I have noticed the past few days how careless people are when digging. You have to remember this thing is tiny and could be frozen in a baseball size clump of snow. 

Even though areas had been dug up - they didn't dig all the way to the ground or left huge bowling ball size clumps of snow without breaking them up, and left little pockets of virgin snow.

One guy I know said he saw a guy digging and he was taking huge scoops of snow and just THROWING THEM IN THE CREEK!!!  That's probably how the thing got into the creek.

I have always found it's better to be thorough and cover less area than to dig like crazy and possibly miss something. 

If you notice almost every year it is found in an area that's already been dug up and someone late to the party finds it.

I sat down in a spot the night of clue 11 and did the same ,If people can,t dig right stay home ,is how I feel Its not how fast you can cover the park, Its how efficient my 5 year old granddaughter could have done a better job.

Yeah I always tell people not to bypass areas just cuz it's looks like it's been  dug up.  When you actually get in there and start digging, you notice how poorly it was dug----- still has lots of potential.

I also let people know who maybe follow online and don't feel they can participate because of age, injury, or other physical ailments, that they can just go down and bust up clumps with a stick or their foot and they probably would have a good chance at finding it.

Quality people.................not quantity