A Quick Look at The Rules of The Game

Hi all,

Unfortunately, I haven't had much time to get out and hunt recently due to family, work, and educational obligations. I won't have true time to get out and hunt until mid-May, during which time I will also (finally) be buying a higher end detector (which one still remains to be seen). I have, however, been on various forums and as well been doing my homework on different detectors, including watching various videos on each.

I wanted to take time to make a quick mention on the "rules of the game."

Like any other sport or hobby, metal detecting and treasure hunting is fun for many different reasons (we all have our own), but metal detecting is unique in that we, as detectorists, dig in grass and dirt to make a score and find our targets. That, combined with being out in public, creates a set of rules that we should all keep in mind when we go out.

You can find lists of rules on just about any metal detecting/treasure hunting forum, and they exist for good reason. Even though what we do is perfectly legal, it is not legal in all areas, and even detecting legal areas requires caution.

Why?

Making one negligent or not-so-well thought out move can get you into a variety of trouble, and as well, put a dent in the hobby for others. If a detectorist fails to exercise caution during hunts, everybody in the hobby (and especially those in your area) may ultimately suffer the consequences. These consequences may come in the form of new laws prohibiting metal detecting within your town, county, or even state!

Of all the rules I have seen listed, I wish to make mention and summarize what I (personally) feel are the most important:

1. NEVER HUNT IN A CEMETARY!

OR, any other final resting place!

This should honestly go without saying, but I did once see someone in a forum attempt to justify why he had been hunting somewhere in or around a cemetary. The end result? He was flamed out of the forum...

No metal detectorist should EVER be hunting anywhere in or around a cemetary (or any other final resting place). It is in poor taste to be searching for things where a family has lain their loved one to rest. There are probably a variety of things in the grass of a cemetary, and most of it was probably put there for a reason. That being said, it should also stay there. Never, EVER, hunt in a cemetary.

(I, personally, also do not hunt in or around memorials, including war memorials),

2. Fill in all holes/Take your trash

Most veteran treasure hunters not only do this, but do it well!

However, if any new detectorists happen to find their way here, I figured it would be important to include this.

Making a clean opening to get out a target is so important, because it could mean the difference between showing the public that our hobby is not destructive, and getting yourself and others kicked out of parks or areas for good.

There are plenty of videos and tutorials online that show you how to cut a good plug. Cutting a nice plug, removing the dirt and putting it to the side, and then refilling the hole with the dirt and plug, properly, can honestly leave no lasting marks to any ground. If a detectorist masters this technique (and it does take a little practice), then leaving a mark shouldn't be an issue. However, please remember to fill all your holes.

In addition, if you happen to dig out a less desireable target (i.e. trash), please, take it with you! Digging old metal trash out of the ground and then leaving it there is, in my eyes, akin to littering. If you dig trash, make a pile of it and bring it with you when you leave. If you happen to be hunting in an area with trash cans, even better!

The combination of digging and refilling holes properly and taking all trash with you really reinforces to people that we, as detectorist/hunters are not only not destructive, but care as much about the environment as everyone else, if not more.

3. Obey all laws

Although it would be fair to say that a good amount of public areas, including parks, woods, and even sidewalk patches are open to metal detecting, each state, city, and town may have its own rules, and following these is important. Doing a little research before hand (including searching online for city/town rules, or even calling the town hall) may save you a visit from the cops, or worse, a ride to jail.

First, metal detecting in any federal park land or national historical site is strictly prohibited. Did I mention, strictly prohibited? You are subject to arrest if you violate this rule.

In terms of state and local parks, the rules vary by both state and city. The Federation of Metal Detecting and Archaeological Clubs (FMDAC), has a list on their site of laws by state regarding metal detecting. If you are unsure of your particular city or town, research can be done beforehand that may save you trouble in the long run.

4. Use Your Head

This actually encompasses many different things...
.
First, don't assume a piece of property is public, and therefore free to hunt.

If you do think a piece of land is private property, ask permission from the owner. You might be surprised! If you simply knock on a door, explain who you are and what you want to do, a home or land owner might be ok with you hunting there. (However, if they do say no, it might be best to thank them and move along).

If you are going to hunt an area, it should look the same (if not better) than when you found it.

5. Have fun!

Again, these rules are simply a guide to ensure years of detecting enjoyment for yourself and others. Overall, you should go out and enjoy the hunt. By simply being smart about hunting techniques and playing by the rules, there should never be an issue when hunting.

If you want a more detailed list of rules, you can find one here at The Friendly Metal Detecting Forum (which is an excellent online community for metal detectorists/treasure hunters).

Anyway, this is just my 2 cents. I hope everyone is out there having some great hunts!

Until next time, this is Treasure Noir. Happy Hunting!

A Frustrating Hunt and Social Anxiety

Hi all,

I was able to get out today for about a 5 hour hunt in two different areas that I've been wanting to hit for a while.

Unfortunately, the experience ended up a little frustrating, but I was glad to be out just the same.

The two areas I hunted were both grassy areas along the same road. When driving home this afternoon, I drove by the first area and noticed a felled tree, and figured "Why not?"

After gathering my stuff up and driving back there, I started to hunt. I'm still running a Garrett Ace 250, and had it on custom (very similar to coin program) with sensitivity around 5. As soon as I started to hunt, I immediately got a solid quarter hit. Figuring my hunch paid off, I dug.

A metal light switch cover was my reward...

The next signal jumped around penny and just above it, and as soon as I dug, I pulled out a wheatie that I still can't see the year on. I was happy and thought there was more to come!

...Right?

Wrong.

With the exception of a 1973 Memorial, the rest of the good, solid signals I dug at this site were all trash. From crushed bottle caps to old beer cans, I dug all the good signals and came up with nothing...

After realizing this area was too trashy for the Ace 250 to handle, I moved further down the road to another grassy area that sits adjacent to the roadway, between it and some railroad tracks.

I started searching and after a few minutes hit a solid quarter signal, which ended up being a modern clad.

Again, the rest of the signals I dug at this site (all of which showed silver) ended up being junk. I did find what I think was an old ashtray, and an old alarm clock, so those were kind of cool, considering they were a little out of place, but that was it.

Now, I'm not knocking the Ace 250 by any means. I've owned it since 2005, and had a few good finds with it. However, I really saw today how much trouble it can have it very trashy areas, even with a custom program. Rusted metal really throws the Ace 250 through a loop. I don't have a ton of time during the week to hunt (I'm hoping to get up to 2-3 days a week by the summer), and when I am out hunting, I want to pick out the good stuff. (I also know that that could mean staying away from areas I know are overly trashy, but if there's some good stuff there, I want to get it!).

As I've said in many previous posts, it is high time I invested in a higher grade metal detector. Which one? Well, the jury is still out there, but I think it's just about reached a verdict.

On another note, I wanted to make mention of social anxiety and metal detecting.

Many of you out there may be anywhere from 10 to 30 year or more veteran treasure hunters. In the TH world, I'm still a rookie (started in 2005, didn't pick it back up until 2010, and then not again until this year). I love the hobby so much, but I admit, whenever I leave the comfort of my yard to hunt, I've always had a little "detectorist's social anxiety." I wonder if anyone out there experienced the same thing when they started, and if so I'd love to hear if they did.

I live (and hunt) in a very well traveled area, and have always found myself looking over my shoulder while hunting to see if anyone is staring at me. Should I care?

No.

However, I guess I know that the hobby has a bit of a stigma (I'm 29, and even my own friends have chuckled when I've told them what I like to do). I have trouble getting this out of my head when I'm hunting in public, which has taken away from focusing on and enjoying being out.

Today, during these two (trashy) hunts, I put that all aside, and although I did look up when people were walking and driving by, I realized that they cared less about what I was doing, which is fine with me.

If anyone else out there has experienced this, you are not alone. If I'm the only one, I don't care anymore; I just want to get out and hunt.

Anyways, this is Treasure Noir saying happy (careless) hunting!