Metal detectorists miss excellent chances of finding something great when they fail to take their hunt into the woods or the riverside. There's always a chance you may come across a legendary river crossing where you can detect a variety of items. Taking your metal detecting hobby into the woods or the river can be a very challenging activity, you will need to be adequately prepared no matter how long you intend to stay, a few hours, a couple of days, a week. Some essential tips you would need to know are inscribed in this article. Here are some of them:
Tips for a Successful Metal Detecting In Woods and Rivers
1. Carry A Bag Along
Ensure you go with a bag that can contain all your needed tools and also have extra space for items you might want to add. Know that in the process of metal detecting, you do more of walking, so, therefore, carry more things than you would for a regular outdoor hunt.
2. Bug Spray
No matter how tough you think you are, you need a bug spray to be ready against bug attacks in the woods, especially during forest digs. Also, bug sprays are the perfect combatants for ticks, which is known to be a carrier of many diseases.
3. Carry Enough Water
Do not forget to bring enough water along with you as you head into the woods. Extra bottles of water will come in handy in case you stay longer than planned.
4. Make Your Bag Lightweight
When heading far into the woods, a heavy backpack will make you exhausted quickly. Make sure your package is not too heavy and can be easily carried. However light you would want to pack, leaving your best metal detector for gold is not an option.
5. Bring A Cell Phone Along
You wouldn't want to be stranded in the woods if you lose your way, which is why a cell phone is essential. You might be injured, or get a huge treasure which would require the help of friends to carry, or something that needs external support might happen out there in the woods, a cell phone will come in very handy in these moments.
6. Carry A Heavy-Duty Full-Size Shovel Along
While on your detecting job, you can come across heavy and sturdy tree roots which will seem very frustrating to cut through them to access your potential findings. Also, if you are taking your metal detecting hobby to the river, then you need a heavy shovel for working through that massive amount of gravel and rocks.
7. Bring Your Gloves With You
Using gloves for metal detecting can be a bit bulky on your hands. Nevertheless, you need them if you intend on going into the woods or the river banks. While you keep looking for treasures, you might bump into a poisonous tree you wouldn’t want to touch with your bare hands. Also, gloves come in handy against bugs and harmful insects.
8. Go With A Purpose
Diving into the woods without having strategic places or ideas in mind will leave you coming back, empty-handed. In places like the U.S, you can spend the whole day without getting any potential finds due to their poor history, unlike in places like Europe with more abundant history. To get more treasures while metal detecting, search for areas like camping grounds, old footpaths, dumps, ancient settlements.
9. Carry A Compass
Bringing a compass along is always an excellent idea, though it depends on how far you are going into the wild. You might decide to go a little into the woods, and the excitement drags you further down into the woods, a compass is your sure guide towards getting back to where you can find your way home unless you have to call a search party.
10. Find Some Water
You stand a chance of getting treasures in areas like a lake, a river or a stream. There is every tendency that people might have used there before, either for drinking, swimming or washing and in such process, treasures might have dropped there.
11. Head for High Ground
When in the woods, look out for areas with the high ground around you. Finding age-long treasures will require you to think like those who have been there before you. Some people who had dwelled there before and wanted to erect homestead always go for higher ground as it enables them to have a broader view of their surroundings. Living on the higher earth gives them an edge over their enemies.
12. Hunt Around Old Trees
Search around the oldest trees you see. As old as the trees are, people might have used it in time past as a shade, and in the process, some items may have dropped. There’s a good chance of finding something worth it around old trees.
13. Prepare to Fight Tree Roots
There will be lots of frustrating tree roots in the woods. You need to equip yourself for the fight. These tree roots are all over the places and in between your paths, you will need to cut through them to reach some prospects. A good shovel will be useful in times like this.
14. Look for Shallow Areas
When hunting in the riverside or waterway, search around shallow areas. These shallow areas at one time have served as a crossing point for people. People might have crossed on foot, or in their bandwagon. There is a chance they might have dropped exciting things in the process.
15. Carry A Strong Magnet Along
Searching for treasures in creeks and rivers can prove to be a dirty adventure. Once the water gets muddy, it is difficult to see what you are digging out. This is why a strong magnet is essential in your hunting trip. Once you swipe the magnet across the place you just dug, it picks up the metals in that place even though you can't see it clearly due to the muddy waters.
