Grid hunting vs. Compass hunting

[Fiftytwo pennies]

I see a lot of mention of a style of hunting called grid hunting. I have a style of hunting to share with you. I have been doing some research on three local parks that were once owned by separate individuals who were wealthy people.
I have embraced a style of hunting that insures a person to clean out a site for a period of time. It's called Compass hunting and is easily done in a field. If you have never heard of Compass hunting allow me to give you a brief description
Take a straight-line snap line chalker Do not put chalk in it. Take a yardstick pull the string out and make a one inch mark in permanent marker every 3' feet (depending on your height, if you are not in between 5'8"-6 feet you might want to make your marks a shorter distance) after your marks are made.
You will need a broomstick or a metal rod that is 4 1/2 to 5feet long with a swivel attached to one end. When your walking in a field don't try to grid. Just stroll until you come to your first coin, put the stick in the ground at this spot after you have retrieved it. Hook your straight-line string to the swivel and start hunting in a circle. Once you have completed a full circle let yourself out another 3' feet so on and so on.
I like hunting this method rather then grid hunting which requires you to drag string clear across a field then, when one pass is made you must move each stake at each end of your string or if you are one of the brave ones and use land marks to grid. Are you sure you are walking a straight line? I have found myself looking back and seeing my path has veered to the right. If you folks need pictures for the Compass hunter let me know and I'll post. Now my question is this type of hunting can't be done in the woods.
So does any one have a style or method for hunting in heavily wooded areas. I have pondered this for some time. I have thought about some way marking each tree in a way that is not defacing or damaging. The best thing I can think of is using masking tape on each tree and sapling. But the end result would be removing all tape after I was done hunting I welcome any post or suggestions please.

[Arkwater]

I'm still waiting for someone to integrate gps into a detector. For now I use my hand held gps in the woods. By using the track feature I can keep track of where I have hunted. I also use this to grid large fields.

[JCWhite]

That would be a great method for the field I am hunting. Thanks.

[EPC Guy]

What a great method to hunt...I will definitely use this! As to hunting in heavily wooded areas, I fall back to my old deer hunting days, where I would blaze a trail I wanted to use to get to my tree stand the afternoon before going in very early the next morning (when it was still dark). To blaze the trail, I used orange reflective push pins (about the size of a dime). They would reflect my flashlight when it was dark - and also be easy to see in the daylight (since they were orange). They do not damage the trees (designed like a thumb tack). I use them now to mark a perimeter around the area I wish to hunt...usually about a 20 foot by 20 foot area - although this can be adjusted to whatever area size a person is comfortable with. These pins can be found in just about any store that sells hunting items. HH!

[Buster]

This sounds cool. I might have to try this...Buster...

[EBCIII]

I really like that compass method! Up to now I have relied on physical land marks. I also find myself drifting one way or the other.

I will try this method, Beale.

[gordiesgirl]

Great idea. Thanks

[DougsGraphics]

Nice idea. In the woods, I tend to just pick some trees to guage off of and basicly grid an area that way. Of course, the problem is always the underbrush that keeps grabbing my coil -- and you know, that underbrush probably wasn't the same 100 or 200 years ago! ARGH!

[Skifisher]

Good idea, I'll have to try that. Funny, my wifes been trying to keep me on a leash for years, all it took was MD'ing!

[bigbillinsc]

I learn more and more on this web site.

VERY GOOD TIP.
another helpful trick to add to my arsenal.

THANX 52.

and when i am diggin places that i want to mark off but not leave permanenet or damaging marks use the fat side walk chalk. the big stuff kids use about as long as your hand and big as round as broom stick. you can buy it in dollar stores and its just a white or yellow streak that will disapear after a couple rains. enviromentaly friendly too.