What would you do?

[MinelabMan]

Just wondering how others go about protecting their finds when detecting in areas with people around?

This never happened to me, but I know an older gentleman who found a gold ring on the beach while detecting and had someone come up to him and asked him if he found a ring. He told him that he did and showed it to him, and the guy said it was his and went off with it. He said that he was just so stunned and that it happened so quick. By the time he realized what had happened, the guy was long gone. He's still kicking himself for letting that happen.

If asked that question I would first ask them if they lost one, and if so, where they lost it and what it looks like, and only pull it out if it matched their description. Anyone can claim to have lost something that you found, and if they can't describe it, but you show it to them, what's to stop them from giving their friend a description and having him approach you.

Even when someone asks me to locate something they lost I always ask them where they lost it and what it looks like. If they lost a silver ring, they're certainly not getting the gold one that I may uncover.

Also, I usually don't show the better finds to people even if they ask. Of course most people just ask how you're making out, what's the best thing you ever found, etc. and I tell them, but without going into descriptive detail of what's currently in my pouch. I have had people standing over me at the beach while uncovering a signal and, when I pulled it out, I would put it directly in my pouch.

If someone did get a good look at a find and tried to claim it, I don't really know what I would do, possibly a bluff, like asking them what the initials are inside the ring (whether there are any or not), or any other unique characteristics that may be on the inside of the ring.

I also don't believe that there's a such thing as "being a good judge of character" you may be lucky most of the time, but you can never really know.

I don't mean to sound negative about people as there are alot of good people that you'll run into, but there's always the "few" bad eggs that are out to get whatever they can by any means.

Please add your thoughts to this, it may help us all one day!

[Arkwater]

My standard answer to non md'ers is pennies & pull tabs. Like boobie good finds go in the pocket & trash & clad go in the pouch. As far as the public knows, I never find anything of value.

[MinelabMan]

As for me I put ALL my good finds in my pocket and the regular clad and stuff in my pouch.
I wear my bathing suit when detecting on the beach and in the water and the pockets aren't deep or secure enough, so I'm pretty much stuck with my pouch. Inland detecting I do that.


I have had people standing over me at the beach while uncovering a signal and, when I pulled it out, I would put it directly in my pouch.
When this happens to me I just don't dig it up and move on. Then I go back later and dig it up.
Good idea, never crossed my mind, just too anxious to see what I found I guess.


i was told this when I was at the New Jersey shore.
A elderly gentleman was detecting when a couple teenagers asked him what he was doing. After a few minutes he let one of them try it. Before he know what was happening they ran off with his machine.
I will have to pass that on to my friend, should make him feel better that he only lost something that he never owned rather than his detector.
I would love to let those hoods know what a sand scoop (blunt end if I'm in a good mood) upside the head feels like!

[JCWhite]

As much as possible I am learning to keep my finds to myself. It's hard at times especially when folks are trruly interested in what you are doing. I guess it just comes with our hobby.

[INDY]

When I'm asked "Find anything?"...my answer is always the same...nothing or trash! I'm with Arkwater," as far as the public knows , I never find anything of value."

[riki727]

For the moment, I've only detected on either my own property or in an area when no one else was about, so fortunately I haven't had to deal with this situation. But I think Arkwater hit it right on the head - you have to hide what you find and give the impression it's all 'nothing'. Of course, as excited as I get over every little thing - that would be virtually impossible for me LOL

[gordiesgirl]

I keep the clad in one pocket and other finds in a different pocket that way when folks ask what did you find I show the clad only.

[bigbillinsc]

ive had simular things happen to me on several ocasions. as a matter of fact it was topic of chat in here one night after it happened.

here in gator country it isnt safe to hunt with out protection. the gators and snakes are mean and i have never seen em docile except late in year when it to cold for em to move fast.

so lets just say....


I OWN A GUN AND A SHOVEL... I KNOW HOW TO USE BOTH EM.

happy huntin yall

[EPC Guy]

When asked how I'm doing, my response is always: "Couple of hours - couple of pennies" - which is usually the truth!

For the most part though, I've never been approached by anyone who appeared overly curious...mostly kids who are fascinated by the machine...I will be more careful in the future though...thanks for posting this...

[The TINMAN]

I just wear a mask like in Holloween so I'm left all alone. Not Bathing for a week is a good deterent to. Actually same as above.

The Tinman