Metal Detector Stories



We always love a good story around the campfire,or something to ponder while sitting on the couch having a cold beer.

We'd love to post your stories of your metal detector finds here at the site.So feel free to send us a letter,and share a memory with us while you're out in the field metal detecting.

Whether it's a treasure trove of gold you found,or a disappointing day digging up trash.Every trip out there in the field has a story.So please share yours with us,by contacting us a here -->

Send Us Your Story & Thoughts On Metal Detecting Minnesota (Click)





Monday, June 10, 2013

Gear For Metal Detecting

We all need the proper tools for metal detecting,and if you're looking for gear while out in the field,then give this place a try if you want the best prices.

Whether you're looking for a good hand spade that's small in size,not trying to draw yourself any unwanted attention,to a trench shovel if need be if the situation calls for it,and it's there for the taking.

It don't take much in funds,when one wants the proper equipment.

It's pretty simple really,and affordable.I must add that our detectors are the big bang as far as money goes in this hobby,and thankful for that.Nothing is cheap these day,and almost every hobby seems to cost an arm & a leg might I add.

That's not the case when it comes to gear for metal detecting.

It's basically a hand spade,and a can of insect repellent for me.I usually have a shirt on,or ample room in my pockets for the trash,or the finds I dig up.

Some might say,what about the aluminum cans in the ground?

We'll I don't carry a trash bag with me out in the field,and if that's what it is in the ground..well I might as well carry 2 trash bags with me.

There is a thing called ethics,and a red line where we become scrap collectors of such large portions of trash.

So I'll save that for another article,because I've metal detected some places,and you'd swear it was a scrap yard,and those who landscaped,and layed sod..seemed to have no problem leaving it there,and I'll be damned if I remove it.

I do remove my trash targets,but not old transmission parts,full beer cans burried,and whatever kinda trash large enough for a scrap dealer.

A belt pouch works nice when you know you'll be digging up alot of pulltabs,and what have you.

I take the trash targets with me,and some of you have a pretty good idea what I'm talking about.

Anyways..(smile).

If you're looking for the best gear for metal detecting gives this place a try.

http://best-online-buy.blogspot.com/2013/06/metal-detecting-gear.html





Friday, May 17, 2013

Metal Detecting State Parks

I get letters asking often on metal detecting state parks.

A letter from Bill in Minnesota ->

Thanks for posting my letter if it's approved.I'd like to talk about detecting state park campgrounds.

Can they,where to look,and are state parks good places to metal detecting where camping is involved?

My experiences are,and I just happened to have my metal detector along when camping several of them here in the state,that of course I popped it out,and zipped over a few of the campsites.

I'd usually camp late fall,or early spring.So many of the times I pretty much had some state parks to myself to look over.

All I have to say,is what I found on average was .30-.50 cents a camp site,and digging up countless junk targets,because camping sites are aluminum galore filled,with more pull tabs,and trash objects that really fool the best of detectors...aluminum tent states,aluminum cans,broken pieces of camping equipment made of aluminum,or brass,and surprisingly aluminum sodder chunks from welding,or trailer/boat repair done...Burried garbage,silver dollar size iron washers,you name it.

Burrying your crap was the thing back in the 1960's & 1970's.

Doing that,and add in the jerks who leave some garbage behind.

Out of several of the state parks,the best find was a cheap cheap silver ring of teen size.

What's worse,is the coinage age found...on average is 1980's and older.Most within 15 years old.

Another thing,is you have to remember.There are alot of retired folks who travel hitting the campgrounds,and many others who love a variety of outdoor activities,and metal detecting is one of them.

So why not bring the dang thing along..right?

You have an army of folks from all walks of life in this game,and most are in it for the find,and the excitement of the find.

My opinion now is most the state parks are cleaned out,and the odds are the only thing you're gonna find is what was lost since the last guy detected there,or what he missed.

The laws have changed some since my hunting,and I'd always ask for permission if a camp host was there.

As I have said before...I metal detect where I can.

I don't sneak on to private property,and have morals in the field.

My opinion is state parks should allow metal detecting.

The rule would be to take the trash you dig up.(smile)..Because you'll be digging up alot,and they should also throw in a free T-Shirt,and odds are that pipe dream is about as good as having hopes they are a worth while place to detect to begin with.

They have been cleaned out,and after detecting your own site..please know now that's what pretty much every site will consist of in finds.

Metal detecting in state parks is more bologna in junk,than your neighborhood park that has been cleaned out already.

Chump change around the tent is about as best as it will get.

Not meaning to discourage the readers here,but as I have said before..10,000 people a year are curious about the state parks in their neck of the woods.

We've been beat to the punch,and most of these detector enthusiasts who detected prior to us in these parks?..Well,we're digging up the crap they re-burried.

So if you're wondering "Can I metal detect in state parks"?

Don't bumb in the least if they don't give you permission,because they have already been cleaned out,and it would take an archaeological approach with big sifters,shovels..and screens to find anything anyways with all the crap burried in the ground.

If you're at your campsite camping,and have a little privacy...I honestly don't see any harm detecting a camping site you just paid for,for the night,and breaking out the detector to see what's there.

It'll give you a wake up call,to everything I just talked about.

Maybe 50..to 75 cents,and with the best of metal detectors,you'll work for it.

Because by all means,it won't be three .25 cent quarters you'll dig up.

Your dectector will be ringing off the hook,and you'll be surprised of the "sh_t" that gives off strong potential targets.

Yea..bring it along,but metal detecting state parks don't overly excite me in the leasts.

Billy in Minnesota












Tuesday, April 2, 2013

Mn Treasure Hunt

The Mn Treasure Hunt is about to begin.

Spring is here,and many of us are charging up our batteries for the old metal detectors ready to hit the fields,parks,and beaches.Not that a whole lot was lost on the beaches this last winter,or any winter for that matter on the beaches.(bad joke).

I hope to add some more interesting types of stories here to the blog,other than hunting for medallions hid by others,or that lost silver coin that fell out of Uncle Jimmy's pocket in the 40's at the old farm.

I'm going to look into some rock hounding adventures,and gem hunting here in Minnesota.

I've read up on this stuff,like many us have.It's mostly in theory when it comes to our knowledge in gem hunting for many of us.

I have looked for diamonds before in Arkansas.I've read up on them some,from a quick beginner course pamplet for amateurs.Please don't laugh,because I am right now writing this.

The truth is,ther are vaulable gems to be found,and rocks for that matter that have a collector value here in the state.

From Supior Agates..to an occasional diamond.

That's right,you can find a raw diamond here in the state,and I'm sure many other types of gems can be found here as well.We're a little under-explored in this field,and I'd like to share some stories from others about their rock hounding experiences.

The reason why I want to add other topics here on Mn Treasure Hunting.Is we're always looking at the ground while detecting.I think it would be killing two birds with one stone,educating ourselves on identifying rocks of value.

Something that sticks out,something unusual.

I found a 3/4th to 1 carat raw diamond playing in the dirt at 8 years old 10 miles outside Minneapolis.

I always remembered that strange shaped rock.The problem was,I didn't know it was a diamond.Where it is,is probably somewhere not far where I found it..hahahaha.

I have found arrowheads,and other Indian Relics looking for crayfish on lake shorelines,and creeks.

I have found beautiful agates after a wet dewy morning,or rain watching my step avoiding puddles on a gravel road.

We have to learn to take advantage of everything on,and in the ground when it comes to a Mn treasure hunt.Beacuse that's exactly what we're doing.We have to become good amateurs in all fields when it comes to stuff in the ground,and I believe I got my point across to all of you.

So this 2013 year,we're going to cover alot of ground here.There really is alot of great things to find.

Another positive fact is greater Minnesota has alot different geological terrain.

So looking foward to some rock hounders sharing their finds here as well.










Monday, March 18, 2013

Where To Look For Arrowheads in Mn

Looking for arrowheads in Minnesota is something I do at the same time,if I'm out metal detecting a farm field,or anywhere out in the woods where one is not on to overly beaten of a re-landsacped area of undisturbed land.I look for arrowheads at the same time.

I'm bumbed that it's been many,many years since I've found an arrowhead.

When I was in the 5th..6th and 7th grade,I wast so interested in Indian Artifacts,that it was all I could do,to swallow up every book on the subject.

I was looking for arrowheads while the other kids went out to play baseball.

I was digging,and sifting though Minnehaha Creek,while the other kids were playing baseball.

When it comes to good locations looking for arrowheads.The only tip I'll give you,is where would you hunt in wait for an animal.

Near water is always a best bet when searching for Indian Relics.

Everything has been pretty much spotted,and picked up through the years.

Near water,and farm fields near water,and I'm talking a water source.

Near a swamp,or lowland where water gathering during a rainy season.

Lakes,creeks,and rivers.

If you're up in the northern part of Minnesota.Odds are the same animal paths,and trails to a lake,or source of water to get a drink in the early morning hours,are the same paths taken for generations.

Shorelines,animals paths to a water source etc.

The best spots to look around a lake.Look for the ideal spot to build your log cabin on level ground.The ideal campsites are the same on a lake.

Odds are when camping on a natural lake,or water source here in the state.Many in the past have as well,and like us they'd pick the best spot.

As far as which side of a lake..east,north,south,etc.Perhaps some enjoyed all locations through out the seasons.Where a north wind would be welcomed in the heat of the summer,or enjoying the breeze to keep the bugs at bay.

Where a camping spot level & comfortable,and believe me.There are alot of lakes here in the state,that are not over developed,that have vast clues to past Native American camps,and perhaps permenent residence at one time.You're camping where they did.

It's the developing,and landscaping done over the years.Not to mention what was exposed to the human eye that has already been picked up.

Logging itself,development etc..You'd be amazed how things have changed environmentally in the last 150 years hear.

Looking for arrowheads comes natural to those who can just identify them.Even from just a photograph from a book,it's in the heart.

I'll be updating this with more thoughts,and if anyone wants to share their Native American Indian Relic finds with us,please do so.

This is a facinating subject for so many of us.

Even if just an arrowhead,please share your story...:)











Saturday, March 9, 2013

Metal Detecting For Jewelry

When it comes to metal detecting for jewelry,make sure you test your detector at home with the jewelry you have on hand.

Even the most expensive detectors pick up alot of jewelry as a junk target.Don't ask me why,it's just the way it is with alot of the models out there.

Find a silver ring,and test how your detector picks it up.Watch the single you get.

Don't practice out in the field.Be knowledgable on what your detector's signals are before you get there.

Rings are the most troublesome for alot of us.

My metal detector seems to always pick them up as a nickle,that's because I always have my unit set up for coin shooting.

When I'm in jewlery mode,I just pick up to much dam junk.

Yes,at the beach I ocassionally use the jewelry mode when in the sand,because it's not to much overly a pain in the butt digging up potential targets in the sand.

In the parks however,I'm usually always on the coin setting.The reason why for that is,there has just been to many dam cans of beer drank over the years,not to mention cans of pop.Parks are a graveyard of pulltabs,and pulltabs in most all cases register as a ring in jewelry mode.

That's a problem when it comes to metal detecting for jewelry.You have to dig up alot of junk targets,unlike when you're in the coin setting mode.

With my detector in coin mode,I'm usually always 99% of the time correct when identifying a target in the ground.

In jewlery mode it's usually always 99% junk,and even the pro's in this game tell you,when it comes to jewelry that's just the way it is.

The great thing is,your detector will always let you know when jewelry is in the ground.You'll just have to dig up all the other trash to find it.

In many cases I refuse to have my detector set up in jewelry mode.It would be easier just escavating the ground with a screen & shovel.

Detecting for jewelry is just not my thing,but at times I do go out specifically ring hunting.

I usually do so after I've cleaned a location out of coins,and when I have no other place to go for the time being,then I resort to doing my best metal detecting for jewelry.

I actually find more jewelery while coin shooting,than when my detector is set for jewelry.

If a location is not to overly burdened with trash,then the jewelry setting aint so bad,but always have a mind set that you will be digging up alot of trash.

Saturday, March 2, 2013

Metal Detecting For Silver

Here is a letter sent in from a guy who just spends his time metal detecting for silver only.

Whether it's silver coins minted before the mid 1960's,or silver jewelry.This is all this guy detects for.

So lets here his story ->

Thanks for letting me share my metal detecting story.My story is not fictional.It's about why I metal detect for silver instead of messing around with the other stuff lost in the ground.

Silver gives off the best reading on my detector.A beautiful strong signal.

I'm trying to make a few extra bucks on the side,and spending time digging up pennies,or any other non silver change after the mid 60's aint worth it to me.Unless I get readings of an awful lot of quarters.

We all know what pennies are worth today,and I NEVER dig pennies up.EVER!

They are just that.One penny,and I aint bending over all day digging those dam things up.Your back would give out,not to mention even if you have rechargable batteries,you are spending more recharging than profiting.

With what money is worth today,these detector manufacturers should just exclude the dam things.

Don't try to debate that an old penny that's been in the ground 50+ years is worth anything.It's not.It's in such poor shape it's pretty much just that in value.

Silver coins don't deteriorate like copper in the ground.You can count on the silver coins holding a little more value when it comes to a collector value.

You'll find more silver jewelery and silver coins before gold.

Lets face it.We're in Minnesota.

If a person concentrated on specific targets.You'll pay off your metal detector alot faster,than digging every target your detector identifies.

Try going to a park,a beach,and tell yourself I'm only digging up ring targets today.

Then when you go back,just dig up the high value targets..That's quarters or better.

I go as low as dimes,and nickles too,but when you find a location that you're going to detect.Go big.

Go for the smaller crap after ya clean it out of the good.

People looking for gold,and other lost treasures here in this state is what those who sell metal detectors love.

Usually when I find a place to detect,or a place I can get away doing it.I start out big,and go for the silver coins,and quarters only.

The next time I go back,after I cleared it out of the high priority targets,I go for rings.

Yes,rings are a high priority target,but a person gets so many junk target readings when it comes to silver rings.

You have to spend a day digging up alot of crap when it comes to ring hunting.

Now here is one of the best metal detecting tips.

Get your hand on a silver ring.Throw it out in the yard,and test how your metal detector reads it as a target.

Do the same with a silver quarter & dime..Same as a nickel.

Know before hand how your detector detects.

There is alot of silver coins still in the ground to be found,and the same goes for silver rings.

Rings can be funny,because so many models of metal detectors pick them up as junk,or a low level rated target.

So like I said,get you hands on a couple silver rings.Then see how your detector registers them.You'll be very surprised at your readings.

The down side is a person ends up digging up a bunch of junk targets,but if you make a rule to only dig up the ring targets,you'll find more better days as value of a target is concerned.

Go for silver and high value targets only.

Jake in Mankato



Friday, February 22, 2013

Lost Treasure In Minnesota

Quite often a person sees someone asking just that.

The same question wondering about lost treasure in Minnesota.

Well,I suppose there are some lost treasures of some sort burried in the days when banks were not trusted,and perhaps that trend is starting once again,because I certainly don't trust the bankers.

Cash is pretty much printed paper these days,and when that goes belly up,I wouldn't count on the banks opening their doors to the patrons who had safety deposit boxes,to get their belongs either.

But anyways,and back to the article at hand.

The question remains,where to look for lost treasures in Minnesota.

Your guess is as good as mine..hahahaha :)

I'm not aware of any sunken ships here in any of the lakes,carrying a cargo of gold bullion.

I've never heard of any Native American Burial Ground accidentally discovered,that contained gold relics of any sort,and also believe no loot of any sort has been burried here.At least not any I'm aware of.

I believe the last glacier retreated a little over 7000 years ago,and that past humans after that time did not have an understanding of gold,and precious metals.It was survival at its best,and relics that were precious to them are long decomposed.However the artifacts made of flint & stone are still being found today,but to metal detectors that's a different ballgame.

However,when I do detect.I keep a careful eye out for an arrowhead,and try to do two things at once when out in the field.

With all this being said,the only thing that could be consider a lost treasure here in the state of precious metal standards,would be items of European in nature when the first settlers arrived.

So we're looking at the last two,to 300 years at best.

Did they lose any chests of gold,and silver back in those days?

Maybe had some stolen,and perhaps a bank robber might of burried some loot,but even when I look into the robberies that have happened here in the historical records.Most the bastards were caught,and loot is seldomed burried.

Pirates perhaps burried their treasures,but that's not a common traite for a theif here in the early days.

Yea,yea,yea..I've read the stories of boats sinking in lakes that had payrolls for the loggers,and some type of treasure burried by the Mississippi River.

They make great stories,and some of these tales are true,but if a person thinks he's going to unearth some of these lost finds with his metal detector,well I certainly wish them the best of luck.

Try reframing the word "treasure".

There are so many precious relics here in the state,that even if it's a rusted object made of iron,the find itself is interesting enough to me.

Not all iron relics I consider a glee of joy,but sometimes there is that unique item that makes a person dwell back in time,and wonder on its history.

I'm not plugging any books here,and have nothing to sell.

So you'll get more honesty here from someone,than those who do have something to sell.

So when it comes to lost treasure in Minnesota.I leave those stories for the kids.

It is what it is on what you find,and another mans trash,is another mans treasure.

I'll write more on this,and the feedback comes in.