Hunting on my own, I feel really self conscious. It probably doesn't help that I'm new to this, not so good at finding (yet?), and have only looked for ones in really high traffic areas. One of them I was looking (in the wrong place, it turns out) on an electrical box right across from someone's living room. Not suspicious at all!
I've noticed it helps to go with friends. Not only is it more fun, but if we're all acting weird, suddenly it's not so bad anymore!
"Talking" on a cell phone is a good idea, I'll have to try that!