laws

[diannecal]

Just wondering if anyone can tell me any clear set laws/rules about detecting in the following areas:
playgrounds
ball fields
town fields/parks
state parks
federal parks
cemeteries (no digging, of course)
Regarding private property, how would you go about contacting owners?
phone, mail, in person? Also, do you offer a deal such as splitting finds?
What are some of your experiences in these areas?
Thanks
Also, are there any clubs in the Northeastern MA area?

 

[mattockman]

Can't help ya..I live in southern NH and I have a site for some of the rules...but not for MA. You got to find it in parks and rec. or some kind of gov of Ma. site. Here parks are ok and schools unless posted...historical sites are forbidden..without written consent...so I always go by if not posted go for it...and if it is a historical site ...don't go there...if you go anywhere always make it look like you have never been there...holes filled and leaves covering digs...etc....you were never there ...right!!
seriously there are sites to go to but I can't find them for MA......good luck

 

[AllenOK]

[quote diannecal]Just wondering if anyone can tell me any clear set laws/rules about detecting in the following areas:
playgrounds
ball fields
town fields/parks
state parks
federal parks
cemeteries (no digging, of course)
Regarding private property, how would you go about contacting owners?
phone, mail, in person? Also, do you offer a deal such as splitting finds?
What are some of your experiences in these areas?
Thanks
Also, are there any clubs in the Northeastern MA area?[/quote]

Playgrounds: Depends on the spot. Public parks and schools are usually fair game. I only like to go to schools on weekends, when the schoolkids are home. Church/daycare/private school playgrounds are private, and you'll need to contact the pastor or the owner to obtain permission.

Ballfields: If it's a public park or school, I consider them to be the same as playgrounds in the same settings. However, TAKE CARE TO CONCEAL YOUR DIGGING! Fill your holes, place plugs, don't dig when it's so hot and dry that you kill the grass, etc. These fields are carefully maintained, and you don't want to tick off the groundskeeper. Also, the "main" football field, and "main" baseball field at a high school, I leave alone. Yes, there are goodies there, but they don't see anywhere near as much traffic as the practice fields, and public park fields do.

Town Fields / Parks: This will depend on the site. Some places won't allow you to, some places will. It's probably a good idea to ask permission.

State Parks: Depends on the State. I know that both OK and MI state parks have the same policy. Metal Detecting is only allowed in those areas "improved" for recreational use. IE, beaches, picnic areas, campgrounds, playgrounds, etc. Out in the woods is off-limits. MI also has an addendum about detecting being prohibited if the site is known to have "archealogical artifacts", like Copper Culture artifacts, etc. I believe Texas State Parks prohibits all metal detecting. Remember that while your State may allow it, if the local Ranger doesn't want you hunting there, move on, or face a citation.

Federal Parks / National Battlefields / National Seashores: DON'T EVEN THINK ABOUT IT! You can and will be arrested, you car and detector confiscated, etc.

 

[grinin]

Try this http://www.municode.com/Resources/OnlineLibrary.asp

Also I see this wording (or similar) for at least half the municipal parks in Florida:

"No person shall destroy, injure, deface, mar, move, dig, harmfully disturb or remove from any park area or the waters thereof any soil, sand, gravel, rock, stone, mineral, marine plant or animal, artifact or other material."

and

"... nor shall any person dig in or otherwise disturb grass areas or in any other way impair the natural condition of any area"

It gets me a little depressed

 

[diannecal]

Thanks for all the info!

 

[Tom_in_CA]

I hunt public schools and parks, in any city & state I go to. If someone there has an issue, they're welcome to tell us. There are multiple problems with "asking": 1) that only casts aspursions on yourself, and your hobby, as if.. something were inherently wrong with you or the hobby, that you had to ask, to begin with. Ie.: how are you any different than someone using the drinking fountain or swing set? You wouldn't "ask" to use those, so why do you think you need to do so, for md'ing? 2) You risk a "no" answer, when in fact, no one really cared (till you asked). I mean, think of it, what do you THINK their impression down at city-hall is going to be? Geeks with shovels, right? the easy answer is no, when in fact, you could probably hunt till you're blue-in-the-face, and no one would ever say "boo" to you. 3) You risk that they will look it up in their books, find something they think might apply (example: "don't disturb the vegetation") and tell you "no". Now what do you think that gardener or police man will do the NEXT time he sees another md'r out there? He'll recall the earlier inquiry, and start booting others! I've actually seen this happen before where md'rs were never bothered, even in full view of rangers, until one day a guy inquired at the ranger's kiosk. From then on, they started booting people who they'd previously never even looked twice at. 4) if they can't find a rule, they may invent one to address this "pressing issue".

Anyhow, unless it's an obvious historical monument, I consider public parks and schools open game. Just don't stick out, don't draw attention to yourself, go at low traffic times, use discretion and common sense, and odds are, no one cares.