A solid '39' signal! musing's and observations!!

[Goldstrike]

I went recently to a local park and as I swung my coil across a spot of ground, I got a solid 39 signal. I swung my coil in different directions and it was a consistent unwavering 39! I raised my coil up a little and yes, it wasn't very deep like a big foil wad/aluminum can might sound......It seemed like maybe a large silver coin target!! Very, very interesting!!! O yeah, O yeah, I really got excited so I dug and out popped this.................oh crud!! an aluminum key chain fob thing whatever!!! I asked myself (not out loud, people would think I'm crazy)!!! where are the silver rings and gold rings and jewelry that we all used to come across a couple of years ago and more???
Ive looked at the past posts on Today's Finds Forum and particularly the 'Beach and Water/Scuba dive Detecting' Forum going back the last few years and it was almost commonplace to see gold rings and silver rings and jewellery being found almost everyday! I don't know whether detectorists are still finding great targets but not posting them being content to see others finds or whether the good finds are being taken by the increasing amount of people taking up metal detecting? A big coil or a smaller coil doesn't make too much of a difference anymore, good finds are just plain getting harder to find. There must be a correlation between those programs like 'Diggers' and the increasing number of guy's (and Gals)!! swinging metal detectors hoping for the same success as those 'detectorists' on that program? I love to see what they find but can't stand their "roundness in the hole" and "Nectar in the hole" terminology. I cringe when I see them climb trees screaming and jumping on each other when they find a coin or a square nail or something!!!!!!
There again, it could force or provide the motivation to make metal detectors/redesigned coils to reach even further down into the earth in search of good finds!? Either way, I don't get excited prematurely anymore because there are a lot more aluminum key chain fob things still out there that'll get you all excited and then let you down when retrieved!!!
P.s. I still love this hobby by the way and will be out there again asap in hope's of finding those increasingly elusive silver and gold targets!!!

 

[Champ Ferguson]

I think youre correct that the plethora of metal detecting shows (that we know are scripted but the rubes totally believe) is responsible for more machine sales, but I doubt that the untrained, unexperienced masses are putting much of a dent in the treasure. We may be reaching an equilibrium of donors-finds on much of the ground we all repetitively hunt. The answer, of course, is to find new ground. See how easy it was for me to say that?

I'd have been salivating on a solid 39 that you described for sure. But that danged Al is the trickster of the metal detecting world.

 

[Goldstrike]

I think youre correct that the plethora of metal detecting shows (that we know are scripted but the rubes totally believe) is responsible for more machine sales, but I doubt that the untrained, unexperienced masses are putting much of a dent in the treasure. We may be reaching an equilibrium of donors-finds on much of the ground we all repetitively hunt. The answer, of course, is to find new ground. See how easy it was for me to say that?

I'd have been salivating on a solid 39 that you described for sure. But that danged Al is the trickster of the metal detecting world.

C.F.......yes, I have to agree with your comments. One thing I have noticed is the drop off of detectorists actually out there, at least in my areas/parks etc;. I was chatting with a parks and rec worker this morning and he told me that he "hasn't seen hardly anybody metal detecting for a long time". That was surprising to me because this particular park is very big with several baseball and soccer fields, a big lake, an amphitheatre etc;. It has been very warm (into the 80's) with a lot of people in the parks, so you would think there would be a lot of fresh drops at least! Maybe guy's are night hunting? But here, because of the homeless/drug and prostitution problems and them taking up residence in the parks, they passed an ordinance that ALL the parks are closed to the public 1/2 hour BEFORE sunset and 1/2 hour AFTER sunrise. The police have said it will be a misdemeanor to be in the parks after sunset and before sunrise. Bummer huh!!

One thing that is perhaps different from other areas is that the very hot summer (Southern California) and lack of rainfall and the time of the year all lead to the grass being cut very short and staying very short. The Parks and Rec department workers still continue their daily and weekly schedhules of cutting the grass. If anything is dropped, it will stand out and be picked up quickly. It almost makes me want to take a P.I. out there to punch deeper into the ground to go beyond the depth at what others generally metal detect. Can you imagine the crazy noises you would get from a P.I. in a trash littered park!! I have to find other places to detect like you mentioned!

 

[kschae4]

Hey GS .I remember us lamenting a couple of years ago about that show and the other yahoo detecting show, portraying IMO ,both dorky and greedy reasons for entering this terrific hobby. Regarding your comments on tid 39 , I noticed in this early part of 2017, that my silver recoveries are down, but my rusted small nail takes are up. Jeeze, they sound identical in the more sensitive ferrous mode of relic..... Regarding sites, i have joined the local museum and historical association which I believe has helped opened doors and will lend some integrity and even legitimacy to our hobby, as they are always looking for historic period artifacts for display. HH

 

[Goldstrike]

Hey GS .I remember us lamenting a couple of years ago about that show and the other yahoo detecting show, portraying IMO ,both dorky and greedy reasons for entering this terrific hobby. Regarding your comments on tid 39 , I noticed in this early part of 2017, that my silver recoveries are down, but my rusted small nail takes are up. Jeeze, they sound identical in the more sensitive ferrous mode of relic..... Regarding sites, i have joined the local museum and historical association which I believe has helped opened doors and will lend some integrity and even legitimacy to our hobby, as they are always looking for historic period artifacts for display. HH

Kschae4.....What a great idea joining the museum/Historical association! I can also see that opening doors and having an opportunity to put finds on display there. Also to have the opportunity to maybe speak to groups regarding the history of the area you live in! I'm sure that you may be invited access to sites others wouldn't have! Your right about what your doing will lead to a certain amount of legitimacy to detecting. Keep up the good work

 

[kschae4]

GS, thanks a bunch. You know, identifying myself as member of the museum/historical assoc has allowed me to line up sites to hunt in the next few weekends. I had previously fostered good will to both that organization and our county museum curator by donating finds/artifacts found in county parks,fields and woodlands to both. I actively engage county park rangers or local park workers when about to detect inside their perimeters and they've said on more than one occasion words to the effect of "we appreciate you introducing yourself and discussing any unique restrictions that need to be followed"....Anyway , it gives me a greater sense of pride in following that type of practice,,,,HH

 

[Happa54]

Hey Goldstrike....

I think you are down by my neck of the woods....correct?

I'm located in the San Gabriel Valley and have been pounding the older L.A. and San Gabriel Valley parks.

Still looking for my first silver coin although I've only been at it for only 4-5 months (I hunt 3 times a week at 4-5 hours a crack).

I did find 3 silver rings but as far as I'm concerned it doesn't count...my goal is silver coins.

Today I hunted Ganesha Park in Pomona which is a turn of the century park loaded with druggies, homeless, etc.

I basically found a bunch of corroded zinc pennies, dimes and a couple of hypo needles.

I'm finding this is typical of my hunts at most of the older parks. But then would it be any better at the newer parks?

Today, at Ganesha, seemed I was following in the footsteps of other detectorists as I ran into their plugged holes.

With all the youtube videos and treasure hunting reality type shows, there must be enormous growth in this hobby.

On my way out today, I saw an MD'er at another park and stopped and introduced myself.

The bottom line is I believe these L.A. parks are being pounded to death.

It is extremely easy to find historical data on every park out there and I'm sure most people are doing their research/homework too.

My thinking now is to hunt selectively rather than wide open due to all the unnecessary pounding to my ears with tones.

So, do I now hunt with only 28 - 39 open and everything else closed out? My inexperienced MD brain is saying...."yes".

It seems that my chances of finding gold would be a lucky find and maybe not worth pursuing. The ratio of pulltabs vs gold may not warrant all the noise and digging.

Oh, I did ID a 39 today but couldn't find it with my TRX Bullseye of which is ready to go into the trash can.

At this point, I'm am a little frustrated because I put so much energy and sweat into the hunt and get rewarded very little, other than it has been good for my peace of mind.

 

[kschae4]

Oh boy, Happa , I really think you're really hurting your chance of potential keepers with that restriction above. Going back through this forum, you'll see many outstanding finds where the detectorist has posted the stats( hunting mode, trash, sensitivity, etc) for coins, relics recovered. Of course, what works for me on the Jersey shore may not work for you in SoCal. But I'll bet that when you review this forum you'll see some common tids provided ,just as in both editions of Andy's books...HH

 

[Goldstrike]

Hey Goldstrike....

I think you are down by my neck of the woods....correct?

I'm located in the San Gabriel Valley and have been pounding the older L.A. and San Gabriel Valley parks.

Still looking for my first silver coin although I've only been at it for only 4-5 months (I hunt 3 times a week at 4-5 hours a crack).

I did find 3 silver rings but as far as I'm concerned it doesn't count...my goal is silver coins.

Today I hunted Ganesha Park in Pomona which is a turn of the century park loaded with druggies, homeless, etc.

I basically found a bunch of corroded zinc pennies, dimes and a couple of hypo needles.

I'm finding this is typical of my hunts at most of the older parks. But then would it be any better at the newer parks?

Today, at Ganesha, seemed I was following in the footsteps of other detectorists as I ran into their plugged holes.

With all the youtube videos and treasure hunting reality type shows, there must be enormous growth in this hobby.

On my way out today, I saw an MD'er at another park and stopped and introduced myself.

The bottom line is I believe these L.A. parks are being pounded to death.

It is extremely easy to find historical data on every park out there and I'm sure most people are doing their research/homework too.

My thinking now is to hunt selectively rather than wide open due to all the unnecessary pounding to my ears with tones.

So, do I now hunt with only 28 - 39 open and everything else closed out? My inexperienced MD brain is saying...."yes".

It seems that my chances of finding gold would be a lucky find and maybe not worth pursuing. The ratio of pulltabs vs gold may not warrant all the noise and digging.

Oh, I did ID a 39 today but couldn't find it with my TRX Bullseye of which is ready to go into the trash can.

At this point, I'm am a little frustrated because I put so much energy and sweat into the hunt and get rewarded very little, other than it has been good for my peace of mind.

Hey Happa......yes, I'm not far from you....In the Inland Empire and yes, I know Ganesha Park!! Although I worked for 24 years for the City of Los Angeles and being very familiar with most everything place between Pacific Palisades and San Pedro, I avoid going into L.A. as best I can! Anyway, that's a different story! I would agree with Kschae4 you will pass up a lot of gold. He recommended going back and seeing what gold hits #wise and also tone wise. I believe, as you do that all the parks are being hit hard and my plan is to get to the beach/s early in the mornings and staying after everyone goes home. I have found gold in many of the parks around here but your always competing with many others. Stay with the Safari and soon enough, listen to those tones and it'll give you some great finds....Good luck!

 

[Zinc Penny]

I think youre correct that the plethora of metal detecting shows (that we know are scripted but the rubes totally believe) is responsible for more machine sales, but I doubt that the untrained, unexperienced masses are putting much of a dent in the treasure. We may be reaching an equilibrium of donors-finds on much of the ground we all repetitively hunt. The answer, of course, is to find new ground. See how easy it was for me to say that?

I'd have been salivating on a solid 39 that you described for sure. But that danged Al is the trickster of the metal detecting world.

C.F.......yes, I have to agree with your comments. One thing I have noticed is the drop off of detectorists actually out there, at least in my areas/parks etc;. I was chatting with a parks and rec worker this morning and he told me that he "hasn't seen hardly anybody metal detecting for a long time". That was surprising to me because this particular park is very big with several baseball and soccer fields, a big lake, an amphitheatre etc;. It has been very warm (into the 80's) with a lot of people in the parks, so you would think there would be a lot of fresh drops at least! Maybe guy's are night hunting? But here, because of the homeless/drug and prostitution problems and them taking up residence in the parks, they passed an ordinance that ALL the parks are closed to the public 1/2 hour BEFORE sunset and 1/2 hour AFTER sunrise. The police have said it will be a misdemeanor to be in the parks after sunset and before sunrise. Bummer huh!!

One thing that is perhaps different from other areas is that the very hot summer (Southern California) and lack of rainfall and the time of the year all lead to the grass being cut very short and staying very short. The Parks and Rec department workers still continue their daily and weekly schedhules of cutting the grass. If anything is dropped, it will stand out and be picked up quickly. It almost makes me want to take a P.I. out there to punch deeper into the ground to go beyond the depth at what others generally metal detect. Can you imagine the crazy noises you would get from a P.I. in a trash littered park!! I have to find other places to detect like you mentioned!

Ha unlike you I live in Southern California but north of you and it rained for months and the ground is saturated with water still. Otherwise I sure wish that I could get decent areas to hunt its pretty much impossible to find silver coins where I live. Which sucks. Sometimes I seriously stop and say to myself why an I still metal detecting because All I find is modern coins and stuff and it really truly does get to become boring and a chore to detect and you start saying to yourself. Why Why Why.

Ive stuck with it but I'm pretty much getting burned out from how boring it is not finding anything cool.

 

[Goldstrike]

I think youre correct that the plethora of metal detecting shows (that we know are scripted but the rubes totally believe) is responsible for more machine sales, but I doubt that the untrained, unexperienced masses are putting much of a dent in the treasure. We may be reaching an equilibrium of donors-finds on much of the ground we all repetitively hunt. The answer, of course, is to find new ground. See how easy it was for me to say that?

I'd have been salivating on a solid 39 that you described for sure. But that danged Al is the trickster of the metal detecting world.

C.F.......yes, I have to agree with your comments. One thing I have noticed is the drop off of detectorists actually out there, at least in my areas/parks etc;. I was chatting with a parks and rec worker this morning and he told me that he "hasn't seen hardly anybody metal detecting for a long time". That was surprising to me because this particular park is very big with several baseball and soccer fields, a big lake, an amphitheatre etc;. It has been very warm (into the 80's) with a lot of people in the parks, so you would think there would be a lot of fresh drops at least! Maybe guy's are night hunting? But here, because of the homeless/drug and prostitution problems and them taking up residence in the parks, they passed an ordinance that ALL the parks are closed to the public 1/2 hour BEFORE sunset and 1/2 hour AFTER sunrise. The police have said it will be a misdemeanor to be in the parks after sunset and before sunrise. Bummer huh!!

One thing that is perhaps different from other areas is that the very hot summer (Southern California) and lack of rainfall and the time of the year all lead to the grass being cut very short and staying very short. The Parks and Rec department workers still continue their daily and weekly schedhules of cutting the grass. If anything is dropped, it will stand out and be picked up quickly. It almost makes me want to take a P.I. out there to punch deeper into the ground to go beyond the depth at what others generally metal detect. Can you imagine the crazy noises you would get from a P.I. in a trash littered park!! I have to find other places to detect like you mentioned!

Ha unlike you I live in Southern California but north of you and it rained for months and the ground is saturated with water still. Otherwise I sure wish that I could get decent areas to hunt its pretty much impossible to find silver coins where I live. Which sucks. Sometimes I seriously stop and say to myself why an I still metal detecting because All I find is modern coins and stuff and it really truly does get to become boring and a chore to detect and you start saying to yourself. Why Why Why.

Ive stuck with it but I'm pretty much getting burned out from how boring it is not finding anything cool.

Z.P. I posted an interesting religious medallion I found today on the 'Todays Find Forum'.......After going back today to a park that had a soccer game going last night into the evening. I could not get anything from that park. I was surprised because I thought at least I'll get some coins that might have been dropped by all the families/bystanders but absolutely nothing was there!!....Feeling a bit dejected, I packed my gear up and went to another park and was finding clad again and then the medallion find helped me to have a little encouragement to keep on detecting'! It might help you to go somewhere other than your regular places, like maybe a trip to the beach? That gold or silver ring eventually shows up under your coil and then your good to go!!

 

[Happa54]

Well GS and KS......You talked me into keeping it open. The unknown excites me nonetheless.

Yeah, I'm kinda feeling like ZincPenny lately because I do my research and pound the dirt so hard and end up with a bunch of corroded zincs, tarnished dimes & quarters.

I now have a couple of full coffee cans in the short amount of time I've been detecting. I believe it's a bad omen to throw them out so I'll keep them to eternity.

My normal hunt mode is;

Relic w/conductive tones, +1 to +39 open and I cross check in AM when I hear the low tones.

I'm thinking about going to the pawn shop to purchase a 9kt gold ring to keep in my pocket for field testing just as I did with my silver dime, quarter, half dollar and wheaties.

As the rings increase in their gold purity (9kt to 24kt) does the tone increase (ie; 9kt low tone and 24kt high tone)? If so, I'll just get a low karat gold ring to memorize the low tone since I dig all high tones anyway.

As a side mention: I saw something that blew me away today.

I stopped and parked at the local park to kill some time while I waited for an appointment. From a distance I see a guy and little kid swinging MD's and digging away on the lawn next to the tot lot.

I walked to where they were and introduced myself as a hobbyist. He told me he was getting back into the hobby and was swinging a Tesoro and the little kid had a $20 MD with headphones on.

As I looked around me I saw small mounds of dirt and broken grass all over the place. It looked as though he taken a jack hammer to the lawn.

He had a broken gardeners trowel in one hand and a long screwdriver type tool with forks at the bottom.

As they were hitting targets, he would start ripping up the grass for metal that was at the surface.

I said "dude, you can't be tearing up the grass like that". He said "yeah I know I shouldn't be digging without the proper tools but I don't own any now".

But he kept on digging and making a total mess of the lawn.

I couldn't take it anymore so I went to my car and came back with my TRX pinpointer and Lesch digger. The next target they were on I said, "let me show you how to do this".

He ran his coil over the target, I pinpointed it and cut a nice clean plug. Grabbed the 2" piece of rusted wire, dropped the plug back in and you couldn't tell the grass had been disturbed.

As I did all of this, I was thinking about the young kid who was getting indoctrinated into the hobby in the worst way possible. I hope he took something positive away from this.

This experience stayed with me for a few hours today. I had always thought that MD'ers were purist in every sense of the word, but I guess the bottom line is people-are-people no matter what.

I can almost bet that the people who were close by watching and listening, probably strolled over to see the damage after the two MD'ers left the area.

I wouldn't be surprised nor would I blame the park officials if they incorporated a "no metal detecting" rule on their park rules sign board. It just takes one person to give us all a bad rap and banned from an area.

Oh well..... onward in my weird little world of metal detecting.