Is it worth it?

[GoJo7205]

Hello all,
New metal detector user from Southern Indiana. Got a detector for my birthday last year and want to give it a try. The process of searching a location, not knowing what you will find, getting some exercise, and spending time outdoors is all good stuff that I enjoy. I don't expect to ever find anything of significant value and that is OK. The hunt is still fun. Even though I am brand new to metal detecting and have little experience (i.e. around the yard figuring out the detector, vacant lot next door, etc., I am finding it very discouraging with respect to where you can actually go to search. After researching my area some, I find that city parks in my county are off limits, state parks are either off limits or require a permit, other public property maybe/maybe not, but more not. Private property appears to be about the only access available. In this day/age, randomly knocking on doors can get you shot. So, my question is....Is it worth it if you don't have the property connections that provide a place to hunt? What are the methods you use to identify where to go?
Thanks

 

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[Blackfoot58]

I called Several City Hall’s in my area. I asked If detecting was legal in their city parks. Most were. I’ve also asked permission from misc farmers, to search their fields. Most creek banks and river banks are public, in many states.

 

[robertk]

Most creek banks and river banks are public, in many states.

That's true, but private property owners may feel different if you're walking the creek/river bank on their property. IMO if someone asks you to leave, best to just do so and go someplace else (I've had it happen).

 

[Ism]

Hello all,
New metal detector user from Southern Indiana. Got a detector for my birthday last year and want to give it a try. The process of searching a location, not knowing what you will find, getting some exercise, and spending time outdoors is all good stuff that I enjoy. I don't expect to ever find anything of significant value and that is OK. The hunt is still fun. Even though I am brand new to metal detecting and have little experience (i.e. around the yard figuring out the detector, vacant lot next door, etc., I am finding it very discouraging with respect to where you can actually go to search. After researching my area some, I find that city parks in my county are off limits, state parks are either off limits or require a permit, other public property maybe/maybe not, but more not. Private property appears to be about the only access available. In this day/age, randomly knocking on doors can get you shot. So, my question is....Is it worth it if you don't have the property connections that provide a place to hunt? What are the methods you use to identify where to go?
Thanks

Did you look at the city ordinance online and see that metal detecting was actually prohibited? Often it states that digging or defacing is prohibited. A lot of people interpret that to mean detecting because you must dig a plug to remove the coins. But don't use a shovel, use a Hori knife or Lesche style hand digger and cut clean 3-sided plugs. Detecting is almost always ignored by park workers and Karens if you're not planting a shovel in their sod or making a big mess out of it. We have the same ordinance in Michigan city parks, yet people detect in them all the time.

Also, if you have farmland around you, most farmers don't care if you detect their property during the off season and will almost always give you permission to hunt. There you can use a shovel if you like, but don't leave a hole, fill it back in. Do your research, find the owner and ask in person (it goes a long way). There should be maps from the 1800's that show where old homesteads were in the farm fields. Go to historic map works online and look up your area. Also look for rises in the farm field (usually near the road). It's a good indicator that a home, barn, or outbuilding was there. I just got permission to a field like that with no indication of a homestead on the maps. So far in a 1 hr hunt today I found 2 Indian heads, 2 trade tokens, a silver charm, a wheat penny, and the 4th penny is soaking in olive oil. It's either another token or a flying eagle cent (too rough to tell yet). I won't bore you with all the trash I dug.

 

[Nathan W]

I think starting out you should find out if any places you can go with friends/family ( inner circle) and also make sure everyone you start new relationships with know you are into detecting. Contact historic societies in your area. I've become good friends with a few and they helped me out greatly

 

[fishstick]

Did you look at the city ordinance online and see that metal detecting was actually prohibited? Often it states that digging or defacing is prohibited. A lot of people interpret that to mean detecting because you must dig a plug to remove the coins. But don't use a shovel, use a Hori knife or Lesche style hand digger and cut clean 3-sided plugs. Detecting is almost always ignored by park workers and Karens if you're not planting a shovel in their sod or making a big mess out of it. We have the same ordinance in Michigan city parks, yet people detect in them all the time.

Also, if you have farmland around you, most farmers don't care if you detect their property during the off season and will almost always give you permission to hunt. There you can use a shovel if you like, but don't leave a hole, fill it back in. Do your research, find the owner and ask in person (it goes a long way). There should be maps from the 1800's that show where old homesteads were in the farm fields. Go to historic map works online and look up your area. Also look for rises in the farm field (usually near the road). It's a good indicator that a home, barn, or outbuilding was there. I just got permission to a field like that with no indication of a homestead on the maps. So far in a 1 hr hunt today I found 2 Indian heads, 2 trade tokens, a silver charm, a wheat penny, and the 4th penny is soaking in olive oil. It's either another token or a flying eagle cent (too rough to tell yet). I won't bore you with all the trash I dug.

Sound advice my friend

 

[Gene Mean]

I agree with ¨Ism¨ about hunting farmland and checking maps from Historic Map Works.
That and door knocking should keep you busy for a long time.

 

[mtdoramike]

Hello all,
New metal detector user from Southern Indiana. Got a detector for my birthday last year and want to give it a try. The process of searching a location, not knowing what you will find, getting some exercise, and spending time outdoors is all good stuff that I enjoy. I don't expect to ever find anything of significant value and that is OK. The hunt is still fun. Even though I am brand new to metal detecting and have little experience (i.e. around the yard figuring out the detector, vacant lot next door, etc., I am finding it very discouraging with respect to where you can actually go to search. After researching my area some, I find that city parks in my county are off limits, state parks are either off limits or require a permit, other public property maybe/maybe not, but more not. Private property appears to be about the only access available. In this day/age, randomly knocking on doors can get you shot. So, my question is....Is it worth it if you don't have the property connections that provide a place to hunt? What are the methods you use to identify where to go?
Thanks

I tell everyone who ask me while metal detecting is it worth it, I say hell no, 90% of the time I don't even find enough for batteries.