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Saw something today.... very disturbing.

E

Elton

New member
Passing a small town park I observed a man with a young boy. He had a Wal-Mart brand detector.

He was scanning the ground and what I assume were signals he was digging them with a Garden Type Spade. About 9 to 10" wide. He would stand on the shovel, pry the ground free, and dig a massive big hole. Break the clump lose with the shovel..and then with his foot after getting the target push the dirt over the hole..Move on and do it again.

The damage was really bad to the park ground.. You could see every hole area he dug.. Looked like caddy Shack ..hmmmmmmmmmmmm I wanted so badly to tell him to stop..but his small boy was there..didn't want to do it in front of the boy. I would expect his digging set us back about 10 years with the park..and maybe will get us all banned.


I even thought about calling the park headquarters....but again..thinking of the small boy I didn't do it..
 
Moderator you can delete this post if you want. Shambler is correct...
 
Yes, that is very disturbing. A few years ago I saw a "sport" doing the same thing as you just described. I was about to hunt on the site myself. We talked for a few minutes and I finally asked him if he was aware of the horrible looking holes he was leaving? He was actually a tile spade. He replied something like, ya, but no big deal, in a nasty kind of voice. I knew it was useless to prod him any more, so I walked to my vehicle, got my camera and began taking pictures of his car license plate and then him and his holes. He was p***ed, but did clean up the holes some and left. With the young boy, that would have been a no win situation. I have, however, followed some around and cleaned up their holes. They got the hint an either left, or began doing a better job with their holes. I just don't know, Elton. HH jim tn
 
I would have said something,at least showed them the proper tecnique all this is going to do is ruin it for your future hunting the same park or any public area in your neighborhood.
 
to embarrass his father in front of the boy would probably cause the boy to lose respect for his dad,so in my view was the correct "play"
there is absolutely no question that what you observed is precisely WHY all hobbyists are takin' it on the chin!..(so to speak) with people who are
responsible for up keep of town parks..etc..etc..from my perspective,i really don't believe MOST people have malicious intent,but rather
are just basically IGNORANT in proper digging tecnique(s)

(h.h!)
j.t.
 
GENERALLY in my view,when you are confronted with an apathetic,and indifferent attitude,
then attempting to cajole someone into doing the "right thing" (so to speak).is an exercise
in futility,and is best avoided...
(h.h!)
j.t.
 
Communication to the person doing the bad digging is the key, not to us that know how! But seriously, if you see it damaging the sport, approach the man and ask how things are going. Ask some questions, befriend him THEN and only then do you comment on his holes.
 
If I deleted everything that has been said before, we wouldn't have much of a forum would we? You were in a tough position Elton, but I think if I witnessed the event, I would have had to report it to the authorities. I have been blamed for doing such damage done by others right here in my hometown. Tough call Elton.
 
:usaflag:I don't think the moderator should delete this subject. If we don't talk about it occasionally, then the new detectorist visiting here won't get that vital information.

Then again, if a guy buys a detector from Wal-Mart, then he is probably not smart enough to do some research to begin with..:rofl:
 
Yea Larry.. It was a bad situation. My only and I repeat..my only reason for not saying anything, or doing anything was the small boy. I just hated the thoughts of him having to see his father was wrong.
 
I agree with Larry, i would've reported him.
that's why laws are laws, if we dint stand up against the dillweeds of the world, laws will be made , for them, that effect us .
But , I'm not down playing your reason for not, it is a very good reason, and I commend you for thinking of the child.
I also agree with Mcdave, we have to have this topic ,and often!
1 Year ago, I started researching which M.D. to buy. I visited this same forum ALOT.
That topic was here for "ME" to read back then.
And it did bring to my attention , the fact that my holes, would affect others ideas of my new hobby.
So, i learned ,from this very forum, before I even bought my M.D. that I had to be conscientious, and fill in my holes.
Sort of like in the woods.
"Leave No Trace" philosophy.
I'm glad to see this Topic.
Dusty
 
Thats a good idea, I was working too. So time would have been limited to even think about being gracious.. I still think I did the right thing. We will cross paths again......I may get the opportunity of educating him..

[size=large]One more thing..... If anyone new, or just thinking about this hobby.. Please, please don't dig big deep holes with a shovel..and then just push the dirt back over the hole and walk on.. Find another type digger ..not a shovel in a public park....... ask your dealer, or look on the net for a proper digger, Thank you !![/size] Fill your holes properly and tamp them down..... use the plug method of digging a hole and replace it carefully.
 
I had an uncle like that except my uncle used a rock pick to make his holes. So I showed him the proper technique to make a plug using a trowel and even gave him one to use. It wasn't no time at all and he was back to using his pick. I also mentioned he was cupping his swing and showed him the proper way to swing his detector with the coil parallel to the ground, needless to say within a few minutes he was back to cupping his swing as much as before. As a result the only places I can take him detecting is on undeveloped land and though he has made some really nice finds over the years, I can't help thinking how much he must have missed by cupping his swing....
 
Thanks for your posts Dusty and Dave, they remind me why some of us old timers are here on the forums. I have been here 11 years and have hunted for 30 and still enjoy helping others get off to a good start in this great hobby. I have answered some of the same questions hundreds of times and there are days it gets old but over all, it gives me a thrill knowing that someone I helped found their first old coin, gold ring or silver. Again, thanks for posting.
 
I'da had to report him...The youngster needs to know that he can't just go around diggin' up sod looking for pocket change. Strikes me as a classic example of a kid not getting the guidance he needs at home. He needs respect for authority & public/community property.

Sorry for the harsh attitude, but...
 
The father was wrong and should be reminded that he is screwing things up for everyone else that hunts the park. God forbid the kid learn that his father is a putz.
 
With all the modern commercials portraying fathers as idiots, it should come as no suprise to the kid that his father is one also.
 
Just my thought.... Might have worked if you had walked up to him and told him to stop as a concerned citizen... walking up to him as a fellow detectorist may have ticked him off. Could have told him you would call the park athorities if he didn't fix the mess.

Just my 2 cents
 
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