Where is the Hobby of Metal Detecting headed......

[Elton]

Will it prevail ?? Will we be banned from most Parks and Schools ??

Will more cities put bans in place ??? Will the County, and maybe even the States become involved with rules ?.

Will the Federal Step in and make even more rules, and banning of areas open to us ???

What is your take on the future of detecting.. Not talking about machines and equipment here..Talking about being able to freely use the equipment.

 

[MNCoinhunter]

I think that any attempt to create a reality TV show about metal detecting will have very few positive effects and lots of negative effects. If you think it's hard to hunt in certain places now, wait until the get-rich-quick percentage of people start buying detectors. There will be more incidents of tresspassing, and rules and laws being broken. More parks being closed due to uneducated hole diggers .. etc. I don't mean to sound so negative about it, but I feel very strongly that it will not have as good of an end result as many think it will. As in people who are vehemently against our hobby, becoming more accepting of our hobby. Hope I am wrong ..

 

[Elton]

n/t

 

[slingshot]

And it's not just our fault. Many a time I've called in break-ins or vandalism to the proper authorities on school properties. I have verbally corrected some kids who crawled over a fence, turned on the school water faucet full blast and try to leave it running. The public restrooms and grounds have been vandalized by people who don't appreciate the free gratis offerings of their city. It's up to us and this new generation. Awareness helps, also. For instance, one of the newest additions is fiber optics cables being used by the schools for faster transmission. There's the newest reason for their concern about digging and why I only carry a 6" screwdriver into a school. You think a newly dropped coin or ring is gonna go deeper than an inch or two? I personally learned of the fiber optics by a HIGH official in the schooling system and when he saw the small screwdriver, he laughed and said I would be just fine. How are we justifying knifes, shovels, and diggers to these areas? Learn to probe and pop-leave the other for different locations. Sorry if I offend anyone-but this post is the reason I say what I say and use what I use.

 

[Elton]

You just pointed out some very valid points of why .. Some Schools may not want digging.... To be honest I learned something from your post and expect many more will too.

We are getting a lot of complete tear downs, and all new state of the Art schools ..I will make certain to see if this was in their plans.. Thank You !!

 

[mudpuppy]

I dont know if how well we behave makes a difference. I would like to think it would, I would like to think some discretion would be given to the local law enforcement regarding us...we really do get out at odd hours and in areas where some adult supervision is important. You know a good cop gets to recognizing our vehicles, has probably run the plates and all. I think if somebody does pass some sort of ordinance, its just because they are a busy body with nothing better to do...we have gotten all sorts of great press in the past, doing good, returning lost rings, etc. but that really has not helped open up any thing official for us. Hell, if a little town wanted to bring in some tourism, they would open up all "off limits" areas for a month or even a weekend and advertise on here about it. I'm hoping Elton, that law enforcement is undergoing so many budget cuts that we will be left alone, even if there was a law passed, what cop is gonna wanna show up in court to explain why he arrested some poor old taxpayer that was looking for pennies? I'm with you on this Slingshot, I even sort of get the creeps carrying a screwdriver and a pack of smokes on school grounds..but then I tell myself, its pretty obvious I'm not gonna break in. McD! You are way up in the peat bogs! Nobodys gonna mess with you there! 'cept maybe a bear or a moose might stomp you down in the mud!...

 

[jmaryt]

don't see much of a problem as long as we cover our holes properly!

(h.h.!)
j.t.

 

[jmaryt]

in my view,showing digging of ANY type on tv is asking for trouble!
not good!..just sayin'

(h.h.!)
j.t.

 

[Sailorman]

Just came across another park this weekend where someone was digging down, hit a can and walked away leaving can and open hole, all over. They keep this crap up and we'll lose another county full of parks in FL. We've lost several already. Especially in urban areas detectorists behavior is going to be under a microscope as the concentration of busybodies and idiots is higher. Don't really have a solution except try to keep folks in the hobby on their toes. Schools in our areas are now officially a no go except there are plenty of people still digging there. That's really going to help our image! I forsee more headaches in the suburban and urban areas and hopefully no more in country.

When budgets are hurting we're safer but if things get better look out!

 

[MNCoinhunter]

Since when are schools not public property? Sounds like it's time to relocate ..

 

[Sailorman]

Since when are schools not public property? Sounds like it's time to relocate ..

There's something of a fortress mentality with schools here. If there's a crime within 100 miles they go in to lock down. All the property is surrounded by high chain link and locked when school is not in session. The few that the playgrounds and fields are not surrounded by you will get dinged if someone sees you there. I'm in the big city here, much bigger then I like. Unfortunately they do have reasons for needing this level of security. What stinks is when this mentality creeps out into less populated areas.

I'd have already relocated but I have what little is left of a business here that I'm trying to keep alive. If I could find a buyer I'd be half way around the globe right now. I am planning on relocating there, just getting the complications worked out.

 

[Elton]

By "Board of Education" in my State. Yours may be the same.. The law has deemed that Board of Education owned property is in fact Private property.

So even though it is operated by Tax dollars.....It is transfered to the Board from the Cities/County general fund .... All properties are "SOLD" to the board of education for schools and designated areas ( Playing fields) Stadiums, etc.

 

[teviotlad]

its no better here in uk. i think theres a growing intolerance of anyone who does not comply to the perceived normal. its bordering on fascism, and its increasing. people feel they have every right to challenge you when out detecting, as if your somehow doin something wrong. all this terrorism propaganda doesnt help either, it makes the sheeple less tolerant. its definately not about making holes but more about you doin somethin different, which a lot of people dont like.

 

[teviotlad]

you live in an authoritanian world now. 30 yrs ago there were loads of things you could do which you cant now. your circle of freedom is growing smaller and smaller, as the power of the state increases. it may only be a matter of time before detecting is banned, as youll be acused of stealing the states wealth. the state wants it all. total power and all wealth. your finding coins means you are not payin tax, so your a tax dodger. theres so many ways they could outlaw it. in the uk the law now considers if you detect anywhere without permission you are stealing. so it wont be long before its outlawed here. public opinion is moving toward this point where a detectorist is viewed as a common thief. its already banned in many european countries on this basis.

 

[teviotlad]

ps. was out in local park with xterra 305 today and swagged over 25 pounds in change, and all carefully excavated. it was pretty busy but nobody hassled me, and a few members of her majestys public (MOPs) were curious to know how i was doin and what i had found. nice day out .

 

[Steve O]

The rules will increase as the popularity increases. In my county, they require a permit that use to be free, now, starting this year, they charge $10.
If there is going to be a tv show about detecting, we're in for a lousy ride, downhill.

 

[Digger O'Dell]

Funny thing happened to me the other day while hunting a state park:

Got permission at the front gate to detect around the picnic area. I was glad I was sitting down when the lady said it was permissible; usually they say just from the waters edge to the foot of the dune is OK. So, I drove off headed to the aforementioned area. Looked around, and the area looked deserted - not a soul in site. I said good and got out, opened the trunk, and discovered that I had left my digging tools at home. After uttering a couple of expletives I just figured I'd just walk around with my detector and see what was out there even though I wouldn't be able to dig. I hadn't gone 10 feet into the area when I noticed about 20 or so holes in the ground with dirt piled up on one side. I couldn't.t believe my eyes. I started to get real nervous thinking that if a park ranger shows up they would blame me for this disaster. Then, suddenly I saw the culprit. Digging holes without a care in the world! There should be a law against armadillos digging holes in state parks! (lol) But that's what it was doing the damage.

Incidentally, I did go back home and fetched my digging tools and returned about 20 minutes later. Only one couple was picnicking further down and I still had the whole area to myself. Found 60 cents in clad dimes and pennies before a volunteer ranger showed up. He was real friendly and started talking MDing with me. By then there was more activity taking place around me so I excused myself from the ranger and slowly wandered over to my car, put all the tools away, got in, and fired that bugger up. Don't ask me why I started to get uncomfortable. I guess I like to hunt in the morning when no one else is around. As far as where our hobby is going, maybe we should try to derail the train before it runs us over. I mean maybe we should press for Metal Detecting permits, that way, we can still do what we want, and the so called officials can collect money and feel that they acted in the public' interest (so everybody's happy). I know this is not what many of us wants to hear, I'm not crazy about paying money for a permit, but it's better than hanging up my XLT. Just my thoughts.

Digger O'Dell

.

 

[Steve O]

Our county requires we have permits, $10 cost. Our state parks (PA) do not.

 

[johnmusk]

Story. I found a new school last week, a state school which is located in a very old town. It has 2 ball fields and a huge natural grass area. I consider it a big time find for where I live. After a few hours of detecting a man approached and said to me "the school spends a lot of money taking care of these grounds and I want to make sure you are not digging holes in it". I told him I understand, and I showed him how I repair the hole without leaving a trace. I cut clean plugs and put soil on a piece of cardboard. He showed a lot of interest in what I pulled out of the hole (clad dime), saw how I repaired the hole, said "thank you" and walked away.

This was the first time I was ever approached on public land, but it turned out pretty well and I'm going back tomorrow. I don't know if I learned much from it, except try to be friendly with curious people and never leave a trace you were there. If you don't give them a reason to dislike you they won't.