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Twerp with a spade
Metal Kiwi  
Posted : Thursday, 2 January 2014 9:20:13 PM(UTC)
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I was disappointed to see in a city park a few days ago about 20 or so very large dead grass square plugs
that had obviously been cut with a regular garden spade. Some looked as though the plug had been put back upside down too.
This spade practice is so unnecessary when the correct tools are available locally these days. With Summer nearly here those plugs will no doubt stay brown for several months now.

So if you see a hunter with a spade in our parks please try and advise them of the error in their ways.
If you are that hunter reading this and your not sure what I am on about then please PM me from here. Only too
pleased to assist if I can.

HH
MK
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Djevel  
Posted : Thursday, 2 January 2014 9:30:20 PM(UTC)
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You know MK I go to a ton of parks and have only ever seen other peoples plugs cut once and that was at judges bay.. I must be going to less-searched areas?
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Panningnut  
Posted : Thursday, 2 January 2014 10:23:40 PM(UTC)
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now now lets not shovel bash ;)... lol

I use a small shovel... and I have yet to see any dead grass...

I think the real issue is how the plug is cut... rather than the tool used...

I have seen some use one of those plug cutting knives but they cut some horrible plugs. I use a screwdriver for things above 2" and things that are below 2" I use the shovel. And the way that I do it tends to keep the whole plug intact and still attached to the ground and the plug fits back in nice and snug... not square or circle but U or curved shaped plugs.

I did try that one guys method of cutting the line in the ground but it tends to leave a mess in dry ground.

who knows... maybe they were not using a spade but a plug cutting knife. ;)

Some guys just don't care how they leave the parks... shame really.
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Goldnut  
Posted : Thursday, 2 January 2014 10:27:18 PM(UTC)
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right that was weird! I signed in and was some other guy... that last comment was mine... I used my email address instead of my username... this must be the first one that I made and forgot the password for... lol
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Mudwiggle  
Posted : Thursday, 2 January 2014 10:38:23 PM(UTC)
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Originally Posted by: Djevel Go to Quoted Post
You know MK I go to a ton of parks and have only ever seen other peoples plugs cut once and that was at judges bay.. I must be going to less-searched areas?

Or, alternatively, the goodies are properly extracted at the sites you visit by conscientious types...

Edited by user Friday, 3 January 2014 9:04:59 AM(UTC)  | Reason: Not specified
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Shilo  
Posted : Friday, 3 January 2014 8:53:24 AM(UTC)
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Agree that a done properly a plug cut with a small spade (3 side plug only) can leave the grass damage free, but beware of public image. Being seen walking around a park carrying a spade especially a normal garden spade will raise a lot of eyebrows and could lead to detecting being banned by the councils even if there is no browning off.

Carrying a Lesche or similar is a lot less obvious, easier to use and the potential of possible damage a lot less. Because a specialised tool will also leave a smaller plug it will be much harder to spot.

Edited by user Friday, 3 January 2014 8:54:42 AM(UTC)  | Reason: Not specified
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DrunkBrother  
Posted : Friday, 3 January 2014 10:21:08 AM(UTC)
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spade should alway be "NO GO!"

Cmon guy, for a silver coin worth 5$ you gonna ruin it for everyone?
For "goldie" hunt use a screw driver method.

The maximum what should be used - is Predator tools, that almost same wide as Lesche.
UserPostedImage

However, it is all about the Imge - person in the park with a spade?! NO NO.
person who kneeled and done something on the grass and no one even can see his Lesche/screwdriver? - better perception
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number8wire  
Posted : Friday, 3 January 2014 10:28:25 AM(UTC)
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Yep, agree 100% with Shilo and DB on the 'specialised tool' option. The lesche looks the part, is discreet and does a professional job. I for one would NEVER use a spade in a public park.....it just gives the wrong impression from the get-go regardless of how carefully it is being used.
Get out and enjoy this great hobby by all means but always maintain an aire of professionalism when in the public eye.....well, that's my humble opinion anyway.

Edited by user Friday, 3 January 2014 10:31:25 AM(UTC)  | Reason: Not specified

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Goldnut  
Posted : Saturday, 4 January 2014 8:25:09 AM(UTC)
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Well the worst perception is poorly dug holes. No one remembers the guy with the spade... but they always remember the holes in the grass...

All I am saying is just don't assume it was the guy with the spade ;)... I have seen HORRIBLE plugs cut with lesche type "Speciality tools" and lets face it which every way you cut it(pun intended) we are all digging holes in the ground. And the ONLY important thing is that we leave the parks as we find them.

when people see you with a plug they don't care if it was a shovel, spade, Lesche or bomb... they see the hole ;).

Perception will not cause us from being banned but not getting permissions and leaving a mess will.

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number8wire  
Posted : Saturday, 4 January 2014 3:37:10 PM(UTC)
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Yep, don't disagree with a word you said there Goldnut except about the public not remembering the guy with the spade. Hole cut neatly or not, when (if) it comes down to a complaint from the public, I guarantee that "the big bloody spade making the mess everywhere" would feature higher on the complainants list than a small turf cutting knife making a messy hole.
The main point I was trying to make is that regardless of your tool of choice, professionalism in your "trade" is paramount as perception is everything. I totally agree that you cannot assume that "the guy with the spade" is to blame but if you put two guys together in the park (one with a spade and one with a lesche) and big, untidy holes were left, which tool is the most likely to be remembered by the public?.....again perception is paramount. Discression along with professionalism is the reason why I would never use a spade. Again, this is just my personal opinion. I just use what I percieve to be the professional option.

Edited by user Saturday, 4 January 2014 3:39:39 PM(UTC)  | Reason: Not specified

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Goldnut  
Posted : Saturday, 4 January 2014 7:12:27 PM(UTC)
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true... but think of it like this

man carrying large serrated knife in park... lol :D
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Djevel  
Posted : Saturday, 4 January 2014 7:22:39 PM(UTC)
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Real men just dig with their hands.
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Goldnut  
Posted : Saturday, 4 January 2014 7:35:01 PM(UTC)
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Well I think the real reason that some of us use shovels (me included) is the cost of diggers... $50 - $100 is a bit dear... I'm still saving up for one myself. I'd love to have one, but that will have to wait for now.

Lets all just be understanding and not jump to conclusions ;).
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number8wire  
Posted : Saturday, 4 January 2014 8:05:10 PM(UTC)
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Originally Posted by: Goldnut Go to Quoted Post
true... but think of it like this

man carrying large serrated knife in park... lol :D


Lol......I'll use the large serrated knife....you bury the evidence with your bloody big spade!... :)
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Metal Kiwi  
Posted : Saturday, 4 January 2014 9:51:38 PM(UTC)
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When I started I used a Fiskars Garden trowel sharpened down one edge. Only cost about $20 then and it worked quite well
till I could get the correct tool.

These days I use the field knife that I sell of course . I like it better than the Lesche now that I have used it for a few months.

The point you make GN about a "big knife in a park" is not an issue to my mind. Whether it be the Lesche or the DNZ Field Knife both
are supplied with holsters for carrying. When I am busy digging and don't want to holster my knife I carry it by the blade in the same hand with my pinpointer. That way much of the blade is concealed and is not threatening at all.


MK
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Goldnut  
Posted : Saturday, 4 January 2014 10:45:10 PM(UTC)
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Originally Posted by: number8wire Go to Quoted Post
Originally Posted by: Goldnut Go to Quoted Post
true... but think of it like this

man carrying large serrated knife in park... lol :D


Lol......I'll use the large serrated knife....you bury the evidence with your bloody big spade!... :)


ROLF!!!!! we'd make a great team.
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Goldnut  
Posted : Saturday, 4 January 2014 11:23:38 PM(UTC)
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Originally Posted by: Metal Kiwi Go to Quoted Post
When I started I used a Fiskars Garden trowel sharpened down one edge. Only cost about $20 then and it worked quite well
till I could get the correct tool.

These days I use the field knife that I sell of course . I like it better than the Lesche now that I have used it for a few months.

The point you make GN about a "big knife in a park" is not an issue to my mind. Whether it be the Lesche or the DNZ Field Knife both
are supplied with holsters for carrying. When I am busy digging and don't want to holster my knife I carry it by the blade in the same hand with my pinpointer. That way much of the blade is concealed and is not threatening at all.


MK


I was just joking around ;). I have no problems with the Lesche or other garden knives...

I have been eyeing out the one that you sell, but have not yet gotten enough money to buy it as I have to justify the purchase with my mrs... lol
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Mudwiggle  
Posted : Sunday, 5 January 2014 7:24:04 AM(UTC)
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Just come back from my favourite grassy knoll, and seems someone has brought their detector with them on holiday. Several examples of ugliness were visible before I even got out of the car
Not only dead patches about 30-40cm in size, but the grass has been scalped on many and just sat on top - those that haven't blown away, that is. Weapon of mass destruction looks to be a garden trowel or mini spade.

So instead of enjoyable detector-time, I ended up spending 45minutes transplanting and watering in new turf.
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Goldnut  
Posted : Sunday, 5 January 2014 10:33:23 AM(UTC)
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which city are you in? It seems that there is someone out there that is really making a "name" for themselves because there seems to be someone doing that in my area too.. Why should we have to clean up after them eh?

We need to find this guy before he ruins it for everyone else...

Edited by user Sunday, 5 January 2014 10:35:56 AM(UTC)  | Reason: Added last line

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Mudwiggle  
Posted : Sunday, 5 January 2014 4:26:46 PM(UTC)
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Originally Posted by: Goldnut Go to Quoted Post
which city are you in? It seems that there is someone out there that is really making a "name" for themselves because there seems to be someone doing that in my area too..

BOI... So it's feasible they came up for the break, however I think it's highly likely there's more than one doing this damage...
I'm guessing an amateur/cheap machine as I waved the wand over a few of the holes out of interest and they were generally ferrous blips, but others were now empty.

I'd say they are about a week old, as I was down there just after Christmas and all was neat and tidy then... Desperately hoping they haven't screwed up any more local grass, or more importantly, my school and private permissions...

MW
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