
Having a feel for the field?
- Easylife
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As Figgis recently reminded me we often get a certain feel for a field, like just how it is whether right or wrong? Well it seems that our experienced gut instinct is usually about right! It is either a field of some special finds or is really quite the opposite. But of course you just need to spend at least some good hours in there to arrive at a fair conclusion to associate with it's vibes! 

Good things come to those who wait.
- Littleboot
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It is something we all at times think we have. I have read many examples mentioned in finds stories where people say things like: this field was calling me etc etc.
I have examples myself...usually when my mind has started to wander and the finds are not biting where I am....where a particular area or field starts to become irresistible. And sometimes it isn't a field or spot that has ever appealed particularly before.
I think there is a very real difference between that gut feeling and other fields that beckon because we have looked on a map or seen a feature on google earth etc. That is a conscious thing and sometimes brings home some goodies but equally often falls sadly flat. On balance the pure 'gut' feeling that hasn't been prompted by research has actually been much more successful for me. Now the difficult thing is not to try and consciously interfere with gut instinct. Otherwise it becomes something else.
I tend to think of some things in life as Luke Skywalker with the Light Sabre moments. Sometimes we hit that sweetspot where the Force is with us. It is a rare thing, and we often confuse ourselves with wishful thinking, but i do believe it exists.
I have examples myself...usually when my mind has started to wander and the finds are not biting where I am....where a particular area or field starts to become irresistible. And sometimes it isn't a field or spot that has ever appealed particularly before.
I think there is a very real difference between that gut feeling and other fields that beckon because we have looked on a map or seen a feature on google earth etc. That is a conscious thing and sometimes brings home some goodies but equally often falls sadly flat. On balance the pure 'gut' feeling that hasn't been prompted by research has actually been much more successful for me. Now the difficult thing is not to try and consciously interfere with gut instinct. Otherwise it becomes something else.
I tend to think of some things in life as Luke Skywalker with the Light Sabre moments. Sometimes we hit that sweetspot where the Force is with us. It is a rare thing, and we often confuse ourselves with wishful thinking, but i do believe it exists.
"The forest was shrinking, but the trees kept voting for the axe, for the axe was clever and convinced the trees that because his handle was made of wood he was one of them."
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It's very strange...I have had this "hunch" several times, but more so when I used to go deer stalking...
When I started detecting, I had access to a farm I used to shoot over. I received my detector just before going on holiday and so took it with me and had a play a couple of times on the beach but found nothing but tat.
During this week away, I just knew which field I wanted to try when I got back...Why this particular field, I have no idea, as there is nothing special or different, no foot paths or any known history...In fact the field is almost a water meadow and detecting can be unpleasant at times due to the wetness.
Anyway, the feeling was so strong, that the day after I arrived home, I went out even though the weather was terrible with thunder storms promised. As I arrived at the gate, the rain eased a bit so I thought I would go out and give it a try.
I walked at an angle on to the field about 30m and started to detect and almost immediately got a signal that turned out to be a good condition Henry VI groat! When I saw the coin, I knew it was "special" but I didn't even know it was a hammered or what a hammered was...
As soon as I had recovered the coin, the heavens opened and the thunder started so I had to give up. I had been out of the car no more than 15 minutes and it was several weeks before the field dried out enough for me to get back on.
I have detected that field countless times since and I have covered it like a rash, but have not found anything else of note and nothing older than George 3rd halfpennies...
When I started detecting, I had access to a farm I used to shoot over. I received my detector just before going on holiday and so took it with me and had a play a couple of times on the beach but found nothing but tat.
During this week away, I just knew which field I wanted to try when I got back...Why this particular field, I have no idea, as there is nothing special or different, no foot paths or any known history...In fact the field is almost a water meadow and detecting can be unpleasant at times due to the wetness.
Anyway, the feeling was so strong, that the day after I arrived home, I went out even though the weather was terrible with thunder storms promised. As I arrived at the gate, the rain eased a bit so I thought I would go out and give it a try.
I walked at an angle on to the field about 30m and started to detect and almost immediately got a signal that turned out to be a good condition Henry VI groat! When I saw the coin, I knew it was "special" but I didn't even know it was a hammered or what a hammered was...
As soon as I had recovered the coin, the heavens opened and the thunder started so I had to give up. I had been out of the car no more than 15 minutes and it was several weeks before the field dried out enough for me to get back on.
I have detected that field countless times since and I have covered it like a rash, but have not found anything else of note and nothing older than George 3rd halfpennies...
- Easylife
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It's happened to me too, first time on a field you find the best it has and then it's downhill from there over the subsequent searches. Same in the Aussie goldfields sometimes, get out the car and find a nugget straight away and think this is a great spot. Then just nothing else!


Good things come to those who wait.
- figgis
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Never ignore the old bread basket. "Cosmic ordering" (load of old cobblers) aside, there seems to be something which tells us if a field - or part of it - holds nice things for us to find or indeed if the day itself is going to be a good one or not. Blowed if I know how it works but I've learned to listen to it.
- Kenleyboy
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Had similar on a particular field where I had this hunch to stay put , in fact it was such a strong feeling I abandoned the smaller field and turned back and carried on where I left off . As a joke to myself I always used to say a nice bit of gold will do but on this session I was keen to find a full Crotal bell so lowered my sights . I had found plenty of bits and some almost complete but never a full one .
Back on the main field I had little time left as the light was fading so I decided to be extra strict and not wander off line until I got to the car .
Across to my left is a short hedge line on the far side of the field and I always ignored this area due to the amount of trash and rubbish from the nearby road . Half way down my lane I had this strong urge to head across the field towards the hedge , it was a really strong feeling which I tried to ignore . I carried on for a bit until this feeling became too much and I veered off track . About twenty yards away from the hedge I got a decent signal , dug it and laying in the spoil was a gold half sovereign ! I was in such disbelief at first I thought it was some kids toy money or a garage token of sorts but no it was the real deal .
I scanned the hole and around it and about two feet away got another strong signal and out popped a full Crotal bell ! That was my one and only bizarre session ever while metal detecting , call it coincidence , luck or whatever but it taught me not to ignore the trashy areas .
Back on the main field I had little time left as the light was fading so I decided to be extra strict and not wander off line until I got to the car .
Across to my left is a short hedge line on the far side of the field and I always ignored this area due to the amount of trash and rubbish from the nearby road . Half way down my lane I had this strong urge to head across the field towards the hedge , it was a really strong feeling which I tried to ignore . I carried on for a bit until this feeling became too much and I veered off track . About twenty yards away from the hedge I got a decent signal , dug it and laying in the spoil was a gold half sovereign ! I was in such disbelief at first I thought it was some kids toy money or a garage token of sorts but no it was the real deal .
I scanned the hole and around it and about two feet away got another strong signal and out popped a full Crotal bell ! That was my one and only bizarre session ever while metal detecting , call it coincidence , luck or whatever but it taught me not to ignore the trashy areas .
I`ve had a "feeling " of a field near to me , its in a very old village dating back to the 1300`s and has produced very little in the way of hammered or anything else for that matter but ,I still can`t get this feeling out of my head that there`s still something to be found of great interest in it , but so far whatever it is, over many years its mysteriously evaded me and I`ve searched it for many years with many different detectors . 

Things aint cooking in my kitchen
- Easylife
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It's funny that we were just discussing this. By chance I discovered a new small field last night (with permission), it just looked so right and I had a great feeling about it as soon as I saw it, but it was silent with no targets at all until I reached the other side of it. Then my first signal, and oh wow, I really wasn't expecting it to be potential treasure! It will feature in my next topic. 

Good things come to those who wait.
- Steve_JT
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I have small field and have only found a Victoria farthing, horse shoes and ploughshares, it’s pasture and just don’t like being in there for some reason?
At some point it must have been used for crops, if anything is there it’s deep.
Had the uncomfortable feeling I was being watched from the woods every time, in the woods next to it is a circle of yew trees. Have been in the woods but feel ok in there and around the yew trees but only found gun cartridges
Regards Steve
At some point it must have been used for crops, if anything is there it’s deep.
Had the uncomfortable feeling I was being watched from the woods every time, in the woods next to it is a circle of yew trees. Have been in the woods but feel ok in there and around the yew trees but only found gun cartridges
Regards Steve
A foolish faith in authority, is the worst enemy of truth." Albert Einstein
- Easylife
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That's quite significant, some interesting info here about them : http://whitedragon.org.uk/articles/yew.htm
Good things come to those who wait.
- Kenleyboy
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Interesting you mention that feeling of being watched and feeling uncomfortable and I am sure many have felt similar one time or another whenever out on certain areas of land . A friend of mine and I were digging a small tip in a dense woodland a few years ago . It was quite a dark place even in broad daylight due to the density of the trees . Digging away and all was good and until the atmosphere all around seemed to have an oppressive feel to it and I felt we were being intensely watched . I ignored it for a while but kept looking round in and amongst the trees but could see nothing but felt very uncomfortable . My buddy was about ten yards away so I never said nothing but the place felt very eerie .Steve_JT wrote: ↑Sat Jul 25, 2020 10:39 am I have small field and have only found a Victoria farthing, horse shoes and ploughshares, it’s pasture and just don’t like being in there for some reason?
At some point it must have been used for crops, if anything is there it’s deep.
Had the uncomfortable feeling I was being watched from the woods every time, in the woods next to it is a circle of yew trees. Have been in the woods but feel ok in there and around the yew trees but only found gun cartridges
Regards Steve
Couple of minutes later my buddy scrambled over and said he felt like he was being watched and felt uncomfortable and he was relieved when I agreed I felt the same . We both stood scanning the trees but there was nothing and eventually the eerie feeling subsided .
No clue to what it was , may even have been a Deer or Fox watching us but who knows but the atmosphere had a feeling of dread to it .We found some good stuff in there but never went back .