People complaining about my digger

[diggin4clad]

Here's a quiz for you guys that worry that "camo" attracts immediate scrutiny : Ask yourself the last time you were ever driving down the street, or walking through a store or park, and saw someone in camo colors. Ok, did you have an immediate disdain ? Or suspect him of "wrong-doing" ?

No, I'll bet you never even noticed nor gave 2 sh#ts about someone wearing camo. colors. So too do I doubt that anyone walks and drives around, studying pedestrians, to notice that someone's wearing camo, and then jump to: "he must be up to no good".

[Unless .... of course.... he's utterly silly like in GKL's picture ]

In answer to your quiz.....the last time I saw someone in camo didn't set me off or suspect that person of wrongdoing, but that's me. That doesn't speak for other people. And sure, not everyone will be suspicious of some guy digging while wearing camo. If they're suspicious of you it won't matter what you're wearing but the camo (IMHO) just adds a little negativity to their train of thought.

 

[Huckleberry]

Good point, it would depend on the extent of the camo, if you looked like you were fully decked out like Rambo then maybe if someone had on a casual camo colored T-shirt and army green pants you likely wouldn't think twice about them.

Agreed. Someone dressed like that would not attract undue attention, whereas someone who looks like they should be turkey hunting would probably be scrutinized. As I have stated before, I subscribe to the "gray man" theory. Most people who would pass by me, would not even remember doing so an hour later. Even with the detector. And that's the way I prefer it. Works for me.

 

[Metal detecto]

DANG..... THIS THREAD IS ON FIRE!!!!!

I NEVER SAW A THREAD WITH 6 PAGES!!!


This thread was helpful, and I actually tried sage grouse's method, I swear to god no one came to me. Bomb detection unit seems a bit off with a simplex or vanquish, but who cares, not like they know anything about MD'ing. My lesche snapped in half (oh-no!!) so I got a new one and then sold it (seemed a bit too big.) I m no opting for a 29 inch "root slayer" shovel, works as good as it's former. I have a permit now, so if any people that are super duper nosy comes up to me and say "Vanquish isn't meant for bomb detection you fool! Get a Nokta invenio or something!" I can flash my permit. (If they don't go I'll have to use my shovel in self defense).

Thanks,

Metal detecto

P.S. I recommend the Root slayer shovel for beginners, great for cutting neat plugs.

https://www.amazon.com/Radius-Garde...garden&sprefix=radius+r,lawngarden,397&sr=1-9

 

[kamogawa]

I don't post much but I know what you are saying. I started detecting in 1975, Southern Cal. Used a Whites 6DB. Old school deep machine. You name the park, I have hit it. Lots of holes for lots of years. Never ran into other detectorist or plug police. No shovels. We always used a small spade. Digging was discreet and neat. Park workers were the only ones we encountered. Really never had a problem. Just too many detectors now and some that are not so neat. I'm not in Cal no more, but if I was I would still use a small spade or my lesche and be looking over my backside. Too many opinionated people today that will attack you. I like old parks but now an old desert trail seems better.

That's about when I started detecting. Those were the good ol' days. Lots of good items to be found and mostly hassle-free detecting. These days, I wouldn't want to think about what would happen if someone with a detector approached a schoolyard with a digging knife in their hand.

 

[goldendreams]

I know, every one metal detecting says that you need to cut the plug nicely, make a hinge, pinpoint it, blah blah blah, and I am! Every single one of my plugs is a masterpiece, heck, if you tried to find it you won't. But everyone kinda doesn't like my shovel, lesche sampson that I love very dearly, and especially my lesche hand tool. I'm kind of tired of people giving me a look that's sometimes as dirty as my find. How do you manage to MD in peace?

I never had anyone say anything about me using a 31 samson..and I use it EVERYWHERE ... they make WAY better plugs than a hand digger by far ...
I used to carry it with the t handle I my arm pit , holding it right above the spade and it looks like I was just carrying a hand spade..but now ..I just don't care ...

One lady was asking me about finds one day , then as I was getting up she asked "they don't say anything about damge?"... and I replied " in the last month , I've dug hundreds of holes on this tiny park..see any damage?"

She looked surprised that I dug hundreds of holes there , but she said I guess that answers my question...

 

[kamogawa]

Agreed. Someone dressed like that would not attract undue attention, whereas someone who looks like they should be turkey hunting would probably be scrutinized. As I have stated before, I subscribe to the "gray man" theory. Most people who would pass by me, would not even remember doing so an hour later. Even with the detector. And that's the way I prefer it. Works for me.

And my detecting buddies used to make fun of me when I dressed in dark green shirt and all green pants so that I would blend in with the grass. lol

 

[DFX-Gregg]

I don't know where you are detecting, but most people don't use "shovels" in areas where there are lots of passersby. IMHO anyway, they make more sense in fields and woods and some permission sites.

This... do not make yourself stand out...try to blend in... do not stare or do anything except quietly hunt and fill holes properly... Right tool for the right location...no one wants a shovel in an area that is well kept.

 

[Diga]

I didn't read through the whole thread, so this may have been mentioned:

It's all about being discreet. Jumping on any sized shovel in a manicured public area is the furthest thing from being discreet. The public perception of doing that, is justifiably very negative.

Discretion is using a trowel, and making a quick plug that is hidden "between the thighs...and use a rag to place the dirt and/or plug on!

 

[kamogawa]

Frankenstein shovels

I don't post much but I know what you are saying. I started detecting in 1975, Southern Cal. Used a Whites 6DB. Old school deep machine. You name the park, I have hit it. Lots of holes for lots of years. Never ran into other detectorist or plug police. No shovels. We always used a small spade. Digging was discreet and neat. Park workers were the only ones we encountered. Really never had a problem. Just too many detectors now and some that are not so neat. I'm not in Cal no more, but if I was I would still use a small spade or my lesche and be looking over my backside. Too many opinionated people today that will attack you. I like old parks but now an old desert trail seems better.

I have been detecting a long time and one of the most shocking changes that has evolved over the years has been the popularity of the small handled shovel that you can prop your detector against. From the days of small digging tools and probes with minimum disturbance to the ground to the modern times of today where those Frankenstein shovels put shivers down the spine of innocent bystanders and gets a lot of people permanently banned from detecting. Stealth Ninja recovery methods where you become a Harry Houdini and people can not easily see the digging tools you are using need to make a big time comeback. If I was in a farm field, on a beach or in the woods detecting with Hillary, I might use a shovel too, but not highly public areas or residential yards. If you are in an area where people are coming over and you have a shovel in your arsenal, that is a big problem. It's like the old Family Circus cartoons

"That's not my shovel."

"Jeffy dug the hole and ran into the house."

"Billy made me do it."

 

[kamogawa]

Camo scares

Wearing camouflage gear in a public area might not only make people nervous, it would look somewhat silly too
View attachment 480691

Lord, that would definitely be true anywhere near a school these days.

 

[kamogawa]

Schoolyard Camo

Lord, that would definitely be true anywhere near a school these days.

To show up to a schoolyard with a long rod detector wearing camo and holding a sharp digging tool has its inherent risks these days.

 

[KinTN]

Tom i am fully aware of the perspective but when i am talking to the Man in Charge of a city recreation park and he tells me that he approached city counsel and requested the ban then i am fairly sure that i am being told the truth and it was because of "Shovels"

There was no discussion as to whether they left holes. he was upset because shovels were being used.

I dont now how to explain it any better.

A few years ago, I was in a nearby historic town of 30k waiting on friends to play some disc golf at this park. The maintenance guys had the normally locked gate to the baseball field containing Pristine/major league quality grass open doing something or the other to the facilities. Then i saw a 80-something guy with a metal detector and a standard garden shovel digging huge chunks of the infield up. All i could think of was "well, there goes metal detecting in this town".
Yes, there are idiots among us.
(ps: guy was an experienced detectorist based on his gear and mannerisms)

 

[kamogawa]

Wearing camo detecting is a little odd, though. What's the point? Trying to sneak up on the coins and relics? Lol!

Just be sure to skip the camo face paint, though. That would definitely scare the people at your local park!

I think the exception to that would be someone coming onto a a school property dressed in camo. Not a good idea.

 

[Martin_V3i]

To show up to a schoolyard with a long rod detector wearing camo and holding a sharp digging tool has its inherent risks these days.

"To show up to a schoolyard with a long rod detector"

What the heck is the definition of a long rod detector? Is there an inch range required?

 

[ManInTheWaLL]

We had a false alarm in our area. Sheriff pulled up to the store, saw a guy in camo sitting in the car. He went over to see if it was a robber. The guy feigned a heart attack, grabbing his chest and started to bend over. The sheriff said he came real close to shooting him. Here it was just a false alarm, and that guy was in the wrong place at the wrong time, dressed in camo, and thought it would be funny to pretend to have a heart attack. Really bothered the Sheriff later, on how close he came to shooting him.

I don't advise camo near a school.

 

[kamogawa]

"To show up to a schoolyard with a long rod detector"

What the heck is the definition of a long rod detector? Is there an inch range required?

Sorry, just meaning that nowadays someone might confuse it for a weapon.
Though I doubt anyone would ever be detecting during regular school hours.

 

[ManInTheWaLL]

If you really want to not be noticed, this is probably the best way
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GNZ3UCGjHo8

 

[chillforlife]

We had a false alarm in our area. Sheriff pulled up to the store, saw a guy in camo sitting in the car. He went over to see if it was a robber. The guy feigned a heart attack, grabbing his chest and started to bend over. The sheriff said he came real close to shooting him. Here it was just a false alarm, and that guy was in the wrong place at the wrong time, dressed in camo, and thought it would be funny to pretend to have a heart attack. Really bothered the Sheriff later, on how close he came to shooting him.

I don't advise camo near a school.

Hopefully you learned not to do this again.

And it seems like you must have some experience hanging around schools. Rumor here is you prefer middle schools. Is there any limit to the weird stuff you're involved in?

 

[Coast]

Right gear for the right place, along the road orange vest with my twic card clip on badge, in the park try to look like the rest of the crowd

 

[ManInTheWaLL]

Hopefully you learned not to do this again.

And it seems like you must have some experience hanging around schools. Rumor here is you prefer middle schools. Is there any limit to the weird stuff you're involved in?

Thanks for annoying everyone with your Ad Hom attacks. Please put a little more thought into your next one, I need entertained.