Officially Started Metal Detecting Today

[tater686]

I received my MD and accessories from Amazon.com on Thursday, studied my machine on Thursday and Friday, played around in my yard, and did research on my first target grounds. I am now officially discouraged.

Using HistoricAerials.com I came across an old farmhouse on Little Mill Road in Gloucester Twp. The house was there as early as 1932, probably much longer. As I am sure many of you know, the whole area is a wooded / dirt bike / party area and has been for 30 years. Well, I was kicked out for being on private property. All I was getting was beer can after bottlecap, after beer can, after bottle cap anyway... so I moved on to my secondary target which I didn't have too much hope in...

It is an old Nike Base behind Lilley School. I thought I might be able to get in there somewhere, but the whole place is still totally fenced in. So I just searched the wooded area a while. Bottle caps and cans again.....

So I say screw this, I'm gonna detect the extreme outskirts of the schools field. Finally some good results. No junk targets and all my digs were successful with coins. I was only able to dig 4 targets before I had to get out of the pouring rain. As I'm driving away, a policeman is exiting his car and giving me the stink eye. I drove away slowly and he didn't flag me down or anything, but I'm sure he would have been kicking me out if I had stayed any longer.

So long story short. This was a pretty discouraging first day out detecting. I suppose the only thing I can do is try to get permission on private property, as public lands seem to be akin to garbage dumps. Anyone want me to detect their property? You keep any jewelry, I keep coins? I've got good tools to cut out plugs and put'em back in. You won't even know I was there.

[rocky]

At least you tried. Everyone has to go through a learning curve when starting out. It doesn't matter if it is fishing, hunting, or metal detecting. Keep at it and you will be rewarded. (or arrested)

[Absecon_bass]

With as much sand that Sandy moved I would think any beach would be a great place to explore on the second day out

[phish4fun]

little bit of fishing goes on behind the old base
little mill was my stomping grounds.when pine hill gave up the deed to the state that was the beginning of the end.
too many law suits filed against pine hill from the drunks getting hurt back there.
we rode bikes. drove dune buggies.4 wheelers. had tons of fun back there.
we even used to sled down ski mountain way back when.
before that was the old mikes zoo.

there is a guy on craigs list asking to detect on peoples property.
good luck in your new hobby.
go to west cloverdale ave and enter the woods there. you will hit the fence line for the golf course but still room to detect.
back in the fifties or do that area was a swim resort for the locals and people from philly who had summer homes in pine hill.
email me if you want better direction.
i also have a book written and published by a cousin on the past of pine hill.

[tater686]

With as much sand that Sandy moved I would think any beach would be a great place to explore on the second day out

I'm planning to do some beach hunting, but while starting a new hobby that supposed to pay for itself, I don't want to start making 80-100 mile round trips to the beach with gas prices they way they are. If that turns out to be the best option, I'm game.

little bit of fishing goes on behind the old base

Thanks for the tips. I know that quarry well. I fished it for a few years until my dad bought a house right next door in Cobblestone. He's got a boat tied up to his dock, so now when I fish fresh, I fish there. 15 fish/hour is not all that uncommon. The problem is getting the big ones. I haven't caught anything over 4.25 lbs yet and have picked through at least a thousand fish. Hopefully in time, both of the quarries start producing bigger fish (like Penbryn, a much older quarry).

[BayRat]

Since you're in that area, try around Lake Worth in Clementon, on New Freedom Rd near rt 30. It was a swimming lake over 50 years ago. I've found hundreds of silver coins there in very little time, I probably left ya a few . If you find where the snack bar once stood you'll find the coins (black nails from the burnt old shacks gives you clues as to where you are). It IS LITTERED with buried trash, so you'll have to learn how to use your discrimination settings. Disc out nickel so you don't hear every soda pull tab...disc'ing out nickel we keep you from finding gold, but sometimes you have no choice. I never got around to hunting in the water, so if your detector's coil is waterproof and you don't mind wading out a bit I bet you will find plenty of good stuff from the swimmers of the 50's.

I haven't been there in a few years but never had any trouble. Bring your bass rod too.

Half the fun of MD'ing is finding the spots...but chances are someone found those spots before you. If you are lucky enough to find a virgin spot you can do very, very well.

Bring a trash bag wherever you go. If a cop shows up you will look a whole lot better in his eyes if you are picking up all the trash you dig.

[ReadyJettyGo]

If you looked at it as a fun hobby instead of a way to make money, it'll be a lot more enjoyable..I took mine to the beach while fishing in Delaware..All I found was a 1988 quarter but it was a stroll on the beach..Have fun with it..

[surfnturf]

Since you're in that area, try around Lake Worth in Clementon, on New Freedom Rd near rt 30. It was a swimming lake over 50 years ago. I've found hundreds of silver coins there in very little time, I probably left ya a few . If you find where the snack bar once stood you'll find the coins (black nails from the burnt old shacks gives you clues as to where you are). It IS LITTERED with buried trash, so you'll have to learn how to use your discrimination settings. Disc out nickel so you don't hear every soda pull tab...disc'ing out nickel we keep you from finding gold, but sometimes you have no choice. I never got around to hunting in the water, so if your detector's coil is waterproof and you don't mind wading out a bit I bet you will find plenty of good stuff from the swimmers of the 50's.

I haven't been there in a few years but never had any trouble. Bring your bass rod too.

Half the fun of MD'ing is finding the spots...but chances are someone found those spots before you. If you are lucky enough to find a virgin spot you can do very, very well.

Bring a trash bag wherever you go. If a cop shows up you will look a whole lot better in his eyes if you are picking up all the trash you dig.

Spot burn!!! but anyway why do cops care about metal detecting? It seems to be frowned on quite a bit here and there. Why?

[GLENN BROOKS]

Try any old corner Huckster stands or drive in Ice cream stands.I know of a few in NJ if you live or close.

[phish4fun]

Spot burn!!! but anyway why do cops care about metal detecting? It seems to be frowned on quite a bit here and there. Why?

tress passing is the issue
if the locals dont know about lake worth and stellas and the old base too bad for them.........lol.is the vo tec school lake a burn......lol

[Fillet1]

I was reading up about trying some MD myself. Old homes (100 +) with large trees in the yard - try around the trees. In the old days there was no air conditioning so family gatherings would be out under the trees for shade.

I was also eyeballing some sj historical sites - weymouth furnace and some basto/wharton state forest locations. Old iron works etc. I dont know what the state says about MD on state grounds? Have fun!

[JerseyZuks]

I was reading up about trying some MD myself. Old homes (100 +) with large trees in the yard - try around the trees. In the old days there was no air conditioning so family gatherings would be out under the trees for shade.

I was also eyeballing some sj historical sites - weymouth furnace and some basto/wharton state forest locations. Old iron works etc. I dont know what the state says about MD on state grounds? Have fun!

On the signs back there is says metal detecting requires a permit

Maybe check in with the Ranger Station by Atsion Lake

[phish4fun]

I was reading up about trying some MD myself. Old homes (100 +) with large trees in the yard - try around the trees. In the old days there was no air conditioning so family gatherings would be out under the trees for shade.

I was also eyeballing some sj historical sites - weymouth furnace and some basto/wharton state forest locations. Old iron works etc. I dont know what the state says about MD on state grounds? Have fun!

you can go right across 206 at the damn at atzion lake.
lots of old cannon ball types of material there.

[Catspaw]

I occasionally pass a place called the Weymouth Furnace on Elwood Rd. near the 322 intersection. Looks accessible and a good place to explore.

[GLENN BROOKS]

Medford lakes road and route 206.There is an old delapadated icecream stand that is on the corner.Always thought there would be some silver coins in there if someone took the time to MD it.