Need everyones opinion on this

[magic]

I have an issue that I would like to hear from all of you about. I have a friend that I only met a few months ago. He is a nice guy and all but I go detecting with him and he can not dig a hole very good at all. His holes look terrible when he is done. I have tried to tell him in a polite way that he should work on digging his holes better but he thinks what he does is fine. Its not!
I went detecting today at a place that he and I went a few days ago and I could see the mess he made while we were there. I didn't really notice until today when I was detecting. Then, a maintenance guy came over to me and ask if I was the one digging all the holes. I told him no that they weren't mine but I would try to fix them.

I need to straighten this guy out on this but,..
A. I dont want to offend him and make him mad at me
B. I dont know how to tell him so he will listen
C. I am not sure he would change his ways even if I spoke to him.

I am ashamed to detect with him and I am avoiding going with him any more but I dont want him to be one of those guys that makes us look bad.
I LOVE this hobby and want to do the right thing... What would you do if you were in my place?

 

[dave5710]

Maybe you can get the maintenance guy to say something to him. Like, "you need to learn to fill in your holes like your buddy over there". Then maybe he will listen to you, or maybe he will get kicked out. That is a tough one. Good luck.

 

[GoGoGopher]

I had one just like yours...Had to teach him the hard way...I told him point blank that I would not hunt with him if he continued to disrespect me by leaving ugly dirt piles behind...I showed him how to dig a plug and after that, every thing was fine...Sometimes you need to use the tough love...

HH,

 

[TURNMASTER]

You now know what to do, so go do it.

 

[Furious T]

You could tell him about the maintenance guy approaching you, and that this is a sign that his holes are not good enough...you could let him know that he is already getting other detectorists noticed in a negative way....renew your offer to help him, and if he still refuses you might have to dump him on the basis that you cant afford to get into trouble for his bad work.

 

[BH_Landstar_]

Teach him to pinpoint and pop the target with a screw driver, that way he's not digging holes.

 

[jim tn]

There is probably not a perfect way to handle the situation and unfortunately, some just don't get it. As has been mentioned, I would use the grounds keeper as leverage and then show him how one more time to cut, remove and replace a neat plug. And then simply tell him like it is. "Unless you fill your holes properly and neatly, I won't be hunting with you any more." HH jim tn

 

[Da Yooper]

I have seen some nasty holes left by other detectors and to me that means that they are lazy and have no respect for other peoples land. This is a problem that happens every where. It's just a matter of time before your hunting buddy gets you kicked or even banned from hunting some of your favorite spots. Work with him, practice digging hole in his own yard and get him to read these posts maybe this will help. I told my hunting buddy that he was going to dig and fill his holes properly or he's not going to be able to go detecting. My buddy is my youngest son and he's 13 now and I would take him anywhere.

 

[Larry (IL)]

It's called tough love Magic............you will have to get on his azz so he understands.

 

[D&P-OR]

There's been some pretty good answers given here.---This is one of the main problems/concerns in our hobby.---What do MOST people think of when they see a person with a metal detector?----They think of digging---and digging equals holes.-----That in itself doesn't create the problem for us---but improper target retrieval and not takeing care of any holes we dig SURE AS THE BLAZES does!-----I know I'm "preaching to the choir" here but if we don't get a handle on and teach others proper recovery techniques---it's just going to "kill us all" (long term).-----People that come back into their favorite parks (includeing caretakers) & see that mess made & those holes----they're not dumb--they can put two & two together.-----The first thing they think of is--those "bad" people with those metal detectors.----NOBODY loves this great/wonderful hobby more than I do---but I'm telling you--if we don't ALL practice AND TEACH OTHERS good recovery techniques--we are ALL going to suffer the consequences.---------Del

 

[mwaynebennett]

You could ask him to be the videographer for a youtube video you want to make on how to dig a proper hole etc. Perhaps by filming you and hearing your step by step instructions and explanations, he would learn something.

A side benefit would be that once you uploaded the video to youtube, others could view it and improve their digging methods.

Mark

 

[Flintstone]

Magic, Go with Furious T, and GoGoGopher, if you don,t stop him, then you and he will be stopped. The maintenance man must be a nice guy, or he would have told you to no come back. He is giving you a chance to get things right. If you don,t, next time he might not be so nice. Good Luck Flintstone

 

[zeekeys]

Magic don't take my advise. Tell him to shape up those holes or ship out. Either way, he has to make the decision. Thanks for reading and Happy Trails.....Z

 

[magic]

Thanks everyone for your reply's. I guess I am just going to have to tell him again. I will tell him about the maintenance worker and tell him that I can show him how to dig without anyone ever even knowing and how important it is. I will also tell him I cant take him to any of my sites if he digs holes that way. I will tell him today and let you all know how it went. Thanks for the reply's.

 

[GRAY GHOST]

n/t

 

[Woodchuck]

Obviously you need to DUMP EM no way no how would I hang with him look at trouble he has already caused

 

[fowlercharles]

It will be a tough job to do but tell your friend about your encounter with the Maint. guy and just what the situation is concerning the mess he is making, and what the results will be if he doesn't improve his methods. Being up front with him may save the friendship and a digging partner, and may not, but you know you will have done the right thing. Certainly if your friend doesn't shape up he will only cause problems for not only himself in the future but for the Hobby of detecting.Good Luck, and HH!

 

[therover]

Magic,

Could the problems occur due to the person not digging a proper plug, and not getting all the dirt back into the hole prior to putting the plug back ? Is he using a towel, frisbee or some other implement to put the dirt in or is he just scooping the dirt out and onto the grass ? One of the main problems I see is that newbies can't get all of the dirt back into the hole and therefore the plug is not level with the ground, and actually pushed into the ground farther, thus a minor hole remains.

Also, is this person digging a correct plug, or just haphazardly digging any type hole ? Sometimes a bigger plug does less damage than a smaller one when starting out. I have found its much better to dig a bigger one then several smaller ones. More probability to get at the target the first time with a bigger plug and it's much easier to fold the plug back for a proper fit. Nothing screws up the grass more than multiple plugs dig, because for me, I can never get them to fit properly when putting them back because some break up, tear, etc.

The last resort would be to only going hunting with him on the beach !

 

[destructo]

Thats a toghie.i would tel him to fill the holes or he'll get in trouble

 

[otlew]

You could go over to his house when he is not home, dig up his yard and show him how it feels to be on the receiving end of disrespect. Assuming he has a home and hasn't dug it up himself.