Safety Digging

[JGUIS]

Gangsta Ka-bob, that's the best!!! Most professionals tell you that carrying a weapon gives the attacker something to hurt you with, unless it's a gun. I agree with the majority, it totally depende on where you're digging. If it's rural, carry a small first aid kit, and dog grade pepper spray, for the rabid stray and those other wild beasts. If it's privy digging a block from a crackhouse, take a partner, or don't go. You're always better off where you already feel comfortable, but you're always vulnerable to something. Men and women both take risks when alone, a concealed carry liscense is the best option in my humble opinion.

 

[bottlebadger]

How about when you are bothered by intoxicated local yokels who oooh and aaah about every unembossed crap bottle and kick dirt down your backside. Then you start noticing the bottles are disappearing. You want to be nice but you gotta watch em close.

 

[capsoda]

Hey Barna, For those guys just yell snake and start jumping around in your hole and they will split post haste.[sm=lol.gif]

 

[monsterdigger]

I would love to have a girlfriend that enjoyed this hobby![]

 

[zanes_antiques]

Hey Monster,
Besides digging a "motherlode" that's every guy diggers dream......Dream on friend!

 

[swizzle]

If you ever find yourself without proper defence equipment and you've been digging for a bit a busted neck off of an old bottle can be rather threatening. That would be a last resort. Using shards for protection could backfire. So if you don't need it don't use it. You should always think before you go and plan accordingly. I should also warn you about pepper spray and bears. Pepper spray doesn't always work on bears and in some cases the smell of pepper spray from a distance can attract bears. The best thing to do if you encounter a large critter such as a bear or cougar as mentioned above, is to make yourself look big and let your presence be know. Don't be afraid to make up a few new swear words as you go. Try to sound rough and tough and not like a squealing rabbit. Never make direct eye contact with a bear. That is a challenge to the bear. Never throw food at a bear to try to deter it. They will start to relate humans to food and then there will be more bear/ human encounters. Never take your eyes off of the bear and back away slowly. If you are wearing a jacket or shirt pull it up over your head to help make you look 10 feet tall. Most bears will run but some bears will keep on coming. If a bear charges you stand your ground. He's doing a bluff charge and trying to scare you and make you run. When you run he comes after you and takes you down from behind. Your much less of a threat to him that way and an easier target. If you do get attacked by a black bear, FIGHT, they kill and eat. If you get attacked by a grizzly, curl up and play dead. They kill, cover with leaves and forest duff and leave their kills for later. Good Luck and have fun out there. Swizzle

 

[southern Maine diver]

Hey Swizzle...

Great ending to your "Bear Advice..." [] "Good luck and have FUN out there.."[sm=rolleyes.gif]

No bears underwater...[&:]

Wayne

 

[#1twin]

Hello Pam, All the advice you have received here is worth considering, especially if you take a child with you.
I dig 99% of the time alone and I have a 31/2 yr old that I can't wait to get started, so I will have a digging partner forever. But where I live we have a lot of Casino's that has encouraged a lot of rift-raft in our area. Almost every little block of woods along the Ms coast has a homeless person living in it. They have never bothered me other than trying to make claim to the land, which I just ignore. I even give them tips that they could possibly sell bottles I pass up, for some money, but they mostly just want to bum money from me. Your husband is right to worry and you really should carry something to protect yourself and the little one. I know you would never forgive yourself if something should happen to her. Be safe, be wise, and best of luck with this great hobby you obviously love. Have a great dig, Marvin "the mole"

 

[capsoda]

If a bear wants to eat me he will have to dig through 2000lbs of poop to find me first!!! [:'(]

 

[logueb]

Pam, I enjoy digging probably as much as anybody. When I retire I'll probably stay in hot water with the wifey for spending too much time in the woods. And we certainly are not making light of safety on this thread or trying to scare you out of digging. But today after work I went for a short dig and on the way out I heard barking between me and my truck. Four dogs and no 22. I dont't believe these were wild dogs. They were probably some that had packed together to chase deer or other game. I was probably invading their territory. Two held the road while the other two circled behind in different directions. Never run and never let them know that you are scared. Loud command for them to get worked, this time . Next time I won't forget the 22. It was wierd that this happened so close to ny last post on the subject. I had spotted a puppy about a week ago. Sometimes these dogs will have puppies around old dump sites and may be protecting the little ones. So please be careful.