Scared.

[PoggoPig]

Hi all. I wasbon this site a while ago but lost all my logins so started a new account. Look i haven't been out prospecting for a few years and only started again recently. I am not sure where to post this message. Its a question really. What are the rukes or reapect for when you come accross others out in the bush prospecting?
I am timid enough as it is but weekend just gone was approached and it has scares me shitless. Personally i always believe you see someone in a spot move on leave them alone and find another location away. Not park 50 metres then come straight for them on foot. So just wondering what most people think?

 

[magneticsand]

Honestly its a pretty weird hobby. Often people are thrilled to see someone with the same interest and hope for a chat.

 

[Nugget]

Were you approached in an aggressive way or in a how you going mate kind of way?

It's not uncommon to come across a fellow prospector or bushwalker when out and about. The main thing to remember is that not everyone is like Mick Taylor, most are just interested in what you're finding so they can come back later and clean the place out :lol:

In all seriousness though, as long as you're respectful to others and are conscious of your surroundings you'll be fine.

 

[bend]

Generally I just stop for a chat if they don't seem too busy (just getting setup, staring aimlessly into space etc) and I'm not in much of a hurry. I don't worry too much about whether it's their "spot", just let them know if I'm going to be working in the general area and respect their space eg. don't setup 10 foot away from a patch someones working. I don't mind sharing info (indicators I've come across, depth to bedrock and so on, not yield or exact nugget locations etc) if someones working nearby usually though so that probably helps. Occasionally you come across an aggro sort but most people aren't too worried.

 

[Jaros]

Were you approached in an aggressive way or in a how you going mate kind of way?

It's not uncommon to come across a fellow prospector or bushwalker when out and about. The main thing to remember is that not everyone is like Mick Taylor, most are just interested in what you're finding so they can come back later and clean the place out :lol:

In all seriousness though, as long as you're respectful to others and are conscious of your surroundings you'll be fine.

These days you have to watch your back no matter where you are day or night--bloody ICE.

 

[DropBear]

The questions: Have you found much?

The answer: Nah, haven't got anything really. It's a bit rough out here...

Because you never know if someone is going to pull a knife or gun on you and demand you hand over your gold...

I also never go alone, people are bat **** crazy really so you have to be careful...

 

[AtomRat]

From mates getting pushed out the way by other detectorists, being yelled at, punched, shot, there's always some absolute idiots out there who will do anything for gold.

 

[Tathradj]

Was that a bloke in a Blue Prado. ??
:8

 

[Tathradj]

And a Red car. ?

 

[Nugget]

Were you approached in an aggressive way or in a how you going mate kind of way?

It's not uncommon to come across a fellow prospector or bushwalker when out and about. The main thing to remember is that not everyone is like Mick Taylor, most are just interested in what you're finding so they can come back later and clean the place out :lol:

In all seriousness though, as long as you're respectful to others and are conscious of your surroundings you'll be fine.

These days you have to watch your back no matter where you are day or night--bloody ICE.

You're 100% right Jaros, that's why I gave up beach detecting at night. I had a couple of drunks hassle me off the beach late on night, then hearing of another forum member getting attacked with a glass bottle around the same time and place, I eventually decided it was time to call it quits.

TBH apart from the occasional WTF was that moment, I generally feel safer detecting out in the sticks. These days I almost always use an external speaker and pay close attention to what's going on around me. Detecting with at least one other is always preferred but if I do go out on my own I'm usually not too far from civilisation.

At the end of the day, I'm carrying around a sharp pick, so if someone wants to be starting something, it's their choice

 

[Heatho]

Someone driving past yelled out "nice crack" to me a few weeks back when I was bending over recovering a target on an oval I've been detcting, that was my worst experience so far. :lol:

 

[Old Fred]

Got a bit nervouse 6 months ago when a landcruiser pulled up along side me while i was digging a hit . The older guy driving was very agro and had a winchester across his lap .Turned out he was the stations dingo shooter and turned out to be a nice guy once i explained i had permission to be there, even giving me a lend of a pick cos i broke mine .Bloody hard ground around Top Camp. Been digging holes all over Qld and NSW since the late 60s and only time i have been approached.

 

[Nugget]

Someone driving past yelled out "nice crack" to me a few weeks back when I was bending over recovering a target on an oval I've been detcting, that was my worst experience so far. :lol:

lol, now that's funny :lol:

 

[Digginholes]

I have had a few blokes approach me while prospecting, All of them have been nice people and some even helpful.
It can be a bit of a surprise some times when you think your the only one around for miles and suddenly there a guy or two coming your way but I haven't had any Crazy's yet (touchwood).

 

[Dignit]

It's no different in any country, city, suburb, street or bush surrounding. It's called street smarts. Always tread carefully. You never know when you may come across a nutter. Whilst the vast majority of people are friendly it only takes one nutter to give you a very bad day. I work on the view that people are going to be friendly but ready for them not to be. Senses need to be heightened until you get a feel for the situation. At the slightest sense of danger get the hell out if there. I personally like to say g'day to people when I'm out detecting but if I get the slightest twitch that they'd rather me not I keep away. A friendly wave from a distance is a good means to test their appetite for further approach. Quite often I'll pull over in the car, put the window down to say g'day, but keep the car running just in case it's prudent to keep moving.

 

[PoggoPig]

Well I years back I went out detecting and had these two blokes come towards me. Hiding behind trees as they ducked and weaved to get closer to me. I felt rather unsafe so pissed off.

So its been a while since prospecting and just started to go out again in the last few weeks. Decided to take my shy antisocial niece out and pan in a little spot i had found. Within 10 mins a car comes by slowly i though yeah just passing but then stops and someone gets out and starts coming straight for us. No equipment just quickly approaching. I prolly over reacted but i grabbed my bag and had a firm grip of the pickaxe. I was ready to make a run for it. I scream out What do you want. And he stopped in his yracks i said I felt very uncomfortable with his presence.
He apologized for scaring me but came over still and we chatted about detectors and he showed some gold. I wished hin on his way and good luck. His passing words was a warning that a local camper around the area claims to be friends with Ivan Milat...
Gees thaks for that! two womenin the bush isolated that was the last thing I bloody need to hear.

I watched him return to his car to see if he did have a detector or if he was returning with rope lol. But he did and went and detected 50 metres down the creek.
By this time i just felt beyond uncomfortable and even a a find of gold wasn't enough for me to stay with my scared niece. Thankfully she had no idea who Milat was but gees i was scared myself.

Look I think about it now. he was harmless and prolly a nice bloke or either trying to scare us off or just didnt think how a few words can terrify two women.

 

[Tathradj]

When approaching some I always park my car a respectful distance away and approach on foot out in the clear.
I never carry anything of an offensive manner nor act that way.
Always with a smile and a friendly G'Day.
I hope you do not mind but I am a prospector myself.
.
Oh, And never ask the two key questions,
Finding Anything. ?
Where are you from. ?
I also give my full name and identify myself from Prospecting Australia.
.
I also do not go back and raid some one else,s patch as I would hate that myself.
I have not come across some one else who is not ready for a yarn or share tips on our hobby.
Heck, I even had a crew of State Park Blokes share my fire one day.
That was bloody funny at the time.
Any way, Still pays to be careful as there are some real nut job's out there.

 

[jamie]

I haven't met many while prospecting apart from the fairly busy spots like tuena or Oallen ford, bit have felt uneasy while on my own before, maybe making a friend to go out prospecting with may help with feeling uneasy about being there on your own with your niece, even if not so much with you but within ear shot could help easy the nerves about being one out in the field
Just be aware of your sourronding and if in doubt leave or move at the least

 

[Tathradj]

Oh,
Trust your gut feelings.
If some thing don't feel right,
Rack off real quick.