Club hunt.

[The Fossicker]

Howdy Boony,
I'm always glad to hear from you folks "Down Under." I have done quite a bit of Metal Detecting in New Zealand for gold nuggets, old coins and such. I was surprised to hear that you are not allowed to dig a hole in Tasmania. Does this law stand if you are searching in the "Outback?" Here in America you usually can dig holes if you are in an area that is not a Park or special place. I do not recommend plugs and have posted a long informative response to this subject today. I know you haven't had a chance to read it since you're a day ahead of me. Ha! The Plug Extractor" that your friend made for you was also made here and maybe still are. I think they called it the "Ground Hog" Eddie and James are right about being hesitant to use it for sod recovery. If one must make a "Plug" the trick is to sub-stain it's life. Some people feel that a full cut will die easier than one with a hinge connected to it and this may be so. I feel that by using the "Slit Method" you avoid any risk at all. This usually makes the Park Rangers happy. Let's hear more from yea mate!

 

[Eddie in Poulsbo]

Wow!! Thanks for enlightening me about the proper way to retrieve a target or at least in your eyes. I am not sorry if I may have offended you in my private message because I think I have more class than to post it on this forum. That's not what this forum is suppose to be about. We like to read things that we can all enjoy and learn from each other and maybe teach other people as well. You accused me and other plug cutters as being out dated and destructive and then you start the name calling. Again, that's not what this forum is about and it's only your opinion. It's unfortunate that some have made it bad for us plug cutters and given all detectorists a black eye and shut down some places that we use to be able to hunt. The sad part about the whole thing is that these places we have been locked out of and the things hidden in the ground will remain hidden forever. We may differ as far as when it comes to retrieving targets and there is a right way and a wrong way of doing everything. Your way does sound kind of interesting and I might have to give it a try sometime and thanks for sharing it with all of us. HH.

Eddie

 

[Boony]

Hi Fossicker,

No they not that hard on us that we can't dig holes in the bush, it's only in parks and recreation areas with manicured lawns that we have the NO DIG policy and I can understand this, I would be upset if someone started cutting plugs in my lawn. (I get enough flack from my Wife for digging my own lawn). However there is still plenty of cash to pick up in these places (and money's good) even if you are denied the old coins. I manage to get plenty of old stuff off the beach and in some of the country areas that I hunt but nothing like you guys in the States. Unfortunately or fortunately which ever way you look at it we haven't had any wars in Australia consequently there are no battle grounds to hunt. Having had a look at some of the goodies that you fellows find it makes me very envious, also I have had a look at the Weekend Wanderers web site in the UK, they really get some nice stuff over there. Every now and again I hear of someone here picking up a gold sovereign and even the ordinary ones with no date significance are worth $200 so they are a nice find.
Anyway enough typing for now, catch up with you a bit later, and thanks once again for responding to my post.
All the best......Boony

 

[richg]

I have not been detecting as long as most of you have, and I dont go out on well manicured lawns or parks unless the ground is moist. It seems to me that as long as the ground is moist and everything goes back in as it came out there is no problem. I go to one park that is very well maintained and have yet to see a brown spot where I cut a plug. That is just me and of course there are some people that just think there way is the only way. Happy Hunting!!

 

[James N.D.]

Hey there Eddie, how are things shaping up. i have read both Fossicker's reply and your reply also and this is what I think. Sometimes when we do cut plugs there is going to be grass that dies, that is a given. It is best to try and keep the plug from not completely getting separated from the rest of the grass but this is somewhat hard to do sometimes. Now the way Fossicker retrieves his targets is the Slit (or cut) method and I have personally tried this procedure before and it works also. But if he is trying to say that his technique doesn't kill any of the grass, we'll apparently he does not go back to the spots where he detects because no matter what you do, there is always damage done to the roots of the grass and there will be some browning left behind from both techniques. Yes, there probably is less browning of the grass with Fossickers technique, but if people do the hinged plug right (cut the plug, retrieve artifact, put all dirt back in the hole, and put plug back and firmly step it down), then there should be no problems. Just make sure everybody, that when you have dirt on top of the ground, to make sure that you either are using a drop cloth or if you are using a Lesche digging tool, to take the serrated edge and (rake) the dirt back into the hole. I do this and when I get done, you can't even see where my plug was. Anyways, let by-gones be by-gones because we have enough people that don't understand our hobby,WE DON'T NEED FELLOW DETECTORISTS ANGRY TOO!!!! Good Luck to both Eddie and Fossicker on there next outings and just remember to try and get along with each other. You both have the love for the hobby and that should be all that matters. =

 

[Eddie in Poulsbo]

Hi James,
Very well put and I have to agree with you on everything that you wrote. We don't need name calling and all the other crap that some people may feel is necessary or even worth reading on this forum. One point that I would like to make is that when the ground is very wet it only helps to revive the grass that much faster from any plugs cut. Dryer weather makes plugs or even slits more noticeable and looks bad until we get a little rain. Maybe someday someone will invent a way to retrieve targets even better then the methods that are available to us now. Until that happens do it your way and do your best to make it look nice before you leave......... HH.

Eddie

 

[James N.D.]

n/t

 

[The Fossicker]

Howdy Richg,
You're right in only going to sensitive digging areas when it's moist. The problem with plugs is that if you don't observe the moisture content of the soil matrix or remove some or all of the soil containing the roots of the sod - the plug will die. With the Slit Method you bypass much or this danger plus have a much better clean-up whether it's moist or in a dryer state. Give it a try and see how you feel with it. If you encounter problems with the instructions I posted, please don't hesitate to contact me and I will explain the Slit Technique more clearly. Happy hunting to you as well.

 

[smithobx]

AMEN!!!!

 

[The Fossicker]

Howdy James,
I am not Anti-Plug as some think I am, but the reason I promote the Slit Method is that the danger presented in the Plug Method is risky - especially with beginners who haven't had proper instruction from those with experience such as yours. Moisture and soil remaining on the roots are the key to a proper Plug Method. Unfortunately I see most people not observing this so they strip the soil (especially in dry conditions) from the roots then stuff the Plug back into the hole sometimes not even pressing it down! Of course this guarantees failure. Yes I have gone back to the many places I hunt and so far I haven't observed any telltale signs of browning with the Slit Method - even in semi dry conditions. But I'm sure that if it can be messed up someone will do it! If the right conditions aren't up to par at a sensitive site I usually pass on it until it is. I teach a lot of people in my area as well as other places so I'm very aware of what people think is the right way and the wrong. I'm sorry for the insults in my postings (though Eddie doesn't seem to be) as it's not my usual style to a discussion, but I came unhinged from his E Mail attack on my person. I'm sure Eddie is a good man under all of that and is just as concerned about our passion for Metal Detecting as I am. Let's keep these debates going as I feel this is healthy for finding the truth in these matters. May the force be with you!

 

[James N.D.]

Hello there Fossicker, I see that you read my post. I have also seen people just cut a plug, take it and throw it on top of the grass and start to literally back-hoe the dirt out of the hole that they are digging causing a big mess to clean up after locating the target. Then they throw 3/4 of the dirt back into the hole and then take and put the plug back (not caring about which way it was cut or came out) and then STOMP the plug down and move on to the next target. Of course there is still 1/4 of the dirt lying next to the plug just dug, this is just stupidity of some of the fellow detectorist's out there. I have a friend like this and when I see him do this I try and show him what he is doing is eventually going to get all the detectorist's kicked out of these spots we so much enjoy going to. What does he do next, the same thing! So when I'm with him I just wait until he is done and go back over to where he was and clean it up by rubbing it into the grass and spreading it around so it looks more decent than it was. I know this is taking time away from my detecting, but some people just don't care and I hope that this won't bring the day that every treasure hunter out there fears. So everyone out there reading these posts, please take the time to fill in your holes properly and discard the junk that everyone finds properly or sooner or later, detecting as we know and love will be a thing of the past due to new laws passed due to this stupid act.

 

[jb]

As a member of a club in good standing and one that takes, pride in their outings and good standings with the Local Parks Dept. I have to say if we had a friend that was doing that I would do one of two things. First if he didn't belong with the club I would stop going with him after telling him why and warn others of his practice in digging. Second if he belonged to a club I would recommend after warning him that he was to be removed from the club. This can be done by the board members and a general vote. Just my opinion. I finally had to say something on this post.

 

[Ocean7]

if you know how to do it correctly - you don't kill the grass. And you are not going to find the stuff we dig, at the depths we dig with a screwdriver on turf.

after 10's of 1000's of plugs - I'd say that right there is bull!

 

[ring master]

Hi Guys
I been watching what has been going on with the plug and the slit method of retrieval. I live on the Seattle side of the Sound here in Washington state the parks dept. will give you a permit to to hunt in a park (king county)if you show them how you use aprobe and screw diver they told me they would take my equipment if they saw me digging
holes. It got so bad in Renton they don't want you detecting at all.
I look at it like this i don't want people tearing up my yard so i try to respect others,now if if you are in a open field that is not
maintained digging holes is fine as long as your not using a #2 shovel
which has been used, so Gentleman coming from the same area Fossicker
is in i under stand what he is saying we don't want to hurt our sport any more than some people all ready have.
so good hunting ever one
Ring master

 

[Eddie in Poulsbo]

Right on there Ocean7. Do it correctly and nobody should complain.. HH.

Eddie

 

[Eddie in Poulsbo]

I have to agree with you Fossicker that the plug method might be risky especially if people aren't shown the proper way of doing it just as the slit method might be. I believe the common goal for all of us detectorists is to keep as many places open to all of us for as long as possible and it only takes a few to ruin it for the entire detecting community. I have a couple of fellows in my club who aren't the best when it comes to digging a plug and I have gone behind them and made things better. Just to make things square, I do apologize for any offense to you Fossicker and that really isn't my way to make a point by saying things that are uncalled for. I also believe that the truth of the matter is that no matter how careful most of us will be to make as little of a unsightly scene as possible when detecting whether it be a plug cut or a slit method there will always be those who continue to give us all a bad name. I can't tell you how much I dearly enjoy this wonderful hobby of metal detecting and it will be a sad day in my life when we can longer pursue this great hobby. Lets all do our best to make our detecting in the places we hunt as unnoticeable as possible and keep this hobby alive for as long as the sun sets. I am also inviting you to come to one of our meetings in the future and show us your slit method if you will accept. HH.

Eddie

 

[Boony]

Hi again Guys,

Here in our parks and playgrounds, swimming centres etc it's a NO DIG POLICY and if you don't go along with them your permit to hunt the parks will be cancelled. At the moment I am the only person permitted to search in the local parks, and I must admit that I had to do a bit of fast talking and absolutely promise that I would only hunt with a screwdriver and a pair of forceps. All the detectorists that had previous permits had them cancelled a couple of years ago. My permit is for only six months and they said they would review it in June 2006 so hopefully if I do the right thing by the powers they will extend my permit to search.

regards to all.......Boony

 

[James N.D.]

I would say that removing him from a club is a little too far. He use to be in our club but has been to busy to even get out to detect much. I don't know for sure if he plans on joining again but everyone in the club likes him. He is a heck of a nice guy to get along with and for the most part only digs bad plugs when out in the middle of nowhere. But like I said before, I will continue to try and teach him the proper ways of digging. It takes time because he use to go out with the guy that cuts or did cut 15" plugs using the WOT coil. I think he was taught by him not to care. I'm not saying that my friend is cutting huge holes like that, but 8" or plus is too big in my book. I haven't been out detecting with him for about 3/4 of a year due to him being to busy with his job and when and if I go out this year with him, you can bet your Explorer that I am going to succeed in teaching him the method of plug cutting. By the way, this is not Church yards or Private Properties that this is done at, it's more like dying towns with tall grass and unkempt stuff like that. He does every once in a while do a bad plug at a park, but like I said I just go and clean them up a bit because I do watch him very closely. I can say for one thing though, He is improving so there is hope yet. Thanks for the post and to all Happy Hunting.

 

[The Fossicker]

Eddie,
I accept your offer. If you E mail me your phone number we can work out the details. I look forward to hearing from you!

 

[ring master]

Eddie
I am sure you guys are nice guys but i hope you stay on your side of the sound for two reasons if the parks dept.or one of the park workers catch you digging plugs or holes you can lose your equip.and or get fined. one of the complaints is when they mow the grass the mower sucks the plug out of the ground. when you get a king Co. permit
to detect in the parks you have to show them how you use the probe and screwdriver they don't even want to see a digging tool. I know because i had to show them.
The second reason its illegal to use the plug or slit in king Co.
so i have been told several times.
good luck with your hunting
Larry