Cutting a plug

[Marlon Brando]

What is everyones perferred method for cutting a plug? I've started to go to public places to hunt and want to minimize any ground damage.

[Neil in West Jersey]

First of all, using the correct digging tool is essential. I use a Lesche relic shovel when I am wooded areas, but in a school yard I would use a small trowel.

I always try to dig deeper than my target reading, for example if I get a coin at 6 inches I will dig a cone shaped plug approximately 10 inches deep. If the area allows it, I usually make my plugs about the same circumference as the coil. This prevents accidental "stabbing" of valuable targets. When detecting in grass, I only cut 3/4 of the way around. This allows the grass to grow back in quickly.

If it is a manicured lawn, I will flip the plug onto a towel in order to capture all the dirt.

I hope this helps.

Neil

[Cappy Z.]

Hey Niel,

I just added your website to my favorites.

HH
Cap Z.

[Shortstack]

Cutting plugs in manicured lawns of Ficus and Bermuda grasses work OK, but if that lawn is based on St. Augustine grass one shouldn't use the plug method. On St. Augustine grass lawns, the slice and probe method is better; it won't leave dead grass spots later and no dirty residue.

[rjw4law]

I prefer using a large hunting knife that is very sharp.