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Getting Access - Tips and Tricks?

A

ashhhhh

New member
Hey all

I'm just wondering what sort of approach you use when asking people if you can detect on their property?

Do you try to make smalltalk and then cut to it, or just come right out and ask them?

I live in a country area with a lot of old stations (farms) which are generally owned by older people who seem to have an inherent mistrust of "younger" people (im 27)
Ive been turned down a few times for no apparent reason, its starting to get depressing!

Ash
 
Look presentable when you ask. Don't take your detector to the porch. Don't have friends in the car. Don't mention digging. Don't mention a shovel or knife. Don't mention coins or treasure. Stand back from the door some.

Be nice. Make a little small talk first. Like "Hello, I'm _______. (shake hands here) I'm from _______. Do you know where that is? I was on my way to ___________ and decided to stop and ask you something. I like to metal detect as a hobby since 1984.
Would you mind if I scanned your yard with my metal detector? If you get the go ahead say thank you. If you get declined then say. If I do find something I usually recover the target with just a screwdriver. If you get a yes then say thank you. If you get a no then ask if you could come back in a few months and ask. If they say "no" then your done.
When I get permission - I recover all my targets with my back towards the house. You know they are watching you. They don't need to see the dirt from a 6 inch target coming out of a hole. Make sure your target recovery is clean and neat.
 
So what do you say your looking for when they ask?
I presume people want to know what your after?

I'm pretty up front about searching for coins and the like, maybe that's my downfall...?
 
Here is some things the home owners say to me.
1. If you find a million dollars you have to split it with me! Answer - You bet! But I mostly find pull tabs and nails.
2. There's nothing out there any way. Answer - Then it won't take me too long then I'll be on my way.
3. It's already been hunted. Answer - Well they probably got any good stuff but I like to find old door hinges and tins.
4. I always wanted to metal detect. Answer - I have an extra detector and we can hunt together. Alternate answer for those who don't have an extra detector. Answer - How about I show you how to detect with my detector to see if you like it?
5. I have a sexy daughter in the house that may like to detect. Answer?

I never say coins or treasure. This makes the person feel like we know something about his property.
I personally wouldn't want to give up any coins in "my" yard. But take all the nails and pull tabs you want.
 
I use 100% honesty. I tell them the reason I want to detect their property and provide reports if applicable (CW research).
Ask them in the same manner you asked your question here. Honesty and sincerity goes along way.
 
... I never call myself a treasure hunter either. Im a hobbyist or detectorist. I also have cards that state, "Metal Detection Services".... FREE to Law Enforcement.... etc. I hand them out at the right moment.
- I try to bring something to the table and offer to let them use my backup and accompany me.
- I let them know I will remove a lot of trash, some of it potentially harmful.
- I suggest they come out and observe, at least. I'd like to be sly and slip the goodies in the pouch, unseen. But they aren't stupid. I'm the beggar and it's their place - and they know it.
- I try to ask people when not at their door with hat in hand, like some snake oil saleman. I talk to everyone I meet about detecting and hand out the cards, lavishly. I find its easier to ask while at WalMart, than disturbing them from their Sunday crossword.

If they suggest I partner up with their hot daughter, I always concede to their better judgement. :wiggle:
 
I was just dreaming about the farmers Daughter. Can't take that from me! I'm going to make some cards up. I always wanted to but you convinced me.
 
I bring along an extra detector which is simple to use (usualy the ACE) and tell them that I will hunt with him/her and help dig their targets. They get free lessons and a great tutor in return for me to hunt their propery and keep what I find.
 
When my wife is on the phone with her friends I bug her to ask them. So my wife says to them "OH, Kenny wants to metal detect your property" She'll turn to me and say "Sure go right ahead" Man, now that's easy. I honestly have more places to hunt than I have time.
 
Everyone has their own way of asking and detecting another person's property. I am not anyone's judge. That is up to you to decide if your approach is dishonest.

I will show you how I would answer the questions you posted.


1. If you find a million dollars you have to split it with me! Answer - Yes Maam/Sir. In fact if I find a million dollars you can have it all.
2. There's nothing out there any way. Answer - Do you care if I take a look? I will show you everything I find if you want.
3. It's already been hunted. Answer - Do you care if I try? You might be suprised at what people have missed.
4. I always wanted to metal detect. Answer - I have two other units in the truck as well as a utility belt for putting your finds in and a couple of extra diggers. You are welcome to borrow the unit any time you please. Alternate answer for those who don't have an extra detector. Answer - You are more than welcome to use my equipment. I will walk you through it step by step.
5. I have a sexy daughter in the house that may like to detect. Answer - I hope she is not too sexy to get her hands dirty. She is more than welcome to come out and detect with me. I have two other units in the truck as well as a utility belt for putting her finds in and a couple of extra diggers. If you want to join in you are more than welcome too.


I always tell them about coins, treasure or relics. Let's face it, they know we are looking for items of value or historical intrest. I have never seen a detectorist turn down a hunt for coins or treasure. If their property is of historical intrest I show them reports that talk about the property. If I have maps that show the property in a historical manner I show them these too. I even offer them some of the items I find. Word gets around that a person is honest and has nothing to hide. I have had land owners approach me with permission to hunt their property just because they had heard that I like metal detecting and I am always looking for more property to search. I have only had one accept an offering that I dug. He framed the reports that I printed out for him and put the harmonica reed I gave him in there as well and it now hangs in his office. I offered him a bunch of items some of which were .69 calibur minnie balls, a large cent, an Indian Head penny and a Mercury dime but all he wanted was the harmonica reed. He also helped me by showing me some where I can look for other treasures. He pointed out all of the old house places that he knows of on his property. One of which I found lots of nice silver coins. Lots of landowners have helped me in this way. I like to get the landowners involved. They can help you in your search for more treasures and more property to search.

I have thought about making up cards as well, but didn't want to look too professional like I could be connected to an organization that could hurt my chances of getting permission. There are landowners that allow me to search their property but want the historical information I find kept hush. Some are worried about the state getting involved and taking over historical sites. Most of these landowners never plan on destroying the sites but don't want the state telling them what they can and can't do on their own land. I respect their wishes.
 
I like you answer to #2 better than mine. But the other answers were still related to my answers with some embellishments. I don't think saying that I mostly dig tabs and nails is dishonest either. I do dig a lot of trash. In fact mostly trash in all metal. I was just placing my twist on asking permission. I personally think that too much information may make the owner think he's sitting on a gold mine. (maybe he is) I received permission to hunt 20 acres. I never once told the legal department that it once was a healing springs resort with a motel, cottages and a bath house there. All burnt or shut down in the 1880's. If I was to start laying 30 days of research on the table I'm positive they would have told me no. Just because I may not elaborate doesn't mean there is dishonesty. If they asked me if I knew there were cottages there I would have said yes. I'm sure your better at asking than me. So you could have told them the whole story. Maybe even got some help digging. I just know what works for me. Maybe the original poster can take a little info from all of us.
 
khouse,
I never said that you were dishonest. I only told the original poster what I do. I then answered your question. I am not your judge and I can't tell you how to ask for permission. I can only state what I do and what works for me. Yes the original poster can take a little from us all or leave it all if he/she chooses.
CampCache
 
No problem CampCache.. Once a newbie is able to swallow that big lump in their throat it becomes easier. I still get a butterfly or two when I ask a stranger. I did recently get shot down asking to hunt a hay field. It was a horse track, carnival and circus in the late 1880's. The owner told me that he always wanted to buy a detector and hunt it. I said I would loan him a detector and give him and his wife lessons as we hunt together. He told be to get lost. I know that someday that property will be for sale. He's about 20 years older than me and I'm 48. So maybe the new owners will let this old fool search his hay field.
One quick story about being turned down. I asked the owner of a sports bar if I could hunt his three sand volley ball courts. He said "Hell no" So I waited him out. It went out of business and a new bar went in. I stopped in for a beer. The new owner was looking for some pliers to repair a VB net. I said I had three in my work truck. I quickly got them and helped him with the net. I asked and he said that I could hunt the VB courts as much as I wanted. I hunted it hard twice right before he went out of business. So time and new owners can be your friend.
 
Don't overthink it. Just introduce yourself, smile, be friendly and ask. The important thing is to not act nervous.

I always offer a turn on and go detector (the Tesoro Compadre) and a free lesson if anybody in the family wants to detect as well.

I tell people the truth - I detect for the history behind what I find. Finding something really valuable in their yard is about as likely to happen as winning the lottery. I get excited when I find a wheat penny worth about 4 cents.

The less afraid you are of hearing no, the less you'll hear it.
 
Excellent advice from everyone, thanks alot :clapping:

I took the direct approach today and was given access to an old railway station!
Didn't find a damn thing unfortunately, I think someone has probably hit it already but was good to be out in the sun, especially on a work day :devil:

Ash
 
Im in with the truth crowd. I always offer the use of my backup.
I just avoid the words treasure, valuable, old, etc. I rarely empty my trash pouch, either, and make sure they know this truth, too... "There is more trash than treasure!"
 
Ditto on keeping some trash in the pouch! While detecting if you show a kid a zinc you'll never get rid of him. But show him a piece of broken glass and he's on his way. Is this dishonest or just a good hunting technique?
 
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