Dangers of metal detecting at night

[Dogmatic]

I have been to Nobbys beach at Newcastle a couple of nights. there were certainly a lot of people around but none that even looked like causing any trouble.
Maybe I was there on the good nights. Admittedly it only takes one clown/pissed up idiot to ruin a night. I find the parks to be of most concern. I haven't had
any trouble in them as yet but they tend to be very dark, sometimes isolated with lots of hiding spots and seem to be a magnet to those who are up to no good.

I have left a park when a group of about 20 blokes and some girls came through drunk, yelling and bashing up every sign, bin and tree they met. Figured it wasn't
worth the risk of hanging around. If a bin upset them enough to cop a flogging I had no chance

 

[Land Rover]

Many thanks for the replys ,I just hope the situations mentioned don't have us walking around covering each other like the swat teams on tv , it would be a sad old place if it gets to that !!!! On a brighter note My newest aquisition ...a Minelab Propoint 25 is making life a lot easier and recovering at least 95% plus of the coins in thick matted grass usually in areas where the least amount of disturbed ground is desired ! The pinpoint on the old Explorer 2 leaves a lot to be desired !!!

Regards L/R

 

[axeman]

Give me the bush any day, but as L/R said, that can be a bit iffy at times. I work on cattle properties were i'm camped in a tent and don't see anyone for a week or more at a time. The biggest problem is illegal shooters who don't know I'm there, I have bullets whizzing around the camp. Buggar the government taking our guns off us!!. I still feel safer out there than I would in any town or beach after dark. On the subject of pointers, I have the garrett propointer, be lost without it.

Mick

PS: Welcome to the forum L/R.

 

[Tassie Daz]

Night detecting, you are joking! I was detecting at Ararat a few weeks ago and the only steps in the dark would be bad ones. I came across countless square holes in the ground about 10feet deep that I just managed to see in the daylight. At night I'd have had no hope. Detecting's hard enough during the day. Why would you put yourself under any more harm UNLESS you were detecting where you shouldn't be.

My wife comes with me and usually sits in the car while I'm in the bush and communicates by 2 way. She doesnt spook easily, but she wouldn't be up for that.

 

[Nugget]

Hey TD, the OP was more referring to suburban night detecting, so hopefully there's no 10 feet holes to be worried about :lol:

My reason for detecting at night is due to the heat during the day and the beaches are far too crowded.

Cheers,
Nugget

 

[sluice_goose]

Give me the bush any day, but as L/R said, that can be a bit iffy at times. I work on cattle properties were i'm camped in a tent and don't see anyone for a week or more at a time. The biggest problem is illegal shooters who don't know I'm there, I have bullets whizzing around the camp. Buggar the government taking our guns off us!!. I still feel safer out there than I would in any town or beach after dark. On the subject of pointers, I have the garrett propointer, be lost without it.

Mick

PS: Welcome to the forum L/R.

Just send a few back, who are they going to tell?
They're not going to go down to the local cops and explain that they were shot at while poaching.

You also have to be carefull of wild dogs in some areas too. I know mudgee has a bit of a problem out there last I heard.

 

[Land Rover]

G,day All, Well it's not just night detecting ,,,,,,Just come home from fishing and You guessed it IDIOTS at the Boat Ramp at 1 am, a ute with two morons at the controls ,,,,,,Lights On Nobody Home. Lucky I had a Mate with Me all ended well !!

Regards L/R

 

[Digger Danny]

I found this thread just when I was thinking about having ago night detecting, I have changed my mind
for now.

 

[Wilko]

Hey Rob,

When I first got my machine the girlfriend and I went down to the Gold Coast, and had a go on the beach. We stayed off the beach at Surfers as to not ruffle any feathers but went to Main Beach. Had a couple of people interested in what we were doing but didn't have any drama's due to having enough light from the street/ car park.

Wilko

 

[willo1]

I think going out at night would have a lot to do with what town your in. I live in a fairly small town, a couple of thousand people and pretty well after 8.30pm during the week and 10,30pm on weekends the streets are empty, pubs and clubs closed. I usually take the dog for a walk each night and if I am lucky I MAY see one or two other people. When I've had a wander around the parks of a night I am lucky to see a car drive past let alone being harassed by anyone. The down side is that it is pretty slim pickings, but I wouldn't have it any other way. Love small towns..

 

[Digger Danny]

Thanks Wilco1 and Willo for the info, and yes you are both right if you know the area it is a big advantage. I once lived in a small town and would have had no problems. I was thinking the parks along the beach front but I have been told
today that Morton Bay Council has a no detector law so it looks like I won't be doing either way.

 

[kirkn]

Hi , was thinking about doing some night hunting. Just wondering how many of you do it and if you do it alone? i guess its safer in twos, anybody had any issues

thanks

 

[Nugget]

I used to do quite a lot of night detecting but ran into a few problems with drunks, in the end I decided it just wasn't worth the risk. I'd definitely consider going with another person or in a group.

 

[slipped disc]

I used to do quite a lot of night detecting but ran into a few problems with drunks, in the end I decided it just wasn't worth the risk. I'd definitely consider going with another person or in a group.

last year I used to hunt around adelaide and the burbs.sometimes from 7 pm til 7/8 am. next day. it was amazing who is about, and watching. I have had
people walk directly towards me for some weird reason, prob. to see what I am doing. tho a tecta in your hand should be a clue. so it can be creepy at times.

 

[Wally69]

I find wearing a black beanie, jumper and dark pants keeps most people at a respectable distance but teens will generally be painfully inquisitive, so I usually move on if a group of them hit the park.

Edit......but then again, maybe it is the 6" polished demo chisel glistening in the moonlight that puts people off ???

 

[Guest]

I do it now and then.

Just be very careful. People can creep up to you.

Be aware of your surroundings. What i mean by this is
Keep your back to a fence or the water if wet sand
Detecting and stay alert In front of and around you
basically the area people Can approach you.

Detecting at midnight at the beach in summer while its
30 degrees is a fun experience.

If your detecting in the water work out your times
And make sure your there 2 hours before low tide
And don't go in too deep - 12" to 18" is plenty.

If your park detecting Detect near your car. Detect on
a sunday, monday or Tuesday night. Head out after 9pm
And after midnight if beach detecting.

If your at a large park be aware people might be
Using to sleep especially if some areas are dark.

Don't detect near pubs or clubs.

I do things alone and That is my preference.

For lighting I use a baseball cap with 4 leds you
Can buy from a hardware store. It gives enough
Light rather than a super bright head lamp.

You could also use snap light sticks which you
Can attach on the bottom of your detector
Shaft.

Generally a week before or after full moon is when
I head out due to light available. With your headphones
you can have one Over your ear and the other over the
side of your Head.

Another alternative is to headout at around 5am so
When you have finished its about 9am.

Hope this helps..

 

[kirkn]

thanks for the help, some great info, im just getting sick of people asking me questions every 5 minutes, maybe the early morning in summer might be good.

 

[Goldpick]

I figure there are risks doing anything in life, so night detecting doesn't bother me. I don't wear bright coloured or reflective clothing, I'd rather be inconspicuous rather than stand out like a sore thumb.

Never had an issue in two years or so of night detecting, but I do pick and chose areas that minimise risk to myself. I don't detect in areas known for drunks, aside from the odd happy party goer on the beach. I do see police quite often, so it is good to know that someone is keeping an eye on things. They recognise what I am doing, and I make that fact known to them rather than hide in the shadows - they have no issue with it , and it usually ends up with a friendly wave from both parties.

I prefer to let my eyes adjust to the dark vs using using a headlamp, using a backlit screen is bad enough in ruining your night vision, so I mainly go on tones with periodic reference to the detector screen. I mainly rely on the pinpointer to provide lighting when recovering targets. I do carry an bright LED torch on the stem of my detector should I require it for whatever reason.

Should anything untoward happen, always ensure you are carrying your mobile. I ensure that my car is parked in a well lit area, makes it a less likely target for thieves.

Most night detecting is avoided due to fear of the unknown, get over those fears and you will have a much better time detecting, when you realise that you are most likely to be the only person bothering to be out at that time of night. Yes, there are bad people out there at night, but just as many, if not more during the day.

Ensure you are dressed for the occasion, it can get pretty damned cold at night. I usually wear thermals, jeans, t-shirt, jumper, jacket, beany, weatherproofs if rain is likely, sturdy footwear with no metal content, and gloves.

Be aware and comfortable of your surrounding, but not to the point of looking over your shoulder every 2 seconds, there is no fun in that.

At the end of the day, there is a calculated risk in doing anything, so only do it if you are comfortable with that fact. I was very wary at first, but after successive hunts, have become more relaxed, especially if frequenting the same areas repeatedly.

 

[kirkn]

great advice, thanks everyone