state park permitt

[skydiv]

I just got a permitt from a local Illinois state park. the restrictions are hand held devices such as penknife, ice-picks and screwdrivers. No shovels, picks or entrenching tool of any size. Does anyone know if this includes the hand held garden spade and if so how do you find a coin 4 inches down with a screwdriver and then get it out? all they told me was any soil removed must be put back. anyone MD in Rockcut state park in loves park Il. and know of these restrictions I'D appriciate some advice. thanks

 

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[MUD(S.W.A.T)]

I have no idea.

HH!!

 

[Charles]

There is a way to do it. I remember reading about it many years ago. Some parks won't let you dig a hole and that was the method used. You use a brass or other soft metal probe to locate the coin then make a slot and work it out. Seemed very slow and I never tried it. I had a 12 inch screwdriver and could make a nice plug by sticking in the ground at an angle toward the target and then circling the target. Hard dirt I would take out in chucks. The may thing is to be neat as possible. You can also get a tool to cut a small plug out that can be neatly replaced. Still need a probe to locate the coin with. A trowel could be considered a very small entrenching tool.

 

[pepperpump]

Sounds like a lot of work but good luck!!!
Pepperpump 8)

 

[sherpa t]

The thought's I'm having ( if your really concerned about letter of the law VS intent of the law ) are, buy a tool ( gator or Lesche ) it will come with a strap on holder and you could wear it out of sight. Then carry a very large screw driver in your hand. The real reason for this wording is not to have a park full of 3 foot by 3 foot holes, if your careful and do a very nice job putting everything back you should be fine.
As a tip, I first take the side of the tool and clean the ground of thatch , leaves etc. when I'm done and have carefully returned all soils etc. lightly and quickly tap the ground with the side of digger to settel the dirt and fluff up the grass, and lastly brush in the thatch and leaves back over the area. Properly done it can't be picked out.

 

[rvbvetter]

Using a screw driver to retrieve with, can be difficult if you're not use to doing it. Late 70's when i started, it was known as probe and pop. And i still hear that term today from time to time.
It's about all i've ever used. You can get very profficient with it. Maybe i misread your post, but i thought screwdrivers were banned too. I've seen park regulations, where it's ok to detect but you can't displace a blade of grass. Sounds like Catch 22 to me. I guess it's ok to listen to them but not to see them. HH

 

[RedSpey]

In Washington state the tool is defined as nothing wider than 2", so a small "transplanting" trowel works well. Or, use a larger bladed knife and cut the sod. It's legal and effective. If your law is not defined as clearly (2" max), then put a screwdriver handle on your shovel and call a large flathead screwdriver.

RedSpey

 

[Joliet Jake]

I was wondering who you contacted to get approval here in IL. Good luck, skydiv.

 

[skydiv]

I called the park office. they told me I md was alowed but I needed a permitt. so I went to the office and filled out the paper. permitt is good from 2005-2008. I guess I'll go back and ask about the garden spade. also everyone that has posted thanks for the info.

 

[Vrent]

gp to wally world or some such place and find a bulb planter. Also get your self a piece of nylon cloth and put all your "diggings" on it and when you return the soil to the hole there is not tell tale sign that you were there. If you are real neat and careful with the holes you do make, you may be able to get away with a small trowel, if they can see that you leave the spot as good as it was before you dig. You also might like to carry a bit of grass seed and a small bottle of water and hit the turf just before you get up. There are many ways to get tight a**ed buracrates to cooperate. But I wiuld check out bulb planting tools, they are n ot shovels or entrenching tools but remove a core of earth. good luck Vrent