Unexpected encounters with animals while detecting

[maxxkatt]

Hunting in parks in North Atlanta you almost always have to use earphones. Why? Maintenance guys using lawn mowers, gas powered leaf blowers and chain saws. When using ear phones I seem to tune out my surroundings and focus on detecting or digging. Several times I have been on my knees battling with a thick root or big rock and am surprised to look up with a big dog inches from my face curious to see why this human is digging. In both case the were big friendly dogs. Snakes in Georgia is a different animal. From late spring to early fall you MUST be aware of where you put your feet and hands. Copperheads are the worst. If you see a snake first, you usually are ok. They mostly just want to be left alone. Yellow Jackets on the other hand will follow you to Heck and back if you dig near their nest. And we have a nasty pest called fire ants. Boy if you kneel now near their nest they will craw up your pants leg and start biting. They don't call the Fire ants for nothing. We also have Coyotes, but they seem to be very, very shy in north Atlanta around humans. I have only seen two of them in 15 years and those were at a long distance from me. But based on Ring camera photos they are numerous and seem to prefer hunting at night. A few times I have had a buck pawing at the ground when I came too near. I elected to detect in an other area of the woods. Deer in Atlanta aver very numerous because you cannot hunt deer in metro Atlanta or the suburbs. Too many houses and businesses.

 

[SirDigsALOT!]

I was detecting a park and noticed this lol we have lots of elk roaming around.

 

[Jonny B]

Hunting in parks in North Atlanta you almost always have to use earphones. Why? Maintenance guys using lawn mowers, gas powered leaf blowers and chain saws. When using ear phones I seem to tune out my surroundings and focus on detecting or digging. Several times I have been on my knees battling with a thick root or big rock and am surprised to look up with a big dog inches from my face curious to see why this human is digging. In both case the were big friendly dogs. Snakes in Georgia is a different animal. From late spring to early fall you MUST be aware of where you put your feet and hands. Copperheads are the worst. If you see a snake first, you usually are ok. They mostly just want to be left alone. Yellow Jackets on the other hand will follow you to Heck and back if you dig near their nest. And we have a nasty pest called fire ants. Boy if you kneel now near their nest they will craw up your pants leg and start biting. They don't call the Fire ants for nothing. We also have Coyotes, but they seem to be very, very shy in north Atlanta around humans. I have only seen two of them in 15 years and those were at a long distance from me. But based on Ring camera photos they are numerous and seem to prefer hunting at night. A few times I have had a buck pawing at the ground when I came too near. I elected to detect in an other area of the woods. Deer in Atlanta aver very numerous because you cannot hunt deer in metro Atlanta or the suburbs. Too many houses and businesses.

Aww mate u should of saw this big animal I encounters I dig a hole n there it was just looking at me big grin on his face I bricked it thought I was ganna have a big cow dropped on me either that or a ray gun huge big earth worm looking at me might of been him or one of the minions out of worms exspected a camacarze lol I swallowed big lump in throat n pulled him in half dodged a bullet there John I thought to myself

 

[John Madill]

I found myself face to face with an unhappy pit bull, unleashed. His owner managed to call him off. It was in a small park. Now I carry pepper spray.

 

[Surf Master]

I would imagine Bear spray to be the best , those Pitts get my attention to , some in this neighborhood never seen one loose but , I wouldn't want my dog to fight them , Ive seen what they can do

 

[KOB]

On the beaches I've seen just about every kind of sea life that has washed ashore. I've encountered some coyotes at night and of course dogs at their respective beaches. Lots of seagulls and pigeons. Only serious animal problems I've had is the humankind. But here is a Turkey Vulture I spotted while hunting in the winter 4 years ago. It was feeding on some bird carcass. This is rare to see and I've never seen one on the beach before. I watched it for a few minutes and then it flew away. I would estimate the wingspan about 4-5' in length. Very interesting to witness.

 

[volksbeetle28]

Last year I had a black bear jump in the creek in front of me, and then on another occasion I was in the woods digging a target and must’ve disturbed some ground bees and got stung a bunch of times.

 

[Laxsaltman]

Fun fact: If you're busy hunting and bees start bumping into you, that's a warning you're too close to a hive somewhere nearby. That's what they'll do before an all out attack. Be safe out there as spring approaches.

 

[OBN]

Started doing videos of my full hunts around 2018 when I found I could use a Lipstick size Phone charger battery. Caught many crazy things but the best was either a skate or shark. I was in the water walking back to the first beach in about 3 to 4 feet of water when this guy cut in front of me.. then let me know he was close...

Look close you can see a fin..

So it could be either, my buddy mike was at this spot a few years ago and they seen a 4 wide foot skate, only problem ... he was dead on shore and Mike said he had a chunk of his wing missing like a large shark had ripped a bite. I've had a shark band on my wrist a few years now, who knows if the thing works.. or maybe it did?

 

[OBN]

On the beaches I've seen just about every kind of sea life that has washed ashore. I've encountered some coyotes at night and of course dogs at their respective beaches. Lots of seagulls and pigeons. Only serious animal problems I've had is the humankind. But here is a Turkey Vulture I spotted while hunting in the winter 4 years ago. It was feeding on some bird carcass. This is rare to see and I've never seen one on the beach before. I watched it for a few minutes and then it flew away. I would estimate the wingspan about 4-5' in length. Very interesting to witness.

I hit one those 3 foot tall looking TK Vultures. I just turned the corner ..he was in the middle of the road, his buddy seen me coming, and got out of the way but this guy had to get one more bite in.. he did get airborne.. just not enough... smashed right into my 2 month old Honda's windshield. Did not shatter but he left his mark.

 

[KOB]

Started doing videos of my full hunts around 2018 when I found I could use a Lipstick size Phone charger battery. Caught many crazy things but the best was either a skate or shark. I was in the water walking back to the first beach in about 3 to 4 feet of water when this guy cut in front of me.. then let me know he was close...

Look close you can see a fin..
View attachment 592365

So it could be either, my buddy mike was at this spot a few years ago and they seen a 4 wide foot skate, only problem ... he was dead on shore and Mike said he had a chunk of his wing missing like a large shark had ripped a bite. I've had a shark band on my wrist a few years now, who knows if the thing works.. or maybe it did?

That was HUGE ! And it would have scared the crap out of me. Had jellyfish around me , stepped on stingrays , but no sharks that close. Was in a 14' skiff fishing once and a giant whale breeched about 30' away. Straight out of the Moby Dick movie. But not seeing that ray or shark so close to you YIKES !

 

[Rattlehead]

A couple of years ago I was hunting up in the woods and was approached by a pair of Pit Bulls. One was friendly. He approached me with his tail wagging. The other, not so much. He just stayed off in the distance while growling. The friendly one walked away and the grouchy one decided to approach while still growling and barking. I was beginning to think he was about to attack, so I fired my revolver into the ground which scared him off. That was the end of that, thankfully.

 

[BobOso]

they are always watching

 

[GKman]

It's best to wear camo so you can hide from predators

 

[too_pointer]

I have jumped many a deer, and flushed game birds while detecting.
too_

 

[lumbercamp]

Fun fact: If you're busy hunting and bees start bumping into you, that's a warning you're too close to a hive somewhere nearby. That's what they'll do before an all out attack. Be safe out there as spring approaches.

Yeah, but not at dusk when they are already underground in their hive. I hit one just before dark and was attacked. I dropped my digger and ran away with my detector. I had to go back the next morning to retrieve it after things settled down.

 

[hoser]

I've had dogs run up to me, but usually they just are curious and want a belly rub. Only other thing that is not friendly is those miserable ground hornets. I've been stung a couple times, but now I have learned to the telltale signs. This advice is for those who have never come across these rascals, when you are digging a plug and all of a sudden you see a lot of things moving close to the ground, DON'T be curious, RUN!!

 

[too_pointer]

Hose is right on about the bugs ! Lot's of em !
too_

 

[Jose159]

Here in sw Pa there are plenty of bears, coyotes,dogs,...but the ground bees and ticks are my biggest concern

 

[Detectorguy]

I have had many a pepper expire, but do carry it. Worry more about the people in the parks until the other day. I seen a dog across the park barking at a guy, then attacking him.