LAWS REGARDING MD

[Davlin617]

I know it's been mentioned before but I can't find it. Being new to MD I need to know what's off limits and what's permissable as far as where I can detect. I assume beaches are wide open but what about city/county parks?

 

[RGS2]

Also being new to MD'ing I hope you get some detailed replys. I haven't even been out with my new MD which I just received and already I am wondering where can I go & where can't I go? When & how do you get the necessary permission? Etc, etc, etc....

 

[jackintexas]

If you are new to metal detecting I think if a metal detecting club is available It would be smart to join one. There will be folks who have been detecting a long time and can make your learning experience faster. Call a dealer. They will know about the local clubs. When they meet. And where they meet..I have been detecting for thirty years and belong to three clubs......Jack

 

[GRAY GHOST]

hi fellas, some towns and counties require permits to hunt their parks and rec areas. some don't. make sure to check with the parks and rec. departments first, then town hall. the laws regarding mding vary from town to town, so you'll have to check on them. it's important to you and the hobby to obtain permission for just about anywhere you can think of to hunt, preferrably in writing. have you been eyeing that old foundation by the road on the way to work? talk to the neighbors to try locating the owner. as long as you put on a good face, be genuine in your approach, and not make a mess, most landowners will allow you to detect their land. everybody that i know or talk to for more than 2 minutes will know that i like to metal detect. being new, you should practice in your own yard first and not make a mess of someone else's. never call yourself a treasure hunter. big mistake. liability is a big issue nowadays too. quite often, if you do a good job, it can lead to other places to go. people talk, don't forget. all ground is good ground to me - so don't be afraid to ask for permission... all they can do is say no, right? jackintexas gave you both good advice in seeking out a mding club. now get your coils to the ground, keep 'em low and slow, be patient and persistent, fill your craters back in, and you'll have no worries. have fun, fellas, and make some great finds that you can post on here for us see! good luck, and let us know how things go. hh,

 

[Davlin617]

Thank you both very much for the information it's very helpful, I did try and contact a State Park down here in Florida awhile back and I found out all State Parks in Florida are NO GO. Unless you think you lost something and then you can with a Ranger with you, But if you find anything other then what your looking for they take it. I'm hoping town parks are ok because I go by a lot of those in my daily job. Just out of curiosity though why not call myself a Treasure Hunter? Unless people are less likely to help you.

 

[DFX-Gregg]

If you are new to detecting tot lots with wood chips and or sand, beaches, and your own yard are good places to start. If you go to a park please make sure you can pinpoint, dig a proper plug, remove trash and leave area looking exactly as you found it...those are the laws I follow... No private property without permission. Nothing like hitting an area after someone has left an area like a bomb hit it...

 

[jackintexas]

I agree with you Greg....Jack

 

[Tseeker]

Gregg, Jack and Grayghost have it pretty much summed up. Though I might mention also, in case you're interested that county and city parks have to be considered as well. Where I live most city parks are detectable with the exception of a couple which are nature preserves. The local County parks are off limits with the exception of two which are beach parks. And even then there are restrictions. Check with authorities where you are. Just my two cents. Hope it helps.

 

[zeekeys]

I went to county parks department and guys helped with all the info I needed. Seems all county parks are open to detecting here. One town south of here, no detecting in parks. I did detect on a beach in that town with the permission of the worker that was there. Don't take things for granted. Enjoy the hunt..Z

 

[Mirco]

Recently when I got my first MD as a birthday present I called Westchester County (NYS) Department of parks and very kindly asked about rules of using MDs. A very angry woman said that MDing is not allowed at all at any parks or beaches in Westchester Co. And added with a sarcasm that she did not know what I will do with my wortheless stuff. I was shocked. I was thinking all the time that we live in a free democratic country, not in a large concentration camp. I was really, really upset. My grand son too. Who wanted to go MDing with me.

 

[JMorgan]

Just go dig man......tear it up!!!

 

[Ivan]

..........no detecting allowed!!!! I have detected a park in my area for 15 years. I detect before 10 am ( before crowds get there) and have never been stupid enough to go around stirring up trouble by asking .......mid level ( nazis) read beaurocrats ......for permission to detect. Remove garbage, leave no signs of digging and you will be fine. A newbee went and asked around and every park that I've detected for years he was told .....was off limits. Better to ask for forgiveness than permission.....just stay away from state parks and historical monuments. Local parks are usually all open.......unless posted.....good luck and enjoy. Learn to be street smart. If confronted.....leave and always be on you best behavior!!!

 

[jim tn]

n/t

 

[jmaryt]

the key is "leave no signs of digging!"..pay attention to this,or the ONLY place you will be able to detect is YOUR own yard!..believe it!..

(h.h!)
j.t.

 

[treasurefiend]

Honestly, the best thing to do is to call your police station and ask them if they have any laws against MDng. My county allowes it, but the county next to me doesn't. So you never know, and you don't want to find out the hard way.

 

[Rivermarine1]

Detecting on Corps of Engineers property is permissable in most cases, with some restrictions, I have copies of letter giving permission, but it still ends up being the decision of the local ranger. We have about 5 parks on lakes near here. The ranger near my home says, its ok for one or two individuals, but group hunts require written permission. At the parks north of me, the ranger requires me to get written permission. He says its to track usage.