Track practice let out a little bit early because of a coming storm. My drive home was in the opposite direction that the storm was coming. My drive also passed by a spot I've been thinking about hunting since I started detecting a couple of months ago, a local football field (that I coach at) that's been in use since at least the 40's.
When I pass by the field I always make sure that the gate is locked and nothing looks suspicious. This time as I'm passing by I notice that the gate isn't locked. So I pull in do a quick search of the area and see that no one's there.
I realize at this point that I should probably hit the head as I doubt I'd be able to make it home without peeing my pants. So I pull in, park, unlock what needs to be unlocked and then use the bathroom.
As I'm heading back to the truck I notice that I probably have about 20 minutes before the storm hits me. I also remember that I have my detector in my toolbox. So I thought I'd just do a quick survey of the area to see if there were targets there.
So out comes the detector… I turn it on… and as soon as put the detector to the ground… before I actually swing… i get a "coins" signal at 2". So I brush my foot across the ground and see a nickel. I pick it up.
I think to myself "awesome". I then proceed to start sweeping. Actually I should use the term sweep because I only got through about half of sweep before the ace gives me another "coins" beep at 2". I look down, and there's a cent. I pick the detector up and start to sweep again, but it beeps at me at the exact same spot… 2" again… So I take out the digger and start a plug.
When I take the Lesche out to start the second side of my plug out pops another cent. I litterally hadn't moved away from the door of my truck at this point.
I look at the weather again… I think about the size of the facility… I decide to just do a quick survey of a couple of the areas I thought would be hotspots. I head to the concession area.
I start to swing and it sounds like my Ace is blowing up. There are so many signals that I can't target any of them. All of the signals are registering as either "coins" or "pulltabs". I start to smile.
So I head to the second area that I thought might be good. It's along a fenceline next to the stands. Once again I start to swing. Once again there are so many targets my Ace just looks at me and tells me that it gives up. No iron targets. I start to giggle.
I then head to the third area that I thought might be good. It was… there were a few trash signals but for the most part my Ace was sounding like a slot machine hitting the jackpot.
It was at this point I felt the first rain drop on my head. So I headed back to the truck and loaded up. As I'm leaving I nearly forget to lock the gate behind me. So I get out and lock it… I then thought… OK… just one more check…
I took the detector out again and started checking along the admission gate entrance. Once again the Ace freaks out on me. But not before it says "hey idiot… if you'll lean over right here you'll find 2 quarters".
I think this is going to be a great spot. I'm reasonably sure it has never been hunted. It's an old facility at one of the older towns in OK. It's been in constant use for at least 60 years possibly another 10 before that. The concession stand has always sold drinks in paper cups. The entire facility is gated with no outside food or beverages allowed. There are areas which will be trashy, but… I think the trash should be the same thing over and over (chin strap snaps, shoulder pad buckels)… so after I figure out what those signals are I can possibly choose to ignore them. I have no doubt there is silver there. After this initial sweep I suspect that the silver is laying beneath a carpet of clad.
The other coaches are going to LOVE me next season. One of the responsibilities that we like the least is making sure that after practice the kids are supervised until the last parent picks up the last player. I'm going to be volunteering right and left for that now as I can keep the kids in sight while I swing. (Added benefit… volunteering for that should get me out of having to drive the bus to games and I hate driving the bus).
(edit: Those of you that know me, know exactly where I'm talking about. If you don't know me, you should be able to figure out where I'm talking about.)
