State Park Metal Detecting info now available on the web

[Mark S.]

State park information is now available all in one place on the web.

Go to FMDAC.org

On the right side near the top is a link for State Park Regulations. This is the current up to date info as pulled from actual regulations and/or contacts with the parks departments. Three states have not replied to our requests. We will add those states as the info becomes available.

Read the info at the top of the page and please comment if you think something is in error or you can add to it.


Mark Schuessler
FMDAC Alliance Liaison

 

[Black Davy]

Thanks for the info.

 

[DonNWF]

Thank you Mark and thanks to FMDAC. The list provides knowledge we can all use. Having said that I would like to share some thoughts regarding the issue of access to public lands, including State Parks.
If you count the number of States with a "YES" reply verses a "NO" reply the picture looks a little on the rosey side (33 to 17). The reality is park access in most States is severally restricted including my State of Florida. One example that just leaps off the page is that some States permit access with authorization. BUT you cannot dig or disturb the ground, trees , plants, etc., or recover anything from the ground. Thats a non-starter permit. Yes, I just love listening to my MD tell me there is something good down there, but I can't dig it. A perfect example of bureaucratic permitting.
In the past year I have examined a number of MD organizational Web-Sites, yours included, to gain a sense as to what is being done by National Organizations in fighting restrictive State policies. My conclusion is - little, and as I have stated on this forum in the past, MD manufacturers do even less. It might be just a matter of the MD numbers being small. For example FMDAC Florida membership listed only 102, and I admit I am not among them. But a small group of artifact hunters in Alabama did manage to get their State laws changed and that change gave MDers more access as well. They got little support from MDers and it took a political fight to do it and thats where FMDAC and other Metal Detecting organizations have dropped the ball. Its not about a code of ethics and leaving neatly filled holes, and good community relations. Its about taking the fight to the States and State organizations that support unreasonable restrictions. FMDAC lists a number of Web-sites all supposedly supporting change for less restrictive laws. But not one of those organizations even mentions Metal Detecting. I also note that Minelab is a Corp sponsor of FMDAC. Great detectors, I have one, but does Minelab put money or influence into fighting State restriction against metal detecting?
It is not my intention to single out FMDAC from other organizations that also do little. Their all doing the same dance step. I'll be happy to lend my financial support to any National Metal Detecting organization that is serious about taking positive action. HH Don

 

[Black Davy]

Don,

You are right the fine print of it is up to the park ranger on hand thatday to make a descision as to weather you can detect. Also the one liners that you can keep up tp $5.00 in change but all the booty must be turned into the park ranger so he can give it to his wife. I remember my brother was kicked off the beach at Rocky Neck state park for detecting and have read of other having no issues. It should be clear in the state statue that a permit is allowed and here are the guidelines. I went to Reno NV where my brother lives. There permit system is easy go to the park office sign your name, they give you a sheet on there digging guidlines and the permit is free and good for five years. If the Ranger wants his buddy to work the park then everyone gets the big fat no. Organizations such as this need to lobby to get these rules changed. I would support these actions. I just dont have time to read all the way through some off these sites.

 

[DonNWF]

In my opinion, any National/State MD organizations, local MD clubs, MD manufacturers or MD sales companies, operating in any State that have a State policy that permits metal detecting, but makes the actual rules so restrictive that it is in fact a non-permit, are ignoring the obvious and have collectively put their heads in the sand. National MD organizations are supposedly educating the public on these matters. I would be more impressed if they would start educating those at the State government level. Manufacturers - Does anyone know what their position is on any negative actions that effect the MD hobby?
Disc me out. Don

 

[tucky_tector]

I was at a lake not far from home and asked the Park Ranger about Mding at that park. He said they didn't promote metal detecting but he didn't care if I wanted to do it. But what would happen if there were a shift change while I was still detecting and I was confronted by another Ranger. I could lose my detector, get fined and find myself in a lot of trouble. The bottom line is to get permission in writing with signature weather it be a permit or just a handwritten note (I keep permission forms with me for this purpose). That way you can pass the buck on to the person that signed the form, this is also a good practice on private land. It could save a lot of grief in the future. Its a shame that a small handful of people md'ing and destoring property has made the good MD'ers have to face these issues. One who is a true MD'er and loves this hobbie will try his/her best to take care of the environment. I would also support changing laws to open state and federal parks to MD'ers with restrictions on filling holes,cleaning trash etc.
Just my opinion,
Bud