What got you started?

[Cash1977]

I have never thought about Metal Detecting before a few months ago. I guess I was looking for a new hobby-something to take my mind off all the nonsense. I thought and thought, then one day, I happened to see a show on the Travel Channel about MD'ing. I saw it as a sign!
I did some more research, got a detector that fit my budget and experience level, and I'm now hooked for good. I really enjoy the hunt, not knowing if and when you are going to dig up a gold ring-or a darn bottle cap!
You should've seen my wife's face when I said that I wanted a Metal Detector.

What got you into Detecting?

[EBCIII]

Good post and question! I grew up hunting arrowheads. I always liked history, and have wanted a detector for a while.

I made the jump this past August. I love it very good way to unwind, and just plain fun, Beale.

[Cash1977]

I've always liked history too. The Civil War has always interesed me. I went to Gettyburg when I was a kid with my parents and liked it even then. (Most people would've been bored out of there minds) My dad bought me some bullets, cool!

I really hope to be able to hunt a Civil War site one day.

[space_weaseal]

I have wanted a MD for years but something always came up when i had the money to get one..This year i got a pretty good tax return, and my wounderful wife let me have alittle chunk of it for, (What she calls my toys).

[Deefburger]

Wow, good question!

I had one as a kid, an old Radio Shack that I bought from someone at a garage sale. I enjoyed it and was facinated by how it worked.

Then, many many years later, I'm out back rototilling to flatten out the middle section of the yard, and I kept digging up peices of pottery and glass, and then the watch body.

Since then I've been thinking about a detector again, Looked at Whites a few years back but never made the leap. This time I did. Found a good deal on the QXT on ebay and bought it.

First time out in that yard and BANG Silver St. Mary medallion! HOOKED FOR GOOD!

Then I found TQ looking for a place to ask questions and found a place to hang out!
GREAT FORUM!!!!

[Buster]

I can remember buying a used Heath kit metal detector when I was about 10 or so...Didn't find much...Probably didn't know how to run it and traded it for something else...Can't really remember all that much.It was brown....I too have always liked history..Civil War for sure...Used to go visit Gettysburg, and run around the Sharpsburg area..Had a house back in the early 80's in Berryville Virginia...Didn't have a detector back in those days..Wish I had ...Went into the Air Force and got stationed at Dover Air Force Base..My boss had a detector and I used to go hunting with him...I then got my Whites XLT and have been at it ever since...That is a good thing...Once you find something good. you are hooked for good...Nothing Better.......Buster...

[Joker]

I was the youngest of 9 and of that 9, 6 were boys. So I was always kickin it with my older brothers, if they let me. We lived in New Jersey and my father would take us exploring anytime he wasnt overseas.

He took us to some great places and we did alot of hiking, exploring and learning.

One day one of my uncles went with us on one of our trips and he happen to have a metal detector. To this day I dont remember what it was but I remember being amazed with it.

Years and years passed and even though i was still exploring going to places like gettysburg, antietam, harpers ferry to far away lands like Europe, Asia , South America the list goes on...

It wasnt until a few years ago that I decided it was about time I got myself a MD. My life had slowed down just enough to live a childhood memory and my love of treasure hunting.. so here i am

The rest is history and Im diggin it every day..

Great thread..

[MinelabMan]

When I was just a kid going to the beach with my parents, I'd see "old" guys detecting and thought it was cool. Kind of forgot about it when I got older, only saw girls on the beach and at home was too busy with bikes, cars and friends.

Then as I settled down and became one of the "old" guys, I noticed the guys (sorry ladies, can't remember ever seeing one hunting back then) detecting again. So finally did some research and bought one....probably the best investment in fun that I've ever made and stuck to this long!

[pghbob]

I started with a fisher way back in the 80s. didn't find much got discuraged. but the mistery of what will come out of the ground. Reignited that urge again in 2006 had to get back in.

[Jazdo]

Friend and I found a Cache one day in a old abandoned concession stand one day back in 1984 or so. Thats a long story though! after that my grandfather decided to get a used detector for me which I still have and use.