New Zealand Gold Prospecting & Metal Detecting Forums Archive

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Ed Harding		Posted : Monday, 4 March 2013 4:12:35 PM(UTC)
Rank: Gold Flake Groups: Registered Joined: 28/11/2012(UTC) Posts: 27 Location: Whangarei Thanks: 6 times Was thanked: 4 time(s) in 4 post(s)		Today I went to metal detecting at Barge Park here in Whangarei; what did I see, well someone had been fossicking using a spade and didn't do so well in leaving things as should be. I'm thinking to my self why didn't this person get a proper digging tool (ie lesche digger) any way I decided to swing my coil over the ground they had obviously covered and what happens I'm finding targets missed by the spade digger, so now I'm thinking perhaps instead of getting a lesche why don't they sell their detector and find something else to do besides MDing. The caretaker came over and had a chat with me he wasn't impressed with what had been left behind, it's inconsiderate people who are going to get us all kicked out of parks. He is OK with the plugs dug with the lesche but if it continues it will be a blanket "NO" to our hobby in Parks. So if by chance you know this person have a chat with them, or if it's you, hey, just remember there are others who really enjoy the hobby and don't want to Piss off the Parks people. My 2 cents worth.
		Equipment Whites V3i with a DX1 probe. Whites BeachHunter 300 XP Deus

lifejockey		Posted : Tuesday, 5 March 2013 2:07:20 PM(UTC)
Rank: Gold Nugget Groups: Registered Joined: 3/11/2011(UTC) Posts: 68 Location: Thames Thanks: 15 times Was thanked: 24 time(s) in 17 post(s)		Where I live Metal detectorists are few. I have never seen any holes dug by others in any parks I go to. You wont see my holes either 'cause I only use a screwdriver and a spoon and sometimes a putty knife. So any holes are tiny in size but can be 5-6 inches deep. I mostly use a VERY low sensitivity, just enough to pick up a dollar coin within reach of the pinpointer. Everywhere here seems virgin ground cause I find good stuff all over. Obviously it's recently dropped stuff but running the detector at max doesn't find much of anything good down deep, so no real need for plugs and messy holes. Running on low sensitivity also cuts out heaps of small trash. The ground is so dry and crumbly at the moment I can retrieve a shallow target just with a finger :) I think one needs to adjust the tools and techniques used for the conditions and location. Therefore a variety of methods should be practised. The Lesche is NOT the best tool for every condition and especially NOT on manicured parks in dry weather. Everyone should learn to retrieve with a screwdriver or similar tool.... a wood drill (spade bit) is good too for softer ground as long as the steel is high quality as the cheap china ones bend easy. A sharpened putty knife will cut a nice clean slot in soft ground that allows a spoon to get down below the roots to scoop out the target. Press the edges back firmly and it's invisible and little chance of dead grass. All in all there is no reason to leave any mess or damaged ground anywhere.... it's also a lot of fun finding new ways to dig stuff. In the bush or farm paddock nothing beats a short handled spade :) That's my 2 cents.
		Gold Bug Pro and Lots of Hope

Ed Harding		Posted : Tuesday, 5 March 2013 9:42:43 PM(UTC)
Rank: Gold Flake Groups: Registered Joined: 28/11/2012(UTC) Posts: 27 Location: Whangarei Thanks: 6 times Was thanked: 4 time(s) in 4 post(s)		Originally Posted by: lifejockey Where I live Metal detectorists are few. I have never seen any holes dug by others in any parks I go to. You wont see my holes either 'cause I only use a screwdriver and a spoon and sometimes a putty knife. So any holes are tiny in size but can be 5-6 inches deep. I mostly use a VERY low sensitivity, just enough to pick up a dollar coin within reach of the pinpointer. Everywhere here seems virgin ground cause I find good stuff all over. Obviously it's recently dropped stuff but running the detector at max doesn't find much of anything good down deep, so no real need for plugs and messy holes. Running on low sensitivity also cuts out heaps of small trash. The ground is so dry and crumbly at the moment I can retrieve a shallow target just with a finger :) I think one needs to adjust the tools and techniques used for the conditions and location. Therefore a variety of methods should be practised. The Lesche is NOT the best tool for every condition and especially NOT on manicured parks in dry weather. Everyone should learn to retrieve with a screwdriver or similar tool.... a wood drill (spade bit) is good too for softer ground as long as the steel is high quality as the cheap china ones bend easy. A sharpened putty knife will cut a nice clean slot in soft ground that allows a spoon to get down below the roots to scoop out the target. Press the edges back firmly and it's invisible and little chance of dead grass. All in all there is no reason to leave any mess or damaged ground anywhere.... it's also a lot of fun finding new ways to dig stuff. In the bush or farm paddock nothing beats a short handled spade :) That's my 2 cents. Lifejockey, I agree 100% with you, I to have and use other items to exctract with minimal soil disturbance. This particular park is used often extensivly for horse events so the grounds are not quite as manacured as say your average sporting/recreational park but the last thing the horses/riders need is and 8 to 9 inch sod cut that could cause the horse to fall on completing a jump. These weren't a flap cut but a square sod removed. I have been detecting at this park for over 2 years with the full knowledge and approval of the caretaker and would be rather miffed if that approval was to be withdrawn because of what has just happened. Someone using a spade in a park is probably not likely to know how to use a screwdriver/coin probe hence my suggestion of the leische over the use of the spade. You have quite rightly pointed out the alturnatives and I thank you for that and I imagine others will also. At the time I was quite angry, I probably should have waited till I had cooled down a bit and not been quite so focused on one aspect of target removal. cheers ed
		Equipment Whites V3i with a DX1 probe. Whites BeachHunter 300 XP Deus

Guardian		Posted : Wednesday, 6 March 2013 9:51:29 AM(UTC)
Rank: Gold Ingot Groups: Registered Joined: 30/10/2011(UTC) Posts: 716 Location: Dunedin Thanks: 42 times Was thanked: 222 time(s) in 185 post(s)		I think this one is a good one to watch http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YzEZNWMXKDE yes it is quicker to cut a round plug and leave a flap but the grass still dies if it is in a dry area. These are my tools of choice, I'm onto putty knife number 2 after digging thousands of holes with my first one, so that's pretty good for a tool that cost about $5 My not so magic utility belt ~cue Batman Theme~ All Blacks drop cloth folds up small into front pouch Torch isn't usually taken and if playground hunting scoop is taken instead Red handled tool is another curved digging tool great for digging out coins Screwdriver I say is for coin popping but also aids in fending off would be muggers 8^) Just like you guys with the Lesche! My probe is made from a motorbike spoke and a screwdriver handle. Edited by user Wednesday, 6 March 2013 10:16:01 AM(UTC) \| Reason: Not specified* File Attachment(s): tools.jpg tools2.jpg

lifejockey		Posted : Wednesday, 6 March 2013 10:26:55 AM(UTC)
Rank: Gold Nugget Groups: Registered Joined: 3/11/2011(UTC) Posts: 68 Location: Thames Thanks: 15 times Was thanked: 24 time(s) in 17 post(s)		Good one Guardian... I use a similar nail pouch and exactly the same putty knife. Try also good strong desert spoon for surgical retrieval under the roots. Also, I have my pinpointer attached to the gold bug shaft (the wire looped through the holder) easy to get to and easy to spot if left behind :) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0umCPMAKF3Q Mike
		Gold Bug Pro and Lots of Hope