New to Boise/Eagle Idaho area - New detector - no knowledge and lonely

[rbianco3]

Hello All,

I've been in the Boise, Idaho area for just short of a year, on contract (computer programmer) and have always been interested in gold prospecting and am looking at gold claims to buy for detecting, panning, and maybe running high banker (for which I know a little).

Being in the IT industry I'm not a social butterfly but once comfortable after meeting someone I'm not conversation challenged. I'm respectful, and love learning, and helping others so I'd be thrilled to help someone out in return for some knowledge. Or finding a new person wanting to do the same. Not being in the area I have no idea where to go and find myself sitting at home feeling depressed because I don't know anyone here, hence this post.

I just purchased a Gold Master 1000 (Minelab) and would love to try it out. I'd be happy to get a coffee and chat about the hobby- beats sitting at home with my wife who has zero interest. Eventually I'd like to get my own claim and maybe run a high banker. Hmm, what else, I put some info in my profile info and a few pictures so you can see I only have one head and am pretty normal. I'm a patriot, don't really classify as any political party but for now supporting R side so if you are against that - we might be like oil and water. I grew up in Wisconsin (rural) for most my life so learned to hunt, shoot, ATV, Dirt Biking, Snowmobile, just about anything outdoors and though I'm getting older, I would still do them all, yeah I am an adrenaline junky to some degree.

I have a limited number of friends that I would do anything for, not a politician or social butterfly - but I sure hope someone contacts me because I am becoming depressed about being lonely - and decided to do something about it. Want to go out this weekend, it's late today but I'm game for anything. I might even be willing to help dig your holes in return for knowledge, but I'll probably tire easily from all the computer work. If you feel like learning more about my background, I own a development (programming) blog, displacedguy.com among others.

Where can I take my detector and use it without worrying about getting thrown in jail or shot? You can hit me on my cell which still has an Orlando, Florida area code of 407 and the rest of the phone has other numbers like four six three and another set like 56 ninety fore - text voice fine. - Best Rich

 

[metaladdict]

I recommend going to a small church if you want to meet nice people.

 

[GKL]

Hey Rich, welcome from South Carolina !!!!

I'm not anywhere close to where you're at, but I can relate as I don't yet know of anyone in my small town that is into detecting, my wife is fine with my hobby, but hasn't yet wanted to detect herself.

Maybe there are other forum members close enough to you to go hunting with, in the meantime here is a link to clubs in your area -

https://www.kellycodetectors.com/clubs/idaho2.htm#Boise

I think the video below is about the detector you just bought, so it might be of help -

 

[BuscaPlata]

Welcome to the forum r3! from west Michigan!!

 

[BBsGal]

Welcome from Oklahoma, I would think anyplace that's public ground should be fair game up there, try older looking neighborhood parks, do your own yard, look for vacant lots in older areas. As to people, this is probably a good place to at least get some moral support and friendship!

I'm more of a lone wolf type hunter since my husband is busy as a one-armed paper hanger most of the time with his business, but once you get out there detecting all sorts of people will come up and want to talk to you, so just being visible is a good ice-breaker.

 

[rbianco3]

Thank you everyone - I appreciate you all very much.

Finding a small church to meet people does sound like a good idea. We had Mormons visit us at our home and we really liked them and viewed it with an open mind- but once attending that church we realized that we are a fish out of water there and it was very high pressure - so we did originally think about this idea just didn't follow it through checking out others.

If I don't find anything to do tomorrow, I'll do what you suggested. Thanks for the idea. I considered just loading up the car and going into the mountains with a tent and my equipment tonight but I won't run into anyone up there, last time I went I didn't see so much as one human.

Rather than respond to everyone I just hit the "useful arrow", much appreciated to everyone that took the time and they are all good ideas for quiet types like myself who come across as stand-off-ish when the truth is I'm just a little socially challenged like most IT people.

 

[GKL]

Finding a small church to meet people does sound like a good idea. We had Mormons visit us at our home and we really liked them and viewed it with an open mind- but once attending that church we realized that we are a fish out of water there and it was very high pressure - so we did originally think about this idea just didn't follow it through checking out others.

If I don't find anything to do tomorrow, I'll do what you suggested. Thanks for the idea. I considered just loading up the car and going into the mountains with a tent and my equipment tonight but I won't run into anyone up there, last time I went I didn't see so much as one human.

Rather than respond to everyone I just hit the "useful arrow", much appreciated to everyone that took the time and they are all good ideas for quiet types like myself who come across as stand-off-ish when the truth is I'm just a little socially challenged like most IT people.

Here's a couple in your area to check out -

Boise Worship Center
600 N Curtis Road Suite 105, Boise, ID, 83705
208-323-0197

Calvary Temple
200 S 6th Ave, Caldwell, ID, 83605-3706
208-459-2949

 

[rbianco3]

One armed paper hanger... wheels spinning

I'm more of a lone wolf type hunter since my husband is busy as a one-armed paper hanger most of the time with his business, but once you get out there detecting all sorts of people will come up and want to talk to you, so just being visible is a good ice-breaker.

I have many weaknesses and solving puzzles is one of them, and have not yet figured out the one-armed paper hanger yet - it's probably something obvious but us programmers are so literal, everything is explicit, ones and zeros nothing in-between. I'll figure it out... don't tell me

I'm often a lone-wolf, but at this point I have no friends or family here in Boise, they are all in Wisconsin or Florida. Since jobs are a little harder to come by (getting better) I am forced to live far from my family.

 

[BBsGal]

I have many weaknesses and solving puzzles is one of them, and have not yet figured out the one-armed paper hanger yet - it's probably something obvious but us programmers are so literal, everything is explicit, ones and zeros nothing in-between. I'll figure it out... don't tell me

I'm often a lone-wolf, but at this point I have no friends or family here in Boise, they are all in Wisconsin or Florida. Since jobs are a little harder to come by (getting better) I am forced to live far from my family.

I won't tell you unless you ask me to

I have a sister who just retired from an IT job, she was glad to be done with it and rejoin the real world I think. Her job required her to be on call all weekend and kind of ate up her free time as well as work time.

Oh, and another good place to detect, try finding an old fairground near you. Those are usually great spots to hunt. Good luck, a little time and a few new friends and you'll do fine.

 

[rbianco3]

Thanks -

I won't tell you unless you ask me to

I have a sister who just retired from an IT job, she was glad to be done with it and rejoin the real world I think. Her job required her to be on call all weekend and kind of ate up her free time as well as work time.

Oh, and another good place to detect, try finding an old fairground near you. Those are usually great spots to hunt. Good luck, a little time and a few new friends and you'll do fine.

I cheated and DuckDuckGo one-arm paper hanger and figured it out, clever, learn something new every day! I could say I'm that busy too but thankfully my client doesn't allow more than 40 hours, well billable anyway, so I keep it to 45 or 50 at most.

The IT industry has really gone down hill since the economy got worse, and the government opened the flood gates to foreigners who are willing to work more hours for 1/5th the rate. But Trumps' threats (no thanks to courts) things have changed already. I've been in this field for over 20 years and SO burned out probably contributing to the depression. It's a thankless career the only positive is that it pays well in exchange for stealing years from your life. But I digress.

There is a fairground close by, and am temped to try this. The detector is designed for gold but I suppose people could lose gold jewelry. Also the Boise river comes down from the mountains and the detector coil is waterproof so maybe I'll try that, but the water moves really fast (maybe 20mph) and if I drop anything it will be gone fast.

 

[Tom_in_CA]

.....Where can I take my detector and use it without worrying about getting thrown in jail or shot? ....

Rich, You are over-thinking this. This happens often: a newbie gets a detector. They hop on internet forums to read/learn all they can. But they see something about some far away place talk of "allowed" vs "not allowed". Or see something about a place that has "permits". Or read of someone who got hassled, etc...

But the reality is: It's sort of like shark attacks. Extremely rare (even though thousands upon thousands swim in ocean each day). But when a shark attack occurs, it's makes front page news. And then guess what all the skittish fear next time they swim ?

As long as you steer clear of obvious historic sensitive monuments, and don't stick out like a sore-thumb at an archie convention waltzing over beach blankets, you're fine. You can avoid NPS perhaps, but .. for run of mill city and county parks, beaches, forests, etc.... : Don't overthink it.

 

[JWalker3]

Welcome to the forum from Western NY

 

[Sod]

Check your news paper for community activities, the City's web site, historical society. Anywhere where people congregate. Swinging a coil is just part of the fun but you've got to get out there.
You have streams coming out of the mountain? I'd almost bet there's a bait shop close by and you know how fishermen love to share story's.
Best of luck.
sod.

 

[Mud-puppy]

Idaho is a very unique place! Theres Gold, Diamonds, Opals even! Theres a few hunters that hang out here that knock down some sweet finds with their rigs even...Advice? Dont fret about being alone, this is generally a solitary Sport.... Do your own thing, and if you need company, talk to yourself!...Thats what I do! That way, theres always an intelligent speaker and an interested audience!

..You just gotta get out and do your own thing...if a decent hunting partner shows up along the way, one who knows the area and adds to the experience, cool, if not, OK too...We all die alone, so just embrace this fact and get used to it...once you do, the World is your Oyster!....

I got a great buddy up in Salmon who has a gold claim...its like way up there, snow on the trail in August even!...a fellow gets a hell of a headache going to that altitude...Oh, FWIW, up in that area, dont tell people you are an IT guy....tell them you are from the oil patch or a logger....Welcome to the Forum!

 

[GeneralQuarters]

Rich, Welcome to the forum! Get on your computer and look up detecting clubs in the Boise area. I used to live there for a short time. It should be a good detecting area. Also, there should be some gold clubs there where you can learn all the in and outs of gold panning. Stick your neck out and go for it! GL

 

[woodz71]

Welcome to the forum from N FL!

 

[Detector Nut]

aboard!

 

[Skippy SH13]

See PM.