WHERE DO I GO METAL DETECTING?
A question most new detectorist ask is "where do I go detecting?" There are countless areas in which you can search, and it is best if you do some research to find the best places. A little time spent in research can add to the success of your hobby enormously. It is easy and lots of fun. Research will guide you to the most productive sites for treasure hunting.Here is a list of some of the more productive places to search, but
Be Sure You Obtain Permission Before Entering Private Property:
Your own backyard, beach, fairground’s, racecourses, picnic areas, battlefields, camping groundsswimming holes, parks and playgrounds, ghost towns and ancient town sites, old homes, public buildings, sports grounds, school yards, ovals around jetties and piers, drive-in theaters, and for gold prospecting, any areas that have had gold prospecting or mining in the past are potential areas.Ideal sources for research are the local library or historical society, the state Department of Mines, newspaper archives, local town plans, etc. Don't forget to talk to the aging people in the area. They'll often tell you about the local swimming hole they used when they were a kid, the field that used to be a sports ground or perhaps a park that was used as a local market - these are all potential 'hot spots'. Lastly, see if there is a detector club in your area and join them. Not only will you learn how to detect and where the good areas are, but you'll also make lots of friends that enjoy the hobby as you do. The classic expression for most detecting is to go - "Slow and Low". This means that the speed that you sweep the coil across the ground should be slow, and the coil should pass across the ground in an even sweep that is as close to the ground as possible. When detecting in goldfields, it is important to always be 'ground balanced'. This is where the detector has compensated for natural minerals in the ground. Detectors that have automatic tracking will maintain the ground balance setting as you detect. However, detectors with manual ground balance should be checked regularly and re-adjusted. When researching for gold prospecting areas, try to find old records, original maps and surveys or geological reports. Don't limit yourself to the well-known goldfields, as small fields can often be quite productive for a detector even if it wasn't rich for the old-timer.
ALWAYS OBTAIN PERMISSION.
If you're gold prospecting, there will generally be a prospecting license or 'Miners Right' that you'll need to buy. These are generally quite inexpensive and easy to obtain from your local dealer. If you're detecting on private property, you'll need to ask for permission as owning a detector does not provide the right to trespass. If you're detecting at sports grounds, city parks etc, permission can often be obtained from the local council. When you find a spot that is giving you good results, slow down and detect thoroughly as there is sure to be more for the careful searcher. Any trash and rubbish you dig up should be removed and disposed of in an environmental way. Removing it means that you won't detect it again the next time you're hunting that area. Always take the time to make your detector comfortable. Adjust the shafts so it is well balanced and it will save you from getting tired by the end of the day. Knowing how to pinpoint accurately means you spend less time recovering targets and more time finding targets. When setting discrimination levels, keep them as low as possible. It's better to dig up the occasional piece of rubbish than miss a nice piece of jewelry. Enjoy yourself...this is most important. Don't worry if you haven't found something straight away, keep enjoying yourself and the gold or treasure will come.
HOW DO I LEARN MORE?
To learn more, contact your local detecting shop. They will be able to give you good advice about the different detector models and which ones suit different conditions. Your local shop will know the area and be able to help you with gaining local knowledge. If you deal with the same shop all the time they will get to know you, building a friendship that will give you the kind of excellent service you would expect. Remember, most people in the shops go out detecting themselves so their advice is first hand. The other great source of information is to contact other people who are already enjoying the hobby of metal detecting. The easiest way to do that is to join the local detecting club but also keep a look out for others detecting and go and introduce yourself. Caravan parks are often a great place to meet others who are enjoying metal detecting during their travels.