I think metal detecting is becoming a dying hobby ....

[Dr. Dirt]

Great thread Donna !
It looks like we all are pretty much in-the same boat

 

[chariot]

Ohio
States parks are completely off limits.
Stupid BS.

Where did you see this? And when? I just checked on the Ohio Department of Natural Resources and got this, on the Allowable Activities page:

Ohio State Park Rules

 

[Dr. Dirt]

I think metal detecting is becoming a dying hobby ....​

That's ok for me. As long as I can detect ....

I can’t stop, I enjoy it too much and will do it for as long as I am able.

Happy hunting to all !

 

[chariot]

Sorry for the giant screenshot - I can't find a way to edit the post. I had no idea it was going to show that big!

 

[D&P-OR]

Sorry for the giant screenshot - I can't find a way to edit the post. I had no idea it was going to show that big!

No prob chariot--thanks for the response.

 

[fwcrawford]

I remember after hurricane Sandy, my state park said NO digging, 'we might dig up a 'car' from the amusement park !!!!' What BS these people come up with for not being able to detect !!

When people ask me if I have found any gold doubloons, I tell them they watch too many movies !!!! Now with all thr AI fakes you'd think we'd digging up giant hunks of gold every time we we go out on a beach !!! If people knew the real story, metal detector companies would be out of business !!

Actually the winter time is better hunting. Go back in the off season. Not many rangers around and they probably could care less.

HH
Donna(NJ

I prefer winter detecting more than summertime…..that heat gets to me now.
Luckily I live in an area where the ground seldom freezes.

 

[kac_dt]

Been pretty fortunate here in the Northeast. Lots of places still to hunt but weather has been just too hot and parks too dry. Most of my hunting is in the early spring and fall. I tend to do more relic hunting in the wooded areas. Though I'm only 20 min from the beaches here I absolutely hate hunting them. The people are too arrogant for my taste, most of them are just junk fill and wash and rip currents and undertow are pointless to even try.
For those running out of spots try permissions, even if the owner takes all at least you get a chance to find stuff. Bit of research will pay off. We have a ton of competition here especially since covid. Just takes more persistence to hit those trashy spots the weak of heart run from
As for parks and spots you may not be sure if it's ok to dig leave the shovel in the car and just pack the hand digger. Richard at Backwods still has a few park probes left I made that work very well for shallow coin shooting in areas that people tend to frown on digging. I use mine quite a bit in gravel, find it easier than a pick.

 

[Rick(ND)]

Been pretty fortunate here in the Northeast. Lots of places still to hunt but weather has been just too hot and parks too dry. Most of my hunting is in the early spring and fall. I tend to do more relic hunting in the wooded areas. Though I'm only 20 min from the beaches here I absolutely hate hunting them. The people are too arrogant for my taste, most of them are just junk fill and wash and rip currents and undertow are pointless to even try.
For those running out of spots try permissions, even if the owner takes all at least you get a chance to find stuff. Bit of research will pay off. We have a ton of competition here especially since covid. Just takes more persistence to hit those trashy spots the weak of heart run from
As for parks and spots you may not be sure if it's ok to dig leave the shovel in the car and just pack the hand digger. Richard at Backwods still has a few park probes left I made that work very well for shallow coin shooting in areas that people tend to frown on digging. I use mine quite a bit in gravel, find it easier than a pick.

Now someone that makes sense as metal detecting is still great, but you have to do some research to those old area where people used to go to to lose their coins and rings. Some we find by accident while some we look up old maps that shows where some old park were that are not there anymore, we find a few horse race tracks that have been great, but most of these are in farm fields which we have to ask permission. A friend was looking for a church that was older he researched in a town and spotted some field light and decided to check it out, found out it was a newer school ball field so looking around he tried the field and it was new stuff, but he seen in the old goal post out a field and thought maybe there is the old field which it was and no new stuff, everything was old so he got 55 silver one day and went back the next day and got 55 more silver plus the wheatie and even 2 IH pennies. Many people overlook where the older area are.
Being I wanted to say this another thing I have seen that myself don't like in manicured parks and ballfields is people bring shovels to dig with and some dont take the time to pinpoint correctly and dig one big hole when done they are not able to get all the dirt back in the hole or dont look good when done. I have seen big holes in this one park and this is what is ruining our Hobby. I had to explain this to several people one being a female police officer at a school grounds when someone called in and said I was digging holes in the front yard. I seen here coming fast and scared me when she came close to me, ask what I thought I was doing and was a report I was digging holes in the front yard. Showed her where I was at and ask if she could see any, the grass was a little mess up from where I kneeled down, couldn't see no holes. By the way she ask if I had permission and said I did by the caretaker I talked to earlier in the week . After telling her what I used and what have found around town she was impressed and wonder if her husband would like it as he needs a hobby instead of the Bar. It a good possibity.

I am glad you posted as I was going to so I could give my 2 cents worth.

 

[kac_dt]

Spending a couple extra swings and notching your pinpointer can locate the target really close to where the target is. I use my hand digger and make 2-3 plunges to make a dirt hinge and flip the semi circle plug up on groomed grass and fields. This makes the hole less likely to pop up when the mowers go over them.

 

[north1]

I agree detecting is definitely becoming more difficult. Have had to resort to agricultural fields where any indication of a homesite is long gone. Only thing to go by is old maps and then visually looking for indications of a homesite like brick, glass, coal cinders, etc. Then detecting for hours sometimes to find areas in field that were close to home, barn and outbuildings.

I gave up on public parks. Not many close and mostly modern junk that has been left by previous detectorists. I remember in the mid to late 1980’s going to college and detecting for lost change around basketball courts, outdoor venues, etc. Didn’t have much money so when not going to class or working a on campus job loose change would pay for my weekend meals. Doubt that would fly now.