Hunting Private Property

[frankj3]

Question for the masses.......

If you ask to hunt on private property and they agree to allow you to hunt, who gets to keep what you find? How do you handle the "transfer of ownership" of any artifacts, coins, or items you find? I'm curious about this because there are some areas around here I'd like to detect but I'm not sure how to approach this with the land owner.

If the item I found were of significant historical value, I would turn it over the the county historical museum.....or at least I would strongly urge the property owner to consider doing this.

But let's say all I find is coins......and maybe it's a big cache of coins.......who gets what?

On public grounds, like the beach or a park, if I were looking specifically for a lost item for someone, I would make sure they understand that I keep anything I find OTHER THAN THEIR LOST ITEM. That's fair, right?

Thanks for any input.

HH y'all.

Frank

 

[7centsworth]

I usually just ask to hunt. They never ask me for anything. But I usually give them something I found when I am done. Usually I do not give my best find to them. Most do not want anything. But that being said I live in the country and most peoe are really nice around here.

 

[yowow#1]

If you want to give all your finds to the land owner or the city or county then more power to you. But your amateur questions are not going to get a lot of answers from experienced hobbyist. Just thought i would inform you about that. Not to mention you sound like an archie.. Just saying

Question for the masses.......

If you ask to hunt on private property and they agree to allow you to hunt, who gets to keep what you find? How do you handle the "transfer of ownership" of any artifacts, coins, or items you find? I'm curious about this because there are some areas around here I'd like to detect but I'm not sure how to approach this with the land owner.

If the item I found were of significant historical value, I would turn it over the the county historical museum.....or at least I would strongly urge the property owner to consider doing this.

But let's say all I find is coins......and maybe it's a big cache of coins.......who gets what?

On public grounds, like the beach or a park, if I were looking specifically for a lost item for someone, I would make sure they understand that I keep anything I find OTHER THAN THEIR LOST ITEM. That's fair, right?

Thanks for any input.

HH y'all.

 

[frankj3]

-- moved topic --

 

[BensJamming]

Most of the time the land owners wont even care what you find. Like said earlier you can share something less significant if you want, but are not required to bring ever find to them and present them. I also wouldnt go bringing it up with them but rather take as it comes if and when anyone even asks about that. IF they did ask you could say like 70/30 split or something like that if anything of value is found, and I would say that being $50, $100, etc.... or more. Not the occasional silver coin or $10 in clad.....


Thats just me but have yet for the topic to even come up and have gotten around half a dozen permission sites for this year already. Hope that helps and Happy Hunting!

 

[klever]

Before I start detecting I always ask if they have lost anything. If they say yes and I find it I will give it to them. If I have great luck at a house sometimes I will buy them a pie or something there whole family can enjoy. If someone said they want most of the finds I would say thank you and be onto the next house.

 

[ironsight]

The only private property i've searched so far are farm fields.
Here's what i typically say:

Howdy my name is _____, i live in the County here a few miles North on ____ street.
According to some old maps, there used to be a __________ located here. If you own or farm this property, i'm wondering if i could get your permission to sweep my metal detector over it. I just do this as a hobby, keeps me busy and its good exercise.
I'm interested in finding old corroded coins like wheat pennies, Indian head pennies and such. The people here were dirt poor back then so i really don't expect to find much. In the event i find any jewelry whether its gold, silver or anything in between its yours if you want it....As a rule, i don't keep jewelry found on private property as i feel its personal and belongs with the family. I'll respect your property and leave it as i found it, you won't even know i've been here.

Thats it, sort of vague, not a professional treasure hunter looking for gold or buried treasure, respect their property and land owner gets to keep any jewelry.
I found most farmers are too busy getting ready for planting, harvesting or repairing their equipment to worry about old coins and usually say 'go ahead', "no problem", etc.
And yes, i consider keeping personal items like jewelry found on private property without the owner's OK bad karma.

I personally would not agree to any kind of split or any kind of monetary settlement. However, In the event i found numerous coins, i'd offer one or two of them to the property owner. I'm not greedy!

When done i'll thank the land owner then show and/or offer them some of the more interesting finds.
And always show them the junk dug up. In many ways that'll have strong psychological effects for the land owner.

 

[oneguy]

Ditto Ironsight.....

I pretty much do about the same. I'm a coin guy and could care less about gold/silver jewelry, relics, toys, tokens,etc. Always offer that info up BEFORE I get permission. I also offer to show them everything I find including coins. I live in a small town and name dropping puts folks at ease. I also sometimes buy a pie and give it to landowners after a hunt if I have a real good hunt. Small price to pay for a good hunt and it suprises them and trust me....little things like that are remembered and spoke about amongst neighbors.......

Funny this came up as I recently went thru my treasure chest and found a gold ring I'd found at a railroad barrons' mansion when I first started detecting 23yrs ago. I know the gal that owns the mansion and she was also the owner who gave me permission approx. 22yrs ago to search the place. She's most likely forgot about the gold ring with a beautiful red cut stone in it. Anyways...the mansion is out of state in Idaho and I still get over there once in awhile and I'm going to return the ring to her as I'll never do anything with it. I'm also a better hunter now and will ask to re-hunt the place and just happen to have my Etrac behind the seat of the PU.......lmao!

 

[frankj3]

The only private property i've searched so far are farm fields.
Here's what i typically say:

Howdy my name is _____, i live in the County here a few miles North on ____ street.
According to some old maps, there used to be a __________ located here. If you own or farm this property, i'm wondering if i could get your permission to sweep my metal detector over it. I just do this as a hobby, keeps me busy and its good exercise.
I'm interested in finding old corroded coins like wheat pennies, Indian head pennies and such. The people here were dirt poor back then so i really don't expect to find much. In the event i find any jewelry whether its gold, silver or anything in between its yours if you want it....As a rule, i don't keep jewelry found on private property as i feel its personal and belongs with the family. I'll respect your property and leave it as i found it, you won't even know i've been here.

Thats it, sort of vague, not a professional treasure hunter looking for gold or buried treasure, respect their property and land owner gets to keep any jewelry.
I found most farmers are too busy getting ready for planting, harvesting or repairing their equipment to worry about old coins and usually say 'go ahead', "no problem", etc.
And yes, i consider keeping personal items like jewelry found on private property without the owner's OK bad karma.

I personally would not agree to any kind of split or any kind of monetary settlement. However, In the event i found numerous coins, i'd offer one or two of them to the property owner. I'm not greedy!

When done i'll thank the land owner then show and/or offer them some of the more interesting finds.
And always show them the junk dug up. In many ways that'll have strong psychological effects for the land owner.

Thanks for the input Ironsight. I like your sample and will put it to use. Thanks!
Frank

 

[GeorgeinSC]

I asked a Friend to hunt a lot that was owned by her parents. Her reply was "You will have to split with me". I dropped the subject. If she wants what ever may have been lost on the property let her go invest a thousand dollars in a detector, Pin Pointer, Digging tool etc as I have done and go find it.

 

[jackintexas]

I have knocked on many doors and ask to hunt their property. About 75% will let you, if you are clean cut Don't ask with detector in hand or above all no digging tool in hand.Do not dig with a large digger.Pay attention not to harm their grass or property. Do not hunt with a large detector. I hunt with a Tesoro Silver Sabre. I got run off once because I was using a large detector. You don't want to look like a professional hunter. You want to look like someone is just out for a good time.Don't look like Rambo . And I believe most important honesty is the best policy. If they are pleased with your performance, maybe they will refer you to someone else place you can hunt.....Jack

 

[jackintexas]

50% of something is better than 100% of nothing....Jack

 

[benzoflex]

Are farm fields easier to get permission to hunt?
I have done a lot of research and i could have a few spring projects...
Once where there were homes, (1800's) now just fields. All input is welcome and appreciated...

 

[ironsight]

50% of something is better than 100% of nothing....Jack

I would not agree to a split unless maybe it was some proven virgin historic property with good research prospects. Even then i'd think twice.

Just what does a split mean anyway?
Whats the ratio of who gets what? Silver, coppers, nickels, etc. Now got to negotiate the specific finds or might end up being sorry?
Who gets to decide on how the split is accomplished? Inee meenee minee mo? toss of the dice? put it all in a hat and pick? owner gets first pick of that only silver found?
A property owner with the mindset of demanding a split of some kind might possibly be tagging along during the entire detecting session.
What if the owner thinks a gold coin is hidden in a pocket?
And what if there's some kind of heated dispute on how the finds ended up being divvied?

I'm not greedy and would probably offer some finds to the owner but a pre-negotiated split IMO... too much BS and potential problems involved.
Detecting is time consuming and somewhat physically demanding.
Why agree to a split with one owner when his next door neighbor might say 'no problem, go ahead'.

 

[oneguy]

Yep...coin shootin is my hobby and although tecting is probably my most affordable hobby it still costs a lot for gear. With that said....If I split my coins with the owner then it kinda defeats the enjoyment for me? I have NO PROBLEM giving any AND ALL jewelry, toys, tokens, etc. to the owner, that's the least I can do but I'm there for one reason....the COINS...!!!!!!!

 

[Elton]

If they do I try to keep it simple........ I suggest I will give them the pick of their choice of my finds.. Sometimes you can cause more issues with a split if your bring it up....... 50/50 or other splits just doesn't work for me if it's my machine, and my time.

I always say I'm looking for old pennies kids lost over the years............ no one thinks of a penny as being valuable.. I never say Silver or valuable suggestions in finds potential..

 

[auximenes]

Don't look like Rambo.

Aww, but that's part of the fun, grabbing the gear belt, strapping-up your gear and hitting the field.