Semi-newbie, looking for some advice:

[Jereifx]

Hello Fellow Treasure Hunters,

I purchased a Fisher F4 last Spring and have found a lot of "junk" so far, but nothing all that interesting. I attribute this to the area that I live it, which makes hunting kind of difficult. I could use some general hunting and MD brand/model advice. Here's a bit about my situation:

1. I live in south-western Idaho, 13 miles south of Sun Valley, ID. Smack dab right in the Rocky mountains.
2. The area where I live is mostly private land, surrounded by mountains.
3. This area was mostly settled in the 1890's.
4. I find loads of old square nails, cast iron pieces (like bits of old stoves, metal crushing material from old machines used for stamping ore).
5. Given that I find loads of old iron stuff, I've tried setting the discrimination against iron, foil, pull tabs, but I still generally only find iron stuff.

I'd love to find some coins or something, likes so many post on this forum. Do you have any tips on how to improve my hunts? Like, better equipment (I'm open to getting a top of the line model), advice on how to find better searching groups or old maps (I'd love to find some 1890's maps showing homesteads, towns, encampments).

Anyhoo -- If you've any good advice for me, I'd very much be obliged to you. Thanks in advance!

Jereif

 

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[Jereifx]

Oh, also, I should mention that this area is rich in these minerals:
1. Galena (lead)
2. Silver
3. Copper
4. Other identified metals: The rocks and gems around here are plenty, and come in a wide spectrum of colors (Reds, greens, browns)

 

[olfacere]

Nothing would be more valuable to your efforts than finding other MDers in the same area. They will already have answers for most of your questions. Unfortunately, there's no good way of finding local groups unless they register somewhere or advertise. Random word of mouth doesn't provide a lot of references. You could check Yahoo Groups or the Google equivalent. You could search for groups via Bing or Google. There are a few websites out there that have lists of such groups, but they're not very thorough. There is also a state-by-state forum feature on here. Go to the main forum page and scroll all the way down, looking for a list of states.

As to equipment, you can get as good as you're able to spend, but I would find some others who detect in your area to see what they're using. The F4 should be good enough for your needs. As to maps, town halls and libraries often have those. As I see it, you've got two main priorities: finding MDing friends (big help) and finding good ground. Your equipment and technique are important, but even the best equipment, used properly, can only tell you what's in the ground.

 

[Pulltab Parson]

Good advice olfacere,

I would have to echo all of what you said. You have the right equipment, but in my experience, you can disc. out all the iron in the world, but if it's big enough, your still going to hit on it. If you are searching in areas of old homesteds, you will find a LOT of iron, like what you have located. I don't know how much hunting you have done, but in my experience, the totlot is a great place to learn your machine, the way it sounds on different coins (and yes, even single tone machines sound different when they hit specific targets, you just have to know what it's saying), the real depths based on those coins and iffy targets that are easy to dig. No matter what, you are going to dig junk, and if your surround by iron, your going to dig iron. Me i seen to be attracted to the old stile pulltabs. I don't think there has ever been a time when I haven't gone out and didn't dig one up, but, with those tabs have come some good stuff.

A club is a great way to get to know how others hunt, what they do to better their chances etc. The best advice I can give. . . . know your machine like the back of your hand. Don't think the totlots are just for beginners or tots, I have been hunting a while and I still love hunting them, they are what pay for my obsession!

Just my 2cents,

HH
PTP

 

[Jereifx]

Thanks for the advice olfacere and Pulltab Parson. My area is pretty rural, so clubs aren't likely. But, I did find some semi-local clubs (2.5 hours from here) that are interesting. I'm going to take your advice and hit up the local libraries and the Idaho State Archives (which have loads of old maps) to see if I can dig up some good searching sites. One of the biggest challenges here is that I live in a valley, surrounded by mountains. So old sites have been rebuilt upon over and over, since there isn't a big footprint for new areas of construction. I hope the old maps can call out old homesteads/towns that aren't on private land. As for local parks, we don't have many and the ones we do have are pretty small. I've hit up a couple, but it feels weird digging up the grass (thought I try to ge low impact), surrounded by houses and such. I hate the "prying" eyes on me as I search.

 

[olfacere]

If you plan on doing any serious off-road swinging, then the limited building ground may be to your advantage. Prior to the 20th century, more than 50% of Americans lived in rural homes. Look at the land and imagine all the trees were swept away, so you would see only the shape of the ground. Looking that way, which places are the obvious spots for people to build? You could stumble onto some sites without using a map or some old sites that were never mapped at all. The cartographers of old had no way of including most structures. Old maps usually show only the most prominent buildings or very small areas in high detail. I would imagine that most small, rural structures before the mid-20th century were never mapped. Who pays professionals to map isolated, poor people? Studying the land may be more helpful than studying maps.

 

[kshollywood]

What state and city do you live in?