Who's flipping my plugs!!!

[McDyver]

After returning to an old resort the following day found 5 plugs flipped out of place! I'm guessing rodents or skunks (Wisconsin), anyone know a solution? Thanks!

 

[matthias]

Staple gun....LOL! No seriously I dont have a solution for you. I am interested how other members may answer. HH. Matt

 

[shadowalker0570]

I am guessing its the raccoons, skunks. They used to dig up the tulips I planted out in the fields. I would find my plug dug up and the bulbs missing.

 

[deepdiger60]

You can buy Badger or better known as Bear Cat sent spray each plug and those pesty lil ground dwellers will not go near it

 

[Tin Fin]

The smell of fresh-dug ground attracts anything from coyote, fox (red and gray), 'coon, 'possum, to skunk. Mix 50/50 water and castor oil - you could go 75% water if you want; put it in a spray bottle, and after you have replaced the plug, spray the vicinity. It usually doesn't have to be a heavy coating, but do spray around the outside perimeter of the plug by at least a few inches. Works good on keeping moles and chipmunks out of your yard too.

 

[McDyver]

I'll try the bear cat scent, Thanks

 

[Critterhunter]

More than likely skunks. I've had that happen from them. Skunks LOVE grubs and will turn the plug over looking for them. That's why I stomp really good and hard on the plug to make sure it's as snug as it can get back in place, not to mention it prevents lawn mowers from knocking them out of place. Also, doing this will get rid of the trapped air around the roots that will dry the grass out. The grass may get crushed by stomping but it will spring back a day or two later. Also, dig only horseshoe or three sided plugs. This not only helps hold them in place better, and makes sure they go back in the way they came out since they have a hinged side holding them that way, but it also keeps a lot of roots attached to the surrounding grass which prevents the grass from dying out or drying out. Even deep plugs are real easy to do this way with a little practice. Just dig 2/3rds the way around it and then use your digger to flip the plug back on it's "hinge" to the one side.

 

[McDyver]

Thanks for the advice critterhunter, now that its illegal to detect on WI DNR lands including all lakes and river beds I am no longer a die hard beach hunter. So now I hunt on land, propointer sure is handy! Getting better at 3 sided plugs too!

 

[GunnarMN]

use tooth picks like they hold sandwiches together or some kind of staple like a grass staple they use to hold sod down ,

 

[Ron from Michigan]

I would try to use a flap in an area where the plugs were pulled out or flipped.Most of these parks are looking for excuses to ban metal detecting. I would change my digging strategy.HH Ron

 

[ZOFCHAK]

I've had it happen a number of times and witnessed first hand a Fox Squirrel digging a plug that I had left hours before. I would not recommend using any based spray to repel Coyotes or Badgers. They are extremely territorial and curious and would almost certainly be more attracted to the scent than repelled. It may work for squirrels and skunks.

 

[ZOFCHAK]

now that its illegal to detect on WI DNR lands including all lakes and river beds

That sucks! I have already lost one large park to detecting this Spring and just yesterday found out another site I detect has been closed to all recreational use. My ace in the hole was water detecting this season, but after hearing that I'm really nervous.