Great Lakes Metal Detecting metal detecting, Michigan, Great Lakes, treasure, relic hunting, detector, gold, silver, rings, coins, forum • Where should I metal detect

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Where should I metal detect?

Where should I metal detect?

Here is a typical example of this question asked.

"I would like to know where I should metal detect ?

Thanks,
Inquirer"

Answer from Webmaster: "That is the number 1 question asked on all these metal detecting forums.
To start you off:
1. Any park that allows metal detecting. (check local city hall to see if any restrictions in your area).
Wood chip areas where swings and playground equipment are located can be good producing areas, and require little or no digging. Use a small coil around metal areas and fences.
2. Anywhere there are very old trees. (people sat next to them to get away from sun)
3. Beaches (for lost jewelry).
4. Any kind of ball fields. (I like searching outfields for rings)
5. Old church yards if you can get permission. (these generally are the oldest structures around)
6. Any 100 year old home, again if you can get permission. (best place to find large cents)."

The following info submitted by Joe C.:

Belle Isle: You may want to consider hunting with a buddy. Not adviseable to hunt during heavily used summer period. This park is old, and has been visited by millions of people for over a hundred years. Trash is abundant, and you may need a small coil to sift through the trash. There are old items to be found, but you will have to search long and hard. Signals are hard to discern between the trash. This is a designated historic area. Do not leave large holes. Pick up and dispose of all trash you find. Stay off of manicured areas.

Palmer Park: This park goes back over a hundred years. You will need a buddy to hunt this park. There is a park association. Follow recommended guidelines for all detectorists. Leave it cleaner than you found it.
See history in first link. (Click Here) See map: (Click Here)

In The Water:
Most metal detector coils are waterproof and can be used for ankle deep type beach hunting. The electronics boxes are not waterproof and are subject to damage if rained on, splashed or dunked. If you are going to hunt full time in the water, get a water detector. You will fry your meter box in a flash if it gets wet. Do not tip the coil up in the air either. Water will roll down the shaft into the box and have the same effect as submerging it. Beach areas may restrict/not allow detecting during seasonal fluctuation periods. Always check.

Research:
If you are content to coinshoot in local parks for clad and an occasional piece of jewelry, read no further. If you are interested in old coins, silver coins , relics, civil war items etc, then you are going to have to do your homework. Thought you gave up homework when you left high school/college? Well, this type of homework is more enjoyable than what you were used to in school, and can help occupy the winters and rainy days when you can?t detect.
Where do you start? Try your local library. Immerse yourself in the local history of your own town. Find everything you can about what went on in your town 100 years ago. Where did people gather for church socials, parades, circuses, ice cream socials, band concerts, open air gatherings etc. Read up on local bank robberies, reports of missing or stolen items, bank felons who were caught but the loot was still missing.
Talk to local historian clubs or elderly people who have resided in the area for years. Where were the swimming holes located before the pools came into popularity? Where were the old gas stations that used to be ?on that corner?? Was there an old park in that big empty field over there? An old boy scout camp? A drive-in that was bulldozed on that corner? The remnants of a town that is no more at that intersection? You get the idea.
Look in old newspapers, microfiche files. Ask a knowledgeable librarian for help (that?s their job-don?t be intimidated). Look for old plat maps and Sanborn Fire Insurance maps which were prepared in a lot of circumstances for insurance companies. They give detailed sketchings of what properties looked like 100 years ago. Is there an empty field there today? The map shows there was an old church there 100years ago! The maps will show out buildings, and privy?s(excellent places for digs for anything discarded before dumps came into existence, including valuable bottles).
Check the internet sources for satellite maps(Google, Yahoo, Terraserver, Google Earth to name a few) which may show old park ball diamonds, old abandoned mills, old abandoned roads , garbage dumps etc..
Check birth and death records of original settlers. Look at genealogical records.
Do an internet search for old road maps for your area. The areas and opportunities are as limited as your imagination, and a large majority of the work can be done right at your computer. It?s amazing what you can find on the internet.

Things you should be aware of before you set out:
Detecting Regulations:
Read and understand the laws before you go out detecting. This website accepts no responsibility or liability for information provided/not provided in regards to said regulations. It is your responsibility to become informed about federal,state,local rules governing the hobby.
Check with authorities where you plan to hunt if necessary. Ignorance is no excuse, and you may be fined, have your equipment confiscated(or worse) if rules/regulations are violated.

More info on this topic can be found on the GLMDing forum. (Click Here)

If you have any comments you would like to add to this list or have some questions you would like added here, contact me.
Email: webmaster@greatlakesmetaldetecting.com