DFW City Parks Friendly to Metal Detecting?

[Gnobodyuknow]

Hello All,

I am brand new to metal detecting and I'm still trying to find my way to good ground for detecting. I have done a little research and know that Texas State Parks are a NO for metal detecting, at least as far as I can find. I have found that Army Corp of Engineers Parks are OK but only in the areas they designate. City parks though, depending on the city, seem to be good ground for detecting. Would anyone here be able to tell me if this is true? I have found a nice little park with an older lake that I would like to hit on my lunch time. I can't find much on the Fort Worth Parks site about metal detecting. Thank you.

 

[Tom_in_CA]

.... I have found a nice little park with an older lake that I would like to hit on my lunch time. I can't find much on the Fort Worth Parks site about metal detecting. Thank you.

G-nobody-u-know: Personally speaking, when I roll into any town, when it comes to routine run-of-mill city parks, .... I just go. Unless I see a sign saying "no metal detectors", or unless it's an obvious historic sensitive monument, I just go.

Very few cities have ever dreamed up a municipal "no detecting in city parks" rule. But ... sure ... if someone wanted to worry long enough and hard enough, I suppose it *is* possible that such a rule exists, on the books, down at city hall. Yet isn't on a sign at the park. Very very rare that this is the case. But if you are skittish and want to make sure, then the method is not to go asking a desk clerk at city hall: "Hi, can I metal detect ?". Lest you bump into the "safe answer" routine, where someone just says "no". Because perhaps they envision geeks with shovels.

Instead the way is: Look it up for yourself. As I say, I think this is "over-thinking it". But if you are skittish, you look it up for yourself. No city's laws, codes, charter, etc... is secret. If there is such a rule or law, it must exist SOMEWHERE in print, for public viewing. And in today's 'puterized world, it's getting to where even the smallest cities have their ordinances, codes, laws, etc.... on-line. But if not, it exists somewhere, in binder form, at city hall.

But it sounds like you've already looked things up. Because you say: "I can't find much on the Fort Worth Parks site about metal detecting.... " Ok then, so what's the problem ? If it's silent on the subject (says nothing about md'ing, as you acknowledge), then where's the confusion ? If it's not prohibited, then presto, it's not prohibited. You don't need express allowances in order to be able to do something (fly frisbees, etc...). Eg.: you're not going to find laws or signs that say "metal detecting allowed here".

Naturally, this isn't to say that someone couldn't still gripe on OTHER grounds. Ie.: that they think you're about to leave holes. And could try to say that this is covered under "alter and deface" boiler plate language. Ok, fine, go at lower traffic times and avoid such lookie lou's. Don't do highly manicured turf when busy-bodies are present. Go out and look for that wedding ring your wife lost there last week. Don't over-think it.

 

[Gnobodyuknow]

Awesome, thank you for the feed back. This is kind of what I was thinking but wanted a more experienced detectors take on it. Thank you again!

 

[Tom_in_CA]

Awesome, thank you for the feed back. This is kind of what I was thinking but wanted a more experienced detectors take on it. Thank you again!

No problem. Our rates are reasonable. Send me 30% of all your finds. I accept paypal

 

[Architex]

I used to live in Dallas and hunted the living **** out of them. Pretty good hunting too. But I was last there 12 years ago so things may have changed. Anyway, Tom's advice is good. Also, check detecting clubs, Dallas had at least two good ones and I'm sure FW has some as well.

 

[Gnobodyuknow]

Lol, I will be sure to get that 30% in the mail after every hunt Tom.

Thank you Architex. I have been checking into joining a club and the Cowtown Treasure Hunters Clubs looks like a good one. They seem active and much closer to where I live.

 

[D&P-OR]

Don't take a picture of your junk (or even your finds). No charge for this one!

 

[Gnobodyuknow]

Lol, I'll try to save those for my wife but thank you for the tip D&P-OR.

 

[5900_XL-1]

I and a buddy was ran off in a Dallas park fairly recently. The cop was shown a Lesche digger. He said, "I let you use that and next thing you'll bring a backhoe." He took both of out personal info, said it was just a warning this time, but a citation would be next time. He elaborated and stated that all Dallas county parks did not permit any digging of any kind.

I took him serious being he had all of my personal information. I think he was wrong, but I've left Dallas parks all alone since.

 

[Gnobodyuknow]

Thank you 5900_XL-1! I will be sure to leave those parks alone unless I can find something in writing I can print to take with me.

 

[Tom_in_CA]

.... He elaborated and stated that all Dallas county parks did not permit any digging of any kind.....

Hey 5900-xl-1 : I got news for you: There's not a park in the entire USA, on any level (city, county, state, or federal) that "permits digging". That would/could fall under prohibitions of "alter" , "deface" , "molest", "damage", etc... Heck, it might even use the explicit word "dig". But I guarantee you: There's not a speck of public land (parks, beach, forests, deserts, etc...) in the entire USA, that .... what the cop told you .... couldn't be invoked.

Ok then, what are we to conclude ? That therefore we can't md on any public land, right ? After all, we "dig" to get to our targets, right ?

Yet .... oddly ... the pages of md'ing forum show & tell sections are FILLED with persons who (gasp) got their rings or coins on public land. Presumably digging to get them. Are all of them just lawless miscreants ? Of course not.

Here's the gig : If you cover your spot, and leave no trace, then presto: You have not alterED, defaceED, or molestED anything. Now have you ? Yes I agree that if the evil word "dig" is used, that becomes more problematic. But I propose that if you can accept the semantics of alter vs alterED, as being nothing more than present vs past tense, then SO TOO does the same logic apply to dig vs dug. The only difference is, that we don't say diggED.

The OBVIOUS intention of such verbiage is the end result. And if you leave no trace, then .... to me ... that's fulfilled. Does that mean every last lookie-lou will agree with those semantics ? Of course not. But no, I do not construe any passing "scram" by a busy-body, to constitute gospel law. Even if coming from a cop, or duly-appointed gardener, etc.... For all you know that cop was only responding to a complaint from someone who thought you were a pervert in the park. And ... once he's there ... he must justify his call out. Or a cop having a bad hair day, etc....

In my 40+ yrs. of this I have had several such scrams or stink-eyes. And ... years later ... you can still hunt those locations till you're blue in the face, and no one cares.

Does this mean to defy an authority ? Of course not. Give lip service and move on for that day. And sure, avoid that one individual in the future. But unless there's a specific true rule that said "no md'ing", then no: I do not construe each/any such incident to constitute gospel law.

 

[5900_XL-1]

Like I said, I think the cop was incorrect that day. In all the years I hunted Dallas and never had an encounter, one Barney Fife on a power trip put us on a blacklist. If I'd only heard this from somebody and never been given a "so-called warning" and my personal info taken down...I'd still hunt until I actually got a first warning. I know many people who hit Dallas and will continue, and they may never get dinged. Cops used to cruise past me in past years in Dallas Parks and not even slow down. This cop was tense! Had his hand on his gun and everything, over an old retired guy enjoying what his tax dollars have helped pay for.

These types exist in every path of life.

 

[Tom Slick]

There is a good club in both Dallas and Ft Worth. Join one of those clubs, meet others, learn where and how to use your detector. Enjoy the club monthly meetings, monthly outings and annual competition hunts. I belonged to both clubs when I lived there, and they're a good bunch of folks.

 

[Tom_in_CA]

..... put us on a blacklist. If I'd only heard this from somebody and never been given a "so-called warning" and my personal info taken down...I'd still hunt .....

5900-xl-1 : I've had occasions where my personal info. was jotted down. Or my plates on my truck run, etc.... And ... sure .... I give lip service at the time. But no ... it doesn't mean that location is a no-no from then-on-out.

Unless someone were defiant, and out there a few days later, and bumped into the exact same cop .... I don't think they do anything with that "personal info. taken down". Probably just a scare tactic. I've had locations where that happened. And ... sure ...we give that place a "rest". But assuming there's no specific true rule saying "no md'ing" (as appears to be the case in your Dallas situation), then I have no fear in returning.

It's on a case-by-case basis, of course. But in general, no.... a "scram" doesn't constitute gospel law from then-on-out (unless a true law or rule existed). Even if that "scram" were accompanied by some sort of personal info. being taken. But I realize this is to each person's caution level and risk assessment.

 

[Mark kus]

Do like I do go at night no one sees you I hunt "offseason" beach homes in the winter no one cares then and theres lots of silver to be had around those old cottages!
I had a town green I was hunting in my home state and two local cops from that town drove out onto the green!
I thought oh crap theyre going to arrest us!
Nope one guy Frencie even gave me some spots to go try!
Then same park a weekend later a black officer shows up the last two were white but anyway he says show me your IDS I said no whats the problem?
He said we had to cease and stop hunting I said why your coworkers said we were fine hunting here?
I refused to give my ID to him because I was not being arrested I said is this a racial thing? don't you have some more important work to do?
He left then we left but I keep going there and have not had a problem since .
So you never know from one cop to another..

 

[5900_XL-1]

A good friend and fellow detector made a statement concerning not showing ID when approached while metal detecting, "You might beat the ticket, but you won't beat the ride."

I personally find it ain't worth the confrontation, and time out of my life, disputing and eventually having to go to court, when it's 99% certain the judge will toss the case out.

If I had an attorney in my back pocket, I would likely file a lawsuit for restitution due to a total wrongful arrest.

As far as stealth-style detecting, such an during the night? This particular park and a few other Dallas parks, are not places I want to walk around in the dark, with headphones blocking my surroundings. Besides, stealth hunting is "self admitting" that there's a law to be broken. Stealth takes all of the relaxation I get from this innocent hobby after retirement.

It just ain't worth "the ride", "the trip to court", the confrontation.

 

[HaroldILL.]

If there is not a No Metal Detecting sign at least You have an out if confronted. If I was You I would go alone unless a bad Neighborhood. I would also use a 'Small hand trowel' and backfill with a small towel to put loose dirt on. Don't let anyone tell You to use a shovel as You can make neater plugs. They draw too much attention.
These are just My suggestions if You want to continue to hunt it hassle free.

 

[Gnobodyuknow]

Thank you for the advice. Yes I was thinking that only my hand digger would be best. I haven't bought the shovel I want yet anyways. I'm not too worried about it being a bad neighborhood as I have scoped out the area I am going to hit and its really not that bad.

 

[Tom_in_CA]

A good friend and fellow detector made a statement concerning not showing ID when approached while metal detecting, "You might beat the ticket, but you won't beat the ride."

I personally find it ain't worth the confrontation, and time out of my life, disputing and eventually having to go to court, when it's 99% certain the judge will toss the case out.

If I had an attorney in my back pocket, I would likely file a lawsuit for restitution due to a total wrongful arrest.

As far as stealth-style detecting, such an during the night? This particular park and a few other Dallas parks, are not places I want to walk around in the dark, with headphones blocking my surroundings. Besides, stealth hunting is "self admitting" that there's a law to be broken. Stealth takes all of the relaxation I get from this innocent hobby after retirement.

It just ain't worth "the ride", "the trip to court", the confrontation.

5900-xl-1, all that you are saying would be true, if the following premise prerequisites were in place: That md'ing , at whatever place in question were to..... of necessity ... result in "rides to the police station", "confrontations", "disputes", "standing before judges disputing", etc....

But since when are those things a given ? I mean, we're talking about normal run of the mill regular city parks in this post. Right ? Ok, then seriously now .... do you know of any instances where such confrontations (eg.: tickets, cuffed, courts, etc...) have happened ? Got any links ?

I have a suspicion that if anyone can offer up cases of persons who got THOSE degrees of outcomes for md'ing, that it's most likely going to be someone night-sneaking obvious historic sensitive monuments. Or someone being obnoxious who can't take a warning, etc.....

On the contrary : 99.99% of the time, we are ignored . Seen as harmless geeks. Or even if someone DOES come up and talk to us, it's positive . Eg.: "How deep does that go?" and "what's the best thing you've ever found?" etc... The only reason it might SEEM otherwise, is that stories of "scrams" or "bootings" are like shark attack stories. THOSE are the ones that stick out in our mind. Not the other 9999 that were un-eventful.

 

[LTimedigger]

Hey, I've done this for 30 years and I can tell you I've had few problems on public property. Most of the public employees realize that its PUBLIC TAXPAYOR FUNDED property and are fine at long as you leave the area like you found it. There's one old school I've done since I was a kid and I've had some of the teachers stop and ask about be about the hobby. I did get permission to do a football practice field cuz its used often but a coach friend just told me to tell any one that he lost a ring there(no one did) Found a barber dime there and lots of other things over the years. At one park where I go alot one of the employees stopped and told me about a spot that might be hot. The only thing they won't let me do is remove the straw cuz they use it in their beds. The only problem I've had was at a small country school, where a busybody teacher called a cop on me to run me off even though one of my best friends wife is related to the superintendent. I could tell the cop was NOT happy about his assignment and even though I had to leave, he wanted to learn MDing to relieve stress and we spent an hour talking about the hobby. One time we tried to ring hunt in a state park and were politely told we couldn't. THis is because most SP's generally have some historical significance. So cover your holes, take out your trash and just enjoy. Best