Time to Vent a Little

[hotrodzincoln]

I tried out a new park yesterday. A snow storm was blowing in but the weather was still OK for metal detecting. The only thing I didn

 

[Frank in NH]

n/t

 

[Jerry-Wi]

I know exactly how you feel. Thursday we drove an hour and a half to hunt a football field that we have been at many time before. This time however, there many week old holes and the dirt piles were matted down so much there was not enough to fill the holes. Whoever did this does know much about pinpointing because some of the holes were 8 inches in diameter and maybe 4 to six inches deep and in most cases, the target was in the side wall of the hold by several inches. I picked quite a bit of change by just going from dirt pile to dirt pile and checking them out before attempting to repair the damage.

I was going to post a rant but as long as you already have I won't.

It is no wonder all the anti metal detecting laws are being passed.

Jerry

 

[John-Edmonton]

n/t

 

[Joel-Winnipeg]

Make everyone in the hobby look bad.
No wonder they look sideways at anyone detecting.

 

[hotrodzincoln]

I know exactly how you feel. Thursday we drove an hour and a half to hunt a football field that we have been at many time before. This time however, there many week old holes and the dirt piles were matted down so much there was not enough to fill the holes. Whoever did this does know much about pinpointing because some of the holes were 8 inches in diameter and maybe 4 to six inches deep and in most cases, the target was in the side wall of the hold by several inches. I picked quite a bit of change by just going from dirt pile to dirt pile and checking them out before attempting to repair the damage.

I was going to post a rant but as long as you already have I won't.

It is no wonder all the anti metal detecting laws are being passed.

Jerry

That's what I'm afraid of, and even if we're not causing damage if there is official and public perception that we are causing damage our privilege to hunt parks, beaches, etc. will end or be so over-regulated that it won't be fun anymore. We may find ourselves in the same boat as the off road enthusiasts and rock hounds. I'm not sure what the solution or solutions are. Thanks for sharing your story.

 

[sandtrout]

Nicely said, Hotrodzincoln!

 

[GoGoGopher]

A LOT of this mess is being done by folks buying cheap detectors at Wal-Mart, Dick's Sporting Goods, Radio Shack, etc. These places do NOT show people how to use their new purchase. Manufacturers need to STOP trying to make a fast buck by selling to the big chain stores...

HH,

 

[scubadetector]

I like your post but IMO you could have left out the bit on pull tabs. If the idiot does see it, and because gold is so high, you just might go back and find a lot more holes and pull tabs in each one. Sorry you had to run across such a person's diggings.

 

[Johnny Cache]

I agree with you 100%. It must very aggravating arriving at your destination only to find it has been disrespected by another detectorist. I never have that problem because nobody else detects around here lol.

I always fill my holes nicely--even out in the country. Last year out in the country I hit an old homestead which actually had the waist-deep grass cut (made into hay bales). I found many good things there and carefully filled my holes. About a week later I went back only to find half my plugs OUT of their holes. At first I thought somebody else had been there, but they were my holes. I know I was being watched by the badgers that live under the old falling-down house...maybe they were curious and pulled the plugs up? It was strange...

 

[GoGoGopher]

Skunks and squirrels will dig up your holes as well...they smell your scent and it is natural to them to dig where other humans or animals have dug...Maybe you buried food...
If you find this happening, bring along a bottle of ground red pepper flakes and sprinkle some on the filled in hole...that will deter them from digging where you dug.


HH,

 

[hotrodzincoln]

Skunks and squirrels will dig up your holes as well...they smell your scent and it is natural to them to dig where other humans or animals have dug...Maybe you buried food...
If you find this happening, bring along a bottle of ground red pepper flakes and sprinkle some on the filled in hole...that will deter them from digging where you dug.


HH,

Wow, I never thought about animals re-digging the holes. There are a lot of skunks in the area, not so sure about squirrels or badgers as Johnny Cache suggested. I'll pay close attention when I go back to areas where I've retrieved targets to see if anything is digging the spots. So far I haven't noticed any dead or disturbed spots where I've previously been.

 

[sonnydigs]

Well said..
Armadillos are bad about that, looking for grub worms.. Especially if the ground is hard and dry.. Makes less work for them..