on in my vicinity. When I have a hunting buddy I get really engrossed in the solitude of wearing the headphones.

 

[BC1969]

Wish I could do something like GIB mentioned.

Mike

 

[RustyGold]

I'm always a little apprehensive as I go out onto the beach but soon disappears after I get going!
But... the other day I was in shallow water recovering a target, when I look up and see these two guys standing on the jetty right next to me. I smiled and they just stared, watching me the whole time as I recovered a huge, shiny bottom of a beer can! I was getting the sense that had I come up with a gold ring they would have been on me in an instant! These guys were wearing pants and shirts (not normal beach attire) and their stares and lack of smiles or any communication whatsoever made me feel super uncomfortable! So, as I showed them the beer can they left without a word! Weird on every level!
Be careful out there!

 

[Treasure_Hunter]

LOL, I never worry about people watching me... Durring the day if beach is crowded I am usually only armed with 12 inch fillet knife I found in wet sand, if beach is not crowded or it is after dusk I'm carrying firearm......

By habit I always stay aware of my surroundings no matter where I am...






American by birth, Patriot by choice.

I would rather die standing on my two feet defending our Constitution than live a lifetime on my knees......

 

[Old Dude]

I felt the exact same way you do....until I found my first silver coin. Now I could care less what people think. Many times I give them a friendly little wave and then I see them squirming, lol. If you see they act self-conscious because you caught them staring, give them a little more by detecting in their direction. They will usually move away, lol.

 

[relicmeister]

I think this thread was helpful and timely. I get as paranoid in public as many have expressed here, and tend to go where I believe I will have the least encounters. I have
done parks and other more public areas before, but I'm never totally at ease with it. A lot of good comments and advice here. I think the main thing is to keep at it and
it gets easier (I expect). It does make sense to plan outings when it is likely to be quiet, if that's possible. I have noticed that while you will attract attention at first, most people quickly lose interest. I know I do whenever I see someone doing something out of the ordinary. I'm also going to make an effort to have an attitude like I do this
all the time, even when it may be my first time at a particular place.

 

[Msbeepbeep]

I can get away with it because of gender and age. But I detect...alone with only detecting tools, and attitude. I am easy going... But don 't tick me off! Beware of the quiet ones.....we are loaded for bear! Lol!

 

[jmaryt]

When lots of people start staring, I usually loosen my belt so that my pants fall down.
Every time I bend down to dig a signal, I "crack them a smile."
Or I stop swinging, stand still and stare right back at them until they get uncomfortable and walk away.
I have no time to waste answering stupid questions or feeling uncomfortable from stares.
They can all just kiss my a$$.
I've promoted the hobby enough in the last 30 years so I don't owe anybody my time and I'm sure as hell not gonna let them ruin my mojo!
Cheers,
Dave.

the way i feel exactly! been at this hobby too long.i just don't give a flying what anybody thinks!
this is my hobby,and i am going to enjoy myself.

(h.h.!)
j.t.

 

[notthetreasureyouseek]

When I get paranoid in public areas I lay off the meth a bit
Works every time