First time detecting today.

[glen65]

Hi All,
This is my very first posting. I’ve wanted to get into metal detecting for a while but never seemed to do it. Recently, I got a Bounty Hunter Tracer IV off of ebay for $88 with shipping. I think that’s a pretty good deal. Saturday, I had it set on all metal and high sensitivity to try it in my back yard. Within minutes, I had a rusty nail, a 2002 quarter, and the top to a cigar punch that I lost last summer.
Today, during my lunch break at work, I went on my first official outing. I went to a park that is surrounded by a few old covered bridges because it seemed like an old area. I didn’t change the setting and ended up finding a lot of pull tabs and junk. I tried another location in the park and started getting a lot of hits… more junk. I changed the switch to discriminate, the sensitivity knob to medium, and the discriminate control knob to medium. As soon as I did that, I found a Master lock key, a dime, and a penny. Not bad for being out less than an hour I guess.
I’ve already learned two lessons… 1. pick up the screw driver before you rescan the area. It will set it off… duh! 2. Do not scan a lump of earth in the same hand as your ring.
I’m already looking forward to getting out there.

Glen

[PAPPY]

WTG GLEN ! Let me be the first to say CONGRAT'S. You will certainly enjoy this hobby with out any doubts...HAPPY HUNTING...PAPPY

You did pretty good for your first time out. It definately will get better and you will love the hobby. Welcome to the best family on the net.

[RingDancer]

Hello and you are certainly on the right track learning that machine! Getting her done with those finds! Hope ya enjoy this hobby as much as I!
Can't wait to hear of your next outing!

HH
Pat

[Geo777]

Hey Glen, nice start. I’m also new and have only been out a few times myself. The oldest coin I’ve found thus far is a 1926 Penney. I’m starting to get use to the sounds on my machine and I know with more practice we will get better.

[glen65]

Thanks all. I’m planning another lunch time excursion. I will definitely be playing with the settings so I’m not detecting so much trash.

[Stainless Steel Rat]

I have been only detecting for about 2 weeks and everytime I come home from somewhere I hit my front yard. Tonight got a pull tab hit at 4 inches, I dug it up and it was a man's silver ring. I filled it the hole and then figured I better sweep it again to make sure and got a penny hit at 6 inches I redug the hole got a 1940 wheatie I ran the detector over again and got nother penny hit. I ended up finding 1 silver ring and 5 wheaties and a nail in almost the same hole. It was my front yard so I went and got a big shovel after the third wheatie. I was hoping to find an other ring or something. I wouldn't say dig trash in a park but I am finding good stuff as I clear all the darn bottle caps, pull tabs, foil, and nails from my yard.

[glen65]

Wow, that’s good! I went out at lunch the other day and found nothing but junk and trash. I went out yesterday for a walk with my kids along an old railroad bed that they converted to walking trails. Got skunked again! Nothing but junk. After getting so many hit and finding nothing but junk, I put it in discriminate mode. That cut down the number of hits dramatically but all I still found was junk. On top of that, it had to dig gravel on every hit. Now that stinks! I’m not discouraged though. I’ll just try a new area. It is addicting!

[TwoDogsBob]

Don't let the junk get ya down. You have to pan a lot of gravel to find a nugget sometimes.. Went down to the local soccer field the other day and dug up 6 bucks in change but went through an equal amount of pop tops, bottle tops, sprinkler parts, .22 cases and even an old hinge to get it..

[glen65]

I went to a park today that just had a large 3 day festival. I couldn’t spend long but I didn’t do well. I found a TON of junk… lots of old pull tabs. The only “cash” I found was a penny. I’m going to invest in some headphones.