skyblast said:
Some people just don't understand MD. Even though I may be carefully laying down dirt on a towel and doing my best to make it look as though the hole had never been dug, I have found that while I'm in the middle of things people sometimes assume I am making a huge mess and destroying the ground. I've also been startled to death when I'm wearing my headphones....in the zone. I much prefer to on my own focused on what I am doing. My wife actually considers what I do to be rude. "Diggin holes in a park or playfield!" What most people don't get is how much trash I take home and a bit of history. Also I consider mysellf to be somehwat of a loner.
A couple more things. Why are people assuming you are making a huge mess and destroying the ground? I've very seldom had anyone make any negative remarks about what I'm doing.
I'd recommend you get very good at pinpointing so you can dig a small flap plug or even coin pop with a shallow target. If someone comes over by me, they won't see where I've already retrieved because I am very careful to leave it looking like I found it. Personally, I like a frisbee better than a towel or cloth for collecting dirt to be put back in the hole. I always find that a flap plug, where you leave one side of the turf attached, makes for a cleaner retrieval than popping a chunk of dirt out of the ground. Plus you aren't as likely to kill the turf when you leave some of the roots attached. Sometimes you will get temporary brown patches, but the turf will come back as long as the soil isn't excessively dry. Needless to say, avoid manicured lawns or anywhere you care about the turf if the soil is particularly dry.
Good retrieval techniques are like other aspects of detecting, there is a learning curve. If you aren't comfortable with the way spots look after your retrievals, find some inconspicuous places to practice pinpointing and digging. Whatever tool you use for digging, make sure it's sharpened. A sharp blade makes a cleaner cut which makes for a cleaner replacement.
I've gotten in the habit of taking my headphones off when I retrieve a target, whether I'm by myself or with someone else. It keeps me safer and more aware of my surroundings.
My final advice would be to make a conscious effort to get over the loner thing when you are detecting. I know it's not easy to change a basic personality trait, but try to think of people who approach you as potential opportunities for new spots to detect rather than a nuisance. The vast majority of people who approach you do so not because they are disapproving of what you are doing, but because they are curious which is basic human nature. If they see you as friendly and non-threatening, they will often become a good resource for further detecting opportunities.
Just my two cents, again good luck!
