Private Property

[newbee09]

Have a question for all you vet swingers. I recently located an awesome research tool (old 1938 highway map, with current map overlay) anyways. I have located a few properties I would like to snoop around. What have been your most successful ways of gaining permission from the land owners. Also anyone have any tips for locating old properties that have come to pass (woods grown over, etc) what should I be looking for. Thanks in advance for any and all help!

NewBee

 

[ohio fred]

n/t

 

[khouse]

Not a good idea to "snoop around" without permission. One way is to ask the nearest neighbor who owns the property. Sometimes they don't know. Sometimes they know and can help you in finding their number or point you in the right direction. Then sometimes they might say " Oh, that's old Bob's place. I don't think he would mind if you were over there" Then that's good enough for me to start swing the coil.

 

[crazyman]

It depends on how much time your willing to put in to hunt a property owner down. You can go to the county courthouse and go through updated plat maps to get the owners name and possibly get additional information on the owners such as addresses and phone numbers depending on the clerk. Your local library should have plat maps also but your limited there with just a name.

 

[Tom_in_CA]

Once you get a name and address, I can tell you a way NOT to do it: Don't send a letter, and don't make a phone call. Because think of it: What do YOU do with junk mail from total strangers? Throw it away, right? And what do YOU do when you get a phone solicitor? Hang up, right? And another thing, don't show up with search and salvage type agreements/contracts (types are commonly seen from time to time on web md'ing forums). Because think of it: What would YOU do if a total stranger showed up on your doorstep with a contract for you to sign? The only thing that would do is conjur up images of some sort of legal hassles, and would be detrimental to your goal.

Better just to show up in person, with a friendly smile. Try to catch them on their porch or out in their lawn, rather than knock on doors (as "bumping into them" is less threatening than knocking on doors) if you can. Be sure to have your detector in hand, as this helps with the mental image of what you are asking. Otherwise, sometimes you're left trying to explain the concept of a metal detector, blah blah. But if it's right there in your hand, you've got a picture for their minds. Be sure to have some grubby wheaties and merc or two that "you found down the street at the park or school", to put an image on your goals (that you are innocently looking for pocket change, blah blah as your hobby). Be sure to have your old maps in hand, as this often interests land-owners, to be looking at something, about their own property, that perhaps they haven't seen before. I have often-times found myself in lengthy conversations with landowners, who are excited to tell me what they know about the old stage stop, or whatever it is, that I'm asking about. When they see that I've got the details about the history of the stage stop (or whatever) down, then they will chime in with things like "my grandfather tells me that the outhouses were over there, and the black-smith shop was behind there, blah blah". In this way, if you present yourself as a history buff, that sometimes comes off better than "treasure hunter" or whatever.

 

[crazyman]

My percentage on getting permission went way up when I had my young son with me and better yet when I had both my wife and son with me. People where more at ease when approaching them. I got permission to hunt some really good sites that some of my gruffy looking friends had been previously turned down on with a firm no this way. In these times any male stranger coming on to their property can make them nervous. If you don't have a wife or young son try to borrow one. Maybe a "rent a family" business would work.

 

[dave5710]

I agree with Tom's first paragraph 100%. See them in person. It's easy to say no on the phone. It's much harder face to face.

And I'm gonna steal a couple of tips from his second paragraph.

But don't ever hunt on private property without permission, that will only hurt us all.

 

[Tom_in_CA]

Yeah I've heard of this tactic before. Or things like taking your 6 yr. old daughter along, or your young son "doing a boy-scout report on metal detecting" blah blah

Another tactic I use is this: volunteer for museum duty, or docent tours at what historical society or whatever is in your area. I have gotten in to a BUNCH of places, simply because I can say "hi, I lead tours over at such & such (showing them my badge), and as such, am doing research on the history of this area. I heard that there was a [fill in the blank] on the back 40 of this ranch. Is it ok if I walk around over there, take some pix, etc....?" A community volunteer position like this is typically 3 hrs. per shift, 2x p/month (6 hrs. total), and is worth every bit of the credentials it gives (on top of personal satisfaction of contributing to the community). Name-dropping works wonders

 

[dahut]

Have a question for all you vet swingers. I recently located an awesome research tool (old 1938 highway map, with current map overlay) anyways. I have located a few properties I would like to snoop around. What have been your most successful ways of gaining permission from the land owners. Also anyone have any tips for locating old properties that have come to pass (woods grown over, etc) what should I be looking for. Thanks in advance for any and all help!

NewBee

All good ideas here. I'd only add that you take the map, itself, and show them what it has led you to be at their doorstep.

And in lieu of a kid, take well behaved dog. They dont talk back much, and rarely complain about the bugs or how hot it is.

 

[Monte]

Tom in CA & crazyman really hit the mark with their suggestions!

** I learned long ago (thanks to others attempts and poor results) that percentages were weak when using a phone call or letter. I always try to gain permission in person.

** I seldom make a personal approach with others, UNLESS (as Mike suggested) it is a child, spouse, or a pleasing-to-the-eye "hunting buddy." By that I am referring to a good looking gal. Also, unless it is a child making the 3rd or 4th person, I never approach with more than just me, or me and one other adult.

** I like "props." Tom hit on several good approaches, and when I have spied some tilled-up yards in old neighborhoods (for example) I often grab a clipboard and walk the area looking at sidewalks and curbs. I jot down information, such as dates the concrete was poured; presence of hitch rings in the curbing,; names of concrete installers; old street names that are in the cement and differ from the nearby sign; etc. I will occasionally glance at a home to note an architectural style or if it has a dome or other feature that hints that it might have been a school, church or neighborhood store at some point in time.

Note that I do this during the day when some people might be in their yard pruning bushes, raking, planting, or sitting at a window eating breakfast or something. Not only do I get good research information on the neighborhood, but I attract their attention and most of the time someone will be curious enough to approach ME. I let them start the conversation. I explain that I am just working on a research project about the community history, and noting date in cement and presence of hitch rings, etc., helps me key in on older parking strips with old-coin and token potential.

That comment will usually lead to a discussion on my hobby of metal detecting and I NEVER presume that a property owner doesn't have a metal detector, or a friend or family member who enjoys the hobby. I simply mention that I have been doing this since early 1965 and it's a great hobby. I'll ask if they have ever found anything good in their yard or parking strip, suggesting that perhaps they own/used a metal detector. Frequently I get the "welcome to hunt it" response.

** Want to help hunt it? Another thing I like to do is invite someone to join me in the search of their property. If I do carry a detector to a door, or when being visible, I like to make it an attractive and featured unit, but easy to use and light weight. I've added a new Coinmaster to my arsenal for this purpose. As I stated, I never presume a property owner to not have knowledge of he hobby or to own/have-owned a metal detector. naturally, most don't/haven't. Some have, but it was from in the hey-day of the hobby when most detectors where big and heavy and poorly balanced. They lacked features we have today.

Thus, they can see the metal detector I carry and know what it is. If they used an 'oldie' then handling a modern lightweight unit is impressive. The simple operation is impressive. I can pull a couple of targets from my pouch and demonstrate (usually while it's in their hand) how the detector works and can reject common trash. Then I will generally invite them to join me in the search of their property, and suggest that they can use this nifty detector as I have another in my vehicle. This accomplishes a few of things: it shows trust, it shows interest in the hobby, it lets them feel that I don't have a greedy nature and want it all , it keeps them busy away from where I am hunting (interference you know) and what I'm finding, it eliminates constant questions and hawking over my shoulder, and ... it gets me on their property. Even if they opt to not join in the search, it gives them a "feel good" moment.

Okay, sorry to ramble, but you get the idea. Figure several ways that YOU are comfortable with to make a personal approach. Be pleasant and don't make the approach with dirty hands and shoes, or rag-tag and dirty clothes. If they are reluctant or give you a 'No,' just offer to shake their hand and tell them "Thank You" anyway.

Also as stated, don't be sneaky. Private property is just that.

Monte

 

[newbee09]

Thank you all for your insight. I will keep all this in mind. I guess I will just have to experiment a little and see what works for me. The main thing I guess is just gathering the confidence to try my luck. My problem is I'm not a native of my current community. I am on active duty in the military so I dont know a lot of people in my area, but I guess just being nice and remember all the tips on here might get my foot in the door. Thanks again!!

 

[crazyman]

I reread my post and it came off as sounding a bit caddish so let me state for the record that I don't take take my family with me for the soul purpose of gaining an edge in getting permission. When out scouting for new hunting areas I usually go on weekends when people are more likely to be home and my family always enjoyed a day out exploring new areas and having lunch. The majority of the time I never had a detector with me. I was only pointing out that people were more at ease when I had my son and or wife with me and were more open to letting me hunt their property. With that being said I will add that my son is 6 ft. tall now and doesn't enjoy weekend drives anymore but I do have a granddaughter and this little cutey works even better.

 

[phantom77]

Hello
check out your local Liberty or the BLM office

 

[dirtdigginlady]

Wear your uniform when you go to ask.

 

[dave5710]

Why didn't you say that earlier. Thank you for your service first off. Secondly if you tell us where your stationed, I'll bet we can hook you up with some local detectorists or a club real close to you.

Take care, Dave