Using ground flags/stakes to mark targets

[signal]

Any of you using ground stakes or flags to mark targets? I am thinking about buying some and wanted to see how its worked for others. Situation would be when I am doing recoveries, I typically like to do a fast coarse grid, and I am only looking for very solid targets based on what I am looking for. But I want to mark any hit, so as I can go back to it, potentially dig it in case its masking or figure out what it is. I am thinking I would only need to carry 10-20 on me at a time, and I have just found myself wanting something like this. Ideally would be something that is just a ribbon/streamer, with some weight on the end, ideally non metallic, but I haven't been able to find anything like that.

 

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[Gare]

U can get underground dog fencing markers pretty reasonable

 

[Jon Stewart]

They have the water/gas and irrigation flags with plastic stems instead of metal at the box stores. They weigh next to nothing. They are not weighted though.

 

[scott565]

Signal,

I use plastic poker chips, Bicycle brand - the thin plastic ones, not the thicker kind - thick ones actually have metal in them for added weight.
You can drop one on top of a target and then swing over it anytime later.
They sell them in packs of 100 and there are three colors (red, blue, white) so you could even color-code the targets as needed.
Hope this helps.

-Scott

 

[signal]

Signal,

I use plastic poker chips, Bicycle brand - the thin plastic ones, not the thicker kind - thick ones actually have metal in them for added weight.
You can drop one on top of a target and then swing over it anytime later.
They sell them in packs of 100 and there are three colors (red, blue, white) so you could even color-code the targets as needed.
Hope this helps.

-Scott

Good tip

 

[All About Tone]

I use natural markers that are already found in parks such as branches, shrubs, trees, etc.

 

[Back-of-the-boat]

If any Chinese restaurants offer chopsticks (wooden) you could use them and glue flags on them. Trying to think of cheap or free options. You could also use some PVC pipe taped to your detector rod as a holder for them. Or get some plastic coffee can (round can) center a hole in it then slide it up the shaft as a holder for your non metallic flags. I probably just gave away a Million dollar idea. LOL actually welding rod comes in plastic tubes with a cap that would be a great holder for your flags.

 

[ARC]

Bamboo shiskabob skewers from dollar store.

 

[RTR]

Why not .Their cheap enough & reusable

 

[PetesPockets55]

Multi colored golf T's but the bamboo skewers are longer and might be easier to apply and retrieve. this might not work well in tightly packed/rocky soil.
The poker chips are a good idea but might not be easy to find in taller grass.

Maybe a combination of the two?

 

[cudamark]

I'd rather just dig targets as I go and not mark them for later retrieval. The only time I use markers is to grid a large area where it's hard to see where you've already been. I use those little red rubber cones for that. They can be moved easily with your coil for the next pass and you can see them in tall grass.

 

[ARC]

I'd rather just dig targets as I go and not mark them for later retrieval. The only time I use markers is to grid a large area where it's hard to see where you've already been. I use those little red rubber cones for that. They can be moved easily with your coil for the next pass and you can see them in tall grass.

Agreed... never have marked targets that I am going to dig... I get a hit... I dig.... only time I have used any form of markers is to notify someone else of something... such as a pipe line etc.

 

[CASPER-2]

i thought of doing something like this in farmfields
using pointed wooden skewers and making paper flags for them and using colors for
good medium and bad signals - was going to do this to do a video
instead of walking for long times between signals - go out and get like 20 - 30 signals
and mark them then turn on camera and go back and dig them so no wasted time
and no editing hopefully needed
flags/markers would be great in good spots to mark silver finds - wheats or other good finds so if things get slow in a park field - you can go back
this would work in spots where there are no people or kids might mess with them
used golf balls for beach sand and/or underwater once again if you are there at a time with no people - preferably sunrise

 

[No gold in NY]

I dig all targets when I find them. However, my wife loves to go detecting with me. She won't swing, but loves to dig. I sometimes mark targets with yellow pencils for her to dig, and the detector keeps swinging. PS. I remove all pens and pencils and those nasty eraser ends the kids seem to bite off.

 

[BLACKIE555]

Snow stakes .....fiberglass, orange, 4 foot long, you can cut them into lengths you desire. Super cheap....I use them for Go Bars.

 

[Travel240z]

I second the coloured golf tees. Use Green for good, orange for sounds good but not solid signal, and pink for probably not worth it but depends on how much I want to dig. Although it would depend on your terrain as I have picked up the little flags on wire for deeper grass.

 

[pepperj]

The only time I have ever marked a target was when I was retrieving something and I was swinging the detector there or back and shovel wasn't with me.
After 5 decades of swinging the coil, if a digable target I don't/can't wait to dig it up to see.
Just old school, I use the stubble, wind rows, drag the shovel, acorns, pine cones, foot prints sticks if needed.
In a grassy park, never used anything ever either.

 

[barrywk]

i use (when i use them)bambbo skewers that i painted neon pink and orage so they stand out

 

[RustyGold]

Snow stakes .....fiberglass, orange, 4 foot long, you can cut them into lengths you desire. Super cheap....I use them for Go Bars.
View attachment 1892103

Good tip on the go bars.

 

[PetesPockets55]

Good tip on the go bars.

I read this as "go to the bars".

What is a "Go Bar".
Don't have a lot of use for snow flags down here but they seem like a great idea for easy visibility and retrieval although they might be awkward carrying. I had that issue with the bamboo skewers yesterday.

Some really good ideas here but I think I'll keep my eye out for some poker chips at Goodwill or the dump.