Suggestions on Hunting Schools

[Toadie]

When seeking permission to hunt schools, be sure to get permission in writing. Then contact the local PD or Sheriff Dept if in a rural area and inform them what you will be doing to avoid future conflict. Me and Zack went through the proverbial red tape of contacting the School Administration ect., only to be directed to the school principals. Once permission was obtained, I was then directed by the principals to contact the local law enforcement. Seems there has been a series of copper wiring thefts in the area and the PD is keeping an eye on school properties more than usual.

I was informed by the PD that unless I had permission, I would have been taken in for trespassing. Now that they are aware that I will be out there, they said their officers will still stop to request my ID to make sure I am "the guy who is supposed to be there". It appears that dispatch was informed of what I would be doing and who I was, to prevent any miscommunications.

Funny thing, though, the local Police Chief asked me if I could possibly locate his wife's wedding ring. She had lost it in the flower bed and I said I could look but wouldn't make any promises. It took me every bit of 10 minutes of searching to locate it, along with three spent bullets, all the while thinking to myself, What if I can't find it?

Now, where do I start?? On the ball fields, the playground areas, or the swings?? We have permission to hunt 8 schools.. So far. I still have another week before I can go back to work..

James

[Dick from IA]

Here is some advice I received and it seems to make sense.

First, pick the oldest school in the area. Then go directly to the middle of the schoolyard, and begin a pattern working toward the outer perimiter. Listen for the deep, soft signals for the old coins and jewelry. Play patterns of kids from the past are different than today; they would spend all day all over the field. Today they hit the playground for an hour and then head home to the air conditioning and computer games.

As for playgrounds, work a radius of 50-100 feet around the playground for the most finds. Most MDers hit the woodchips and leave, forgetting the areas directly around the playground where parents and kids like to sit and visit.

Good Luck.

[bigbillinsc]

3 owrds for ball fields.....UNDER THE BLEACHERS.... like boobie said most of the field is used while in uniform.... the bleachers is where parents sit.... i sweep my coil paralell with the drip lines (you will see what i am talking about when you get under em) after i have worked each bleacher i come back and work at a 90 degree to that pattern.... i havent been let down yet....

[dooby]

One thing that has paid off for me is working small hillsides around the ball parks, any where parents could sit and watch the kids play, the majority of my pockets spills have been found on hillsides.