It's that time of year again.

[mikeraydj]

I always dread this time of year. Supposed to get down to -10 tonight. There has been snow on the ground for a week and I am already missing detecting. I will do the usual. Look at finds of others who live in warmer climates, watch detecting videos over and over, Look at treasure classifieds and see if there is anything that I need in my arsenal for spring and go through my finds from this year and reminisce. I will keep telling myself that we will have an early spring and that I can take care of things that I had been putting off while detecting. In my dreams I will be hunting virgin sites, finding Spanish silver and gold jewelry. Only to wake up to my nemesis......... Snow!

 

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[smokeythecat]

I will be digging probably to January 15. Sorry for your loss. Here in Maryland, it hardly ever freezes hard before then.

 

[Loco-Digger]

I know the feeling but fortunately I might have 4 weeks to hunt before the ground freezes. It lasts for about 2 months in Ohio then the new season begins. How many coils do you have for the E-Trac?

 

[johnnycat]

Just talked to my brother-in-law in Wyoming...It's snowing there!

 

[Terry Soloman]

I've been fortunate so far here in lower New York. We are finally getting some badly needed rain, but no snow yet. Come on April!

 

[DiamondDan]

Snowing here, too. I am going to be taking my recurve to an indoor bow range as my winter replacement for detecting. Going to avoid the rifle-season jackasses next year. I miss getting out with my machine already, though.

 

[mikeraydj]

I know the feeling but fortunately I might have 4 weeks to hunt before the ground freezes. It lasts for about 2 months in Ohio then the new season begins. How many coils do you have for the E-Trac?

I have the stock coil and a Sunray X5 sniper coil.

 

[Loco-Digger]

You ever use the sniper?

 

[mikeraydj]

You ever use the sniper?

Oh yeah, I have a couple of trashy parks that are iron infested. My regular coil nulls out trying to hunt them. It has found me a few Wheaties that my other coil would not have found and some silver jewelry, but so far no old silver coins. I got it mid season, so I haven't gotten a lot of use with it. I was just getting proficient with the Etrac when winter hit. I finally took the leap and started digging the deeper targets. It paid off with a couple of old silver rings, 2 Mercs and a Rosie.

 

[Loco-Digger]

How deep has it air tested at. I am falling in love with my 5"DD. I swing about 1 to 2 inches above the soil due to the height of the grass. The sniper coil has hit on IHCs and old wheats at 10 inches below the coil. I am amazed at what coins I have pulled from previously gridded sites. Deeper targets are great to hear and with my detector and normally show a lower TID than normal.

 

[mikeraydj]

I don't know. I am not much of an air test guy. Never seems to translate to depth in soil. I know it goes deep in all metal or 2 tone Ferrous. 8"-10". Again depends on soil, trash density, and target size. I know the Merc I found with it was 8".

 

[against the wind]

Anytime I am restricted from hunting because of the weather,, it is not a happy time. Especially if it is for an extended period of time.
Let's hope for a mild winter.

 

[foiler]

I have hunted Montana in Dec. Usually doesn't go solid till mid January. Sunny southern exposures in wide open Montana still good for a few weeks. Any structures particularly with stone foundations can remain digable longer as it will act as a heat sink preventing the soil from freezing within a foot of its base. A sharp digging tool like a Sampson is a must to break through an inch of frozen crust. Keep hunting.

 

[Honest Samuel]

The ground is too hard to dig and snow is coming in Connecticut. When not using your detector for a while, take the batteries out. Good hunting and good luck.

 

[mikeraydj]

I have my RNB and stock rechargeable all wrapped in plastic waiting for spring. I don't have too much room to complain as the winters in Montana are not as harsh or long lasting as they used to be. It used to be I had to wait till May before the snow melt, now it is late march or early April. Until then I will be looking at all of your finds with envy.

 

[RGINN]

mikeraydj, besides playin those stacks and stacks of golden wax, go out where the city piles up the snow from the streets and hunt that. The ground is frozen here until late May, and I usually wait till they melt down, but I'm thinkin I might go out a little earlier this year. Plus, a little have detector ad in the local paper might bring in a little business from tourists who lose things in the snow.