People often think they can’t use their metal detectors during the winter. They believe it will be too cold or there won’t be enough snow on the ground.
Metal detecting can be more successful in winter because snow covers things and makes them hidden. Your metal detector can still pick up metals two feet below the surface. It is good because there is a lot of winter snow to help you find things. It’s hard to find stuff without snow, but if you try to detect it in winter, it will be easier because of the deep snow.
People usually like to stay warm indoors during winter. Still, if you’re willing to dress warmly and go out metal detecting, you’ll find that you can find more treasures than ever. You’ll never know what you might find buried deep under the snow. Metal detecting in winter can be very rewarding if you know the right places to go.
The 5 Best Places To Go Metal Detecting In Winter
If you’re looking for a fun way to enjoy winter, consider metal detecting in one of these top five locations!
1. Beaches/beach shorelines
Metal detecting on the beach is easiest in winter because there is more money on the beach from people who have lost their jewelry and coins in the summer months. The water is rougher in the winter, meaning the jewelry and coins will float on the surface instead of being buried in the sand.
2. Unfrozen Water Bodies
Hunters can be found beneath the surface of the water when it freezes over in the winter. The ice on rivers is often thick, so it will take a long time to melt. It means you have a good chance of finding something valuable if you go hunting under the frozen water.
Metal detecting underwater during winter is easier than during any other season. The water will freeze, making it easier to dig through. The mud at the bottom of the riverbed will also become thicker, making it possible for your metal detector to pick up more signals.
You will need a completely waterproof metal detector to search for treasures in unfrozen bodies of water in winter.
Metal detecting by rivers and streams can be profitable because the water often deposits metals downstream. It means that there are more signals for your detector to find. Slow-moving bodies of water are less likely to freeze over, making it easier to detect metals in winter.
3. Winter Gathering Spots
There are a few other places that you might want to consider when looking for good spots to use your metal detector. These include ice fishing ponds, sledding hills, hockey rinks, and ice skating rinks. These places get a lot of use during the winter, so there is a greater chance of finding jewelry or coins lost on the ground or hidden underneath the snow.
4. Thick Woods
If you are metal detecting in winter, go to parks with many trees. Metal detectors work better when there is a lot of “ground clutter” on the ground. It means that there are a lot of leaves or snow on the ground. In winter, there is more ground clutter than in any other season, so your chances of finding something are higher.
5. Winter Tourist Spots
Another great place to detect during winter is popular tourist spots. Whether you’re detecting at a ski hill or a beach during the off-season, there will be plenty of treasures to find if you know where to look. Wintertime metal detecting can provide hours and hours of fun and success!
Final Thoughts
In the winter, there are numerous places to go metal detecting. Some of these places are not common, like beaches and rivers. You can also go metal detecting at ski hills and other tourist spots. If you’re ready to dress warmly and go out with your metal detector, you will find that your treasure hunting is more successful than ever. You’ll never know what you might find buried deep under the snow!
If you’re new to metal detecting, here are a few things to remember: There’s a chance your metal detector will freeze up in the cold winter air. You can prevent this by covering your detector with a blanket or scarf before going outside. It’s also important to remember to charge your batteries before going out because if they die early on in the day, you won’t be able to find much treasure.
People believe that they must spend a large sum of money on equipment before they can go metal detecting, but this is not the case. You can try different things to see how your metal detector works. For example, you could put it in a sandbox or fill a bucket with sand and dirt. If you have children, they will most likely enjoy looking for treasures with you!
Metal detecting is a fun activity that anyone can do. It is a great way to get out of the house and enjoy the fresh air. You can look for something specific or look around your yard.
Read more: The Man Behind the Metal Detector
Frequently Asked Questions About Metal Detecting In Cold Weather
Does Temperature Affect Metal Detectors?
Moisture, salt, and product temperature affect metal detector performance.
What Is the Best Time to Metal Detect?
When it rains, try going out searching for treasures. It is because the ground will be wet, making digging easier. The wet ground will also help you find treasures that are buried deeper.
What Are the Best Conditions for Metal Detecting?
Detecting metal is easier on sand than on soil. It is also easier to dig in the sand. Starting metal detecting on a beach instead of a field has another benefit: more people. It increases your chances of discovering something valuable.
What Can Disrupt a Metal Detector?
There are a few common sources of electrical spikes. Motors, heaters, and sealers are some of the most common. Metal detectors also have noise suppression circuitry, but a large enough spike can still cause the metal detector to false trigger.
Can a Metal Detector Find Keys in Snow?
Keep the metal detector low when searching for lost keys in the snow. Metal detectors work best when they are close to the object. The snow can add distance the same way as dirt does. Sweep slowly, parallel to the ground, and even push snow with the detector coil to scan deeper.
