Notes From A Novice: By Kathleen Panno

I have always treasure hunted since I was young, and began with the usual bottle dump digging with my brothers. We never made a big profit, but this was my start in the direction of hunting in general.
In my freshman year of high school, I encountered a man metal detecting on the beach in Kennebunk, Maine where I lived. He was kind enough to answer questions, and nice enough to allow me to try his detector! I cannot remember what I found, it might been only one or two pennies. Reguardless, I have wanted to to metal detect since then.
Fast forward over thirty years later, and my daughter in law gives my son a basic Bounty Hunter for Christmas in 2008 because she just didn't know what to get. It sat unused until the end of 2009, and that's when I tried it out for the first time on Thanksgiving Day when everyone else was enjoying turkey and warmth! I wish now that I had saved the small amount of pennies I had found in the parking lot of a National Forest Park. It didn't matter, I had caught the bug and longed for Spring.
I used his detector for the first month or so, but then purchased a grade higher; a Bounty Hunter 202 and used that for most of the early summer. Now, I have a 505 and am looking to change over to a Garrett Ace 250 as I progress in my hunting school of learning. I know many would have much input as what is a good machine, but I know what I can handle financially, and the Bounty Hunter's were what I was comfortable with at the time.
Reguardless, most of the secret of metal detecting, is learning to read the signals of your machine, AND most importantly, much research and patience. If your short on patience, it's simply not the hobby for you.

We always enjoy watching the great video finds on Youtube etc., but the countless hours or days where you go through dry spells is not recorded, and hence you sometimes get a false idea that each day is great. Not so. Sometimes, you can leave rather discouraged, especially when you find about .12 cents for over two hours of detecting. Don't be discouraged though! I just want to be realistic, and once you begin to hunt, you will not have preconcieved ideas that will leave you putting your machine in the closet or on Ebay.
I have met some wonderful folks, and enjoy it when the youngsters want to know what I'm doing. Most of your detecting is in the public, so expect to have much curiosity shown. My advice also, is not to be intimidated by the more experienced people in this field.
I had an elderly customer who had company coming from California, and told me she full well knew what to do and where to go with the wife, but the husband was difficult to entertain. She said he loved metal detecting, and asked me if I knew of anyone who did. She had no idea this was one of my favorite subjects, and so I volunteered to go out with him when they came.
Well, I chose an old park as ourfirst place, and I felt quite inadequate when I found that he had even traveled to Europe and had come back with a roman denaris which all the hunting clubs got excited about. His machine and equipment were almost enough to discourage me.
Anyhow, about a half hour into the hunt, I got a quarter signal that was pretty strong and my usual "aluminum can" signal. However, it was the 1914 Penn Relay Game Medal that I have posted the photo of. He was very excited about it and said it would easily be the find of the month as he said this is something that is unique in nature as well as the historical value of it. Phew! I had won his approval, and he was quite informative, but also less abrupt in conversation when he realized I was serious about this hobby as well.

My best "find" for the day besides this medal, was the handmade rosewood pen he presented to me as a gift before I left. I felt quite priviledged, as it's beautiful, and he had made them to bring to a class reunion he was attending during this trip.
I guess my final words would be to encourage others to pursue this hobby knowing we are all novices in the beginning. I'm actually still looking forward to finding my first gold, and am content that it hasn't happened yet.
When you find the big treasures in the beginning, it makes it difficult to go through the dry spells as your asperations have become too high too quickly.
feel the same way with quality machines and equipment. I found my first silver merc with the cheapest machine, and this gentleman I detected with found only a 1913 wheatie with his top of the line White's. If it's meant for me to find, it will be there at the right time.
I do so hope that other enthusiasts will post their experiences as well. It's fun to see the discoveries of others.

Lastly, I don't think of any place as being "hunted out". My neat little barber dime was found at the local fairground that has been scoured for years. The same gentleman that detected with me found a gold nugget just shy of an once that he got in a place where hundreds of folks had hunted. His wife has that beautiful piece hanging on a necklace.

Oh yes, the clad that I found this past summer all went towards an outstanding bill I had...over 160.00. That was a good side benefit.

Happy hunting! Kathleen Panno

BEST FINDS FOR 2010.