Lesche Digger...Thoughts?

[DaytonaGold]

It's very difficult on my back to constantly bend to dig through hard soil. I've been eyeing out the Lesche Ground Shark and other models. I am not sure what to purchase. Should I purchase a longer handle with a wider blade or stick to a shorter handle...any thoughts or suggestions or shared experences?

thank you.

 

[Buried Crap NJ]

Well the first though that comes to my mine is where do you intend to dig! We always need to be concerned in the eyes of the public! I think it's never a good sight to see a hunter with a longer handled shovel digging up the local park!
If your out in the woods and not in that ever watch full eye then ok! Today many parks only allow a probe to be used, some still allow the use of a lesche type tool or small trowel. When I was taught 38 years ago, to always place your body between you dig and the public so as not to draw any attention. I still do this today and feel its the right thing to practice. But yet I still find dug holes and trash laying next to the unfilled hole, and we wonder why they are stopping hunting all over the place! I am also having the thought that if you can't bend over to properly fill and cover you hole so as to make it look like it was before you dig you should not be hunting in a public park! I hope this helps in your choice of tool.
BCNJ

 

[DaytonaGold]

Thank you for the useful tips

 

[chuckciao]

Check out the Predator Tools "Little Eagle Shovel". It's not too big and very efficient at digging plugs.

 

[jmt48]

I've been using the Lesche Sampson 31″ T-Handle Serrated Blade Shovel...tough shovel and good at digging a clean plug!

JMT

 

[Crusty]

I couldn't agree with Buried Crap NJ more.
No shovels or anything that looks like a shovel in public parks.

Dave

 

[Coilfisher]

Yes, in a public park I would not take a shovel in ever.
For the woods or fields--lots of great tools.
I just visited an area as I had to travel out of town and marvelled at all the lovely parks there.
Tons of them.
Unfortunately, the signs state right on the rules: "No Metal Detectors".
You better believe it was from those causing a mess.

If you are after shallow targets --I can pop 'em out with a screwdriver down to like 4".
Pretty cool technique. (Yes, I thought it was impossible too when I first heard of it.)

 

[DaytonaGold]

Wow, many helpful ideas and thanks to you all. My Gator Digger and Razor Edge Gator Digger (came bundled w/ the CTX) are not up to par for me, both rubber handles on each have pulled right off the metal handle and these are heck on my hands. I need something I can step on to get depth and/or make a better plug hole. It's difficult to "saw" so to speak to make a plug hole, how about this:

Lesche MINI Sampson T Serrated 18"

Would this be considered too big?

thanks again ya'll.

 

[Crusty]

My opinion on that would be not in a public park.
I use the Lesche Digger which cuts sod quite easily.

Dave

 

[DirtyDeedsDugDirtDeep]

I agree with the above statements.
Use the least "threatening" tool when in the public eye; and whatever works for you when the conditions allow for more aggressive tooling.
The Lesche hand tool is a very sturdy instrument; although it seems the serrations are on the wrong side for me. I guess I cut my plugs backards !

 

[DaytonaGold]

-- moved topic --

 

[Paul (Ca)]

Used to use the 35" or maybe its the 36" Lesche ground shark all the time at parks and school grounds, Now only use it when park workers are ok with it.

However, Although the Ground Shark makes digging so much easier now tend to use my hand diggers about 95% of the time, Trying to avoid issues especially out detecting new territory. Hand diggers just don't set off alarms as a long handle digger will, use your judgement.

Lesche Ground Shark has three different lengths, Being 5' 11" so the middle lenght is perfect for me, tried the longest version for years but that is too tall handle for me. Now, use the 35/36" inch handle.

The only problem I have with the Predator or Lesche hand digger is the 7" 1/4" blade is not long enough, the bottom portion of the handles bottom on the outer portion of the plug. Unless I widen the plug but then the plug is much bigger than it needs to be, I called Predator tools asked them to lengthen the blade but that will weaken it.

So, I use another hand digger to dig down deeper after pulling a plug with the Predator hand digger. Carry two hand diggers now, wish it was one though maybe someday Predator will extend the blade to 9" inches instead of the standard 7" 1/4" lenght blade. Garrett's new Garrett Edge digger blade is 7" 1/2" inches long but that's only 1/4" longer than a Lesche or Predator hand digger, Need a good 2" inches more.


Paul (Ca)

 

[Critterhunter]

Well the first though that comes to my mine is where do you intend to dig! We always need to be concerned in the eyes of the public! I think it's never a good sight to see a hunter with a longer handled shovel digging up the local park!
If your out in the woods and not in that ever watch full eye then ok! Today many parks only allow a probe to be used, some still allow the use of a lesche type tool or small trowel. When I was taught 38 years ago, to always place your body between you dig and the public so as not to draw any attention. I still do this today and feel its the right thing to practice. But yet I still find dug holes and trash laying next to the unfilled hole, and we wonder why they are stopping hunting all over the place! I am also having the thought that if you can't bend over to properly fill and cover you hole so as to make it look like it was before you dig you should not be hunting in a public park! I hope this helps in your choice of tool.
BCNJ

Couldn't have said it better.

A great idea for those with back or knee problems is what I saw one guy do while hunting public parks on these forums. He knew a hand tool was what would keep him from getting banned, so he made a chair that was tied to his back and so in position to sit down without using his hands. Close enough to the ground to dig, yet not so low that he had trouble getting up. He would sit and dig his target by hand with a hand digger. Perfect solution, and God forbid I someday can't kneel even with knee pads then that's what I intend to do to continue hunting in public venues so I don't blow spots for other hunters. I bet you could put high enough arm rests on the chair to aid getting up and down. I thought that was a fantastic idea he had, and was a very responsible way to continue his activities in this great hobby of ours.

 

[edjcox]

That long handled shovel would get one thing in our parks...

an addition to the rules and regs that says "No metal Detecting!"

No matter how careful, perception is reality and people think your digging to China with that...