I have been going out every week, on my days off, for 2-3 hr.s per day. I haven't even had a sniff of silver, let alone gold, for over 1 month. I can't even find any junk rings. It has just been the1.10$ per hour of clad for me.
I did pick up something new, though. A few weeks ago I saw an old (even older than me!) guy detecting on a school lot I hit on a regular basis. I sat and watched him dig a few targets from a distance. I noticed he was not tamping down his plug when he was done.
I got about half irate, just knowing he was going to ruin things for everyone. I decided to confront him. He was well over 100 yards away, so I hurried over.
When I got up to him, the first thing I saw was his recovery tools, which consisted of wooden handled screwdriver (a style of handle I recognized to be 1920's, thanks to examples my grandfather had when I was a tot), and a butter knife.
"Findin' much?" asked.
He faked like he didn't hear me, and indignantly took his headphones off. I knew the act, because I performed it myself more than a few times.
"Nope" he replied, hoping to brush me off.
"Yeah", I said. "I've hit it a few times. About all I find is chewed up cans."
"Oh, you detect?" he asked. I could see his demeanor change.
"Yeah, about 5 years now".
"I was here back in the '70's. Bet I pulled out over $100 worth of silver coin then".
We went on talking for about 5 minutes, and I got around to mentioning his method of recovery. He said he didn't have much use for those that use a trowel or hunting knife to dig with. Here I was, ready to read him the riot act, and he was doing it better than I ever did! I'm glad I didn't have my digger with me!
Since then I have put the Lesche away, and started digging with a couple of butter knives and an ice pick. The pick is the probe, one knife is to slit the turf, and the other is to lever the target out. I bent a hook in the end of it.
The more I use this method the easier I find it. I think it actually saves me time. It should get even better with practice.
I thought I was doing a fine job of plugging, and could rarely see any disturbance when I was done. I am amazed at the difference in this new method. I absolutely cannot tell where I was digging when I'm done.
I am glad I made the effort to learn this little trick. While it's not for everybody, I have read it is the only allowed method of recovery in some locations. Maybe I'll be covered if I ever venture in such a place.
It's gotta be better for public perception. After all, you wouldn't use a jackhammer to drive finish nails.
I did pick up something new, though. A few weeks ago I saw an old (even older than me!) guy detecting on a school lot I hit on a regular basis. I sat and watched him dig a few targets from a distance. I noticed he was not tamping down his plug when he was done.
I got about half irate, just knowing he was going to ruin things for everyone. I decided to confront him. He was well over 100 yards away, so I hurried over.
When I got up to him, the first thing I saw was his recovery tools, which consisted of wooden handled screwdriver (a style of handle I recognized to be 1920's, thanks to examples my grandfather had when I was a tot), and a butter knife.
"Findin' much?" asked.
He faked like he didn't hear me, and indignantly took his headphones off. I knew the act, because I performed it myself more than a few times.
"Nope" he replied, hoping to brush me off.
"Yeah", I said. "I've hit it a few times. About all I find is chewed up cans."
"Oh, you detect?" he asked. I could see his demeanor change.
"Yeah, about 5 years now".
"I was here back in the '70's. Bet I pulled out over $100 worth of silver coin then".
We went on talking for about 5 minutes, and I got around to mentioning his method of recovery. He said he didn't have much use for those that use a trowel or hunting knife to dig with. Here I was, ready to read him the riot act, and he was doing it better than I ever did! I'm glad I didn't have my digger with me!
Since then I have put the Lesche away, and started digging with a couple of butter knives and an ice pick. The pick is the probe, one knife is to slit the turf, and the other is to lever the target out. I bent a hook in the end of it.
The more I use this method the easier I find it. I think it actually saves me time. It should get even better with practice.
I thought I was doing a fine job of plugging, and could rarely see any disturbance when I was done. I am amazed at the difference in this new method. I absolutely cannot tell where I was digging when I'm done.
I am glad I made the effort to learn this little trick. While it's not for everybody, I have read it is the only allowed method of recovery in some locations. Maybe I'll be covered if I ever venture in such a place.
It's gotta be better for public perception. After all, you wouldn't use a jackhammer to drive finish nails.
