Where to hunt in Texas??

[meatman]

So I posted some questions on here about how to start this hobby the other day and I got some great responses. I have been doing some research on where I can hunt to make sure I don't break any rules and what I have found bothers me. I can't hunt State parks... okay understood. I look up the rules and regulations on County parks and no where does it state that metal detecting is not allowed so I think great there are some nice county parks around that I can hunt. My brother has a friend that works for one of the county parks so I asked my brother to ask him if it is okay just to make sure. Well the answer is that it is not allowed. I call the parks office and ask them about it and they tell me that due to the Texas Antiquity law that metal detectors are not allowed. I am getting a little frustrated now. I am wondering if there is some rule against hunting the beach now. There is a great stretch of "PUBLIC ACCESS" beach between Surfside, TX and San Luis pass. I was planning on going there, but now I am wondering it that is not allowed either. Does anyone know where you can hunt without a problem in Texas other than private property? Thanks.

 

[Skillet]

Most city parks are ok to hunt. I'm not aware of it being illegal on public beaches except for the Padre Island area, Padre Isle is strictly off-limits to detectoring.

I've hunted Army Corp lakes, but it's only permitted on "pre-disturbed" areas, i.e. swimming beaches and picnic areas etc.

Of course, any private property is ok as long as you have permission. Also, the grassy areas outside the sidewalks are easements that belong to the respective city... these are legal to hunt in most cities.

That "antiquities" law is a pain, here in Texas...
Skillet

 

[John(H)]

Meatman, Not all of Padre Island is off limits, only the National Park! There are at least 60 miles of beach that is open to the public, mostly from South Padre island, I enter thru Port Isabel! Also alot of this 60 miles, one needs a 4-wheel drive vehicle! Also what city County Parks are you talking about? Most, if not all of the Harris County Parks are open to the public! All of the Galveston Beaches are too!...............HH.............Joe

 

[GRAY GHOST]

ive heard a lot of stories about buried treasure on padre island. the main story involves a man named singer who was closely related to the big sewing machine makers family. during the civil war, singer owned a lot of land on padre island and heard that the union army was approaching and buried $40,000 worth of gold coin in a bathtub and a smaller cache next to a certain fencepost on his property. he and his family then fled the area, vowing to soon return and reclaim their family fortune. the much anticipated union invasion apparently didnt happen and a really bad hurricane hit the area in the meantime. singer returned and managed to find the smaller cache but had no luck finding the bathtub full of gold coins... the fencepost in question was gone. he looked for the family treasure the rest of his days but never found it. the story has a lot of weight and provenance to it, and i believe is based upon fact. the other stories ive heard were the typical spanish hidden treasure stories that many dont believe anyway... but you never know. i hope it helps,and gimme a t for texas!!! good luck, and hh,