What do you prefer?

[kfetters]

Do you like the instant gratification of a local play ground? Or would you rather have the long fields in front of you?

After my recent start, I’ve been hooked on the instant gratification of the city style playground hunt. There are some times that I can’t put the detector down without getting another solid hit where the coil landed. It’s Awesome!!!
Doing some field hunting, I noticed better finds with fewer hits. It tests the bagezzes out of my patience. I’ve only done this a few times over the last month, but I did get a 1920 dime the other night. My oldest find yet. So my intention is to dedicate some more time to this area. Maybe with a beer or two in me to buffer the long walks
What is your fav?

 

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[Jarl]

I really like the tot lots. I find that the hot spots in them are just below the slides and under the swings. I also find a lot of things in the space between the slide and the swings. The other place I usually find things is in the grass perimeter around the tot lot, here they are usually bordered with rail road ties. I think people, maybe parents, sit on these to watch their kids play. I have to avoid the space where the equipment is anchored to the ground, because my detector picks the anchors up, so what i do is take my pro pointer and wave it around the area because i can get much closer with it. Have found many things this way. If I get a smaller coil I could get a lot closer...eventually i'll get one. I have yet to get permission to hit an old field. I really wanted to do this a few months ago, but the fields are growing now. There are lots of old farms here, but Iowa is a difficult place to 'cold call' people to hunt their land. You really have to know people that know people that know people...even then, you might not get to keep anything...they get really uncomfortable it seems when you want to dig on their property. One time my friend and I got permission from this old couple, they had a lot of property and on it was an abandoned house, pretty old...we couldn't believe we were actually going to get to dig there...so we did and guess what? We didn't find a damn thing. Ugh, how pathetic is our luck?

Hmm, yeah, i can imagine fields might be pretty spread out with the finds...just take your time as it might be that you dig the find of a lifetime so it will all be worth it.

 

[kfetters]

Yes indeed Jarl!! I just went on an old farm hunt last weekend. Notice I didn’t post any great finds . The idea for the pointer around the swing anchors is great though. I’ll try that on my next visit. I’ve been avoiding those areas due to the previous false hits.
My mother in law lives near Des Moines. Just off an old railway depot. She moved there last fall. I was there before I got my detector but it looks fantastic! There was rail way & farm equipment left on their land dating back to the 30’s. Just left there! What else is there?!? Ahhhh.. can't wait

 

[fella]

I'd rather swing all day in a field and get one wheat than swing twenty mins in a tot lot and have 100 zincs!

Im in for the challenge of finding rarer stuff rather than stuffing my pockets with clad!

 

[vpnavy]

I'll take instant gratification any day of the week kfetters!

 

[damiani1]

Yea, id rather swing myself at a older farmers field and get less hits because the targets will probably be uncommon.

 

[Digger2]

I prefer the local play grounds, it hones the relationship between me and my detector. I like the open fields where the possibility is in getting older coins. My favorite is old yards. but if I have to choose between play grounds and open fields...the play grounds win!

 

[dholland02]

Depending on my mood or if I'm learning a machine ill hit play grounds to learn the tones of the machines.

 

[Atomic Ed]

I actually don't prefer one over the other but rather what type of mood I am in that day. Some days I get a feeling that I would rather go check out the sand at the beach, other times I have a desire to check the parks and then some days I really want to go check out the woods or fields.

I giess it just means I like all treasure hunting equally but have desires for one type or another at different times. Isn't this hobby great!

 

[thrillathahunt]

I really like the tot lots. I find that the hot spots in them are just below the slides and under the swings. I also find a lot of things in the space between the slide and the swings. The other place I usually find things is in the grass perimeter around the tot lot, here they are usually bordered with rail road ties. I think people, maybe parents, sit on these to watch their kids play. I have to avoid the space where the equipment is anchored to the ground, because my detector picks the anchors up, so what i do is take my pro pointer and wave it around the area because i can get much closer with it. Have found many things this way. If I get a smaller coil I could get a lot closer...eventually i'll get one. I have yet to get permission to hit an old field. I really wanted to do this a few months ago, but the fields are growing now. There are lots of old farms here, but Iowa is a difficult place to 'cold call' people to hunt their land. You really have to know people that know people that know people...even then, you might not get to keep anything...they get really uncomfortable it seems when you want to dig on their property. One time my friend and I got permission from this old couple, they had a lot of property and on it was an abandoned house, pretty old...we couldn't believe we were actually going to get to dig there...so we did and guess what? We didn't find a damn thing. Ugh, how pathetic is our luck?

Hmm, yeah, i can imagine fields might be pretty spread out with the finds...just take your time as it might be that you dig the find of a lifetime so it will all be worth it.

A lot of times if the homeowners are quick to give you permission to hunt their yards, it has probably been detected by others. Recently we asked at an old Victorian era home and got immediate permission from an elderly woman.. I remember telling my son "Wow, that was too easy". Well, we didn't find anything but junk and a few zinc cents! When we knocked to show the homeowner what we found (or didn't find) she said " Well, I guess the other guys must have gotten all the "good stuff"!

 

[mlayers]

depend on what the day looks like or what he week has been like. If we had a lot of rain I will try to hit a park or find a old home site to detect wet ground has better signals and easier to dig in. If it is hot and dry out I will hit the beach and water for easier digging and water to get cooled off. Then there is always the luck that I will find gold....Matt

 

[Frankn]

Why limit yourself? General detecting has many target areas. I prefer 200 year old back yards. Besides the older coins you might find valuable jewelry and even relics of the past. There are probably many unhunted ones out there. Frank...

 

[kfetters]

Why limit yourself? General detecting has many target areas. I prefer 200 year old back yards. Besides the older coins you might find valuable jewelry and even relics of the past. There are probably many unhunted ones out there. Frank...

<img src="http://www.treasurenet.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=817847"/>

Hi Frank, Certainly not looking to limit myself. Just like those 50 hit hunts. I love my backyard which has never been hunted and loaded with years of living. My building is just about 100 years old. Nice! Been clearing it out and starting to get some older finds. My next planned hunt is back to the field I found that 1920 dime. It was only in the corner. Gonna do a committed grid and see what comes of it. Although I'm sure I'll hit my playground in route.

 

[kfetters]

depend on what the day looks like or what he week has been like. If we had a lot of rain I will try to hit a park or find a old home site to detect wet ground has better signals and easier to dig in. If it is hot and dry out I will hit the beach and water for easier digging and water to get cooled off. Then there is always the luck that I will find gold....Matt

I've tried to get some post storm digging in but my machine gets hits so wide I backed off. Haven't tried with the pointer yet but have loved the nice weather. Certainly not complaining... When the rains return, I'm gonna give it another try.
I surprisingly had a great first 10 minutes at the beach. On my first visit, first day with the detector. Silver ring pops out. I haven't had any luck since in my last 5 visits. Just modern coins, and minimal at that. I think I have to get my timing down for hunting the spots. I have seen other detectors there more then a few times.

 

[fistfulladirt]

I almost never hit the playgrounds. Just feels "weird".
Gimme a 150 y.o. front yard, or an old city or county park anytime.

 

[Frankn]

Hi Frank, Certainly not looking to limit myself. Just like those 50 hit hunts. I love my backyard which has never been hunted and loaded with years of living. My building is just about 100 years old. Nice! Been clearing it out and starting to get some older finds. My next planned hunt is back to the field I found that 1920 dime. It was only in the corner. Gonna do a committed grid and see what comes of it. Although I'm sure I'll hit my playground in route.

My land has seen 200 years of occupancy. I have an acre side yard that use to contain the owners home, gone now. I use it for practice and when I get bored. I would not grid it. It would take all the fun away . Besides, if you grid it you still will not get everything. Just my thought. Frank...

Not my place, just for show.

 

[JunkShopFiddler]

I been married to same woman for almost 40 years, I forgot what instant gratification was.

 

[kfetters]

My land has seen 200 years of occupancy. I have an acre side yard that use to contain the owners home, gone now. I use it for practice and when I get bored. I would not grid it. It would take all the fun away . Besides, if you grid it you still will not get everything. Just my thought. Frank...

View attachment 819468Not my place, just for show.

Very nice!! I don't have space like that at all. My back yard if roughly 25' x 30'. I have had a blast digging around it though. I spent some time yesterday afternoon out there. Got about 20 nails/junks, three 60's pennies & an old clamp. Still fun before the rain came. Great note though, my neighbor came over and asked me to detect her yard while I was out there. Just to see what's there. Asked me!! Like I'd say no!??!?! SCORE!!! We plan for this weekend.
I tried doing the grid on last nights field hunt. Lasted about 15 minutes. Just couldn't keep it going. Like you said, took the fun out of it. I broke off the grid and found my shamrock pendent. I always seem to go more with my research and gut. Head over there... head over there.. That's been working for me so far.
Thanks for the feedback Frank!