Georgia Dectecting

[Ross in SAV]

Short story long...

I've been looking to search some dated county school sites while the kids are out of school, but I'm honestly weary of doing so because of the confusing antiquities laws surrounding state properties. Are county schools considered state property? Is removing a memorial penny from such a location considered antiquities theft as it is in Georgia State Parks?

The more I look into the laws, the less confident I become about hunting county owned properties. I've never searched a school lot still owned by the county government, only those that have been sold off, and I've only hunted two county owned parks in my short detecting career. 95% of my hunts are private lands so I've never had to worry about it, beyond getting the owner permission. I'm just worried I may have been breaking the law and not have known it. Ignorance isn't a defense of course, so now I'm trying to find out as much info as I can. When talking to the local county and city police forces, no one could answer my questions.

If any of you can share any information with me about hunting county ran public schools and parks in the State of Georgia I'd be might obliged.

Long story short...

The new Georgia State antiquity laws scare me, and I want to broaden my hunting spots without being slapped with a misdemeanor or worse, a felony.

Early thanks for any help!

Ross

 

[Ed SW Fla]

.... I'd have to assume based on what I've read & heard that what ever you turn in to a state / local government will not actually make it to the museum. You have to decide what to report ... or not.

I've heard so many stories over the years about some very nice finds that were turned over to the local / state museum folks that never made it to display ... or were recorded as even been donated.

What ever you find and turn over to any local authority, get a WRITTEN RECEIPT with a full description along with digital photos.

Don't forget to get the authorities name, employee number, and signature on the receipt. If they won't do that, keep what you find.

 

[Elson(La)]

At first we where scared a little to hunt schools.What we do is just go on the school grounds(If we can find a gate open)and just start hunting.But as long as the gate's are locked we don't monkey with it.
If they don't want you there they will ask you leave.That has happen to Shelby and I a lot.All we do is tell them to have a nice day and walk off to the truck.
Now you can do like I did here in my home town,Go to the school board and talk to them,They look at you as a VOTE so the answer will be O.K..Hope this helps.

Ya'll have fun now

 

[Ross in SAV]

n/t