Recovery Methods

Regardless of soil conditions and tools required for the type of target we choose to dig up, a professional attitude toward developing and implementing recovery skills should be paramount in all our endeavors. The methods presented here are in the best interest of preserving our recreation for the future.

Probe and Screwdriver

This technique should be employed when targets are thought to be shallow and where plugging is prohibited. Coins 1-3 inches deep can be buried within the root structure of most grass species and removal may require delicate handling to avoid disturbing the continuity of ground moisture transfer. The fastest way to kill grass is to disturb or remove the moist dirt attached to the grass roots! This statement applies to all methods of target recovery. Detectorists who are unskilled in the use of a simple screwdriver can do great damage to grass root structures.

Illustration 7.6A

The first step is to accurately detune and pinpoint the target. Once the ground reference center is established, a probe is then inserted slowly into the ground at this point. Many detectorists become frustrated using a coin probe for the first time in the field. It takes a lot of practice to feel the difference between a stone and a coin. This skill can be better developed by first experimenting in a test garden. The difference between known objects can be easily experienced and practiced without distraction here. Removing coins from the ground undamaged should be your priority as well.

If the coin cannot be touched on the first probe insertion, additional insertions spiraled outward around the supposed center must be made until the target is located (see inset). This locating maneuver is very important if the coin happens to be buried on an angle. When the probe contacts the coin, place a finger on the shaft at ground level to mark target depth. Remove the probe, note the depth and keep an eye on exactly where the probe came out.

Illustration 7.6B

With a knife, in-line with the target center, carefully make a 4-inch long slit in the grass and soil less than the depth shown by the probe. Next, place a ground cloth near the slit.

Illustration 7.6C

Push the shaft of your screwdriver into the ground at one end of the slit deeper than the indicated probe depth. Make sure the flat of the screwdriver blade is facing upward. Several attempts may be necessary to bring the coin to the surface. If any dirt is removed, place it on the ground cloth. Putting one's fingers into the slit to search for the coin in the loose dirt is very tempting. Believe me, there is a lot of broken glass down there waiting to bite you!

Illustration 7.6D

After the coin has been removed, hold the ground cloth at two corners to a "V" and funnel any loose dirt crumbs back into the opening. Close the slit with your hands and step on the spot with your foot to compact the recovery area.

Plugging

I feel plugging techniques become necessary when coins are buried more than 3-4 inches deep. Personally I have found that trying to remove coins buried eight inches deep with only a screwdriver is next to impossible. Not only is it impractical with respect to grass root damage, it can be devastating to the condition of the coin and extremely time consuming as well.

Many detectorists believe that if you plug in dry ground the grass with die and cause yellow spots, especially if you separate the plug from the ground entirely . Truth is that any method of coin removal in extremely dry lawn areas will kill grass, more so if the dirt is removed from the roots. If you intend to search carefully maintained lawns, do so in times of moist conditions only, preferably after a soaking rain.

Illustration 7.7A

With your eyes fixed on the ground, cut a three-sided square approximately five inches long on each side around the target center. The fourth uncut side will act as a hinge. This hinge is made so that the plug can be returned to the hole with the proper orientation. However, removing the plug entirely from the ground will not necessarily kill the grass, Grass roots generally grow downward toward moisture and not sideways. Even if you do sever a few roots, the rest of the grass in the plug should not die because of it. Those detectorists who scalp roots to remove dirt in search of a poorly pinpointed coin, or a coin that is more shallow than originally perceived, will kill the grass in the plug for sure.

Be certain you make these cuts perpendicular to the ground and as deep as the knife blade will allow. Detectorists who cut shallow conical plugs fail to realize the importance of not doing so. Conical or funnel shaped plugs that are completely removed from the ground never quite go back into the ground the same way they came out. This is mostly due to a lack of attention by the cutter. Even if you stomp on these plugs after they are returned to the ground, the blade action of larger mowers can literally suck them back out. Animals can also remove plugs. I witnessed this personally in my own backyard! One evening may years ago, after quickly planting some coins for a test plot using the conical plug method, I saw a skunk in the yard through my backdoor window. Apparently he was searching for grubs. The next morning I found all of my plugs ripped from the ground and the dirt removed from each! Properly returned square plugs that have been cut deep and steep sided have the greatest resistance to removal.

Illustration 7.7B

After the plug has been cut, carefully grasp the plug on two sides and pry upward on the third side with the flat of your knife blade or trowel. Fold the plug back over on its hinge to a section of ground cloth. Remove digging tools from the recovery area and scan the hole and plug to determine which holds the targets. Detuning the target area in the all-metal mode again will help in deciding the target's whereabouts.

Illustration 7.7C

Often the coin will be visible on the bottom of the plug or in the hole and can be easily extracted with fingers. If the coin is within the grass root structure of the plug, use your probe to locate it carefully. When located, gently separate the dirt and roots to get to the coin directly.

CAUTION : Never shake a plug to remove the dirt hiding the coin. You will definitely kill both the grass and your chances for return visits in the future.

Remember, any loose dirt crumbs should go on the ground cloth. If the coin is still in the hole, try to locate it with the probe. If the coin remains buried, push your trowel downward around the sides of the hole and gently lever the dirt inward on each plunge. Poorly pinpointed coins and coins buried on an angle can wind up with "scars" on their faces if you are not careful at this step. Remove the loosened dirt from the hole one handful at a time. Pass the handful of dirt under the searchcoil resting beside you. Dump the dirt on the ground cloth that does not contain the target, along with any rocks you may encounter. As a alternative, you may wish to remove all loose dirt to the ground cloth first and then scan the pile with searchcoil until the target is found. Before ending the recovery process, remember to check the hole again with the searchcoil for any additional targets. Do so repeatedly until no more targets can be heard.

Illustration 7.7D

Slide the ground cloth close to the hole and funnel the loose dirt and stones back into the ground. Often in deep recoveries, returning loose dirt will fill the hole to the edge and leave no room for the plug. You must compress the loose dirt in the hole with the flat of your trowel blade before you can neatly return the plug. When the plug is correctly returned, place your foot over it and put all of your weight in to compressing it to ground level. Brush the grass blades to straighten up the area.