Posted: 5/1/2012 5:16:57 PM EDT
|
I just got me a metal detector today. A Garrett ACE 250
Are there any good and legal places I can go looking in TX? |
| When I was a young kid, my dad and I would walk the old parks around town... Didn't find a ton, but occasionally change, and a few silver coins. Mostly trash though. I was surprised at the number of mercury dimes we found at a couple of older houses (with permission), just sweeping the front and back-yards. Dad also had a friend that was a Civil War treasure hunter/prospector. I went a couple of times where we ended up on farm-land adjacent to a couple of old fort-sites. One was quite memorable. You wouldn't know there was a fort anywhere near just trees, fields, etc, but I believe we found a dump-site where all sorts of broken treasures, buttons, bottles, etc. were found... Digging/sifting yielded more than the metal detectors as they were pretty much lit-up at that point. My big find was a brass cavalry hat emblem, in pretty bad shape, but I was proud of it. Walking through the plowed field, we found a large number of glass beads and 45-70 casings... The guy certainly did his homework and had a good time, but there never was a "big find." Anyway, some ideas. Guess the main thing is to get permission from the private land-owners. |
|
Make sure you're not in a State Park:
TPWD: Texas State Park Rules and Regulations Scroll down to 59.134 Rules of Conduct and then line (i) (i) Metal detector. It is an offense for any person to operate or use a metal detector, except as authorized by permit. My understanding is that permit probably won't be forthcoming. I had a co-worker who inadvertently ended up metal detecting on state park land. He had one of those underwater detectors and ended up on an island which was actually state park land. He was seen using the detector by a state official. They confiscated the detector, all of his gear and he got a pretty hefty fine. I think they were even talking about confiscating his truck. |
|
Quoted:
Make sure you're not in a State Park: TPWD: Texas State Park Rules and Regulations Scroll down to 59.134 Rules of Conduct and then line (i) (i) Metal detector. It is an offense for any person to operate or use a metal detector, except as authorized by permit. My understanding is that permit probably won't be forthcoming. I had a co-worker who inadvertently ended up metal detecting on state park land. He had one of those underwater detectors and ended up on an island which was actually state park land. He was seen using the detector by a state official. They confiscated the detector, all of his gear and he got a pretty hefty fine. I think they were even talking about confiscating his truck. Same for Nat'l parks. I've been in MD clubs for years and have lost count of the number of new users who have lost their detectors in state and nat'l parks. In the early 90's, a fellow down in Big Bend lost his detector, truck and RV trailer. He eventually got the trailer back, but that little misadventure cost him thousands in fines, confiscations and legal fees. Call ahead and get the permit. Be aware that some parks will not issue a permit unless you're performing official historical research, especially the battlefields. BTW, the Ace 250 is a great little unit. For new folks, I always recommend the 250 or the Fisher F2. Tough to beat either of them at that price point and you'll never outgrow them. |
|
I have a Garrett AT Pro. Last summer and fall while the lake levels were low I hit a few beaches looking for rings and stuff that fell off swimmers. I found a few earrings but nothing big. The problem I had was too much area to cover, and a lot of junk. I found more fishing weights and hooks than anything good. Playgrounds, or tot-lots, are good for pocket change- if the playgrounds haven't been reworked recently. I have been meaning to get to some older school playgrounds but haven't had time. Back in the '80s my dad and I found some old silver quarters at one. Some of the silver was from the '20s. Finding places to md is sometimes a bigger challenge than finding coins and/or relics. Do a lot of research. Look in libraries for old maps. Sometimes you can locate old homesteads that are accessible. If you can search old houses check around the porches and by sidewalks. What area are you in? |
|
Quoted:
Quoted:
Make sure you're not in a State Park: TPWD: Texas State Park Rules and Regulations Scroll down to 59.134 Rules of Conduct and then line (i) (i) Metal detector. It is an offense for any person to operate or use a metal detector, except as authorized by permit. My understanding is that permit probably won't be forthcoming. I had a co-worker who inadvertently ended up metal detecting on state park land. He had one of those underwater detectors and ended up on an island which was actually state park land. He was seen using the detector by a state official. They confiscated the detector, all of his gear and he got a pretty hefty fine. I think they were even talking about confiscating his truck. Same for Nat'l parks. I've been in MD clubs for years and have lost count of the number of new users who have lost their detectors in state and nat'l parks. In the early 90's, a fellow down in Big Bend lost his detector, truck and RV trailer. He eventually got the trailer back, but that little misadventure cost him thousands in fines, confiscations and legal fees. Call ahead and get the permit. Be aware that some parks will not issue a permit unless you're performing official historical research, especially the battlefields. BTW, the Ace 250 is a great little unit. For new folks, I always recommend the 250 or the Fisher F2. Tough to beat either of them at that price point and you'll never outgrow them. I just bought this, thanks..I just retired and am moving permanent to my ranch....give me something else to do. I cant stand being inside. http://www.amazon.com/Detector-Special-Pinpointer-Headphones-Treasure/dp/B007VQ20UO/ref=pd_ybh_1 |
|
Quoted:
I have a Garrett AT Pro. Last summer and fall while the lake levels were low I hit a few beaches looking for rings and stuff that fell off swimmers. I found a few earrings but nothing big. The problem I had was too much area to cover, and a lot of junk. I found more fishing weights and hooks than anything good. Playgrounds, or tot-lots, are good for pocket change- if the playgrounds haven't been reworked recently. I have been meaning to get to some older school playgrounds but haven't had time. Back in the '80s my dad and I found some old silver quarters at one. Some of the silver was from the '20s. Finding places to md is sometimes a bigger challenge than finding coins and/or relics. Do a lot of research. Look in libraries for old maps. Sometimes you can locate old homesteads that are accessible. If you can search old houses check around the porches and by sidewalks. What area are you in? I'm in dallas |
|
Having frequented a few MD forums (I dont have one yet) the general consensus is that parks are hit and miss. Youll likley end up with alot of trash.
Being in Dallas I think your at a distinct disadvantage for finding private property to detect on which is unfortunate because thats where alot of stuff is found. It wont be found in parks or in suburbia where the ground beneath your feet hasnt remained undisturbed for longer than 10 years or so. You are going to have to get out of the city for this one. Homes in small towns and other sites that havent been disturbed will net you more things like silver coins and rings where its had longer to accumulate and hasnt been buried. You might find some things in old ghost towns or old homesites- especially if they are out of the way and have remained in private property for some time. Most that are highly accessable have been picked clean. Know anyone in a rural area with land of any significance? |
|
Quoted:
Really old neighborhoods dating back to the depression. Lot's of buried silver coins in those backyards. Thats a good idea. Also, another aspect of MD ive been considering is actually prospecting. While you need a detector that is suited to this type of activity, you also need to find an area that gives you some sort of chance at finding gold. see this link Texas has never been known for gold mines, but there are a few areas that have been reported to have trace amounts. Neighboring states have a little more to offer I think, such as NM perhaps. |
|
Quoted:
Quoted:
Really old neighborhoods dating back to the depression. Lot's of buried silver coins in those backyards. Thats a good idea. Also, another aspect of MD ive been considering is actually prospecting. While you need a detector that is suited to this type of activity, you also need to find an area that gives you some sort of chance at finding gold. see this link Texas has never been known for gold mines, but there are a few areas that have been reported to have trace amounts. Neighboring states have a little more to offer I think, such as NM perhaps. Ive heard of a few places in far West Texas like Marfa and the like yeilding some gold but not much. Most prospecting takes place in areas where its been well established- namley Nevada, California, Parts of New Mexico, Utah, and Colorado. There is a story that there is some extremley fine flour gold in some pits that provided sand and gravel for the building of US 82 running between Gainesville and Wichita Falls. The stuff was so fine nobody bothered to try and work it out so there is supposedly a fair ammount of gold contained in the roadway. Who knows how much truth there is to that. |
| This was not my thread, but it inspired me to by a Fisher F2. I got it today and Its pretty easy to use. My first find was out at my front gate where an old house used to be. I found a 1910 silverplate fork. The fork is actually worthless but it was cool to find something. it was about six inches down. |