Out of houses - new hunting spots?

[jdeiana]

I am lucky enough to live on an 1875 built house property. I rent the house. I have pretty much hunted it out over the last couple of months. Got some good stuff out of it. Over 70 coins total. Bunch of clad - nice seated half - nice barber quarter - 1 merc dime - 1 standing liberty quarter - several indians - that is the first couple months detecting - so i got an education as well. i know there are still some goodies left, so i'll still hit the yard - but i have to get a new spot.

the poor old guy across the street just died (another 1875 house) and i got permission to hunt his house, but i think he took all his coins to heaven with him - i can not even find clad or junk over there. night and day from my house - maybe it is fill. - where the heck are all these parks i hear about? got to figure out where one of those might be in massachusetts. i feel lost now that my backyard is hunted. guess i got to get up the courage to knock on some doors or hit the woods. anyone else ever feel like they have nowhere to hunt? seems like a challenge to find good spots.

 

[CT Todd]

I got two new ones today not bragging I'm just gonna tell you how the conversation goes then you can try it my way or make up your own.

Remember this. Before you asked permission at this house, Could you hunt there ? No If they say No when you ask permission. What have you lost?
You have lost nothing but time. Its all for gain and trust me ask at a couple of places and it gets easier each time.

First these were both cold walk ups never been there or met them before.

Number 1 clean dress and not in diggin clothes. Do not ask for the day you are there.(its to much all at once)you've been there 5 mins and now your in the yard making holes? think of it from their side.

This is just how I say it.

Up to the door and knock
Hi my name is Todd I'm not selling anything. I'm a local guy with a hobby that involves old houses and places like yours.

I look for old buttons and relics. I do it with a metal detector like you've seen people use at the beach. It doesn't make a mess at all.It doesn't even kill the grass. If I am lucky enough to get a good signal I dig a round hole just like a golf hole.All the dirt goes on a towel and then after goes right back in with the grass right on top. If I find anything neat I will come and show you what I found. If its a junk thing that I find I take it with me.

After this is usually some questions from the person.

I end with that it will always be just me and I will be driving the same small white truck. I then give them a card with my contact info on it

 

[jdeiana]

Todd, excellent information.

 

[CONDUCTOR7E]

Todd is the man and somebody who DEFINATELY knows his stuff.Great advice Todd.

 

[jdeiana]

Jason - you have the woods thing going -at least you don't have to ask anyone's permission where u go - or do you?

 

[CONDUCTOR7E]

No,I do.Alot of it is state land and the laws here in NH are VERY lax compared to other states.I also know many people with large tracts of land as well that contain countless old house sites.Many are Deep woods sites that take me hours to get to with my 4 wheeler.Many of my sites were found and known to me from when I was deer hunting and just stumbled upon them.The earliest maps from my area are from 1858 and my sites are way earlier than that and most were abandoned by that time.I have to do my own scouting and read the land as best as possible.I also use word of mouth and talk with old timers regularly.One older couple who are now dear friends of mine,own several hundred acres and their property contained 6 colonial house sites.They then told their friends about me and led me to some more.This has continued on and on.If I run low on sites,I go back to the old ones and cherry pick and always seem to find more.If the land is posted,I do not hunt it,with a rifle or an E-Trac.I also do not detect old abandoned cemeteries that I often stumble upon.It's just me,I guess.

 

[CT Todd]

Quote
If the land is posted,I do not hunt it,with a rifle or an E-Trac.I also do not detect old abandoned cemeteries that I often stumble upon.It's just me,I guess.

Nice Jason great way to go well said

 

[DirtDean]

Half of metal detecting is researching places to go, the other half is actual swinging and digging...for me anyway.

Good Luck!

 

[Bilko]

I upload all my interesting finds to youtube in order that local residents can see the history of where they live

I have been lucky enough to obtain permission to farm land.

I took some of my finds to the farmhouse and the first thing I said was "Can I show you some things I found on footpaths near your land"

They, of course said yes and I showed them all the finds and I told them where to see other bits on youtube.They loved them and were very pleased to offer me access to their land

All I have to do is wait for the crops to be harvested

 

[NebTrac]

I don't know how this may apply to you but...my formula is water + town = picnic area. Some the parks in town may or may not be that old. I ask the older residents or read the local history of the area to see if they picnic'd at a certain spot before the parks went in. Its usually close by. I've found several this way.

NebTrac

 

[in the woods]

Lots of people don't ask, cause it's uncomfortable. We all have that feeling to begin with. Cold calling is tough.
I ask anyone and everyone I strike up a conversation with, at the local general stores, to the hardware stores. I don't mind chatting with folks and many times get good results.
Go to yard sales and ask while browsing, stop by and ask guys on tractors in fields. ask co-workers.
Usually one peson leads to another, then another, then.............
Sidewalks can be great and usually on town property.
I do not hunt on posted land, but will take the name and number from the posted sign and call. Usually owners just want to know who's browsing their property.
Get permissions it in writing if you can, that way you can put it on your dashboard while there.
Make a calling card, and hand them out.
I hope I helped you a little bit.

If it's sweet and it repeats, dig it!
Tin Pan Man

 

[Goes4ever]

90% of the hunting I do involves me and a friend getting in my car and driving till we see an old house we'd like to detect. I knock on the door introduce myself, explain to them a bit about my hobby and politely ask them if they mind if we detect their yard. I average about 8 out of 10 people saying yes. I find if you call on the phone it is too easy for them to say no. But when face to face they can see me and see I am a normal guy and most people around here give me the go ahead right then and there. I would never ask to come back at another time because then you need to figure when they will be home and see if it fits your schedule etc. I like to hunt right then while they are home....I live in a small community and most people are farmers, that helps a LOT