Welcome aboard Automan! Firstly,why “Automan” and secondly,do you have machines yet? What are you looking to find,and where are you planning on looking? There are forum members in your area(I won’t mention names,they can do that if they wish).
This hobby has many many facets,and many many levels of dedication. It’s like anything else I suppose,the more you want out of it the harder you’re willing to work. The three main ingredients in a “successful” metal detecting outing are:
1)A very capable machine that you grow to understand
2)A site that has a good probability of holding what you’re looking for
3)Experience
That’s it! Simple,huh?
Some folks try detecting,go about it the wrong way or have a bad mindset and quit. Most of us here have gone out and tried it and gotten hooked VERY badly right away. It is intriguing,to say the least. When you find your first coin...the first piece of jewelry....the first horse shoe....you will know which side of the fence you fall on IMMEDIATELY.
Again,welcome from the land of cheese and obesity!(Wisconsin)