Gold nugget hunting with a metal detector is one of the most fun hobbies on earth because it combines two things we all love – treasure hunting and being outdoors.
When people think about going on an adventure, they usually picture themselves hiking through mountains or exploring caves but what if I told you that your next adventure could be right outside your door? Collecting gold nuggets is a highly popular hobby.
You can find gold nuggets just by walking around in your own backyard! It doesn’t get much better than that! And don’t worry – even if you’re not very outdoorsy, this hobby is actually quite easy for beginners to pick up. All it takes are some basic tools (like a metal detector) and some patience – before long, everyone from kids to grandparents will have found their first gold nugget!
How to Get Started Gold Nugget Hunting With a Metal Detector
To get started, you should purchase a metal detector that has the capability to locate gold. The Garrett AT Gold is one of many detectors with this capability, so it’s an excellent metal detector for the gold nuggets search.
Remember, though, that there are plenty of other detectors out there which might suit your needs better than the AT Gold. We recommend you to read more articles about gold metal detectors (like this one by Chad Eicher from Metal Pursuits) to choose the best gold metal detector that will suit you.
You will also need to purchase some good metal detecting accessories to help you search, such as a pinpointer and scoops for digging. The Garrett Pro-Pointer AT is highly recommended because of its superior accuracy compared to other pinpointers.
Now that you have all the required equipment, it’s time to go hunting! Let’s take a look at places where it is best to go gold metal detecting.
Where to Look for Gold Nuggets
The first step to finding gold is determining where to look. There are many places in the world where there is a high possibility of finding gold, but it might take some patience and luck to find your treasure!
You’ll need a metal detector that can search for nuggets whatever shape or size they may be. The most important thing you should do before starting your hunt is research the area thoroughly so you know what types of metals exist in that particular location. This will give you an idea of how deep or shallow you should go when searching for gold, as certain metals are more common than others at different depths below the surface.
Gold nuggets can be found almost anywhere, but there are some places where they have been reported in large quantities.
Gold is a very dense metal, so it gets trapped in places where soils are more compacted. This means that larger pieces of gold will end up being buried deeper underground, but you might find smaller nuggets just below the surface.
The general idea is to find a place with lots of water and softer soils. Rivers, streams, and lakes are very good places to look because the dirt is often moved around when it has been exposed to water, which means there is a higher possibility that gold will be left behind in some cases when the soil is removed.
Pay special attention to locations where the earth was once deposited because this is where you might find your nuggets. It’s also helpful to know that rivers are very skilled at moving gold particles around, which means that if there are two locations with the same potential to find gold, then try looking in the location where the river meets the ocean to find larger nuggets.
How to Use Your Metal Detector Properly and Efficiently
It can sometimes take hours of searching to find a single gold nugget. It’s important not to get discouraged if you don’t find anything after two minutes. Plus, remember that many other detectors will only detect the presence of gold and won’t help you determine how deep it is buried or whether or not it is large enough to be worth your time.
To find the best gold nuggets, it’s often better to look for ones that are deeper in the ground. Sometimes when gold is close to the surface, people have found ways to remove it, which means you might not be able to find anything there anymore because there could be nothing left! That said, if you are new to the art of gold nugget hunting, you might want to start by searching for them near the surface.
Once you know how your detector works and understand where to look, it’s time to head out with your metal detector! Remember that patience is key; if at first, you don’t succeed, try again tomorrow or next week. It’s unlikely that you will find a great nugget of gold on your first try, so enjoy the hunt and remember to bring a bag with you if you find anything because it might just be what you’re looking for!
Tips on Gold Nugget Hunting
- Be alert and observant while metal detecting; gold nuggets can be hidden amongst other objects, so it’s important to look out for any unusual items that your detector might pick up.
- Don’t forget that gold is a very heavy material and will be more likely to sink into the ground than other types of metals, so search areas where water has been able to move around dirt and you will find your nugget!
- Do your research! If you know what types of metals are in the area you’re searching, then this is a good indicator of how deep your gold nugget might be buried. A metal detector will only tell you if something is there and whether or not it is a type of metal. If a detector says that a nugget is buried at 4 inches, then you need to start digging. But it won’t say whether the nugget is gold or lead…
- Make sure you are aware of local laws and regulations concerning metal detecting. Some places may require permission before you can go out and search for gold nuggets on public land. You should look into any laws or rules that might affect you before beginning your hunt for gold nuggets.
- Always be safe! If you’re out metal detecting with a friend, make sure there is at least one other person around to help if something happens. It’s also important to bring water and snacks with you in case it takes more than an hour to find a nugget.
Final Thoughts
Gold nuggets are often found in places where the soil is exposed to water, which means you should look for them near rivers or other locations where there has been exposure.
The best way to find gold nuggets is by using a metal detector; however, it may take some time before you can locate one with your machine. If you’re looking for quicker results and want help finding large pieces of gold more easily, then consider investing in an expensive metal detector that will allow you to detect metals at greater depths.
You’ll also need patience because many times people have found ways to remove the ground around gold deposits so they might not be able to find anything left!
Make sure when hunting for these treasures on public land, if necessary permission must be obtained before going out.
Before you start hunting for gold nuggets, it’s a good idea to know how your metal detector works and what types of metals are in the area that you’re searching.
Most importantly, always be safe when searching for gold nuggets by using common sense and bringing a friend with you!