Metal detecting is a unique hobby. People of all ages and occupations are lured by the idea of finding precious jewels and artifacts. If you are one of those enthusiasts, you have come to the right place. Once you get a good metal detector, the main thing to know is where to go metal detecting. Good research will always pay off when looking for those hot spots that might contain the treasure you are looking for. We list down the top spots to go metal detecting this summer.
Beaches
Beaches are a fan favorite among both amateur and expert metal detectors. Beaches are overrun by people, especially during the summers. This makes up for the huge amount of precious objects that are either dropped or washed ashore.
The best time to go metal detecting, as expert detectors will concede, is before and after the crowds. It is also convenient for beginners who are starting out on their metal detection journeys and are learning how to use their detectors and dig.
Look out for hot spots where people dry their clothes or play beach sports. Getting a permit might be in your best interest in case someone objects to you wandering around with a big metal stick. Be careful if you’re going to go near the water or even in the water that you have a waterproof metal detector, otherwise you risk damaging your expensive equipment.
Parks
A park is easy to find. Nevertheless, people are always out for leisurely walks, stretching out on the grass, and playing with their children. The best spots for metal detection are under the trees, pedestrian paths, and near the playgrounds. The possibility of precious objects slipping out of people’s pockets while they are on the swings or the slides is high. Metal detection near these objects can help you find everyday objects easily.
Make sure you ask for permission to metal detect before indulging in it, otherwise you will unnecessarily drive people to suspicion.
Colleges
Many colleges may not allow you to metal detect on working days. But, a college campus is a treasure island for metal detectors. Going around detecting and digging while the rest of the students stare you to death may not be in your best interest, especially if you leave holes in the football field. It is better you reserve the weekend to hone your detecting skills in college campuses. Be sure to not just work the fields but also the surrounding areas.
Old properties/Churches/Abandoned buildings
Old abandoned buildings and churches straight out of a horror story may have deterred people from flocking to them now, but in the past, these were highly populated areas. For a metal detector, these sites are a window into the past and the loot can be quite rewarding in terms of its archaic value. Churches are among the most antiquated buildings in any area, and also the most generous. People come to worship here, bearing in hand coins as offerings.
Even old properties that have stood the test of time can be heavily mined. You could visit your relatives with old properties and hunt around in their backyard, or even your own for that matter. There is always a possibility that you may find nothing. But be patient, you never know what you may find buried in your own backyard.
Many people are more than welcoming to people who like to metal detect, given, of course, that they are amiable and have the basic courtesy to knock and ask first.
Construction sites
Construction sites pop up whenever there is a need to update the infrastructure in a city. Many times this transitional phase opens up the possibility of bounties that are simply waiting to be discovered. As you are driving around town, be on the lookout for construction sites. This could be the only window of opportunity for you to search in and around the premises for those lost gems that otherwise could not be unearthed.
A construction area can also be a dangerous site. Ask the workers for a helmet and the permission to metal detect. Most of the time, they are happy to let you scout around and are intrigued by your find, if you manage to get any.
Old Railway Stations
What used to be once a means of commerce and transport can be a gateway into the world of treasures. You must find spots that could have been crowded. Apart from the platforms, think subways, waiting rooms, and even railroad tracks if you are brave enough. Just make sure the tracks are not currently in use.
Ploughed Fields
Metal detecting in a rural area can be quite a reasonable adventure as well. Before big machines were used, farmers used to plough the field by hand. Many people over the years have lost precious jewelry and coins to the lands. Every now and then machinery digs up these artifacts that come nearer to the surface and are up for grabs. The soil is not hard, which makes it easier for metal detecting enthusiasts to dig.
Make sure to ask the farmers permission before going onto private land, often they are happy enough.
Additional Tip: If you’re going camping anytime soon, make sure to bring your detector, you’ll find all sorts whilst out camping.
Research Tips
Good research goes a long way. If you have all the necessary equipment and don’t know where to start that equipment, then it is worthless. Using Google Maps for discovering hunting sites is pointless. If you can find it on navigation apps, chances are those areas have been hunted to death. You are better off looking for your treasure in places that are old and obscure, or places that see high traffic on a daily basis.
Sometimes a healthy match of the two is the proper way to go about metal detecting. Metal detecting can be quite an adventure but if you haven’t been able to unearth anything for a long time, patience is a virtue that you can inculcate. Good research combined with a bit of luck will take your game to the next level. This list is not exhaustive by any stretch of the imagination. You should think outside the box when looking for those hot spots.
The last thing that you need to be aware of is getting permission from people on whose properties you are going to metal detect, please make sure you always go on the side of caution and ask before you go onto any private land.