Your Guide to Organized Metal Detecting Hunts: Expert Tips, Etiquette, and Essential Gear

If you’re thinking about attending your first organized metal-detecting hunt—whether seeded or natural—you might be looking for useful tips and best practices. Or perhaps you’ve participated in a few hunts already but haven’t had much success yet.

In this article, I interview seasoned metal detectorists who have extensive experience both participating in and organizing hunts:

• Gypsy Jewels, who has organized 10 hunts, volunteered at 10 or more hunts,  and participated in over 50. Also known for her YouTube Channel and TV appearances.
  
• Rachael Elmore, who has attended over 20 organized hunts and volunteered at five events and her YouTube Channel JrzyRae Digs.
  
• Bob Funk, who has helped organize 50 hunts and attended more than 200.

These experts share valuable insights covering everything from proper etiquette and recommended metal detectors and coils, to essential digging tools and common pitfalls to avoid.

Read on to discover exactly what to expect, what equipment to bring, the proper etiquette to follow, and the best mindset to have when attending your next organized hunt.

How to Choose Your First Organized Metal Detecting Hunt

Rachael suggests, “If possible, attend local club-organized hunts first to become familiar with how organized hunts typically operate. If that’s not an option, consider joining the Facebook group ‘Seeded and Natural Hunt Reviews,’ run by James Huntly, where participants share reviews and feedback about various hunts. Look for hunts with positive reviews, but keep in mind that, just like Yelp, Google Business, or Amazon reviews, participants often only leave feedback after negative experiences. Don’t get caught up in negative reviews—focus instead on hunts that consistently receive praise. Additionally, when reading negative reviews, evaluate the reasons behind the complaints. For example, if someone is disappointed because they didn’t recover the cost of their ticket, they may have attended with unrealistic expectations.”

Rachael further says “ If it is a brand new event, and you like the event organizers, try it out, you might be surprised in a good way”

Cost of Tickets VS Finds

Gypsy states ”Even after 26 years of metal detecting, I still find organized hunts intimidating. It’s a completely different experience compared to casually detecting with friends, especially when competition enters the picture. The first tip I’d offer beginners heading to a seeded hunt is this: don’t expect to recoup the cost of your hunt ticket in finds. If you do, consider yourself fortunate. I mention this because there are seasoned detectorists who specialize in organized hunts. They travel extensively, refining their swinging and digging techniques, turning the hunt into an exact science aimed specifically at winning.”

Rachael adds, “Expectations regarding the types and value of finds often become skewed when newbies to organized hunts see photos posted by detectorists who have won big. They don’t consider the volume of people who don’t share their finds because they only found average items or found very little.” She further advises, “Attend your first organized hunt hoping for the best but expecting the worst. Don’t assume you’ll find Morgan dollars or multiple silver coins. Instead, keep your expectations realistic—you might return home with few finds or without any raffle prizes.”

Bob says “Twenty years ago, silver prices were lower, hunt entry fees were more affordable, and highly skilled hunters had a realistic chance of recovering their costs at organized events. However, times have changed. Today, even the most experienced detectorists rarely recoup their entire expenses. At best, the top hunters might earn back their entry fee—but seldom the costs associated with hotels and travel.

Personally, I have never made back the full entry fee from all the hunts I’ve attended. When I started participating in 2005, I was lucky to recover maybe 10% of my hunt ticket cost through finds. Nowadays, with higher silver prices and increased event expenses, expecting to recover your ticket cost through silver coin finds alone is unrealistic.

The economy has changed significantly. Organizing events has become increasingly costly, affecting both hunt fees and the value of finds. If you’re new to organized hunts, approach them with an open mind. Focus on enjoying the overall experience: the scenery, socializing, and camaraderie. Don’t fixate on the monetary value of your finds compared to your ticket or travel expenses. To enhance your experience, consider incorporating additional activities like exploring local restaurants, visiting museums, or sightseeing before and after the hunt.”

The right way to approach organized hunts as a beginner is to see them as opportunities to meet fellow detectorists—perhaps even some celebrity detectorists—and explore new equipment showcased by vendors. More importantly, these events are about making lasting memories with both old and new friends. Think of it like buying a concert ticket or a vacation: you’re there for the experience and entertainment; winning anything is a bonus.

Which Metal Detector and Coils to Bring

Rachael explains that “For organized hunts, it’s important to bring a metal detector you’re already very familiar with. This isn’t the time to use a new detector—one you’ve recently purchased or received as a gift and are still learning—especially if you have another detector at home that you’re highly proficient with. Amid all the excitement, make sure your detector is fully charged, double-checking before leaving your home or hotel room. If it’s battery-operated, ensure it has fresh batteries and bring backups as well. Regarding coils, for natural hunts, bring the coil you’re most comfortable using. For seeded hunts in a field, park or beach, it’s best to use a stock coil or a smaller coil. With many people detecting closely together, a larger coil won’t offer any advantage and may even hinder your performance.”

Bob confirms Rachel’s advice, stating, “Using large coils at seeded beach, field, or park hunts can actually put you at a disadvantage. In fact, some seeded hunts explicitly prohibit large coils.”

Digging Tools to Pack

Regarding the best digging tools to bring, Gypsy Jewels advises, “Some organized hunts allow only hand diggers, while others permit both hand diggers and shovels. Always read the rules carefully to know exactly which digging tools are appropriate to pack.”

Bob shares, “Always read the rules beforehand to see which digging tools are permitted. I  bring a hand digger to every organized hunt. If shovels are allowed at natural hunts, I pack two—one that’s ideal for farm fields and another that’s better suited for wooded areas. Another important tip is to bring an extra backup shovel. I’ve seen shovels break during organized natural hunts, so having a spare can save your day.”

Some seeded hunts don’t allow digging tools at all. For example, Bob Funk is currently helping organize a club hunt where tokens and coins will be hidden beneath leaves. Participants will simply move the leaves aside by hand to retrieve targets, eliminating the need for digging and preventing unnecessary holes.

Snacks & Fluids 

Bob further advises, “Always bring your own snacks and fluids, like water or sports drinks, even if food and drinks are available for sale at the event. During natural hunts, you might find yourself two miles deep into the woods, far from any refreshment stations.”

Organized Hunt Etiquette:

Keeping an Appropriate Distance From Other Detectorists

When the hunt begins—and throughout the event—be mindful and respectful of other detectorists to avoid detector interference. For instance, Gypsy recommends, “As a common courtesy, maintain at least a six-foot distance from fellow hunters. She also mentions that smaller hunt fields with a large number of participants can make maintaining proper distance challenging. Therefore, hunt organizers should ideally select larger wider fields to ensure a better experience for all detectorists”.

Pickup, Dispose of Trash Properly (Even Rusted Iron and Tin Cans) & Fill In Holes
Another essential etiquette at organized hunts, just like casual metal detecting, is to always fill your holes and properly dispose of any trash you find. Gypsy emphasizes, “I suggest bringing a backpack to carry your iron, aluminum or any other trash finds, making sure to dispose of them properly. Leaving trash beside your hole is never acceptable.”

Rachael explains, “Many organized hunts provide easily accessible bins for disposing of unwanted items. Locate these bins and use them. Additionally, if you notice another hunter leaving trash behind or failing to fill their holes, politely police each other and remind them to properly dispose of their trash and refill any holes they dig.”

Bob emphasizes, “If you dig up an unwanted item, don’t rebury it—take it with you. Reburying items only leads others to detect and dig the same piece of trash again. The land should always be left cleaner at the end of a hunt than it was at the start, free of junk iron, tin, and other discarded metals.”

Gypsy further states “This principle goes beyond metal detecting at organized hunts —always pick up any trash you create at the event. For example, if a napkin blows away while you’re having lunch, or if you accidentally drop a raffle ticket, take the time to retrieve it. Keeping the grounds clean is crucial, as it directly impacts whether landowners will allow future organized hunts on their property.”

Actual Hunt Tips

Bob says the first tip and important one “Always listen carefully to the hunt instructions! Schedules can sometimes change, and you might also receive valuable information about the hunt field or targets.”

Specifically Seeded Hunts

Rachael explains, “Most seeded hunts are essentially over in the first five or 10 minutes. Although the hunts typically last between 15 to 30 minutes, those initial moments are critical. When you find a token, coin, or any other target, don’t waste time looking and examining it—quickly place it in your finds bag and move on. You can always inspect your discoveries later, after the hunt has ended or when you no longer hear signals.” She further emphasizes, “Efficiency in retrieval is key. Aim to recover each target within 30 seconds or less. If a target takes longer than a minute, it’s better to move on to the next one.”

Rachael offers a simple yet effective tip: “If you notice footprints from other hunters participating in the organized hunt, it has been hunted—seek out areas without any visible tracks.”

Bob offers additional advice specifically for seeded hunts. “Experienced hunters might retrieve 20 targets in just five minutes, whereas beginners in ten minutes dig one target. Beginners should remember that seeded targets aren’t usually deep. For example, on a beach, if you’re having trouble finding the target, it’s probably not deeper—it’s likely off to the side of the hole you’ve already dug,” further sayings “For seeded hunts, don’t waste your time making a deep hole”

Specifically Natural Hunts

Rachael further advises “That for natural hunts, you should approach them just like you would any permission hunt—take your time rather than have a fast swing and walk fast being a speed racer. When you discover a promising area, a hotspot, slow down and grid the area.”

Bob shares, “I love natural hunts. The best advice I can give beginners is to recognize that they likely won’t find as much as seasoned participants at first. That’s why I highly recommend finding a mentor and talking to experienced hunters at organized events. A mentor can share valuable tips, such as identifying where the old clothesline used to be behind a farmhouse or focusing on places where people tended to gather.

It’s also important to think outside the box. At one organized hunt held at an old library, most participants concentrated their efforts in front of the building. Instead, I explored the side, where children had once played games like tossing coins against the wall. As a result, I found numerous interesting coins. The key is learning how to identify areas where people regularly reached into their pockets or gathered together—and having an experienced mentor can greatly help you understand these subtle clues.”

Bob goes on to say very important, “For relic hunts, always respect the hunt boundaries. I’ve seen hunters caught detecting on properties where they didn’t have permission. This not only gets you removed from the event, but it also gives the hobby a bad reputation. If you’re unsure about boundaries, ask first—or simply don’t hunt there.”

Organized Hunt Raffles

Rachael notes, “When it comes to raffles, those who win multiple prizes—such as detectors or pinpointers—typically invest heavily by purchasing many tickets. However, this isn’t always true. One year, I bought just a single ticket for a raffle with numerous entries and ended up winning a Deus II.”

Bob further advises, “If it’s feasible, try to participate in raffles—especially at club-organized hunts. Often, the entry fees collected are used to seed the ground with coins and prizes, cover land-use costs, secure food vendors, and pay other upfront expenses. Raffles help raise additional funds, supporting the organization hosting the hunt or benefiting a chosen charity. Don’t be shy about asking where the money goes and how it helps offset event costs.”

Expect the Unexpected When Organizing Metal Detecting Hunts

Bob puts it eloquently going on to say “ Like the John Denver song lyric goes “Some days are diamonds,  some days are stones, there are so many factors to make an organized hunt be a success and you need to role with what comes.”  

There are many factors involved in organizing and attending seeded or natural hunts. Unpredictable weather, unforeseen challenges faced by hunt coordinators, travel logistics, lodging, and other variables can all impact the experience. Some hunts will be fantastic, while others might be just average—not every event can be a gem, especially a diamond.

Final Thoughts

When attending your first organized metal detecting hunt, remember the primary goal is to enjoy yourself and socialize. The true reward isn’t monetary; it’s connecting with like-minded individuals who share your passion for the hobby. You might even have the bonus of meeting celebrity detectorists or social media personalities from YouTube, TikTok, or Instagram whom you follow.

Arrive prepared with a detector you’re comfortable and experienced using. Above all, support hunt organizers and property owners—who generously loan or rent out their land—by properly disposing of all trash, never leaving debris in or beside your holes, and always thoroughly filling each hole you dig.

I would like to extend my gratitude to seasoned detectorists Gypsy Jewels, Rachael Elmore, and Bob Funk for generously sharing their valuable insights on organized hunts.