A lot of times, I do just head out to a field with my metal detector in hand, but I’ve found that I have much more success when I’m more systematic. By following a step-by-step approach, like the one you’ll see in the visual on the next page, I’m able to maximize my coverage and uncover more finds. On this page, I’ll give you a glimpse of how I research new permissions—checking LiDAR, historical maps, and old village sites. Then, once I get to the field, I apply this structured approach—outlining boundaries, working systematically in lines, and zeroing in on key spots. Stay tuned as I break it down step-by-step on the next page!