Fill them holes!!

[Lightstryder]

I was out at one of our local beaches today, and I came across a couple of locals with detectors. One of them was fairly experienced and the other was on his second outing. I talked briefly with them and then walked to the bathroom to take care of some business. On my way there and back I saw evidence of the newbie digging holes and not covering them. I gotta say if you are introducing someone to the addiction we call Metal Detecting, please, please, teach them right and have them cover those holes, even shallow ones at the beach. That extra effort goes along ways in the eyes of the public to keep our hobby alive.

 

[jacknh]

Nice bit of advice.... I hope everyone reads this. I think alot of people think that because it is at the beach that the surf with fill it in. HH Jack

 

[Cupajo]

During 'swim season" here in the North East I will kick sand in the larger holes I dig chasing a target to keep waders, especially small children, from being caught by surprise.

The bottom is generally very irregular, so smaller holes go unnoticed.

Not a problem in the "off season".

 

[mudpuppy]

Its just a good overall policy in Life to leave no trace, it especially applys to detecting, be it sand or sod.
Mud

 

[bootyhoundpa]

if your not going to fill it,dont dig it....its that simple.......

 

[arclyt]

only takes a coulple seconds--was at Siesta Key last September and of the three other MD's out on the beach beside myself, i was the only one fillling in holes. I even detected close enough for them to wittness the the hole procedure but with no results.

 

[dewcon4414]

I do find it odd if we fail to fill a hole someone notices.... but let 3 guys come out there with shovels and dig a pit to set in and leave it .. no one seems to care. If i was a life guard id be telling them if you dig it you fill it..... its a safety thing. Treat it like its your manicured yard guys.

Dew

 

[tvr]

A few years back I saw someone who had dug a big pit, to lay in, fill it up. Looked nice! That is until a few minutes later a kid riding a bicycle hit the spot and went over the handle bars when the wheel sank in the soft area that had been filled in.

My 2 cents: Dig it, fill it in and step on it to compress it. If it is where the waves wash over on every wave, maybe not necessary to compress; but like Cupajo says kick some sand in. Be aware that we are all being watched every time there are other people near enough to see. With the equipment we use we stand out and are noticed.

Another concern is low tide on a crowded beach. Keep the scoops away from kids (and adults) body surfing or on boards. They don't watch and if they run into that scoop hard, not a single person involved will be happy.

Do to our relatively small numbers, this activity is ours to loose.
tvr