I carry a notebook with me while I hunt and I write down the values to every target before I dig it. This might sound annoying, but it really isn't. Another thing I do is, on signals that sound "not normal," I make a quick note of what the signal was "doing." This has severely helped with my pull-tab problem as I have noticed that those signals react "differently" from the clean signals I get from good targets. I have found my notebook to be invaluable. The data has really helped me and writing down values has helped me remember what different signals mean as now I hear, see and write them. Also, by keeping a list, it helps me determine whether or not I want to dig a target. For example, there are a few areas I hunt where there are tons of pull-tabs/slaw/screw caps that are in a certain range. I know someone is going to tell me that I am missing gold by skipping these, but I have yet to pull anything gold when I "expected" a pull-tab. When I have plenty of time at a site, I dig every pull tab, but I have yet to find gold by doing this. I skip pull tabs when I have limited time and want to "cherry pick" a site. Keeping a log also lets you know what you have found and where, this can help in determining which sites are producing, how much they are producing and what they are producing (good to junk find ratio). Another thing I have found is that there are slight variations in numbers due to different soils etc and by keeping my log, I know in these areas what the values will be for different targets when I go back to hunt them, this can help with missing out on good targets. Carrying a notebook and logging everything certainly is not for everyone, but I will never go on a hunt without doing this as I have found it invaluable. I hope my TID's and this information has helped some of you. HH -Marc
