Does a person need permission

[crutch]

This might sound like a stupid question but do people who metal detect on schoolyards and public parks need to get permission from city leaders or school leaders. And when you think of a good spot other than them to detect do you just walk to the door and ask. and do you all get turned down alot.
it would be great to here what happens in all of your guys areas on this.
I thought i had the right permission Sunday on this property we were detecting but apparently the person we thought own the land gave us permission, and then the sheriff showed up and ask for ID and asked if we Had permission and i said yes. and then he said he wasn't the owner. It was very uncomfortable situation. We were ask to leave.

 

[BH-LandStar]

I have never been kicked off a school yard, or a park. It is always best to obtain WRITTEN permission from someone who actually has authority to give it. Most Federal land is off-limits for sure, some State land is off limits, and some require permits...Some County and Town parks also require permits. Sometimes these permits are free (The places just want to know who you are in case they find you unconscious and have to identify you...They usually just make you fill out a sheet with your name and address and phone number and copy your drivers license). Any Historical site is most likely off limits (Battlefields, Fort sites, ect.) It never hurts to ask for permission. You definitely do NOT want to hunt school yards during school hours. look for posted signs around school yard...some say no one on the grounds after dark. You ALWAYS want to get permission to hunt private property though.

Hope this helps,

BH-LandStar

 

[dirt jockey]

Good Advice!! Here's an extra step you might want to take "just to be sure." It's all part of research. I went on-line to the website for the city I live in. Most cities and towns now have their own website. Most will provide a link to various departments or individuals within the city government. I will make my way to the "parks and recreation" or "city codes and ordinances." Again most will post city codes for park use. If it says nothing about metal detecting, I take that as a green light. I live in a city with several parks. I made a trip to city hall and the receptionist was kind enough to call the parks guy and the city ordinance guy and ask if there were any restrictions for metal detecting. There were none. You can sometimes find this same information on-line for county parks.

I've noticed that some schools have different policies, even within the same school district. BH-Landstar was correct...look for posted signs, and do not go during school hours. If I am 'tecting on a school or in a park around playground equipment, I will move away if children or individuals arrive to use the equipment. Always fill holes and try to leave the area cleaner and better looking than when you arrived. I've never been asked to leave a property.

If I am going to be travelling out of town and there is a city I would like to hunt I will go on-line and check their parks and codes to see if there are any restrictions. Often State Parks will post whether you can hunt or not, some require a permit. It is free and is a very simple procedure to secure one at the Ranger's office. Usually it is good for several days. Some State Parks have certain areas you can hunt and restrictions in other areas. Become familiar with where you are hunting. I would never hunt private property with permission. Hope this gives you a few more options for getting permission.

 

[GRAY GHOST]

hey crutch, first off its not a stupid question. its a very good one, and more of us need to ask permission to hunt land that doesnt belong to you. thats right, if you dont own it, always ask. ive had problems like yours before and it was always an honest mistake. even if i wanted to detect my mamas house, i would ask, i have seen problems arise between whole families over something so simple as wanting to detect family land. im just a learnt cat on this score and not about to get fooled again. the fact that the cops only asked you to leave tells me it was an honest mistake on your or someone elses part. i know there are a hundred ways to get permission, but none work as good as knocking on doors, meeting people, talking to them, explain its just a hobby you do, not in it for monetary gain, that usually makes them relax a bit. if you think that permission will be hard to get,[i always save this for last] offer up a percentage of your finds to the landowner. sometimes that will change their minds. i do not offer to remove trash from their yard, its not my yard and consequently not my job. nor will i . rejections are few, [ i have a great story about that!] and the finds limitless. as long as you come across as honest and low maintenance, you wont have much trouble getting hunting rights to all the land you need. usually during the winter ill go out and get all the permission i need for the next whole year... works real good...hh,

 

[dougmoore34]

The guys have all been right on the money with their advice. I myself never ask to hunt private lands. I ONLY hunt private lands if invited by the owner. I always offer a 50/50 split and/or the use of one of my detectors so they can hunt with me. So far everyone who has tried it out did the exact same thing. About an hour of turning their own yard into a lunar landscape only to look up at some point to notice that I took much better care of their yard than they did. At this point they either give up or continue. The point is I try to involve the owner and we have a great time. They sell the idea to their friends and relatives and all I have to do is what I enjoy [dirt fishing]. If I had to sell the idea that my digging up your yard was in your best interest every time I went detecting it would not be as much fun. First off I am a terrible salesman. Second the entire idea makes me uneasy. Third it would cut into my tin foil collecting time. My method may not work for anyone else, but it works for me. I can not even estimate how many houses I have waiting for me...thats how I like it. No contract, no business card and who cares if they keep it all. I would just like to be the guy lucky enough to find it.
P.S. Not one person has ever wanted their 50% [two silver rings, coins...nada] and I have standing open invitations from all. Now thats pretty nice.
HH,
Doug