Tips for beginners
1) BUYING FROM LOCAL DEALER - In my opinion it is a good idea to work with a local dealer on your first purchase, a good local dealer will show you the ropes and save you a lot of time learning the hard way.
2) PRACTICE - A great place to start is in your own yard, place a few coins, trash and misc. items inthe yard and get used to the detector, how it sounds, pinpointing and proper swinging methods, this is also a good time to practice proper pinpointing and digging holes properly and filling them in without being able to tell you have been there (after pinpointing, make roughly, an 8 inch wide hole but leave a flap on one side, gently lay it back and check the plug for the target, if not in the plug dig the dirt out, lay it on a rag, once target is found, put dirt back, fold plug over and stomp down)
3) RESEARCH- If you want to finder older coins and relics there is no better way than to research the web and visit your local library, talk to historian's and older people of the community, the internet is another great way to find information.
4) FIND A HUNTING PARTNER - A good way to get started is with a fellow treasure hunter, finding a partner to hunt with and share experiences is one of the best ways to get help learning your new detector and learning techniques. It is always funner hunting with a another person.
5) FRIENDS AND FAMILY- Now that you have your new Metal detector you will need places to go, best way i have found in gaining permission to the best sites is through friends, family and co- workers
6) PLACES TO HUNT-Schools, Parks, in and along rivers, old swimmingholes, churches, farms, older homes, fields, creeks, inside walls of abandoned buildings, fence lines... the list goes on and on, be creative but always gain permission.
7) PERMISSION - Always gain permission before metal detecting.
8) RESPECT PROPERTY - Whether hunting public or private land you should always take all trash with you and leave the lawn as you found it.
9) PROPER CARE OF FINDS - Do not clean coins on site, if you find an older coin you will be excited and want to clean it off but you should wait until you get home, you can easily scratch a coin cleaning it on site and possibly lose a lot of the value.
10) FORUM - On our forum you will find just about everything you need to get started metal detecting, if you don't see what you need please Register and ask questions, it is a very friendly forum. We also have research links
