mapper65
Member
Yesterday, we ventured out for some detecting in a local park. Throughout the last year we have been marking off a park map so as to try and eventually hit every grove in the park used by the public.
We arrived at a new location and it didn't take long to find out that this area was not giving up too many coins, mainly trash. I took a few pull tabs over to a nearby garbage can located up against a pavilion and threw them in the can. Something made me look twice in the can and I saw what I first thought was a dead animal. After looking a little closer I noticed a small raccoon looking up at me. It was not a baby but definitely fairly young and looking rather weak. I think he got in the barrel from climbing on the railing of the pavilion next to the can. It was pretty much empty and there appeared to be too much distance from the bottom of the can to the top for someone his size to get out. Also I don't think his claws were any match for the smooth walled drum.
I debated as to what to do for a few minutes because I wasn't sure if he would come at me if I tried to let him out but then he didn't appear very strong due to his size and his apparent dilemma. Although I couldn't see them I could envision some sharp teeth going right though my gloves. My mother was detecting with me so I told her keep an eye open and be ready with either her 705 or her shovel just in case I had under estimated his abilities and she needed to defend herself.
I slowly tipped the can onto it's side and he wouldn't come out. It was only after I lifted the bottom of the can that he slide on out. He stood there for a few seconds and got his bearings and then scurried up a nearby tree. I'm not sure how much longer he would have made it and I was glad that even though we only found a few coins between the two of us that we were able to help the little guy out. Hopefully he was back out scavenging the park last night getting himself back in shape. I expect that he probably hit the nearby stream for water either soon after we left or in the early evening.
I wish now that I would have at least taken a picture with my phone while he was in the barrel. When I decided to tip the barrel I wanted to make sure I had both hands free just in case the situation got out of hand. Not knowing their instincts or reactions I wasn't sure what we were about to get into.
I'm sure others on here have some interesting stories of things that happened to them while detecting that would be interesting to hear.
We arrived at a new location and it didn't take long to find out that this area was not giving up too many coins, mainly trash. I took a few pull tabs over to a nearby garbage can located up against a pavilion and threw them in the can. Something made me look twice in the can and I saw what I first thought was a dead animal. After looking a little closer I noticed a small raccoon looking up at me. It was not a baby but definitely fairly young and looking rather weak. I think he got in the barrel from climbing on the railing of the pavilion next to the can. It was pretty much empty and there appeared to be too much distance from the bottom of the can to the top for someone his size to get out. Also I don't think his claws were any match for the smooth walled drum.
I debated as to what to do for a few minutes because I wasn't sure if he would come at me if I tried to let him out but then he didn't appear very strong due to his size and his apparent dilemma. Although I couldn't see them I could envision some sharp teeth going right though my gloves. My mother was detecting with me so I told her keep an eye open and be ready with either her 705 or her shovel just in case I had under estimated his abilities and she needed to defend herself.
I slowly tipped the can onto it's side and he wouldn't come out. It was only after I lifted the bottom of the can that he slide on out. He stood there for a few seconds and got his bearings and then scurried up a nearby tree. I'm not sure how much longer he would have made it and I was glad that even though we only found a few coins between the two of us that we were able to help the little guy out. Hopefully he was back out scavenging the park last night getting himself back in shape. I expect that he probably hit the nearby stream for water either soon after we left or in the early evening.
I wish now that I would have at least taken a picture with my phone while he was in the barrel. When I decided to tip the barrel I wanted to make sure I had both hands free just in case the situation got out of hand. Not knowing their instincts or reactions I wasn't sure what we were about to get into.
I'm sure others on here have some interesting stories of things that happened to them while detecting that would be interesting to hear.
Rocky The Racoon thanks you too 