Asking for forgiveness instead of permission

[OG]

Since I am the "greenest" of greenhorns ( never detected in my life ),- what is accepted protocol for getting permission to search properties that are in the public domain, are there universal rules regarding State, County,City,Town areas or are they all different? I have seen numerous videos of people MD civil war battlegrounds and encampment sites etc. and would love to try that some day but how does one go about getting access to these places? Is it customary to pay to hunt on private property or do you just rely on the good nature of the owner, and what typically happens to your finds from your efforts? Do you share them, pay the owner a % of the value of your finds or just keep quite about what you dig up and thank them appropriately when you're done? I would like to know how to begin from you veterans so I do it right from the start.

Thanks, OG

 

[mudpuppy]

Lots here to condense into an accurate answer for you...maybe find a local detecting club and show up at a meeting and see if somebody might want to show you the local ropes so to speak?...all localities seem to be a bit different...
I will tell you this, if you happen to garnish permission to detect a large old private estate of some sort, you will have no problem finding a knowledgable hunting partner!
Mud

 

[azsh07]

There are no universal rules even within as state concerning detecting unless it is out right banned. For instance Arizona does not allow detecting in ghost towns...I know I lived there for a while...actually they are one of the most restrictive states for relic hunting. But besides that example many states will vary within cities within the state as far as public land goes. You would need to look at the local city ordinance if it is allowed in say parks etc. Many cities are banning it in parks but many have not so you see you need to find out locally.

Federal land especially parks are their own issue....some require a permit but if it is battlefield then forget even asking.

I would assume many of the videos you see of battlefields being detected are those that are on private land. For instance I used to hunt with a friend in Manassas Va on battlefields...but it was all private. While the main battle fields are federal alot of the battles spread wide and so encampments and such will be on private land. So a lot of what you see is people detecting private land they got permission to hunt.....most likely.

As far as what to do on private land concerning splitting the finds. I usually tell the land owner we will show him what we find and if he wants to take a few finds that is fine. Now...realize that most of what I find is colonial relics and coins and I have found many items that are common and so I don't mind showing the owner MOST of what is found....I have enough large cents and King george coppers he can take what he wants....BUT...if I find a key coin or relic well...it goes in the private finds pocket. Not letting any land owner take a rare coin or button. But that rarely happens anymore. Plus really many landowners don't give a rip....they usually say to me up front they don't care unless I dig up a cache of coins which has never happened. Although...not sure what I would do in that case...hmmmm..

Concerning asking forgiveness verses permission...well that could create a lot of opinions but I will say do not take that approach on public lands whether they be city, state or federal...they are not very forgiving...even if you have permission sometimes....another story.

 

[bootyhoundpa]

Great question that doesnt get asked enough.... 1st i would recommend you hone your skills in your own backyard or the like so you can practice retrieving targets and refilling your holes without consequences. ... in my area most public parks have a typed list of rules posted..read them thoughly...many will not prohibit metal detecting but will have a catch all rule about disturbing vegetation, thats why i use a thin screwdriver instead of a digger if possible... state parks in my area allow detecting with a permit obtained from the park office with rules written on permit... national parks and historic public battlefields for the most part ARE STRICTLY PROHIBITED. ..these are the types of places that will confiscate your car ,detector and 1st born.... i always try to error on the side of caution and so far its worked out well for me....as far as cutting a deal with private land owners im more generous than most as i offer a 50/50 split of the finds but ive only had that scenario a few times.. before you hunt any property get a idea in your head where utilities such as any underground wires or pipes might be...use common sense and good luck...

 

[ironsight]

In public City parks, if there is no 'NO METAL DETECTING' sign posted in the park rules, go for it, don't even ask.

State parks are another matter. Some allow, some by permit only but most strictly forbid metal detecting. Have to research each on a case by case basis.
Nat'l Parks, Nat'l Monuments and Nat'l Battlefields, forget it.

Civil war battle fields? As mentioned above only on private land, need to get permission from the land owner.

I normally detect parks but have got permission to search private property at times.
I tell the landowner that i keep all coins found but all other targets like jewelry, etc. is turned over to the property owner if they want it. I also add in the unlikely event i find a cache worth lots of bucks, we split...its only right.
I personally consider keeping personal items like jewelry found on private property a little on the creepy side. I feel it rightly belongs with the home owner. Just me.

 

[Phillip_in_NM]

Don't assume forgiveness is necessarily an option. Some individuals and many government entities will prosecute. Why risk it?

I always ask permission. If I can't get somebody to give it, I just don't detect that area. The hobby is so much more enjoyable when you're not looking over your shoulder all the time.

And asking permission is so easy! And I'd be willing to bet I get a "yes" 75-80% of the time.

Just my two cents.

 

[Tom_in_CA]

OG, I'll skip the part of your question re.: private property for others to chime in on.

As to the "forgiveness vs permission", that question assumes that "permission" was needed, to begin with. If that is a given premise and implicit factor, well then gee, go ahead and "ask permission". But the problem really is the question of : What places "NEED PERMISSION", is the real root of your question.

I never ask permission at public places. To do so simply presumes that permission was needed, to begin with. On the contrary: If there were no law or rule that said "no metal detecting", then presto, it's not prohibited. Why this need to feel that we "need permission" ? (as if our hobby were somehow inherently evil or dangerous enough, that it needed someone's princely sanction??).

Laws and rules can be looked up. No need to ask or talk to anyone. Lest you risk having someone say "no", when, in fact, no real rule actually said that. Because perhaps they morph something about disturbing earthworms, or "alter and deface" verbage, etc.... In other words: You risk the psychology of "no one cared TILL you asked" routine.

Just avoid obvious sacred historic monuments, and places with true "no detecting" rules/laws in place. At all other parks, schools, beaches, forests, etc... I come to, if they are public, I just go (barring a specific law/rule to the contrary).

As for the risk of "tickets" "prosecutions", etc.... I always ask the person promoting such a fear, to please cite for us any such incident, of this happening for routine innocuous parks, schools, beaches, etc..... where no specific rule existed. And rarely ever can any example be given. Thus if you ever hear of "tickets" "confiscations", etc.... it will generally be someone nightsneaking obvious sensitive monuments, or someone who can't take a warning, being obnoxious, etc....

 

[WIHawker]

Well said Tom. I agree 100%. But would add use common sense. ie don't go detecting at a school during school hours. I detect on public property when is being used less. Less busybodys. Saturday nights, sunday mornings, and sunday nights works best for me.

Always ask permission on private property even if you have had permission in the past.