New explorer...Frozen ground

[diggingfix]

Hello All, I have been reading your posts for a while now, and since the ground is frozen where I'm from, this is the perfect time for me to add my 2 cents,I have recently aquired an explorer and took it to places that I previously cleaned up with a bounty hunter,WOW how much is still there.Unfortunatly I can hardly get a nail to hammer through the frozen soil.Anyway, while im here I will devulge some of my research secrets (lots of time for that presently),Not much of a secret to anyone with detecting passion..I simply look up old maps..1875..locate where churches and schools are(rural area)then terra serve or google earth satalite images to see if still there, then copy plat maps at library to see who owns property so I can get permission and wha La..I have a lot of excellant sites to hit when the ice age here thaws, its a big country and I'm willing to share...I'm almost certain these sites are virgin... I CAN HARDLY WAIT.

 

[harry]

HI WERE DO YOU LIVE WITH ALL THAT FROZEN GROUND? I HAVE THE SAME HERE IN WI. LOOKING FOR A FRIEND TO SHARE THE FUN IN DETECTING. HARRY

 

[PULLTABBY]

Ground still frozen here in the WNY area where I'm doing most of my hunts an I can get through the frozen ground with a smaller military type shovel. Once you break through the 1" or 2 " frost line, the ground under that isn't frozen and that's where the older coins are hiding .....It may hit near 45 degs. on Thursday and I may give it another try as I'm getting the itch........
HH

 

[Eddie in Poulsbo]

Welcome to the world of the Minelab Explorer. Sounds like you have done your homework and I know you will find some nice stuff when the ground thaws out. Looking forward to your future finds and pictures posted on the forum. HH.

Eddie

 

[jimb]

Yes its froze in Wisconsin. Its about 6 inches of frost here in the South East Wi. Alot of clay in this area. I drove the pick right through the edge of a quarter yesterday, it was time quit after that.
As for detceting on old church grounds. Even though they are long gone from their foundations, doesnt the hallowed ground thought keep you looking over your shoulder? Even with the propper permission. Graveyards are one step below that on the freak factor for me. But the old ones where they had to park on the gravel roads and walk in have got me wondering?
jimb

 

[Joe G]

Fortunately, I'm only about 10 miles from the beach so I can still hunt during the winter Not much in the way of "history" in my area though... I'm happy if I find something older than me

 

[diggingfix]

I could probably get through the frost, but I figure I'll be patient and take the time to do research and development at this time.I would never detect a cemetary but I'm not to worried about an old standing church.As for learning curve on explorer,piece of cake,it seems that the real fun is about to begin.

 

[James N.D.]

If you haven't detected around country church's or cemetery parking lots before, you are definitely missing out. I'm close friends with Rick (ND) and there is this church that is along a paved road and I asked him if he has ever detected there and he said "yeah but there isn't anything there (he used other machines there but not the explorer) and besides, it's right along the road, I'm sure it's been detected already". We'll, the next day I went to the church and found a 1892 and 1893 Barber Dime, 2 Buffalo Nickels, a bunch of Wheat Pennies, 2 Merc's and some misc. things. He was shocked! We both went back the next day and found a few more Wheats and a couple more Merc's and 2 more Buffalo Nickels. The church parking lots that I have been to and detected yield some Barber, lots of Wheaties, and quite a bit of silver with of course the newer coins. I've also found jewelery and other interesting finds too. So I hope the next time you go by one you decide to give it a shot because you will be glad you did. And if there is anybody at the church, you could always go and ask permission,but country churches,you really don't need to unless it is sunday (I wouldn't try them on sunday until later in the day due to them being used then).

 

[harry]

hi jimb, what city do you live in WI. ? I live in Oshkosh and would like to detect with someone in a different city that knows the explore2 well, or just chat about detecting. harry

 

[jimb]

Growing up in this community I learned from the old timers and farmers that are mostly gone about the stuff that existed here before the urban sprawl. With the new detector I am making plans for the first frost to come out. It actually did not set in until the end of January but at that time I did not have the EXII. The people that do have detectors in this area are new and dont have the history. So I have to hit it hard this spring before they catch on. I hope to be able to post some pics like the ones up here. Not much for war relics around here. I have a better chance of going out and finding arrow heads and hatchet heads than mini balls. So I just sit and salvate
for about 3 more weeks. Thats ok because everyday I learn something new from what other people have tried and succeded with.

Thanks for the posts
jimb

 

[Rick(ND)]

Also don't forget if the road is gravel in front of the old country church check it too. This is where many drop off the people then park, or the kids for Sunday School. The one close to me I thought maybe there was a parking area on the other side of the road and tried to work it with no luck, but while going back the church side got a signal and a Wheaties. Then more Wheaties and then some mercs, got 17 coins out of the gravel in front of the church with 7 being merc dimes and 2 silver Rosie's. This church yard was hit hard for years, but no one tried the gravel road in front to the church.

 

[Dennis(WI)]

Hi jimb
Oh no not another explorer in my area! Here I thought I had it all to myself. There's no use in hitting Burlington as I've cleaned it out. Ha Ha! Last year I hunted hard one of the popular lake parks there(I'm sure you know the one)and found 109 wheaties, 6 mercs, 5 rosies, a silver quarter and a lot of assorted clad. Mostly everyday somebody hunts the water there. I tried a couple of the other parks in Burlington but didn't have much luck.
Maybe we'll run into each other someday and you can show me the spots you've cleaned out.
HH Dennis(WI)

 

[James N.D.]

The Walking Liberty Half was found later on when me an Dale went there. I only listed the finds from the first 2 outings but yes, I did find a Walker with more silver dimes, a few more Wheats, and a Washington Sales Tax Token.

 

[jimb]

Burlington paid for my old Bounty hunter last year. I am going for round 2 with the EXII soon as the frost is gone. Their is all ways somethings somewhere to pull up. I dont go to the public beaches around here. I only seen one person at Browns lake with his wife carrying all their sand scoops and stuff back to their truck. All the other places I have went I only run into people wanting to get info.
Alot of my relation lives throughout the county and that will get me into the old farms and the like. I pulled a couple bucks out of the gravel at Chocoloate fest grounds in January. I was surprised to find it all their. Alot of nuts and bolts from the carnies.

jimb

 

[Eddie in Poulsbo]

What the heck is a Washington tax token doing in N.D?

Eddie

 

[James N.D.]

I don't know but that is the second one I have found in North Dakota.

 

[Rick(ND)]

Surprisingly these are quite common up here in ND the same with Utah tax tokens. I feel these were either brought from people visiting our state or people from our state that went to the states that use these tax tokens and brought back to ND.
I wish they would have brought more gold coins back from out west too and lost.

Rick