Finding Good Places For Relic Metal Detecting

When you’re relic metal detecting, all kinds of things can show up. An old wagon wheel hub, eating utensils, a pot (the ones that are filled with coins are great!), knife blades, plow tips, axe heads, and old steel traps… that’s what makes hunting for relics so much fun, you don’t know what you’ll find!

It’s a lot easier to have an idea of what you will find if you can find good places for metal detecting the particular relic you are looking for.

Say you are looking for old wagon wheel hubs. A good place to look for these would be along old roads and wagon trails, but certain places on these roads might yield more than others. If you talk to people in the area around a road or trail you want to hunt, you might hear about “an old mud pit where wagons would mire down”, or “a real steep rocky place”, another good place to look!

Of course, it is always a good idea to research the history of the area where you plan to search. The best place to start in your history research is your local library. Libraries are great resources because of the local genealogies and area information that is kept there. Another place to look for clues is the county courthouse archives, which could provide even more in-depth information.

 It is a good idea to drive to areas where you found some info about, and see what it looks like. Imagine your surprise and dismay when you drive up to a fence and locked gate guarded by a No Trespassing sign. If you scout first you can then make an intelligent plan about how to get permission to hunt there. The first step to getting permission is to find out who owns the land that your “spot” is on. It may seem obvious, or it may not. You can go up to a house that is near the land, and ask who owns it. Or you can go to the county courthouse and check the land surveys (you could do this before-hand). Next, you really need to call or write the owner, don’t go to their home. Showing up at someone’s house could intimidate them; you want to give them plenty of room!

So, there are some ideas for finding places to pursue your relic metal detecting hobby. Whatever kinds of treasure you are after, I hope your adventure is rewarding!