Off Season Hobby - metal detecting

DAA

DAA

Administrator
Staff member
As posts here attest, our members have some cool hobbies and pursuits other than predator hunting. I have, a few...

One of them is metal detecting. I'm pretty active with it. Depending on weather and responsibilities, other activities, I usually get in about 10 hours a week, most of the year. Sometimes a lot more.

I always have a metal detector with me when I'm out and about doing other stuff and sometimes if the other stuff is slow and the detecting is good, a trip that started out something else will turn into a detecting trip.

Currently using a Minelab Manticore.

Anyone else like to metal detect? Or been thinking you might want to try it?

Just a few recent finds.

1884 nickel
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1895 Barber dime
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14K white gold
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Antique sterling BSA ring
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Couple sterling rings and a few pieces of clad
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Vintage roach clip
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You detect? You thinking about it? Let's talk!

- DAA
 
I've done a tiny little bit, with an el cheapo detector. Nothing to speak about really. I do think it is a cool hobby though and like seeing things that folks find.
 
I got interested in a while back, but health reasons kept me from getting out much. I have an unused Garrett AT Pro sitting in the closet since 2019 that I forgot I had. Since you mentioned it, I might have to get it out and learn how to use it.
 
Get it out! Doesn't have to be any kind of big effort or production. Take it anywhere. Try it. For a few minutes or a few hours. See what you can find! Never really knowing what the ground is going to give up, and the surprises, are the fun. It's in the searching, not so much the finding.

- DAA
 
I spent quite a bit of money on a metal detector a couple of years ago. In my day to day travels I see a lot of cool places and old homesteads etc. but I can't seem to force myself to remember to take it along. It has set in my trapping shed with little or no use. It needs to be in my truck.
 
I have a whites dfx and a whites spectra v3i been metal detecting for a few years now have found a few rings gold and silver over $100.00 in clad and several civil war 3 ringers the Union started a fort here where I live but the war ended and it was not finished... also lots of old toys cars planes etc.
 
I've been known to swing a Minelab Equinox 800, and White's MXT before that. It's my wife's hobby really, but I learned how to work the machines to help her have success. We haven't had much time to do it recently.
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Cal, put the darn thing in the truck. I know you get to a lot of old places and those are some of the best spots for old silver. Lot of old Spencer and Henry cases too.

Trapperdoc, an old fort even one not completed would be cool as heck to detect. Whites made the best machines in their day. A shame they went under.

DD, I still have an 800 too. I used a Whites XLT before that, but I gave it to my buddy a couple of years ago. That 800 will find it if it's there.

An unfired .44 Henry and a smashed .56 Spencer case from the first time I used my 800.

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- DAA
 
Not saying I'll get one, lol, but if a guy was wanting a decent detector that would not break the bank, what are a few he should look at? I know the better machine you get, the better it can discriminate out "junk", or at least I think that is the case?
 
The best fully capable new machine for the money right now, is the Nokta Legend at about $500. It's simultaneous multi frequency, which is a kind of big deal. You can't touch the capability for the money with anything else.

For less than $300, the selectable single frequency Minelab X-terra Pro is a crazy bargain.

Or look for a used Minelab Equinox 800. There are a lot of them that get bought and hardly used before the buyer finally decides to sell. But, really, the Nokta Legend can probably be had new, for used 800 money and it's every bit the detector the 800 is.

- DAA
 
Worth mentioning too, is the SMF - simultaneous multi frequency machines are a real asset in mineralized soil. Which, I bet you got anywhere in TX.

My dirt is pretty hot too. I really wouldn't recommend any single frequency for mineralized dirt when a Legend can be had for $500 and it will ID more accurately at depth in the hot dirt. Really helps if you want to cherry pick or just skim the cream and not dig a bunch of junk.

There are a number of SMF machines on the market now. But best bang for the buck is the Nokta Legend or a used Minelab Equinox 800. There are cheaper SMF machines than these, but these allow the kind of adjustments needed to tune for adverse conditions like mineralized soil.

- DAA
 
I have run Mine lab detectors for many years, I ran Whites in the 70s for coins then Started Gold Hunting in the late 80s I switched over to strictly Mine Lab Detectors in the early 90s.

Hopefully I can figure out how to post pics LOL..

It's a good fun Hobby for sure. You never know what that next target is going to be.. I have dug up several hundred gold Nuggets and a few thousand old silver coins and a few Rings Pocket watches and a bunch of other stuff..

https://flic.kr/p/2oNc7qb

That's me on the right, the early 90s in a mine lab Magazine with some of the gold.

https://flic.kr/p/2oNdFYA

Me and a few of the nuggets I found.

https://flic.kr/p/2oNc7sL

My Family in a Mine Lab Magazine.. I believe it was in 1994.
 
Was hoping you'd see this Kerry! I know you have been doing it at a very high level for a long time.

The pics don't show in the post but I can click on them and see them. Prett dang cool!

- DAA
 
So if you want to hunt on private land, I assume you always ask for permission. Does the owner ever ask for a share?
 
We gave away our White a few years ago. My wifes back was Gett Ng to bad tow run it. You guys make me want to pick it up again but I have so many irons in the fire, maybe when the rail gets up and running.
 
Originally Posted By: KenlguySo if you want to hunt on private land, I assume you always ask for permission. Does the owner ever ask for a share?

I never hunt anywhere that requires permission. Once, in a great while, by invitation, I have. But I've never asked. If someone wanted to turn it into some kind of business deal where they got a share I'd just decline. I have plenty of places to go, I don't need to ask anyone and I don't need anyone keeping track of me and my finds.

- DAA
 
Originally Posted By: DAAOriginally Posted By: KenlguySo if you want to hunt on private land, I assume you always ask for permission. Does the owner ever ask for a share?

I never hunt anywhere that requires permission. Once, in a great while, by invitation, I have. But I've never asked. If someone wanted to turn it into some kind of business deal where they got a share I'd just decline. I have plenty of places to go, I don't need to ask anyone and I don't need anyone keeping track of me and my finds.

- DAA

Same here, I have not hunted private land for years..Back when I was really into the coin hunting it was different, but I have not had to ask for permission for many years..
 
I have had one about 10 years. Haven't pulled it out in 9 years. I bought it to look around my great great grandparents home place. I had a chance to buy the property 10 years ago after it had been sold by great uncles. I spent countless hours digging through dirt and not finding what it was picking up. A few months back I ran into an old friend that does a lot of metal detecting. He told me I needed a pinpointer. I got one shortly after and plan to go back when the weather cools off.

This friend does the metal detecting contest. He has offered to help me search the old homestead.
 
Well hey, it's Randy! Good to see ya here man!

Yeah a pinpointer would help
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. A friend to help you get the swing of it will help even more. Be interesting to see what kind of relics you guys come up with.

- DAA
 
Wow this thread exploded over the weekend. Thanks for all the info Dave, and it really cool seeing all the pictures and hearing the stories from everyone.
 
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