Lost, anyone have some ideas?

[Big Tx Hunter]

Hi there, I am new to this whole thing and have always wanted to get into this hobby. I am picking up my Ace 350 today and wanting to head out and look for coins, rings, relics or whatever else i can find. Heck i would be happy with a couple pennies

I am wondering where the best places to start are going to be at... How can i find old maps so i can find old campsites, farm houses, Churches, heck any were really that is old and untouched.

I have driven around a lot looking for places, but not sure where to start or what would be allowed... I live in Texas so i know there has to be some nice stuff waiting to be dug up

Looking for feed back, hopefully soon because i am heading out tonight.. maybe start at the local school yards and check the tot lots, and the middle school lots.

I was told that High school football Fields are GREAT places to check for rings, your thoughts?

 

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[crazyjarhead]

Welcome to Tnet. Parks are a good place to start. Local libraries are good for research. Soccer fields, schools (when not in session) also Good luck and hope to see some of your finds on here soon

 

[Big Tx Hunter]

Thank you Crazy. . .

I will make sure to post on here what my first find was. . . Even if it is an old tin can

I will check the library too

 

[Daedalus]

Just about any place , just find one and start and move around from there.
If in doubt about if you can or not hunt call the City parks ,City hall or stop or talk to the police department and ask.
If they do not know they will know where to have you call.

Also ask people who own property if you can hunt on there's .

You just have to find a spot that looks good and might have things to find. Their is no one place that will be better than the next in till you search it and find out what is best for you.

 

[crazyjarhead]

Thank you Crazy. . .

I will make sure to post on here what my first find was. . . Even if it is an old tin can

I will check the library too

Hey, you have to crawl before you can walk I use an ace 250 and had to start at the bottom too. In fact, I'm still at the bottom

 

[Tom_in_CA]

daedalus says that if you are in doubt, to go into city halls, police dept's, etc... and "ask". I would add, that if you do take that route, you need to be sure to phrase it in this way: "is there any rules or laws regarding the use of metal detectors in this town?" Or something like "are there any prohibitions against metal detecting ...." etc.... In that way, you turn the burden back on them, to produce such an actual written rule, if there were one (there rarely is).

Because if you just went in and asked "is it ok if I metal detect at such & such place", you can sometimes get a "no", as if .......... you were asking their permission or something, rather than asking, if there is any already existing rules. The reason sometimes people have generated their own "no's" from deskbound clerks, is that the clerk may morph something st*pid they think applies, and just tell you "no", just because they think you're a geek with a shovel or something. When in fact, probably no one ever cared, or would have given it a moment's thought.

Better yet, just check the rules for yourself if in doubt. City's all seem to have websites nowadays. Do a key word search under their rules and ordinances section with combinations of words like "metal detector" etc.... If it is silent on the issue ........ then so be it.

 

[2bits]

Again, What Tom said!
Also don't hesitate to strike up conversations w/ old folks. They are a wealth of information, and are usually willing to part with it.
HH, RCW

 

[Michaelangelo]

You could always start in your own yard. Great practice and helps get used to your machine before you get in the field. No telling what you may find. That's where I started and found all sorts of interesting things!!

 

[Sandman]

Again, What Tom said!
Also don't hesitate to strike up conversations w/ old folks. They are a wealth of information, and are usually willing to part with it.
HH, RCW

DITTO WHAT TOM SAID.

Garrett puts out a lot of books for the beginner and from some of the posts I read many also need to read them. http://www.garrett.com/hobbysite/hbby_successful_coin_hunting_book.aspx This one is especially good as it tells of places that many wouldn't ever think of hunting.

Just remember to make the ground where you got that target look like it did before you dug it up and pack out your trash, ya don't wanna dig it up again.

 

[Frankn]

Some helpfull hints: For now, learn your detectors capabilities. Air test it on various coins and rings. Know what it is telling you. Now go to the football field but don't wast time searching it, rather hit the area surrounding it where the people stand or sit. Go to the tot lot and hit the area around the equipment and the benches where the mammas sit.
:For the future, plan ahead so you can increase your fun. the library is a good place, but to scan thru all the ghost Townes and cache sites that exist in your area get The United States Treasure Atlas volume #9 by Thomas P. Terry. It is like having the combination to the vault! You can pick it up on E Bay. After that you can add to your collection with books by Dobie and Penfield. There are a lot of books on Texas.
Good luck in your new hobby. Frank

 

[Big Tx Hunter]

Some helpfull hints: For now, learn your detectors capabilities. Air test it on various coins and rings. Know what it is telling you. Now go to the football field but don't wast time searching it, rather hit the area surrounding it where the people stand or sit. Go to the tot lot and hit the area around the equipment and the benches where the mammas sit.
:For the future, plan ahead so you can increase your fun. the library is a good place, but to scan thru all the ghost Townes and cache sites that exist in your area get The United Treasure Atlas volume #9 by Thomas P. Terry. It is like having the combination to the vault! You can pick it up on E Bay. After that you can add to your collection with books by Dobie and Penfield. There are a lot of books on Texas.
Good luck in your new hobby. Frank

Wow, Thanks for the info on that... I will sart checking with my local library, and used book stores too. ..

I am thinking that i am about to have a new love in my life!!

 

[Frankn]

Go for it Big Tx you have a new life comming. Frank

 

[diggummup]

You could always start in your own yard. Great practice and helps get used to your machine before you get in the field. No telling what you may find. That's where I started and found all sorts of interesting things!!

I'd say this is the best advice given on this thread. Your own yard is the best place to "practice", which is what you will be doing until you get to know your detector. You may even want to set up a "practice garden" to learn how your machine reacts to different materials/objects. Good luck and looking forward to your finds/posts.

 

[Dwight S]

You could always start in your own yard. Great practice and helps get used to your machine before you get in the field. No telling what you may find. That's where I started and found all sorts of interesting things!!

I'll second... Or Third that idea.
It's better to start at home and learn the basics than go out and get in trouble by not knowing how to pinpoint and recover finds properly.
Study the manual on pinpointing, it's pretty simple once you get the hang of it, but to start with you'll have a little trouble.
Digging a target is also something to learn and hone. Do it at home in your own yard before you go out to a park and perhaps make a mess.

Have fun and go get'em...

 

[mlayers]

Check out old maps at the library. They will show you the old home steads, chuches and schools....Matt

 

[goldhungry]

Hey therre Tx Hunter, I lived in that area back in the mid 80's. If memory serves me right you have some great lakes around there. Try some of the local fishing holes and around boat launches and beach areas. Welcome to the hunt.

 

[Woodland Detectors]

Give me a call, maybe I can give you a few pointers. I'm no pro, but I have gotten lucky finding a couple cool things.

 

[manorman]

i dont think i would dig on a Texas high Scool football Turf.

 

[BobinSouthVA]

check with your counties website, most of them have GIS utilities that will help you find owners of properties. some even have new and old arial photos.

be sure to let co-workers know of your hobby. this is how I get most of my locations. remember everyone has a relative with a house that George Washington slept in. (ok maybe not in Texas but old nonetheless )

Good luck and HH.

 

[micprec]

hello, and welcome , i am also new to this hobby and find myself doing reseach online and at local library almost everyday, there is a ton of info there and the librarians always seem to be more then helpful getting you the info you need, happy hunting and looking forward to joining you on posting my first finds also on here.