Overview
When you buy a metal detector you will find the next step is that you will need to do is find a place to go look for treasure. Your best bet is to find an area that has been used by people for several years, decades or even generations. Sometimes the areas you will find are going to be more recent, but if the area has been used by thousands of people over a longer period of time the chance to find older items exists. There are some places you can go metal detecting without permission, but it is best to get approval from the owner of the property before heading out.
Even if you are in a small area that you do not think will pan out, you could be shocked by the what could turn up. This can even include the beach, a garden, a park, or the favorite abandoned places. Before you do head out to look for the treasure, you will need to make sure you get the proper permission from the people who own the land. You could find anything from gold, silver, jewelry, or relics from a long pasts civilization. Also, different types of metal detector work better in different areas. Make sure you have the correct type before heading out.
back to menu ↑Research is Key
The best place to try to find old coins probably is not the best place to search for gold, so be sure to do your research before heading out. Before you go out you will need to know what you are looking for and spend some time with the books. Sources can include older people in the town, the town plans, and even mining information. Typically when you are talking to the older people they may have some good tips as to where the playgrounds used to be located, where they would go swimming, or even hunting.
Once you have this information it will be easy for you to head out and find a great legal place hunt. Do not expect experienced hunters to just give up their metal detecting secrets. Research is key to finding pristine locations ripe for dirt fishing.
back to menu ↑Publicly Owned Land
You will want to check with the state or local government before you head out onto any of the publicly owned land. They will let you know more about the laws that are going to restrict what you can and cannot do when you are metal detecting. You will also need to know which level of government you are working with and know which department to contact. There are many overlapping layers of government with different laws and regulations regarding metal detecting. If you are not following the law you could be arrested and charged with a felony.
back to menu ↑Beaches
Typically you will find that all the beaches are either public or private, but no matter what you should look for the proper authorization to be on the beach. You may even find you need to get permits that will be only good for the offshore work. A beach, though, is a one of the best to go with your metal detector.
Most beaches are heavily used by large numbers of people in the summer. No matter what they are doing, running, swimming, sunbathing and other hobbies, almost all beach activities involve change, rings, jewelry, or other items falling out of pockets. What is even better is to go to the beach right before the sunsets because you will be able to comb the beach to look for what people have dropped during the day. You will also find that after a storm you can find some good things as well since the water will be stirred up. Be sure to stay on the public parts beach itself and do not detect in the dunes. Most dunes systems are off limits to people to protect the fragile beach ecosystem.
back to menu ↑Gardens
In general, most people either have a backyard or a garden. This allows you to find quite a few different items people may have dropped them over the years. You will find that it is also a great place for people to go to relax as well. Since they go here to do that they have a tendency to drop things from their pockets.
Depending on the age of the property, the garden or back might be over 100 years old. You may even find garden areas from older home that was in the area, but never put on a map. If this is the case, you will want to use a metal detector because you could easily find quite a few hidden treasures. You will find that a house that is located on an old garden spot is a nice place to go detecting.
back to menu ↑Parks and Common Areas
When you are going to these areas to search with a metal detector you will want to check for permission first from the property owner. Sometimes you can use your metal detector without a license, but other times you will need to get a license. So you will want to make sure you are able to get the proper permission and are aware of what kind of laws or other rules you have to follow to ensure you do not lose your find. In general, you will find that you can make some sweet finds in these areas.
That is because the parks may have been used for fairs, garage sales, and even concerts in the past. Sometimes the commons would have been used for target practice by the military before they had well established bases. So you will want to make sure you know where these events might have taken place in the parks and such and concentrate on those areas. Focus on and around large trees. People like to sit in the shade and all sorts of items could fall out of their pockets while they are relaxing.
back to menu ↑Fields
The farmers field is an excellent place to go treasure hunting. Some of the best finds in history have been found laying around in the middle of a field. That is because the plowing and planting tends to bring long hidden items closer to the surface. The only downside is sometimes the plow can damage the items you are bringing to the surface.
On the plus side, once the dirt is plowed it tends to be loose and easy to dig in. The only issue you may have is not getting the permission from the farmer to be on their property. Also, you will want to make sure you sign an agreement with the farmer as to how everything will be split up.
What is really nice about farm fields is it usually has been used by a lot or people in the past. This can even include camps, burial locations, and even training grounds for the military. You will want to make sure you do the research before going out. You will find that the older maps can make it easier for you to find the frequently used parts of the property.
back to menu ↑Woods
Even if on privately owned land, many woods and foot paths have given right of way public. This means people can walk on the paths and in the woods without permission from the owner. As always, before heading out metal detecting, try to determine the owner of the land and obtain permission.
People love walking, hiking and playing in the woods especially with their dogs. Typically you will find they tend to drop some type of metal item over the years. The woodlands are another nice place to go hunting with your detector. That is because you can find arrow heads and even hunting gear.
back to menu ↑Churches
Some of the oldest coins you can find are located around old churches. That is because the churches tend to be some of the oldest buildings in the area and a lot of people visit them on a regular basis. Some of these were built just a few years after the first homes in the area. Not only that the older generations would spend every Sunday, there were social and community events held at the church.
The participants would have coins, jewelry and other items that might have fallen out of their pockets or bags. This would allow you to discover some of the older finds, especially silver coins. Do not forget to check around old trees, because the parents would sit under the trees to rest while the kids would play. What else is nice is you can find some older relics at the same time.
back to menu ↑Abandoned Property
Abandoned towns, mines, factories, campgrounds, amusement parks and other property are prime locations for metal detecting. Beginners should be careful, these locations might be structurally unstable or dangerous.. However, if you get the proper training and permission you can find this to be a great place to go metal detecting.
back to menu ↑Cemeteries
Cemeteries and other burial site are strictly off limits to metal detecting. They seem like tempting targets with lots of people visiting over dozens or even hundreds of year, but STAY OUT! Metal detecting in a cemetery is extremely disrespectful to both the living and the dead and make the entire hobby of metal detecting look bad.
back to menu ↑Conclusion
Is metal detecting worth it? Being successful at metal detecting requires research, endurance and patience. It is a good way to get moving outside and you might hit the jackpot! More realistically, you get a lot of fresh air and exercise, make some interesting finds, and meet some interesting people along the way.
The right metal detector can help you uncover a lot of treasure if you look in the right spot. You will find that most of the places to go and look are the older places. All you have to do is some research and you can easily find the spot that will work best for you.
