Minnesota couple here, new to the hobby!

[Jobra]

Never touched a metal detector in my life...either of us. Altho we've mentioned MD'ing on and off in our younger years...never had the time. Fairly new empty nesters we now need to get our butts off the couch and find something to do together.

So the big christmas present this year was a XP Deus MD, with hard case, the XP MI-6, water proofing for the Deus, a sand scoop - and with our purchase a free Bounty Hunter MD.

The "some assembly required" is now done- the winter will be used to read and learn how to use the MD's. OVERWHELMING to say the least!!!

I have already checked on local policies, laws, rules etc in our county on Metal detecting- so far so good- nothing specific. Illegal in state parks certainly sucks...but I'll get over it. Living in the land of 10,000 lakes will be most likely our biggest search areas. We live within a few miles of the Kensington Runestone discovery site - which is county park area now...no rules posted online (but maybe have a NO MD rule posted at the park) a trip out in the spring will tell the tale there.

We are just learning how to "find" interesting areas to MD and discover!! My next thought is hitting up the local historical society for old maps of possible buildings / old rural school houses / old depots and tracks/ places that "no longer exist"...for some possibilities.

Love that we are hopefully embarking on something we can continue to do together. I hunt, he doesn't, he likes trains, i'm not a fan...it was this or flying model airplanes....that may still happen in the years to come- but for now we are excited about this and looking to learn all that we can!!

If your shouting out a welcome- shout me out a tip or something useful or a "need to know" for two TOTAL GREENHORNS!!!!

Merry Christmas all!!!

 

[GKL]

Welcome from South Carolina !!!!

You can usually find helpful videos on most detectors, here is one -



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[DIGGER27]

Welcome!

 

[Princess]

Thank you for joining us!

As for tips... start with detecting in your own yard, if possible. This will help you become acquainted with your detector, as well as give you practice in digging and filling nice, neat plugs (holes). I hope the two of you will make lots of fun memories together!

 

[Wolf-Dog]

... from a fellow Minnesotan! Thanks for joining, we're glad to have you with us.

 

[jimther]

Welcome from Boston, jobra!

Try finding a club near you. Drop in as a guest if you can. Lots of experience that you might learn from in club members, AND you might find a detecting partner or two that can help you in your learning curve with your new machines as well as show you proper recovery techniques. Good luck and happy hunting.
Jim

 

[GeneralQuarters]

Welcome from Western Washington!

 

[Leave-No-Coins-Behind]

Welcome from PA!

 

[HistoryHippy]

Welcome from southwest Ohio
I wish my wife was into detecting.

 

[Foragist]

Welcome to the friendly! You came to the right place for MD'ing advice, tips, etc.
OK, now you've been overwhelmed with the equipment instructions/manuals. Take a breath and realize it's not that hard. You don't need to know everything from the get go. Practice in the field is where much of the learning happens.
My tips for beginners: Don't get discouraged and turned off by the things that turn many beginners away from detecting. 1) Too noisy: some areas have an excessive amount of metal bits, junk, objects, etc., and you can't swing a coil without multiple sounds. Maybe you can turn the sensitivity down a bit and listen for the good signal tones, or maybe you can move to another area. All the audio from your machine takes some getting used to, in any case. Adjust the volume to your liking. Another source of noise is EMI (electromagnetic interference). To deal with interference noise, first turn your smartphone to airplane mode, or don't carry it with you. Otherwise, play with sensitivity, frequencies, or move to another area.
2)Physical demand: Start out with short hunts; like in your own yard, or a local lot, park, etc. The motions involved in detecting and especially digging targets will use muscles you weren't used to using, and things can start to hurt. Regular repetition without overdoing it, will strengthen those weaknesses, and things get easier. Ease into it, and stick with it. Detecting should be good for you, not painful.
3) Enjoy yourselves: This should be obvious, but some beginners take things too serious, and get frustrated when they don't score big right away. I once bought a good detector for cheap from this type of guy, who gave it up quick.
I could go on, but I'll leave it at that for now. GL & HH!

 

[crystalphoto]

Welcome aboard, from a South Carolina Newbie!!

 

[bukhtr1]

I just started in May of last year - brand new to hobby. To date: 324 bullets, a CS cast Block I, 2 eagle buttons and numerous camp relics and bullets in wood. If I can help let me know. I have learned a lot since I started. All using a Garrett Ace 400 and have now upgraded to an ATPro. And welcome from Cobb County, Georgia!

 

[tnsharpshooter]

Welcome to the forum.

Your greenhorn status will start fading with time.

 

[JWalker3]

Welcome to the forum from Western NY

 

[kingman mikey]

Welcome from Arizona.. Don't leave out empty fields & wooded areas, even if there was never a house there back in the day people used to walk everywhere & drop stuff along the way. Good luck & happy hunting, you will get hooked.

 

[dirtydog]

Welcome from FL.

 

[ROBOTCOP13]

Welcome from the Florida Treasure coast.

 

[BuscaPlata]

Welcome from West Michigan!!

 

[cptbill]

Welcome to the world of metal detecting and the excitement of the next find. I start my detecting in Minnesota a long time ago and there so many places to hunt. County parks, city parks and fairgrounds are some of my favorite places to search. Good luck and spring will be there soon.

 

[cellrdwellr]

Welcome from central MA!