One idiot shuts down a whole town to metal detecting - Thanks you moron:rant:

[JimmyCT]

I am out at one of my best spots and an officer of the law starts yelling at me to come towards him. So I approach and he tells me I can't detect in the 3 acre field (this is where they have held the town carnival since the 1890's and is one of my best spots) So I mention to the officer that I never had problems in the past metal detecting the area. He then tells me that he doesn't have a problem with me either but a child had ended up spraining their ankle in one of the holes this idiot created. Then when the guy was confronted by the authorities for not filling his holes he started arguing with them. Who ever this person is he certainly isn't the sharpest knife in the drawer. The officer then told me there is a " blanket" ban on the whole town. The officer then requested my license and made a report of who I was and created an "incident number" The officer said it will be on record and that I am fine as long as I don't come back. The officer was even interested in the hobby and said it looked like fun. He told me its unfortunate but he was carrying out the instructions "from the top"

Now I lost several good areas in this town thanks to one inconsiderate idiot. I am seriously thinking of bowing out of this hobby as their are not many places left near me. There are also a few other towns (over the last couple years) right near me that have also banned detectors on town property. For everyone that reads this, be very lucky for the town properties that you can hunt. For me it is coming to an end. I wish everyone the best of luck and for those that are new at the hobby, please take the time to keep things neat and properly fill your holes.

 

[MNCoinhunter]

Sorry you lost your spots ..

We should all be thankful for the spots that we still have ..

I will not comment further on the reasons why this happened, or how this person was introduced to metal detecting

 

[deliveryboy]

That really sucks, I confronted some idiot in a park last week in north Phoenix when I happened upon some ugly holes and saw him in the distance with his detector on his knees hammering the ground with a 2 foot pick. These morons will ruin it for everyone. How hard is it to cut a plug and simply replace it. Where does their logic end where they think this will just go unnoticed?

 

[amcjavelin]

common sense is so lost in this day and age unfortunately, we had the same problem for a while, until a group of us from the same town got together and proved that we actually do a public service in removing the trash in the ground and if we came upon such holes we would fix it, so far so good, some people are always not so convincing

 

[Digger70pa]

That sux man, yea we don't need any help getting place taken away from us,

 

[deliveryboy]

Maybe this should be a licensed hobby, where you have to pass basic tests to receive a permit. Plug cutting 101

 

[WIHawker]

Why can't they just ticket the guy who left the holes. Its like banning driving a car cause someone crashed into someones property. Fricken goverments and there lust to ban stuff and make more laws.

 

[5900_XL-1]

First off, anything used bigger than a Lesche hand digger in public places should be automatic gear confiscation and a fine. You get the newbies(and oldies are the worst sometimes) who bring their spade and dig like they were at home. New hunteres see older experienced hunters with real shovels, so why not, they say to themselves. If we as a community here on these forums would put near the top of the Code Of Ethics, "Only hand diggers in public land, No shovels", then much of this kinda problem would go away. As far as fining the one who dug the holes and left them unfilled...that guy could have likely left 15 minutes before you arrived.

It's sad. martin

 

[JimmyCT]

I don't have much left to hunt now - The town that I live in.... it is only a matter of time. As I mentioned earlier, there are several towns around me that have already dropped the guillotine on detecting. I believe my blood pressure is back to normal now. I am still in shock over the loss of the super great spots that I had in this neighboring town. I almost feel like something died inside me. Most of my best finds in metal detecting have come from this town. Now, they are only memories. Now, as the noose is being tightened, I have to figure out where I am going from here - I feel I am going to drop out of the hobby altogether. Maybe after I get a good nights sleep I will feel better in the morning. Thanks to all that have responded and I truly wish you all the best in the field. - Jim

Sorry you lost your spots ..

We should all be thankful for the spots that we still have ..

I will not comment further on the reasons why this happened, or how this person was introduced to metal detecting

Mr. McDave, it doesn't matter at this point "why" It's obvious this person didn't have a clue - The ban on the whole town proves this. The officer agreed with me when I made the statement about how the 1% screws it up for the other 99%. It's all too real - - places are being banned one after another - it is sad where this hobby is headed.

common sense is so lost in this day and age unfortunately, we had the same problem for a while, until a group of us from the same town got together and proved that we actually do a public service in removing the trash in the ground and if we came upon such holes we would fix it, so far so good, some people are always not so convincing

You have a great thing going there and glad it is working in your town. I agree common sense is becoming very lost.

Why can't they just ticket the guy who left the holes. Its like banning driving a car cause someone crashed into someones property. Fricken goverments and there lust to ban stuff and make more laws.

My thoughts exactly.

 

[Steve O]

We came across that today, unfilled holes with the trash targets next to them.....my blood pressure rises.

 

[Ism]

Well, you know how I feel about it....grrr

 

[mudpuppy]

one, some dope doesnt have enough sense to fill a hole, two, some kid doesnt have enough sense to watch where he's going, three, some over protective parent calls the Law when little Johnny sprained his ankle, some city legislators CYA by instituting a ban, some cop is wasting time enforcing it, and lastly, one of the best posters here is thinking about quitting! ..Jim, I hope you dont quit, figure a way around this, and find a huge strike of old silver!. Tom-in-Ca's many posts about being invisible to the public pop to mind...I shudder at the thought of having to get a "license" to detect...!
Mud

 

[JimmyCT]

Thanks mud for your kind words. I agree with what you saying but it does not change the fact that this town is now banned. The officer made it quite clear not to return and I plan on abiding by his word. I totally agree with Tom-in-CA he makes complete sense however when an order came down on this particular town, I am sure not going to "take a chance" when there is clearly an order. The officer clearly warned me not to return and I am going to take that as a "hint" not to go back. Furthermore, it is one of the very places the police love to hang out at as they can "hide" in the parking lot. Nearly everytime I have hunted this place there has always been a cruiser in the parking lot and have never bothered me...well, until yesterday. Again, the police don't even want to enforce this stupid ban BUT when pressure comes on down from the top, now they have to do something about it. Take care mud and wish you the best in the field. - Jim

one, some dope doesnt have enough sense to fill a hole, two, some kid doesnt have enough sense to watch where he's going, three, some over protective parent calls the Law when little Johnny sprained his ankle, some city legislators CYA by instituting a ban, some cop is wasting time enforcing it, and lastly, one of the best posters here is thinking about quitting! ..Jim, I hope you dont quit, figure a way around this, and find a huge strike of old silver!. Tom-in-Ca's many posts about being invisible to the public pop to mind...I shudder at the thought of having to get a "license" to detect...!
Mud

 

[Elton]

Have you considered going to a Council meeting and asking for clarification......... This tactic does work better if your a resident... But may have some benefit if you don't.
Some bans are put in place as a Immediate over response to a small problem.. Sometimes reasoning can clarify this over response.

 

[JOE J]

Hi Jim, I am an committee member of The Task Force for Metal Detecting Rights Foundation (TFMDRF). I would urge you to visit our web site and forward the town your having trouble with to us so we can see if we can have this resolved. We are a national organiation 700 members strong. We have had good success in New York City and other areas.Membership is free and you nothing to loose. Good luck -Joe Jorgensen

 

[deliveryboy]

Hi Jim, I am an committee member of The Task Force for Metal Detecting Rights Foundation (TFMDRF). I would urge you to visit our web site and forward the town your having trouble with to us so we can see if we can have this resolved. We are a national organiation 700 members strong. We have had good success in New York City and other areas.Membership is free and you nothing to loose. Good luck -Joe Jorgensen

Very cool and a great idea. fighting for our rights.

 

[JimmyCT]

Hi Elton,
I am an out-of-towner and mainly hunt on my own. I feel what you mention is exactly the case. However....since a child has been injured due to an un-filled hole, I feel at this point they are not going to negotiate especially with someone that is from out of town. The officer that stopped me saw how well I was filling my plugs (with dirt the towel) and was impressed. He then told me even though I did a great job at repairing the plug, he had to stop me from performing my hobby as he needed to follow the new rule that is now in place.

Have you considered going to a Council meeting and asking for clarification......... This tactic does work better if your a resident... But may have some benefit if you don't.
Some bans are put in place as a Immediate over response to a small problem.. Sometimes reasoning can clarify this over response.

 

[JimmyCT]

Thank you Joe for the information - it is very much appreciated - Jim

Hi Jim, I am an committee member of The Task Force for Metal Detecting Rights Foundation (TFMDRF). I would urge you to visit our web site and forward the town your having trouble with to us so we can see if we can have this resolved. We are a national organiation 700 members strong. We have had good success in New York City and other areas.Membership is free and you nothing to loose. Good luck -Joe Jorgensen

 

[GunnarMN]

Jim Stand by, dont quit just yet , this happend to me as well , my favorite park & beach some guy came and dug hole all over the whole park and never filled them, and deep ones, with a shovle, they then banned detecting , you are now forced to the woods & farm feilds or home lots the problem is this guy will head to the next town becuaseof the bann and befor he is done he will have all detecting banned in his 30 mile radiaus, thats a bummer , I hope you can find some spot to detect.

 

[Sailorman]

Just because you're an out of towner doesn't mean you have no influence. Towns often worry about their image. When someone like TFMDRF gets in on the act they can realise they may be creating a bigger problem in trying to solve the first problem. I encourage you to give it a try. It sure can't hurt!