{Metal detecting target recovery}

Techniques to isolate and recover a detected target.

Clear the area

Before starting, clear debris and any items in view which could result in an unwanted signal.

Create a designated grid area.

Start by marking off or visually creating a grid area to work on. Only once the area is fully covered and the target has not been found, move on to the next.

Pinpointing

Consider investing in a good quality handheld pin pointer. They are useful for scrubbing inside holes and narrowing down the exact spot of the target.

Systematic Sweep

It’s important to consider the search coil size. While large search coils are great for discovering deeply buried targets, while working on recovery, smaller search coils are recommended.
Use methodic sweeping over the grid area. Each sweep should slightly overlap the previous one to avoid missing the target.

Center the target

To find the target center pass several times over the spot of the signal in different directions.
Tip: A golf peg can be useful as a spot marker.

Digging the hole

A hole should be dug around the marked spot to avoid hitting the target, which could result in damage of a valuable artefact.
Do small and controlled digs.
The removed soil should be checked consistently either with your detector or a pinpointer. This ensures the target has not been removed already.
Dig a large enough hole to be able to fit the search coil used for recovery inside the hole.

Check again and re-scan

Following target recovery, re-check the hole and surrounding area. Even when expecting a single target, it’s always possible for another to be present.

Different conditions and techniques

Different soil and environmental conditions will require different techniques. There is no single technique which can be applied universally. It’s necessary to understand the functions of your detector and practice to master all target recovery and isolation scenarios.