My Holes Are Mysteriously Reopening???

[savant365]

I have noticed several times now that a day or two after I detect my backyard (about 2 acres) that someone or something is pulling my plugs back up out of the ground reopening my holes. Has this happened to any of you I can't see any little animal tracks in the dirt that is back out of the holes either. This has really got me stumped. I don't see why any animal would have any reason to redig my holes for me? If anyone knows whats going on please clue me in.

HH Charlie

 

[savant365]

Well if thats the case they are experts at not leaving a single track in bare dirt. I think I'll try to find some of those dye packs that banks use on robbers. See how they like it when they flip my plug and get a face full blue or red dye. I would laugh my butt off to see some blue and red critters running around the neighborhood.

 

[VERMONTPACKRAT]

I have had this happen to me. I am guessing that Nick is right. I say skunks.


VPR

 

[SC_hunter]

We don't have skunks down here, but squirrels re-dig the holes here or other small rodents that eats the grubs.

 

[ivan salis]

armidillos -- or possums --

 

[Zephyr]

Well if thats the case they are experts at not leaving a single track in bare dirt. I think I'll try to find some of those dye packs that banks use on robbers. See how they like it when they flip my plug and get a face full blue or red dye. I would laugh my butt off to see some blue and red critters running around the neighborhood.

Dye packs are triggered after they pass by a sensor in the bank entrance. (Don't want them going off IN the bank, after all.... ) I had thoughts of keeping one in my wallet in case it was ever stolen. <BOOM-SPLAT!> But finding out how they worked ruined that plan. Still fun to think about it though!
Sounds like you have raccoons. They're very good at not leaving tracks. If it's really a problem, take along a spray bottle with smelly detergent water and squirt the plug afterward. It'll work until they catch on....

 

[MEinWV]

I'll go with ground squirrels or chipmunks! Skunks will do it too!

 

[PJ in WI]

Squirrels. It just happened to me and a buddy the other day. He went back to a spot we had detected and there was a line of holes all dug up. I went back to a different place yesterday and 2 of my holes from the day before were partially ripped up and a squirrel was right there. PJ

 

[Lowbatts]

The smaller the ejected dirt around the hole, the smaller the animal. Dogs dig big holes with big chunks of dirt left, coons are not that fine either, they leave clumpy dirt. Skunks are a bit finer, squirrels dig holes and you will notice the dirt is in a rather fine particulate state.

Lastly, crows are notorious for waiting until after squirrels dig holes, then going in and tearing up the hole and stealing the buried booty. Were there any crows or ravens watching you? They're just plain mean and having watched them do this in my backyard, I think they do it just to be mean.

 

[BuckleBoy]

That post title sounds like a Medical Condition.

 

[Don in SJ]

Ah yes, the mysterious reopened holes. No doubt it is animals, whether it is Squirrels, possums, skunks, Wolverines , Sasquatch or whatever, it does happen. I thought for years that at some spots I came upon that it was sloppy diggers not refilling their dug holes, but once I started returning to sites that I just hit the day before and saw that my own holes were now relaid open, I finally realized that perhaps the other opened digs were not from sloppy detectorists, but all along were being re-dug by animals............. So, just refill the hole a second time when you come across them...

D

 

[Born2Dtect]

I was also attacked by a hole/ plug digger. I had hunted a relatives property and they had said they were not pleased with how I left the yard. I was confused until I saw another relatives dog in the yard digging little holes. I suggest letting me dig a few holes to see if my theory was right. Sure enough after waiting about 5 minutes the little dog excavated each hole I dug. I told my relative I was done in the yard so they should not have this problem from me any more, the dog was their problem.

Ed D.

 

[utah hunter]

That post title sounds like a Medical Condition.

That was mt first thought. When I opened the post I had my eyes closed in case there were pictures I didn't want to see. After my 6 year old said it was ok, then I opened my eyes and was greatly relieved...

 

[savant365]

That post title sounds like a Medical Condition.

That was mt first thought. When I opened the post I had my eyes closed in case there were pictures I didn't want to see. After my 6 year old said it was ok, then I opened my eyes and was greatly relieved...

And you guys still looked anyway EEEEWWWWWW!!!!

 

[MD Dog]

learn to coin pop, solves the problem right away.

 

[savant365]

learn to coin pop, solves the problem right away.

I do that in parks and places like that but these were pretty big plugs as I am looking for relics. There are some fairly large pieces in the groung here. I have dug 3 axe heads and a complete shovel head for example. Some of the plugs are 6 to 7 inches in diameter.

HH Charlie

 

[MD Dog]

I'd go camping for the night with a 22 or a BB gun and solve the problem that way. But not the right solution for everyone. If not for you, then just refill holes and smile at the thought of the meal you provided for your furry little friends.

 

[txkickergirl]

my dad has a dog that will go around behind him and dig the holes back up. There is one hole no mater how often he refills it the dog digs it back up. My little dog will dig the hole with me while I am digging. Now if I could teach him to cover it back up for me he would be my best hunting buddy

 

[VERMONTPACKRAT]

I should set up my game camera Maybe I could get a picture of a troll or something



VPR

 

[savant365]

I should set up my game camera Maybe I could get a picture of a troll or something



VPR

If he is stained blue or red tell him to get back here and refill his holes