treated like a common criminal!

[sgtm8411]

I went to a public park today in NY and was approached by a local barney fife who told me "you cant dig here". I told him i would leave and started walking toward my car as he proceeded to drive away. I paused to take off my headphones and shut off my detector. The cop stopped the car and backed up rapidly and shouted out the window "whats the problem?"... Now im an active duty Gunnery Sergeant in the Marine Corps and not so easily intimidated by uniformed officials. I gave him some attitude but thought better of pushing too far to avoid having my brand new ESE confiscated. It amazes me how im looked at like a crack vendor selling my wares to small school children on the street corner sometimes. It really pisses me off actually. What is worst opposition you've received???
How do you guys ask for permission to detect on someones property?? Do you track down their number and call them or just knock on the door?? What does the dialogue sound like?? Do you tell them that they can keep everything but request to keep the coins???
Mike (upstate NY)

 

[NH Bob]

Easy Sgt. you'll be driving a tank threw town pretty soon.
I knock and put on a smiley face and say "Hi, my name is Bob L.... how are you doing" (big smile) "I do Metal Detecting for a hobby and was wondering if I could check out the grassy area behind your house".
(Try to pick an area thats not too invasive.) When they ask what your looking for I tell them that I like Buttons, sometimes I find an old coin but I like old buttons. By now they have said yes or no. I get 8 yeses for every 2 noes. Improvise, but always smile. Sometimes I tell them I do this for a hobby cause I can't play Basket Ball. Dumb but it works. I also tell them they can have all the Jewelry I just like Artifacts.
But you won't get permission if you scare them so leave your M16 home.

 

[mad jak]

Mike, we try to get permission in person. If you call,we found that the owner usually says NO! there is something about face to face that they say yes. We do old farm sites. sometimes it is very difficult to find the owner. the land around here has changed hands several times since the 70's, hard to find original family any more. the counties that are not so populated the owners seem to give permission very quick.
as far as asking i tell the truth and say that i metal detect for a hobby and ask for permission. I don't volunteer any thing found. If they ask to see the finds or to keep something then i agree. Too many horror stories about guys showing the finds and the owner keeping everything. Wear high boots. never had to do that but you never know.
or get something in writing. I've been detecting for 12 years and had only one owner ask for a coin back. I found a 1847 large cent on his property and gave it to him. 2 weeks later i found another large cent and 1/2 cent. plus he gave us about 10 leads to other spots. very nice framer. hope this helps. LOL HH mad jak in IL.

 

[gitterdug]

n/t

 

[migolddigger]

As a Sgt in The United states Marines I understand. I always ask this simple questions after (Very important), I put my Detector and gear away in my car 1st. Excuse me officer, Is there a violation to a local ordnance I didn't know about? I didn't see a signs posted no metal detecting here. If there is, can I ask the police officer witch one. Most Barney's Don't know the #'s and will leave you alone after that. Like The Marines know, we follow the order 1st, then question it after it's done with Tact. In the Marines, yes you do follow direct orders, but because I said so, doesn't work coming from a cop in the outside world, especially on public land were you pay taxes. No article 134 here.

Tom Sgt USMC 1/8 2nd Mar Div CLNC 91-96.

 

[tomtowns]

And you also have to realize that them poor suckers (THE Cops) Usually are dealing with the lower rungs of society...They are constantly subjected to being witness to all kinds of brutal scenes... Rape, Murder, Child Abuse...both sexual & physical... And being usually first on the scene to horrific traffic accidents...Bottom line is they have a TOUGH job at BEST & being subject to it day in & day out can take a toll on the best of them. As far as asking permission, I would never think of going on private property without asking....most of my hunting is done on public land...HH...TT

 

[jimb]

I know the feeling. I got in with the local historical society by donating some items to them. So when I go out to an area I want to hunt. I mention the stuff I have found and donated to the local museum or historical society. I then tell the owner I am mainly in it for the coins and the odd stuff I donate back. The coins if valuable I split with the owner. Some times they don't really care, they just want to see what you find. So far so good. I found I had to give back first to get my name in the right circle to get into the older spots.
Its working so far. I secured permission from a land owner this week for the spring. I was in his farm field Tuesday and found a brass button that I hope to show a pic this week for some ID help. He thought I was crazy for crawling through the mud seeing we just had 4 inches of rain. I will post that story tomorrow. Having a letter of carte blank or marquee from the land owner does help when the neighbors call the screws on you.
As for the cop attitude? It was a cop, what more can you say. If they don't know you, they assume you are doing wrong. Its their job.
It burns a guy up when somebody does that to you when you didn't even have it coming. Next time you see him remember to say hi. Or stop in and talk to the parks department for that burg and see if you can detect there. If so, get a letter from them. CYA! Don't be to hard on the cop. They only get mad around here when the local bakery decides to stop dropping off free doughnuts because the owner got a speeding ticket
LOL...

jimb SE WI

 

[GOLDDIGGER]

I was told by a State Trooper this and SO far it works every TIME!
Go to the police department and ask if they have a City Ordenance about digging in the town Square? If they say No or I don't Know say thanks and tell them you will be Hunting for coins and May be digging some VERY small holes to remove the Coins and that you ALLWAYS fill your holes when you are done. Just in case some one was to call and tell you they had seen me doing it! NEVER ASK PERMISSION!!!! That only gives them a chance to say NO!!!
And most People will not go out on a LIMB and tell you OK when they don't know themselfs! Hope this Helps ! If that does not help Where your Uniform! HA! They will not say a word then!!
H.H.(GOLDDIGGER) J.W.

 

[Farmercal]

Gunny,

I guess I have been lucky with the local deputy dogs and rangers in my detecting. They have approached me numerous times but just explained that detecting wasn't allowed or that I could get a ticket detecting in that area. I always thanked them and we parted on good terms. Be glad you didn't get the treatment I got in South Dakota at a local elementary school. I was detecting the front yard and finding old coins left and right. All of a sudden the automatic sprinkler system came on right where I was detecting. So I moved over to another area and just as I moved the first sprinklers went off and the sprinklers where I moved to came on. I then looked towards the school and saw some (so it won't get bleeped out) donkeys inside looking in my direction and laughing. They didn't have the nerve to just ask me to leave like a civil human being, instead they treated my like a dog and on PUBLIC property to boot. So consider yourself lucky you didn't get wet!

Cal (USAF Retired)

 

[EL Pulltabio]

I would have asked him what specific law prohibits my using a metal detector on public property. Chances are there isn't one on the books. He was just acting like a badge heavy rookie...but you did the right thing by leaving.
BTW I'm a retired big city policeman.

 

[Kans C]

A couple of years ago three of us were detecting in a local large park in the middle of the city. The park was undergoing improvements and was torn to hell. We were detecting in an area that was not quite so mutilated but slated for improvements with the other projects. Many detectorists had been detecting this for many years and had increased due to the contruction activities. There was this younger detectorist (just graduated college) and we had all traded information on Explorers and such. I was digging a hole when I noticed a pony-tailed, Birkenstock, tie-died shirt type having an apparent heated discussion with this young detectorist. I took off my headphones and walked over to see what the problem was. Meanwhile this guy's dog was running around sniffing everybody's buts. I heard the long hair (no offense, as I once also had long hair) tell him 'I'm pretty sure that digging holes in my park is illegal and I'm going to call the cops'. I replied bring them out here and we'll discuss it. The young guy asked 'is that your dog and added I'm certain that there is a leash law in this city!' The guy stomped off. A while later I noticed a policeman driving but he just smiled and nodded.
C

 

[Mike Moutray - St.Louis MO]

I've hunted hundreds of parks, town squares and courthouses over the years and have encountered few problems. If I was told to leave I did so respectfully and quickly, but I always inquired as to why I wasn't allowed to hunt. Many times I tell them I had hunted there years ago with permission and wasn't aware that they had made it off limits since then. There have been several instances where I convinced the officer I wasn't a threat to the property or demonstrated my digging techniques and they made an exception for me so that I could continue hunting. Most of the time they are cordial and friendly, especially after deciding that you are not a threat to anyone, but occasionally you get one that is rude or condescending and I attribute that to someone not having a good day, getting tired of running off detectorists, or just plain being a jerk.

Just make sure that the place is not posted against detecting or digging before you hunt...they won't be compelled to do anything to you other than warn you if they see you (assuming, of course, you aren't leaving holes or other visible damage). Always act respectfully towards them "Yes sir - No sir" and be apologetic for causing any problem. DO NOT be confrontational in any manner - If you don't agree with the officer, he is not the one to question... contact his superior or a city official to inquire about a law or complain about the officer.

I have yet to be threatened with arrest or any kind of negative action - and I've hunted in some real backwater places before - so I don't worry about getting the boot. There is always many other good places to try. Like GOLDDIGGER said below... asking anyone directly for permission usually makes them say "NO" even when they don't have a clue about the law... they just don't want to be liable for giving you permission, or angering their boss is all.

Since you are on public land you should be able to assume that if there is no posting against detecting, digging, or historical/archaeological designations that you should have a right to hunt there until told otherwise... if that locality is serious about their laws, it will be posted where you can see it.

I hunted a couple places that, unknown to me, had been off limits for decades, but noone remembered the rules and the signs disappeared long ago so I was able to talk the officer into letting me hunt because I was nice and I demonstrated my digging technique to prove that I would leave no signs of digging anywhere... and I was rewarded with many great finds.

Another thing I have found is that most of the time when I get run out of a place, it wasn't the cop who personally witnessed me digging but a citizen who phoned in a complaint to police station. The officer is only doing his job by running me off and that officer will always place a higher value on a citizen's complaint over my legal right to enjoy my hobby. Every single time there was a citizen complaining about me, they never approached me in person first to inquire about my activities and most just saw me out of their window or their car when I was down recovering a target. That is why I make a habit of spending as little time digging a target as possible, and if I have multiple targets or a large number of signals to dig, I will stand a few minutes every now and then to take a break and survey my surroundings to make sure I'm not being watched by some "concerned citizen" who may be concerned with me "digging a lot of holes".

Hope this info helps... Take care and HH, Mike.

 

[savage]

Greetings, sgtm8411.
I'm sure that you move from duty station to new bases every couple of years or so. May I suggest that each time you relocate, that you check each county / city ordnance concerning metal detecting on public land. Some have laws that prohibit detecting and as stated in your other replies, their is no laws against detecting in other places. Just look at the name plate of the desk Sgt. and if ever approached by "BARNEY", inform him that Sgt. (NAME) informed me that their isn't any ordnances against detecting on public property. I'm sure that Barney will know the officer that you are talking about, and leave you alone. Happy Hunting Grounds,

Savage (EX-II)

 

[Big Fang Coin Biter]

There is a park and cemetery that is owned by a local tribe of Indians. The old sign said, All are welcome just don't use alcohol or drugs on the property. That sounded good to me. I have hunted this site probably 15 times over the years and usually can coax up a coin or two. It is a country setting with few houses around - very peaceful spot. It was the site of an annual picnic and an old church back in the late 1800s.

There is a fence that runs between the grave yard and the area where the old church was and the grounds. I have always stayed on the church side, respecting the dead. So one evening I am recovering a target and I hear my name in a loud voice (scares the crap out of me). What are you doing grave robbing? I had my back to him so I thought this must be a friend playing a joke on me. I turned around an here is a young county officer (very serious). I did the yes-sir thing and after he was convinced that I was rolling over, he lightened up. He told me the the whole area is a cemetery not just the fenced off area, and that I was never to detect there again. Odd that the Indians have built a new pavilion and have a big gathering area in the "cemetery" (probably two acres of open flat grass).

He was just passing by and saw my car by the road. I am glad I had the first 15 hunts. Sad though, it was such a peaceful place.

Srg. Here is my approach to getting permission. Knock on the door, step back about ten feet, expect them to be wary of strangers. Tell them who you are where you are from and that you have the hobby of metal detecting. Do this first and quickly so that they get an idea of who you are - usually you can see them become at ease once they figure out your intention. Then ask if they would consider letting you detect in there yard. Here is the part I have seen fellow detectorists have trouble with... shut up and let them make a decision. If they say yes I will carry on a brief conversation and then mention that I do have to dig a small hole but that I am very careful... Believe it or not some folks expect that you are going to just pick up coins from the surface. If they say no, tell them thanks anyway. This works for me probably 80% of the time.

Take care and HH - BF

 

[Big Fang Coin Biter]

If the land owner does not mention splitting finds I usually say, "We can split up the coins if you want". I feel guilty about it but over the years I have learned that you only show the coins you want to part with. I know it sounds dishonest but heck, I usually give away a couple IH or buffs. Most of the time they say, "You worked hard for those, you keep them". I try to be as honest as possible.

Have you ever looked for a lost ring for someone? I have a couple times at residences. I have yet to find one that they had me look for. I always feel odd when I tell them I could not find it because they have to take my word on that.

Best of luck with your new sites.

BF

 

[NH Bob]

I've looked for rings also with no success. BUT earrings are a different story. I've found 3 earrings at 3 different locations for owners and this gives me an open door to all their property.

 

[KING OF ACE]

I think its safe to say all us pro's have had this kind of hassle at sometime or another :angry:. Welcome to the pleasures of metal detecting on parks. The best thing to do when hassled while hunting on a site is to leave the site and return a week or 2 later & then work the site day in day out until you feel happy you have cleared the site out to the best of your ability or in other words "hammer the site hard" while you can, if you dont then some one else will! Just pound any site while the GOING IS GOOD thats the golden rule.
Happy & peacefull hunting to all.