Hallo to all,

Does any of you have experience with these security, hand held metal detectors? Would they be of any use to locate bullets in a larger carcass?

I spent most of Saturday searching a rhino carcass for two bullets from a clients .500 NE, but some how they just disappeared in that mass of flesh and gut.

Any other suggestions?

Riaan,

Don,t know what kind of metal detector you have. I have not used a "Security type" but we use common metal detectors all the time in the US Forest Service Law Enforcement Branch to locate bullets in illegally killed (poached) game. Saves a lot of time pawing around in a ripe carcass.

HOOT

Riaan,

I've not used the security type metal detectors but would think they'd be expensive and a bit delicate anyway.....However, I have tried the smaller DIY type that detects metal and/or power cables...... didn't work very well unless the bullet was close to the surface of the meat........ but wouldn't it make life easy if someone did make a suitable product!

Wouldn't a standard "beach combing" detector work?

Used one to locate bullets in wet newspaper penetration tests a few years back. Not the thickness one may get with large animals, but it worked. The biggest problem was the paper was on pallets and the nails played hell. This was a “beach comber†type, and the more expensive are way too adjustable for everything so it should work OK on large animals, especially with larger bullets. Don’t have any experience with the hand held units.

I used one several years ago to assist our local fish cops on a poached elk. It was a Garett hand held, small black paddle shape. Found the bullet used and cut it out without damaging the bullet for latter lab ID. We found the bullet within minutes.

Thanks for the responses guys. I’m a compulsive bullet digger, and it frustrates my to no end if I can’t find one in an animal. The pill is even bitterer to swallow if the client used a unique caliber or bullet design. When it’s practical I try to get the animals to a skinning shed, where bullet retrieval is fairly sure. With the bigger guys, such as rhino and giraffe, this is not always possible and we often have to skin and quarter them in the veldt. Trying to locate a bullet in a half ton gut pile, spread across the grass, is no mean feat.

Hoot, the “common metal detectors†that you refer too, are these the same as the “beach comber†that Bulldog 563 and Paladin 56 mention? Do you guys have any brand names for these devices that I can use for an Internet search?

Kino, thanks for the thumbs-up on the Garett. I’ll do a net search for some more info/suppliers.

Shakari, such a compact, portable and effective tool would be a great toy. I wonder I my dear wife would consider an early Xmas box for her loving and caring spouse?

Regards.

Riaan,
I have an old White’s 6000DI. It’s probably 25 years old and has several different modes that allow for different conditions. Certain modes require the detector to be in motion to work. The TR mode does not require movement to detect metal and, I believe would work best in your case. The other detector belongs to my son and is also a White’s, a Classic ID, and has nowhere near the adjustments or different modes, but worked OK on the piles of wet newsprint. I think White’s may still make the 6000DI, but am not sure.

Back track. Just went to White’s web site.

http://www.whiteselectronics.com/homepagew.html

They don’t make the 6000 anymore, but a lot of others, including handhelds. I would contact them and tell them what you are doing and let them recommend what they think is best.

Some other manufacturers are: Bounty Hunter, Tesoro, and Garrett’s.

Hope this helps. If you need more help, let me know. I hate loosing bullets as well.

Riaan,

Here is some more info.

The Lobo, by Tesoro is a no-motion all-metal detector that would probably work quite well for you. Its biggest problem is the price. http://www.tesoro.com/

I’ve seen Garrett’s in security quite often, so I know they make several different hand helds. http://www.garrett.com/

After a quick search, I think the Bounty Hunter may be too low rent for what you are looking for. As I mentioned before, send off an email to each and see what they recommend.

Best regards.

I agree that you should give the different companies a call and tell them what you want to use it for. It seems to me that a handheld detector wouldn't be powerful enough to get through a lot of flesh but could be wrong.

Good idea though.

I saw a PH get real good results by offering some locals a nice reward. They are cutting up the meat in most cases anyway, the finacial incentive just makes them a little more careful.

Kyler