My first bad experience (MDing)

[fathead]

Hello all, I wanted to tell about my hunt today and see if this is typical.

I have only had my detector since Dec. and I am loving it.

Today I hunted eggs with the kids and then got permission from the boss to go out for 6 hours. I drove to a soccer field that I found a 2 center on last Friday. I had the field to myself so I was taking it slow. After about 2 hours I was startled by two kids (20ish) walking up behind me. One (the smaller one of course) starts giving me an earful about digging up the field. The field is used a lot and has many bare areas from cleat use. I said it isn't much worse than the cleat marks. He then started to get mouthy about how little kids play soccer there. His buddy came over and led him away, but I then had to keep one eye on them.

I am a teacher now, so my old reaction of inviting him to make me stop seems juvenile and counterproductive. I also didn't want my new detector to get damaged. I considered placing the detector in the car and going to have an adult conversation with him. I wanted to explain to him how I wasn't breaking any laws and I was also being careful to fix my plugs.


Mainly, I wanted to explain that many MDers carry a handgun. While I do not, I would have explained that he did bring his mouth and fists to a knife fight. But, I am working on being more mature and level headed. I did keep detecting until they left just to prove a point. The rest of the hunt was unproductive, so I went to a back up spot.

The sheriff showed up 30 min. later because there had been some robberies in the area. I talked to him, but by that point I had lost my focus and just went home.
I got home early and had a great afternoon.

I have read many encounters people have had on this site. Why do people have such low opinions of MDing?

Thanks for letting me share.

-Fathead

 

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[ivan salis]

I'm 49 years old --disabled --(have copd and other health issues ) because of this I can not fist fight a thug anymore --so I carry a gun -- for my "protection" -- I do not want to harm a person but will not just give over my goods or take a beating (that could easily kill me)from a attacker * however by law I can not just shoot to wound* him --since by law to legally shoot another human being , I must be in fear of my life* --thus by law --I'm required to "shoot to kill" since I'm in fear of losing my life *. to do less than that , could get me sued --and arrested --they could say --you were "punishing" him for trying to "rob" you by shooting him in a non lethal way-- you were acting as judge and jury --you took the "law" into your own hands.--- many crimals have lived to sue folks this way --so yes if threated --its shoot to kill -- "I was in fear of my life" thats why I did it . -- never shoot em in the back , or if they are retreating ( its veiwed that they are not a "threat" to you anymore if thats happening)--you will most likely get charged if you shoot em that way.

two in the body (center mass) and one in the head --makes sure he hes really dead -- its called the "mozambique drill"

 

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[Keppy]

I have a CCW but never carry i just feel that if i would think i had to use it i would be in more trouble than i want................Being sued..... land in jail............. and the worse thing i would have to hire a lawyer............I carry working in the yard in the woods have one stashed in each room of the house.....but to carry metal detecting or any were i just never thought i had the need. I feel safter not carrying...... But i had trouble with 2 rotten rich punks on the beach they were about 17 years old give or take in Hilton Head Sc.

 

[Monty]

I got into a discussin with some of my buds and their freinds who were interested in ccw. They asked me why I wouldn't just shoot the gun or knife out of the bad guy's hand! I told them because I never met more than two people in my entire life who could do that and 9 times out of ten even they couldn't do it! I was taught to "double tap" to the center of mass and I would shoot to kill if I had to shoot. Otherwise you have no business carrying a firearm. Getting fancy with it would probably get you killed or possibly an innocent bystander. What if they were wearing a bullet proof vest? A hit in the chest with a .45 ACP is like being hit with a baseball bat even if the bullet doesn't penetrate. There's a good chance such a hit would take the fight out of a foe even if it didn't kill him. The only guy I ever saw hit with a vest on got 3 broken ribs and went down. You can't imagine how bad 3 broken ribs hurts. If I knew a guy was wearing a vest I would aim at the head and neck area or the groin. But most likely you would not have time to figure out if he was protected or not. Just passing along what I now about these things. Monty

 

[mts]

If someone threatened to call the cops I'd tell them not to bother because I am already in the process of doing it. Why? Because their sorry a$$ is going to be sitting in jail tonight on charges of harrasment and menacing.

 

[Monty]

The only misdemeanor laws the state of Ok has is assault and battery. An assault is defined as merelly threatening to fight or indicating in some manner that you will do harm to someone. Battery is the actual act of carrying out such a threat. Those are misdemeanorsIf anyone . Then we have assault with intent to do great bodily harm, a felony. Within the deffinition of that law is an attack upon an aged person by one of more youth and stamina. (That's a simplification of what the law says). Then there is AWDW assault and battery with a deadly weapon that can be a knife or gun or even a baseball bat or any instrument of any kind that can cause great bodily harm or death. (Again a simplification of what the statute says). If anyone commits any of the later or felonies, the courts pretty mucy offer protection for the person defending him or herself. My son recently shot a burglar who had preyed on his neighborhood for several months. He did it with the .357 Magnum I use to carry on duty. He was pretty shook up until word got out to the neighbors who had been victimized. They all got together and threw a BBQ for him. In the burglar's car was evidence of 21 other breakins that the crook was involved in. No charges were filed on my son. Monty

 

[WishfulThinker]

Go to a Police Supply Store and get larger size can of Pepper-Gas .. do not get Police Brand Mace or UV Dye ... and get a Small Digital Cheapo Camera (Big Lots - $10 to $20) if your cell phone does not have a camera.. if anyone gives you problems, just take their picture and Say, "That will be for the Police, Its time for you to move on." If the person goes to get in a car, get a picture of the license plate. Do not threaten anyone and only use pepper gas if someone "shoves or pushes you", and follow through with ASSAULT and ATTEMPTED ROBBERY Charges.

One point you want to make perfectly clear to the police,
"You have no association with the subjects, and they walked up to where you were metal detecting. As far as you are concerned, they were out scouting people to rob."
Chances are, there have been problems at that location sometime in the past, and you probably identified some of the culprits.

 

[BIG61AL]

Par for the course. I get the same BS about twice a season. usually its a cranky old lady or bunch of smart ass teenagers. Never been threatened yet. First person that lays a hand on me will be extremely sorry for messing with this old man. Never had to call the cops but there is always a first time.

 

[SC_Fisher]

I've only recently taken up the hobby again, after being away from it for many years.

So far, I have only had one person walk up to me at a local park...just to ask a question.

He approached and asked, "You ever find anything with that?" I keep my headphones on, in hopes they won't hang around and continue to chat too much. But, I replied, "Every now and then." He said, "Oh...I had considered getting one."

That was about it and he was on his way...no problem. I generally try and hit the parks, especially the sports fields, as early in the morning as possible before many people show up.

A week ago, I dug a few plugs in 3 different areas on one of the soccer fields at the park...yesterday, was there and went to look in the areas I had been and was trying to find where I had dug and could not identify the holes I dug. So, that was good evidence for me that I'm covering tracks very well.


SC_Fisher

 

[newbieprospector]

I've had a few people approach me not happy with my hobby but ignoring them has always worked for me!

Who knows...maybe the electronics in our MD's are somehow interferring with brain waves and triggering rage in certain people!

 

[Beans]

Depending on where I go will depend on how I dress for MD. For example if I go to the city parks, I try to where nice shorts, shirt, good shoes etc. If I go to no mans land, I have a different type of out fit, boots, torn jean shorts, t-shirt that needs to be washed, hair all messed up, have my gear in a old army map case with the ever sharp digging tool in hand, and then talk to myself outloud. I try to fit in where ever I go.
Only real bad experience I had was a guy follow me in the park that has a lot of trees and trails, could have only wanted to see if I found anything, but these guys are not in the park by themselves just for bird watching. That was when I changed to my No Man Land gear.