Detecting schoolyards

[JMorgan]

Do you get permission when you do those or just jump in and go. I've never done any public places but I might want to try for a little while and I was just wondering. I know you can't when school is open but is it ok to go on the weekends. thanks.

 

[thejetman]

Run it past the local authoraties first. Should be O.k. as long as it is not during school hours.

 

[treasurefiend]

I just go on the weekends.

 

[treasurefiend]

This link is to the garrett forum where somebody asked the same question. I hope this helps...

http://www.findmall.com/read.php?32,690278

 

[Ron from Michigan]

I have searched public schools on the weekends and during the summer without any problems.Private schools I would get permission first.One of the schools down my street I would drive by and not even think about searching.I didn't have much time to hunt one day and with a short drive decided to hunt at the near by school.Any way to make a long story short found one of my older coins there a 1844 Canadian 1/2 penny token.

 

[Bozack]

Weekends only. Carrying a small trash bag doesn't hurt either. I figure since I'm helping to clean the school yard, I might as well get paid. And my F2 ensures that!

 

[UFOsAreReal]

I agree.
Go on weekends or any time school is not in session.
Don't Bring any digging tools that look like knives.

I have a tool I use that just barely fits that criteria.
AMES True Temper, Planter Buddy.
I could probably explain it away as a garden trowel.

Bring a trash bag.
Go at the crack of dawn.

If its a public park "Tot-Lot" You are after. Go weekdays. Early AM or (Better Yet) When its raining.

 

[treasurefiend]

I have the same digging tool!!!

 

[ProHoofCare]

I am friends with an assistant Principal for a local middle school. The schools around here are all gated, so you will get in trouble if you jump the fence. I asked him if I could go with him on a Saturday and hunt the grounds. I have him 3 good reasons. One is I clean up the school yard for free. 2. I look for dangerous items that might hurt the kids. The last reason is he will know what is being brought on campus and if the kids are hiding stuff. I told him I will do it for FREE....IF I get to keep everything I find. About every 2 months I call him and on Saturday when he goes in to do paper work I get "locked" in on the campus with him. His 13 year old son has joined me and we hunt together. Kind of nice being in an area you have total access to that is gated. You know no one is going to bother you.

He has talked to other schools about what I am doing. They love the idea and want to get me on their campuses too. Some have even thought of getting me a contract and getting me paid!

If you know a teacher or someone that works at the school ask. You might be surprised!

 

[daxdog]

[quote UFOsAreReal]I have a tool I use that just barely fits that criteria.
AMES True Temper, Planter Buddy.
I could probably explain it away as a garden trowel.[/quote]

That is my favorite digging tool. It works great for digging a plug, scraping back muck/rocks/sand, cutting through grass roots, etc. I'm glad too see that I wasn't the only one drawn to that tool.

 

[Bozack]

Hey Prohoofcare, I like how you managed to hunt the yard. How does your new hunting buddy like md'ing and have you recovered any good finds yet?

 

[ProHoofCare]

He loves it. I let him use my old BH Tracker IV. He digs everything. I use a MPX. The finds are "interesting" to say the least. Most of the finds are clad. Some children ear rings, rings, etc. Mostly silver. Lots of Catholic "charms". A few pocket knives. All I got to say is it is fun! We hunt really slow and detailed, so we only do a small portion of the school at a time.

 

[Nuggatory]

Way to go on selling the benfits of , PCH!

I'm thinking about going to some of the local schools here in Aus now. It's pretty much a necessity to have permission to be on school grounds here, as police often patrol the schools due to high rates of vandalism.

No point ruining a good afternoon by having to explain to the local constabulary what it's all about and risk being

 

[mattockman]

I drove into a school yard that was being boarded up in Maine and just as soon as I got my equiptment out and tieing on the apron in comes a cruiser....ask me what I was doing and told him just a little metal detecting. He said oh, thats all, well you are one of the few here that is not looking to vandalize something, he asked a few questions about my detector and said good luck hope you find some old coins.....NOW THAT WAS COOL.....Got to love those kind of days. But didn't work out that way in another boarded up school yard in NH....so you win some you lose some...the NH school was an awsome place though.. was hitting deep wheats and mercs..old button, silver saint christopher metal and silver chain....wish I had better luck with Barney Fife there....

 

[Bozack]

Prohoofcare: Sounds like you've created a md monster! Glad 2 hear you're digging finds and havin' fun. Besides, in the end, that's all that matters. Take care. --Hugh