Advice - farm field hunting

[Jaichim24]

There's a 350 acre farm I pass on the way to and from work which I stopped by after work today. There were some hunters with geese decoy's out that morning. I talked to the owner explaining to him briefly about my hunting hobby. He gave me the thumbs up to hunt the corn fields during October. (he doesn't want me there during hunting season) The farm borders a fairly old turnpike that dates back at least to the late 1600's which connected Boston and New York. The town it resides in had it's first house built in 1707. The farm itself was purchased in the 1940's. I have yet to have success to see what if anything existed there prior to the purchase in 1940. However, since it borders an old colonial road, I'm assuming at the very least people camped out along it during their travels.

Any advice on how to hunt corn fields? My only thought would be to hunt closer to the road than farther away. I have no idea if old houses, barns, or other structures were located anywhere on the corn fields I have permission to detect. Am I on a wild good chase? (no pun intended)

Any advice on finding out more information about what might have been on it prior to 1940?

Any and all advice would be welcome. I'm going to post this on a couple forums here to try and get some feedback.

Thanks,

Jai

P.S. I'm planning on bringing my 12X15 SEF to cover as much land as possible!

 

[big-ears]

the local city or county records to find out the previous owners all the way back and might even see if the farm was bigger or smaller than at present. Also check out the oldest person(s) you can find and ask about the road. Also check the local library for old maps of the area. Also if possible walk the land first and check for the slightest evidence of habitation, such as glass, brick shards, or discoloration of the soil. Also use google maps to look down on the site and road to help you better visualize the area. Look for big trees along the side of the road or ornamentals or old cedar trees that look out of place from natural vegetation. Indentations or a slight rise of the ground could be something to check. Watch for sunken spots that could be a cistern or outhouse. I like to look late in the evening when the sun is low and glass reflects. Fruit trees are a dead give-away of habitation. Hope this helps............

 

[Howard Berry]

I agree with what has already been shared. Another thing i look for is any areas that have any iron signals or low tones. If i can find any old iron, nails, bullets or objects that show activity I slow down and search the surrounding area more methodically. I have been hunting a site that is a good 4 hour drive and have had great success with each hunt. My buddies and I have found numerous buttons, coins and artifacts in an area that gives no indication people lived and worked there. Good luck! Hope to see some great posts.

 

[Jaichim24]

Thanks, great advice. I pass by two times a day back and forth from work. I'll be glancing at those fields with those thoughts in mind.

 

[digitrich]

Start walking the field with detector swinging in all metal, ferrous tones, iron mask wide open. When you start hearing iron (low growls), you just found an old site. Grid it and enjoy.

 

[Jim upstate NY]

for the town it is in, county libraries usually have them.. they go back to the 1860's.. if its plowed look for pottery and glass as well as listening for iron.. you will know it when you run into a home site... good luck

 

[Jim Vokes NY]

Look for white or blue pottery shards or pieces of red brick! These will guarantee an old house was once there! I have had phenomenal success at these sites here in New York..

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