Digging Holes

[englishprof]

How do you really dig holes? If you do the flap method, do you cut a semi-circle in the ground as deep as the hit, then clip the grass roots a few inches below the surface, fold the grass flap back, then scoop the dirt into something so you can fill in the hole afterward? I've also seen the method where you just cut a slit in the ground and get stuff out with knitting needles or a screwdriver. That seems less intrusive but somewhat tricky. Almost all of my recoveries have been scuba diving deep water and I have very limited ground experience. I don't want to give metal detecting a bad name.

 

[BigCatDaddy]

In a nice manicured lawn, the flap method is good. I usually make a plug, but you gotta have the right kinda digger for that. I have one, but for the life of me, I can't remeber what it's called of who made it. Most of the places I hunt lend themselves to using a probe as most of the goodies are within 1-3" deep. Poke around till you hit the target, slide off to the side and get under it, then pop it up thru the grass and soil, then a stomp of the foot over the affected area and you never know I was there.

 

[Dick from IA]

I use the "probe and pop" method whenever possible, and with most coins being 1-3" deep it works well.

BigCatDaddy explained it well in his post. Takes a little practice, but it saves the grass and cuts down on retrieval time.