JASONSPAZ1
New member
Fishing licenses..
A fishing license is a great mold to start a metal detecting license program issued from states, or towns.
Part of the reason their has been a surge of sites being banned is for two reasons.
1)Name brand detectors are being sold at retailers they where never sold at before. An example is the Garrett Ace 150's I have seen at my local Dicks sporting goods. They where right next to the paintball stuff. I don't know about Wal-Mart. But I bet it is a matter of time before they stock them.
2) The economy. two many people out there sitting at home "depressed" seeing the late night White's commercials, with get rich dreams floating in their heads.
As a result, you get rookies with no care or understanding for the detector codes of ethics. They walk into a public park with a garden trowel and they go to town on the turf.
I partially blame said manufactures. Look at those Whites commercials. Do they really honestly show the 'reality" of detecting. I think the manufactures should realize MASS CONSUMER purchases of their products is only going to hurt their beloved industry in the long run.
With a fishing license. You sign off accepting the bylaws. "Don't keep this type of fish under this size", "Don't use this type of bait in that type of water". "Don't keep fish from here" "don't fish for this type of fish at that time of year"
As a fisherman, as well as a detectorist. I am aware of my hobbies rules and am confident that as long as I follow them. I don't have to worry about being bait for a hungry game warden looking to issue a citation.
If we as detectorists can come up with a plan, an outline of laws and a clear code of ethics to present to state and local public officials. Maybe we can convince them that we will pay pay a fair fee for a detecting license. On the license can be a list of areas deemed state historic sites and considered off limits. And some more wording on particular off limit areas. That way we can still use our GPS's and research skills to still scout out spots that will most likely not be on the "do not detect" list of an issued detecting license. This way. Us "serious" detectorist don't have to worry as much as "rookies" screwing it up for the rest of us. And towns can see a detecting license as a way to earn them some $$
If a detecting license says you can detect on public parks. And a random drive by a productive looking park, results in you jumping out of your car to detect. You don't have to worry about some self righteous DPW worker telling you to split. You can show him your detecting license that does not mention this particular park as being off limits.
I know some of you may be cringing at paying for a detecting license. But the fact is my fellow hunters. Detecting and the luxury we have enjoyed is coming to an end as we know it. We need to act now or loose the hobby. Then we will be stuck ONLY! being able to detect our own yards.
Think about it. Offer them our willingness to pay a "fishing license" fee to keep our own version of dirt fishing.
what do you all think.
take care
JASONSPAZ1
A fishing license is a great mold to start a metal detecting license program issued from states, or towns.
Part of the reason their has been a surge of sites being banned is for two reasons.
1)Name brand detectors are being sold at retailers they where never sold at before. An example is the Garrett Ace 150's I have seen at my local Dicks sporting goods. They where right next to the paintball stuff. I don't know about Wal-Mart. But I bet it is a matter of time before they stock them.
2) The economy. two many people out there sitting at home "depressed" seeing the late night White's commercials, with get rich dreams floating in their heads.
As a result, you get rookies with no care or understanding for the detector codes of ethics. They walk into a public park with a garden trowel and they go to town on the turf.
I partially blame said manufactures. Look at those Whites commercials. Do they really honestly show the 'reality" of detecting. I think the manufactures should realize MASS CONSUMER purchases of their products is only going to hurt their beloved industry in the long run.
With a fishing license. You sign off accepting the bylaws. "Don't keep this type of fish under this size", "Don't use this type of bait in that type of water". "Don't keep fish from here" "don't fish for this type of fish at that time of year"
As a fisherman, as well as a detectorist. I am aware of my hobbies rules and am confident that as long as I follow them. I don't have to worry about being bait for a hungry game warden looking to issue a citation.
If we as detectorists can come up with a plan, an outline of laws and a clear code of ethics to present to state and local public officials. Maybe we can convince them that we will pay pay a fair fee for a detecting license. On the license can be a list of areas deemed state historic sites and considered off limits. And some more wording on particular off limit areas. That way we can still use our GPS's and research skills to still scout out spots that will most likely not be on the "do not detect" list of an issued detecting license. This way. Us "serious" detectorist don't have to worry as much as "rookies" screwing it up for the rest of us. And towns can see a detecting license as a way to earn them some $$
If a detecting license says you can detect on public parks. And a random drive by a productive looking park, results in you jumping out of your car to detect. You don't have to worry about some self righteous DPW worker telling you to split. You can show him your detecting license that does not mention this particular park as being off limits.
I know some of you may be cringing at paying for a detecting license. But the fact is my fellow hunters. Detecting and the luxury we have enjoyed is coming to an end as we know it. We need to act now or loose the hobby. Then we will be stuck ONLY! being able to detect our own yards.
Think about it. Offer them our willingness to pay a "fishing license" fee to keep our own version of dirt fishing.
what do you all think.
take care
JASONSPAZ1
