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Last search at one my favorite parks someone left a pull tab on top the ground near every hole they dug.Don't understand their strategy or message.Too many parks are being closed and who can blame them for the mess these people make.By the way I did pick the surface thrash up and fill a couple of holes to CYA the good hunters.My message too these hunters leave no foot print,and pick your thrash up or this will be one less place open to search. Thanks HH Ron
I see this a lot too and seen some good places closed down because of this. Sometimes I feel a person has to take a class and get a licence to be detecting so they do learn the right way and save this hobby for those that do respect the privilege to detect.
Thats why I feel its so important to join your local club. They teach you the correct hunting and digging methods and to respect every place you search, as a matter of fact our club members are given exclusive acess to search sites that individuals are no longer allowed, because we show respect, any member who does not abide by these simple rules does not deserve to be in the club or the hobby for that matter.
I had a similar thing happen last Sunday. I stopped by that old fairgrounds I've been hitting pretty hard and down at the far end were a little kid and his dad (I presume). Dad was using the detector and the kid was doing the digging. I decided to stay far away from them for courtisey's sake. After about 20 minutes they walked by but wouldn't look in my direction. I did notice that the detector he had was of the dime store variety. They continued down the street so they lived nearby. I went over to where they were because that's where I've been finding most of the old stuff as I got closer I could see clumps of sod strewn all over the place and unfilled holes everywhere. The junk was laying on the ground by every hole. I went to every hole and picked up the junk and did my best to fill the holes but the dirt was literally strewn around so you couldn,t even put it back. About all I could do was put the sod in the holes so it didn't look so obvious. Even all the dirt was shook out of the sod. Fortunately the holes were barely deeper than an inch or two. I think I filled around 30 holes. I hope they don't go to the nice park down the street. I'll have to keep an eye out for those two.
Good luck Gary
Treasurechic,it would be helpful if a club or seasoned hunter could correct these slobs hunting etiquette, but advice or education is probably useless to someone in this mindset.We do need to stop these people and find someway to solve this problem.Thanks Ron
Rick,I don't like permits,but this may be the only way to prevent more places being closed.Example I live in Oakland County,but if I search in Genneesse County a yearly permit is required.I have noticed in the parks where permits are required a ranger will check to see if ever thing is going alright and caution you on keeping your digging to a minimum.Permits would bring money in to help the parks and motivate the cities and townships to keep them open.LOL Mr Pulltad and La clod would probably be the first to get a ticket and their permit pulled.Permits could be a solution,too bad the honor system or common sense doesn't work.Thanks Ron
Mark if we work together and a priority to let these hunters know this won't be tolerated the situation can be improved.Still a very difficult problem to solve especially with more people using a metal detectors.Thanks HH Ron
A lot of times, (not all) I have noticed that these type of folks are guys that appear to buy a metal detector on an impulse and use it maybe one or two times and then stick it in a closet. They'll buy a $75 detector and come to the conclusion that detectors don't work. But, you know the saying...A few bad apples......
John
John,I agree there are a lot of the new hunters that kill the park OJT with their $75.00 wonder detector.I noticed an older gentleman with a vintage 6000 Whites that left a debris trail,some seasoned hunter have bad habits also.Though no matter how careful we are there are some spots on the ground(bare ground no grass) that will show signs of a target dug.Common sense and manners seem to be in short supply LOL wonder how these slobs live.Thanks Ron
Ron,I have gone face to face with anyone I have seen doing that and told them how they are shafting the hobby and myself. Typically I see them without a trash pouch or apron and often no headphones. Caught people digging in parks with shovels, pitchforks and one had a spoon!?
I have a hunting partner who is friendly with the rangers at one park and had two people thrown out in the last month for this. The worst thing is when there is no jerk to confront and the trash is lying by the holes as you found. Now some people can be converted but it takes mentoring.
HH-Bruce
Bruce,the most difficult part like you suggest is dealing with a friend or hunting partner with these bad habits.One thing that annoys park people is noise at a park setting this leads to hunters getting lots of unwanted negative attention.At this point in time we should tell a hunter who doesn't use headphones or carry a thrash pouch your not welcome to the search,which with their actions we all end up getting banned from the park.My brother in MI doesn't use headphones even when I suggest use this extra pair brought, along with a lecture on how park people didn't come here to listen to a metal detector beeping.Yea we all get sick and tired of babysitting these rude hunters.Next time with my brother,no headphones,sorry you're not coming with me for a search.He does put his trash in a vest pocket,but needs to have better hunting habits.I fill all my holes(and sometime others) try to dig as little as possible,remove all trash,and not invade people's space;Yes I can get better,with my hunting etiquette which we should always work to improve. Thanks HH Ron
Sometimes in large parks I move around to lessen any evidence that any detecting has taken place.We all take about digging ever target for gold,but in some parks trash concentrate is just too much,and would result in disturbed ground.HH Ron
Ron, just the other day I was at a park and noticed somebody was dumping their trash right up against trees. I knew it was a hunter because of the round pull tabs laying together up against the tree. Like I said before after I confronted that yokel leaving holes on a beach, if I see anybody not filling holes or leaving trash on top of the ground I'm going to sneek video them from a distance caught in the act and then approach them and ask if they'd like to state their name on camera, because they are about to become a Youtube sensation in detecting circles. Shame then into not being lazy on camera, then they'll think twice in the future not knowing if they are being filmed again with the advent of video ability on cell phones to catch them.
Critter,I agree we can't be passive and let these park buzzards cause sites to be banned.Maybe I'll have my cell cam ready to post a couple of videos on You Tube if I encounter one of these vultures.Thanks Ron
Just be safe about it Ron and make sure there are people around, so some crazy doesn't pull a weapon or something on you. That's how I plan to only risk approaching them for a close up after I've already caught them on camera from a distance. Otherwise I'll just film from the distance and leave it at that without them knowing. I'm a big guy but I don't look for trouble, and size doesn't matter anyway when somebody is packing some heat. Not worth risking life or injury to prove a point. Nothing's worth that...
