What are the big digs like? Digstock, DIV, etc.

[k2gleaner]

I've wanted to participate in one of the bigger east coast events such as Digstock or Diggin' in Virginia but have never committed to it. Much of the videos I've seen on youtube deal with folks digging deep for bottles. I assume the properties have all been searched many many times before and therefore you need those deeper detectors and maybe experience with all of that.

Am I way off? Can you find success with an AT Pro? Chances of finding a breast plate or buckle next to zero or higher?

 

[jwp1964]

I did my first paid hunt last September and it was really fun. I found two of my target items…colonial coppers. It was with dirt fishing adventures. The hunt took place in Connecticut.

I liked it so much I’m doing Digstock Xl next month in NC.

I’m using an obsolete 8 year old Deus and I did as well as anyone. If ya don’t go swing you’ll never know.

 

[LovestheShiny!]

I did a club hunt one year in Radersburg Montana. Snowy day, almost didn't make it there as I-90 was really icy near Deer Lodge Montana. Was cold but I had fun. I was probably one of the youngest guys there at age 67. My AT Pro was probably the most modern detector there, I'd never seen such weird and old units other guys were using. With the excellent VDI on the AT Pro, I scored the most silver dimes and quarters of anyone in the Silver Hunt. They had a nice bonfire going which kept me warm between hunts. I'd give it a try if I was you!

 

[hoser]

Can you find success with an AT Pro? Chances of finding a breast plate or buckle next to zero or higher?

Absolutely you can make good finds with the pro. I have one and it is a fairly deep detecting machine. Just remember, it doesn't matter what detector you are using, you have to know the machine and you have to get the coil over the target. I went on two unseeded paid hunts and had a ball. Met some great folks, made some cool old finds and I would do it again. But it would have to be an unseeded hunt. You get to spread out and do some exploring.

 

[One More Hole]

I have participated in several DIV's and, yes, the areas had been hunted several times prior, but good stuff always keeps being unearted. There are guys that specifically look for and dig out "huts" (which is awesome to behold) but far more people are swinging their sticks and finding amazing items.
It has been my experience and observation that Pulse Induction machines do much better in DIV events, (there is something with the soil) I was (at the time) using a Fisher F70 and it was super (annoyingly) chatty, but, with concentration, worked well enough to get a few items, although I am sure my depth was greatly compromised. I did use a White's SurfPro PI machine, but my lack of experience with it made the search more of an expensive learning experience.
My brother and I are headed to our first DigStock in March (just about in our backyard, so why not) and I will be seeing how the Minelab X-Terra Elite performs.
For me, part of the fun of these larger events is being able to interact with others who enjoy the hobby and saving history as much as I do and making friends.
I would definitely recommend you try a larger hunt sometime, it is a great experience. (my humble opinion)

 

[FreeBirdTim]

The only issue is the honesty of the land owners. No way would I pay to hunt any land that had been detected in the past. I did one paid hunt on a late 1700's farm a few years ago and found jack squat. I mean no clad coins and not even one lousy penny! Saw very little pulled that day. Some guy found a large cent in the woods and I saw a few flat buttons. No doubt in my mind that someone had detected the heck out of the area. The promotor didn't know that, but that doesn't change the fact that over 100 people paid $80 to hunt a virgin spot that had been hit many times before that day.

 

[markinmichigan]

Sorry for your misfortune Tim, kind of playing poker...sometimes you don't get keeper cards, fold em and go on. You'll get them soon.

Mark in Michigan

 

[k2gleaner]

Absolutely you can make good finds with the pro. I have one and it is a fairly deep detecting machine. Just remember, it doesn't matter what detector you are using, you have to know the machine and you have to get the coil over the target. I went on two unseeded paid hunts and had a ball. Met some great folks, made some cool old finds and I would do it again. But it would have to be an unseeded hunt. You get to spread out and do some exploring.

I have found some pretty deep stuff. I can't quite remember the depth of my first nice find - a Walking Liberty half - but it was over 10 inches down. I think my concern was more to do with these possibly being known CW sites, scoured over for years, and I keep reading about having to have a VLF machine or something like that, and the prevalence of people digging deep for bottles, etc.

Either way, it ought to be fun to go on one!

 

[k2gleaner]

...There are guys that specifically look for and dig out "huts" (which is awesome to behold)...
...My brother and I are headed to our first DigStock in March...
...For me, part of the fun of these larger events is being able to interact with others who enjoy the hobby and saving history as much as I do and making friends...

1. I would like to see the huts sometime.
2. I was going to go but I travelled for work so much in March, I just couldn't (wouldn't) swing it - pardon the pun.
3. I hear ya on that.

 

[~Alan~]

Here in the UK you take a chance with any dig, as there aren't many places which haven't been detected.
I gave up detecting several years ago, but I've been to a lot of organized detecting rallies. They were mostly
to raise money for charities. On some, people found very little, on others lots of broken artefacts which had
been seeded by the organizers, although none admitted to it. We know it goes on, but if the weather is nice
and you meet up with some old friends, you can still have a nice day out.