places to detect, what are you looking for?

[NZnuggethunter]

Hello everybody....I am a newbie to the detecting game but I did alot of reading before picking up a detector. Everything from what detectors do to find metal to forum sites such as this to gleen info on what to do and how its done and the finds people have found. So many great stories...magic!
However I am starting this thread about places to go...It all depends on what you hope to find? If you are after relics from days gone by, it usually means abit of local research is in order as the local terrain and urban development may have changed alot since those relics were placed in the ground.
Places where large groups of people have gathered on a regular basis is a good place to start....old parks, fairgrounds, saleyards, old established sporting grounds,etc.
Another place to try is old established buildings ( 100yrs+). The grounds around them probably in most cases have not had much top soil added to them or landscaping done to shift soil around so chances are the the coins,jewellery & relics will still be where they were discarded or lost/dropped.
But one thing I do stress is to get the PROPER PERMISSION to detect the forementioned places. If you dont, not only will you be asked to leave, but may face tresspass issues. Also you will be assured that you will never be allowed back.
I have permission from my local council on a trial basis within a limited area, but if respect is given to property I will be allowed to detect alot more council owned property.

[Nick_admin]

I agree, you have to do some research of some of your local area; it helps a lot. Ive noticed it helps if you prospect grounds before detecting; if theres no sign of any old objects on the soil it might be top soiled. Some ways to identify if it has not been top soiled is if theres Porcelain, old glass (bubbles in the glass), old wide trees and hard ground. Though hard ground can be a nightmare to dig through, it is a very good sign of it not being top soiled, though sometimes this isnt always the case. Also digging around old trees, because the roots lift objects up and helps a lot. I have found plenty of good things for example an obb watch, shilling, penny, keys in this situation. Once i was digging a hole in very hard soil, pretty deep so i was keen and persisted though there was an obstruction in the way, a root! so i decided to dig around it i eventually discovered that there was an old tent peg sitting underneath the root; now im less persistent and move to the next target.