Taking Shovels into Parks

Newfiehunter

Hero Member
Oct 20, 2007
742
342
Newfoundland
Detector(s) used
Currently own: Fisher CZ5, Eurotek Pro, Tesoro Vaquero, Tesoro Cortes, Vibraprobe 560, Vibradetector 720, Garrett ProPointer. Makro Pinpoiinter Used: Whites Liberty2, Garrett Freedom3, Garrett GTA 1
Primary Interest:
Metal Detecting
How many of you take shovels to public parks? I've been watching several Youtube videos recently and noticed that some guys take shovels into these public areas. Always thought this was considered a big No-No. The reason being is that it looks bad and is a good way to get kicked out of the park and does not present us metal detector users in a good light. I use a shovel only when detecting in the wilderness. It may be easier to dig and retrieving the target than with a trowel or a hand held digger but someone may get the wrong idea that you are digging up the park with a shovel. How do you feel about this? Is this a bad idea or are you ok with it?
 

Last edited:
Upvote 3
Using a shovel - ANY SHOVEL, in a public park is just asking to be kicked out and ruining it for EVERYONE ELSE in the hobby. If you can't bend down for health reasons and need to use a shovel - OF ANY KIND, you need to stay out of parks and off of ball fields. Go find some nice farm fields or woods. Only a MORON would use a shovel - ANY shovel - in a public (city) park. If you can't use a Lesche hand digger or screwdriver (popper) properly - PRACTICE until you can. Our hobby is being ruined by stupid individuals that have no common sense, or ethics.

The world is being ruined by very stupid people in very high places..
https://www.google.com/search?q=stip+mining&rlz=1C1GGLS_enUS314US315&espv=210&es_sm=122&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ei=6bb3UpG4H-Oz0AHG4IKQBw&ved=0CAkQ_AUoAQ&biw=1024&bih=655

https://www.google.com/search?q=stip+mining&rlz=1C1GGLS_enUS314US315&espv=210&es_sm=122&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ei=6bb3UpG4H-Oz0AHG4IKQBw&ved=0CAkQ_AUoAQ&biw=1024&bih=655#q=clear+cutting&spell=1&tbm=isch

https://www.google.com/search?q=stip+mining&rlz=1C1GGLS_enUS314US315&espv=210&es_sm=122&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ei=6bb3UpG4H-Oz0AHG4IKQBw&ved=0CAkQ_AUoAQ&biw=1024&bih=655#q=landfills&spell=1&tbm=isch

https://www.google.com/search?q=pollution+in+china&rlz=1C1GGLS_enUS314US315&espv=210&es_sm=122&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ei=fbf3Uoz6EMP10gHih4HICg&ved=0CAkQ_AUoAQ&biw=1024&bih=655

And last but not least!
Evil hobby killer
 

Last edited:
The world is being ruined by very stupid people in very high places..

I agree. But let's keep this focused on our hobby - not the world. We have enough problems with moron "treasure hunters."
 

I don't use a shovel in any parks or fairgrounds. I have used them in farm fields with no problems. Even with my bad knees and back, I use a knife or trowel in parks and fairgrounds. In my opinion there is no excuse for using a shovel in a park. About a year ago my knee was swelled up and I could not bend it, I was still able to detect using a knife to dig with, it was hard getting down and back up, but I still managed. So it just depends on how much you want to detect, you can get by without a shovel.
 

With all due respect to those with knee and back problems who use shovels, you still have to get down on your knees to retrieve the target. This don't apply just to newbies either. There is one guy who has several Youtube videos in which he uses a LARGE shovel in parks and he seems to have much experience in the hobby. Even if a perfectly dug hole is opened with a shovel with no mess, it just doesn't look good to be digging in a park with one. If time is taken to watch metal detecting videos on Youtube, it seems the practice is becoming more commonplace. I just wouldn't feel comfortable doing it.
 

Using a shovel - ANY SHOVEL, in a public park is just asking to be kicked out and ruining it for EVERYONE ELSE in the hobby. If you can't bend down for health reasons and need to use a shovel - OF ANY KIND, you need to stay out of parks and off of ball fields. Go find some nice farm fields or woods. Only a MORON would use a shovel - ANY shovel - in a public (city) park. If you can't use a Lesche hand digger or screwdriver (popper) properly - PRACTICE until you can. Our hobby is being ruined by stupid individuals that have no common sense, or ethics.

WHAT DON'T YOU GET ABOUT I HAVE PERMISSION? Your the only one coming across as a moron here.
 

I don't carry anything that I have to put my foot on to dig a hole, (in a public park or place), I try to be as stealthy as possible, I figure there is a huge benefit for me and any body else that enjoys the hobby as much as I do... and has worked so far, now if I'm in cow pasture that's different,, but even then I leave it like I found it....
 

With all due respect to those with knee and back problems who use shovels, you still have to get down on your knees to retrieve the target. This don't apply just to newbies either. There is one guy who has several Youtube videos in which he uses a LARGE shovel in parks and he seems to have much experience in the hobby. Even if a perfectly dug hole is opened with a shovel with no mess, it just doesn't look good to be digging in a park with one. If time is taken to watch metal detecting videos on Youtube, it seems the practice is becoming more commonplace. I just wouldn't feel comfortable doing it.

That's kinda what I was saying- you said it better than me?!?! Lol

The only reason I mentioned knees and backs is that my older brother has a really bad back. He's had like 7 surgeries and he walks well on most days. He debated getting a land shark type shovel- but as you said he'd still have to "get" the target.

Most if the time he does hunt parks, coin shooting.

On days we hunt together, he swings- I dig. The old fiskars sod cutter and small trowel do just fine. I've never had to use a full size shovel anywhere.
 

WHAT DON'T YOU GET ABOUT I HAVE PERMISSION? Your the only one coming across as a moron here.

Ahhh yes, the personal attack! The absolute hallmark of intelligence. God bless you sir, and may you have all the luck in the world in your town where they have given you permission to use your shovel. What Hudson Valley town do you live in? It must be a small one upstate, because if you try that here in Westchester County you would be reported by a "concerned citizen" in a heartbeat. We have enough trouble just trying to maintain permission to detect in parks down here where it is not allowed -AT ALL- in County parks, and is becoming harder and harder in City and Village parks.

I understand you're offended, and I'm sorry, but if you have permission then why the personal attack? You're not breaking any rules and the local government condones what you are doing - Great! Just tell me where you live so I can drive up and use my shovel in your park as well. :thumbsup:
 

I am with Terry 110% on the use of any shovels, even an Lesche in any type of grass at a park or school. Those that know me know I mainly like to hunt the water and beaches where a scoop is used, but even then holes are filled. However when I hunt parks the use of a screwdriver is the main tool I use to pop the coin out. Using any shovel in the parks I manage can get you shot in the back of the head and tossed in the weeds. I don't care what the morons on the video's do. Most of us are very careful of the light we put the hobby in, but we have to stop the morons. Speaking of morons, we had a guy that was digging up shrubs for replanting in his yard. The deputies arrested him before other park guests saw him and thought he was a treasure hunter cause he used a shovel. one gun.gif
 

Ahhh yes, the personal attack! The absolute hallmark of intelligence. God bless you sir, and may you have all the luck in the world in your town where they have given you permission to use your shovel. What Hudson Valley town do you live in? It must be a small one upstate, because if you try that here in Westchester County you would be reported by a "concerned citizen" in a heartbeat. We have enough trouble just trying to maintain permission to detect in parks down here where it is not allowed -AT ALL- in County parks, and is becoming harder and harder in City and Village parks.

I understand you're offended, and I'm sorry, but if you have permission then why the personal attack? You're not breaking any rules and the local government condones what you are doing - Great! Just tell me where you live so I can drive up and use my shovel in your park as well. :thumbsup:

Nice try getting in on my honey hole :laughing7: have a good day :hello:
 

Nice try getting in on my honey hole :laughing7: have a good day :hello:

I guess he didn't understand what effect another shovel would do to his "honey hole." He would lose his permission.:laughing7:
 

So when I go to the park with my backhoe that would be frowned upon?:tongue3:"BOOM BABY"LMBO
 

Last edited:
I am with Terry 110% on the use of any shovels, even an Lesche in any type of grass at a park or school. Those that know me know I mainly like to hunt the water and beaches where a scoop is used, but even then holes are filled. However when I hunt parks the use of a screwdriver is the main tool I use to pop the coin out. Using any shovel in the parks I manage can get you shot in the back of the head and tossed in the weeds. I don't care what the morons on the video's do. Most of us are very careful of the light we put the hobby in, but we have to stop the morons. Speaking of morons, we had a guy that was digging up shrubs for replanting in his yard. The deputies arrested him before other park guests saw him and thought he was a treasure hunter cause he used a shovel. <img src="http://www.treasurenet.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=942992"/>


What an idiot! Who would try to get away with something like that?!?!

I bet he even tried to argue that the shrubs were HIS since it was "public property"- now that guy is unarguably a moron!!!
 

I guess he didn't understand what effect another shovel would do to his "honey hole." He would lose his permission.:laughing7:

I'm going to move on from this, its not even making sense anymore :laughing7:
 

Nah, just wear a hard hat and safety vest, they'll all think you're just a city/town worker!!

I actually heard of a couple people who tried this at some location where detecting wasn't allowed, and got away with it for a while until someone asked for a work permit/authorization. They claimed they were looking for underground pipes, or something like that. It was a long time ago, so I don't remember all the details. It just stands out in my mind for the sheer audacity.
 

Well I will say for as long as I have been in this hobby 37 years from my experience, as areas became closed off to detectorists over the years, probably 95% of the time it was because of people leaving giant craters all over, leaving not so nice large brown spots all over the place. I have seen it many times, guys using shovels, I ran a lot of them off to, especially the ones that refused to see the logic in the point trying to be conveyed to them. If somebody has to use a shovel because of health reasons..then its time to find a new hobby or go someplace like a farm field..
Just a hint of advice, calling highly respected members of our great hobby names is a very bad idea, I don't even know terry...but I know of him, and well just don't do it, but then again using a shovel, pretty much says screw everybody else, so I doubt you care.
Reputation in this hobby can open doors, but can also be your worst enemy.

Mike
 

Well I will say for as long as I have been in this hobby 37 years from my experience, as areas became closed off to detectorists over the years, probably 95% of the time it was because of people leaving giant craters all over, leaving not so nice large brown spots all over the place. I have seen it many times, guys using shovels, I ran a lot of them off to, especially the ones that refused to see the logic in the point trying to be conveyed to them. If somebody has to use a shovel because of health reasons..then its time to find a new hobby or go someplace like a farm field..
Just a hint of advice, calling highly respected members of our great hobby names is a very bad idea, I don't even know terry...but I know of him, and well just don't do it, but then again using a shovel, pretty much says screw everybody else, so I doubt you care.
Reputation in this hobby can open doors, but can also be your worst enemy.

Mike
Very well said.
 

I want to thank the understanding guys who have pm'd me over this ridiculous topic :occasion14:
 

Top Member Reactions

Users who are viewing this thread

Back
Top