Destroying the grass?

[SPONNIE73]

Are there any tricks to digging coins without destroying the grass? I always make a flap and try to keep the sod intact. I just wanted to know if there is a better way.

God Bless
Mike

 

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[Aguila]

I have used the flap method, cut a plug, and used my probe to "push"
the coin up to the surface.

They all minimize damage to sod.

When cutting a plug or flap, you really should pour some water on it after it is replaced unless the grass is very wet.

 

[Digginman]

My yard has alot of brown spots on it. It did help to put water on it. But I did learn how at home, not on someone else's property. The flap is a good method, so is the plug.

 

[Michigan Badger]

Good subject and it just so happens I've studied and photographed THer holes here in Michigan for many years.

There are different sod situations at different locations and times of the year. In some areas where the ground is kept wet via underground sprinkling systems, etc., the flap method and placing the dirt on a piece of plastic can work but the dig is still visible to some extent.

The best time to dig holes and show the least damage is early in the spring while the grass is still dormant. Usually by summer the damage will fade if the hole was made very carefully and the sod receives enough moisture.

On dry sandy ground where the grass struggles for life and depends on lean rains it's impossible to dig any kind of hole without it showing a few days later (see attached picture). The brown spot in this photo will be visible until next summer and possibly longer. Here in Michigan I've observed carefully dug 3-4 inch metal detecting holes that were clearly visible for up to 3 years.

I know many don't agree with this but I've been at this game a long time and I've tried every recovery method there is. Some methods produce less damage, but all methods make some damage.

Personally, I only hunt parks that are very poorly kept and I hunt private yards only in early spring.

 

[EDDE]

cut an X then probe with a brass rod and do as agulia mentioned work it to surface

 

[neilo]

If you get yourself a good pinpointer probe eg. sunray you can narrow your coins location down to an area of about a half inch square.Then you can use a thin metal rod to feel for the coin and use a pair of needle nose long nose pliers to retreive your coin.I do this all of the time and do next to no damage at all.At worst you will leave a hole about half inch square which you simply step on and no body knows you have been there. I have retreived coins down to about six inches deep by this method it takes practice but its better than leaving damage and being thrown off of the park.
On parks any targets that are too deep for me,and I cant recover by this method I leave there. seeya Neilo

 

[lou423]

after detecting the target with a large coil, i use my 4 inch coil to pinpoint, then i use a screw driver to touch the coin, then i dig a small hole to get the target.

 

[lou423]

I tried using pliers, but I was unable to get the coin 90% of the time.
I only dig deep if no one is watching...then i make sure the hole is well covered.
If there is people around, I just leave the target underground.

 

[bazinga]

WOWOWOWOWOWOWOWOW!!!

Honestly... what are you guys thinking with using a probe to touch the coin and bring it to the surface? Unless you are hunting ONLY for clad, then you are going to scratch any good coins that you might find.

Dig a nice, deep plug that holds the roots intact and then use a REAL probe to find the signal and dig around the coin, not into it, so you don't scratch. Then just pop the plug back in there.