How do you work a large area?

[Bill_S]

Just wondering what some of your methods are for working a large area such as a soccer field? I have stretched out a long piece of twine and detected down one side and then the other and then moved it over say 5 ft and do it again. Any other ideas so you are not just wondering around covering the same ground or missing ground. How do you mark where you left off so you can start again the next time you go to the area. Thanks.

 

[liltracs]

If time is not an issue Griddng with twine and 3/4 overlaps on the swing. I would overlap the grid line at least 18 inches each time. Dont want to leave something on the line. This should make the next MDer to hit it one bored soul.

 

[slingshot]

If the area has good grass or if I'm there in the a.m. after a dew or if it's fairly dusty-I slightly drag my feet. Easy to do if you're overlapping correctly. This leaves a trail that you can spot w/eyes-and I do it in small sections so as not to lose sight of the line ahead of me. Then, when I reach the end of the section, I stop the coil on the end of the sweep on the side that I will be moving to on the return-and WALK AROUND the coil until I'm facing the direction I'll be returning-making sure I'm not overextending and am perpendicular to the return path-in other words SQUARE to the return path. Then I start back on THAT path that is parallel to the last path-again slightly dragging my feet. Otherwise , you have to follow a spot that you have picked out in the distance on each path-and more concentration is required and there is more room for error. I had to think this up while in competition and it helped me win first place in a speed hunt. It's especially nice if you're in a hurry. Hope you like

 

[Goldburn]

According to Garrett's book, to sample a large area cross it with a couple of choice paths to get a feel for it.

You can mark it off with golf tees as you go along a path, basically breadcrumbing every so often. that way you can see where you've been.

Without marking the area off it's easy to wind up retracing your steps the opposite way by the time you get to the end of a field and turn around.

 

[SpokaneDigger]

Watching the foot prints behind me works for me, if i could walk in a staight line it would help!

 

[awhitster]

I usually just wonder around aimlessly

 

[Uncle Willy]

Yeah random search produces about as much as gridding. I just mentally grid an area. One needs to do a random search to begin with to see if it is a productive area and if there are any spill patterns.

Bill

 

[Goes4ever]

I usually just wonder around aimlessly

same thing I do

 

[awhitster]

I usually just wonder around aimlessly

same thing I do

That's for a large area. If it is a small lawn, lawn strip or such I will grid it. If it is an old house or an area wher ethere is a chance of old money, the grid is on. If it's dirt I usually go by my foot prints.

 

[Goes4ever]

yep old house I go back and forth like a lawn mower