Hi guys and gals! I am a water hunter by trade so therefore my time is spent mostly on the beach and in the water where you don't need to ask for access but, I recently started to develop an interest in coin shooting and after quite a bit of research have found a couple of places in my area I think would be good for some detecting. They are privately owned and it got me wondering how do you ask a home owner or business permission to go MD and dig holes on their property? Do you have a letter or something or is face to face best? And what about local parks? Do I check with the local police first? or do most of you just go do until told not to? (knowing you guys I doubt the later)Any and all tips on how you guys do this would be great and remember I know practically nothing about dry land Md'ing (but I am learning!) Thanks and I appreciate everything you may share! -Dig
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Asking Permission? - Please share your tips
- Thread starter Dig
- Start date
Most of the time the park rules are on line. If there is no mention of detecting then I will go early in the morning usually. I don't want or like a lot of people around me. All it takes is one to report someone digging holes in a park to cause trouble.
Face to face is best for private properties. Look presentable. Don't take your detector to the door. Don't take a shovel to the door. Don't have a car full of your friends. Go alone. I usually start out with "don't worry I'm not selling anything" With a big smile. Hello I'm ________ _______. Would it be alright if I scan my metal detector around here some? I would be happy to look for any item you may have lost in the past. You'll get several responses. 1. Well it's already been hunted. That's OK. I just have a little time anyway. 2. I was always going to hunt it myself. Great - I always carry a back up machine so we can both detect! 3. I don't want anyone digging holes in my yard. Me neither. That's why I simply use a screwdriver of knife. I won't use a shovel. 4. What are you looking for? I usually find pull tabs and nails. But I just like getting outside and enjoying my hobby. 5. What if you find a pot of gold? Could you please point me in that direction please? LOL.
Keep from using these words. Coins, silver, gold, rich, jewelry, treasure, money, dig or holes.
The first time is the hardest one to do. I suggest asking several owners in a row. Because it get's easier.
Face to face is best for private properties. Look presentable. Don't take your detector to the door. Don't take a shovel to the door. Don't have a car full of your friends. Go alone. I usually start out with "don't worry I'm not selling anything" With a big smile. Hello I'm ________ _______. Would it be alright if I scan my metal detector around here some? I would be happy to look for any item you may have lost in the past. You'll get several responses. 1. Well it's already been hunted. That's OK. I just have a little time anyway. 2. I was always going to hunt it myself. Great - I always carry a back up machine so we can both detect! 3. I don't want anyone digging holes in my yard. Me neither. That's why I simply use a screwdriver of knife. I won't use a shovel. 4. What are you looking for? I usually find pull tabs and nails. But I just like getting outside and enjoying my hobby. 5. What if you find a pot of gold? Could you please point me in that direction please? LOL.
Keep from using these words. Coins, silver, gold, rich, jewelry, treasure, money, dig or holes.
The first time is the hardest one to do. I suggest asking several owners in a row. Because it get's easier.
Howdy Dig
I hunt mostly on private property.......I lake hunt some during the summer. Asking permission is an aquired art, you have to do it alot to get good at it. Face to Face is the best way to do it, calling on the phone is not the better way. It is easier to do it with a one on one basis, or at most with just one friend tagging along, just don't bring along your entire detecting club's membership. I could probably write a book on this subject.
I try to catch the homeowner/property owner working outside, weekends are a good time, and just walk up to them and strike up a conversation with them. Sometimes I'll say to them.......just to break the ice...." I'm not a travelling salesman" that usally gets a chuckle out of them. I ask if they are the owner of said property first, then introduce myself to them. I will explain my hobby to them and usually have some dug coins or relics to show them to make the introduction easier to explain. Having a neat and tidy appearance helps, and what I am wearing makes a good (first) impression also. Do not bring along your detector with you at introduction time, but have it in your car or truck ready to go if you get permission, because it maybe a one time shot at detecting the place. They may want to see your metal detector later.........but I never take it with me to the intro, it may cause some hesitation on their part.
If you feel you are getting close to getting permission with the owner (it really is all about salesmanship) offer to show them how to retrieve a target in their yard, good technique is a must. If they are interested, NOW go get your detector and show them how it works.I then pinpoint a target and explain that to retrieve it you need to make a small divot in the turf of their yard to retrieve the coin (pick a shallow one). Explain that you will not be harming the turf in any way, and neatly retrieve the coin. This demonstration usually puts their mind at ease that you are a responsible and professional detectorist. I will post some more on this subject if there is any interest in this thread.
I hunt mostly on private property.......I lake hunt some during the summer. Asking permission is an aquired art, you have to do it alot to get good at it. Face to Face is the best way to do it, calling on the phone is not the better way. It is easier to do it with a one on one basis, or at most with just one friend tagging along, just don't bring along your entire detecting club's membership. I could probably write a book on this subject.
I try to catch the homeowner/property owner working outside, weekends are a good time, and just walk up to them and strike up a conversation with them. Sometimes I'll say to them.......just to break the ice...." I'm not a travelling salesman" that usally gets a chuckle out of them. I ask if they are the owner of said property first, then introduce myself to them. I will explain my hobby to them and usually have some dug coins or relics to show them to make the introduction easier to explain. Having a neat and tidy appearance helps, and what I am wearing makes a good (first) impression also. Do not bring along your detector with you at introduction time, but have it in your car or truck ready to go if you get permission, because it maybe a one time shot at detecting the place. They may want to see your metal detector later.........but I never take it with me to the intro, it may cause some hesitation on their part.
If you feel you are getting close to getting permission with the owner (it really is all about salesmanship) offer to show them how to retrieve a target in their yard, good technique is a must. If they are interested, NOW go get your detector and show them how it works.I then pinpoint a target and explain that to retrieve it you need to make a small divot in the turf of their yard to retrieve the coin (pick a shallow one). Explain that you will not be harming the turf in any way, and neatly retrieve the coin. This demonstration usually puts their mind at ease that you are a responsible and professional detectorist. I will post some more on this subject if there is any interest in this thread.
I had the farmers daughter thing almost happen,lol. I had permission to hunt this farm whenever I wanted,and I did, sometimes twice a week. This girl ,,and a very good looking girl I must say. Started coming out and talking to me. She was very nice,I was very nice back to her. She started getting very suggestive,,, I would kinda act like I didnt get what she was suggesting and it made what she was saying even more suggestive. lol. I recall one thing she said was- "Can you come back tomorrow, because tomorrow I will be the only one here. My whole family is going away." and with a very cute smile said " We will be here all by ourselves".
There was more before that and after that. I got her point well.LOL
NO,,, I didnt do it, but I was tempted ,, BIG time. If I didnt have a girlfriend I would a been all over it.
Detecting,,,,, Its a great hobby,, you just never know what your gonna find. It is not the first time this has happened to me. I must have a studley apperance when detecting.
Or I'm just in the right spot at the right time,,, When the iron is hot. 
There was more before that and after that. I got her point well.LOL
NO,,, I didnt do it, but I was tempted ,, BIG time. If I didnt have a girlfriend I would a been all over it.
Detecting,,,,, Its a great hobby,, you just never know what your gonna find. It is not the first time this has happened to me. I must have a studley apperance when detecting.
Or I'm just in the right spot at the right time,,, When the iron is hot. Joel-Winnipeg
New member
flash5153 it was probably the type of detector you used or that pin pointer you have that attracts that type
silversmith
New member
You can try this if you got biggins! Go to the local Army store and get yourself an outfit that looks official. Drive to the private property and, in the most serious face you can muster, approach the property owner and tell him "Hi, I'm Billy Bob Buford. We got word that an Helo, last week dropped three boxes of Trench Mortar Shells, in this area, while on maneuvers." "I got orders to look for 'em on all properties in this area, starting here. You'll be advised if anything suspicious turns up.
"Oh, by the way, because of the explosive nature of these devices, you'd be advised to stay as far away from me as possible......................Hell go and enjoy your day!"
Hey, just an idea. If you try it and spend the next 6 months in jail don't blame me, YOU JUST DIDN'T HAVE A SERIOUS ENOUGH LOOK ON YOUR FACE..................
"Oh, by the way, because of the explosive nature of these devices, you'd be advised to stay as far away from me as possible......................Hell go and enjoy your day!"
Hey, just an idea. If you try it and spend the next 6 months in jail don't blame me, YOU JUST DIDN'T HAVE A SERIOUS ENOUGH LOOK ON YOUR FACE..................
silversmith said:You can try this if you got biggins! Go to the local Army store and get yourself an outfit that looks official. Drive to the private property and, in the most serious face you can muster, approach the property owner and tell him "Hi, I'm Billy Bob Buford. We got word that an Helo, last week dropped three boxes of Trench Mortar Shells, in this area, while on maneuvers." "I got orders to look for 'em on all properties in this area, starting here. You'll be advised if anything suspicious turns up.
"Oh, by the way, because of the explosive nature of these devices, you'd be advised to stay as far away from me as possible......................Hell go and enjoy your day!"
Hey, just an idea. If you try it and spend the next 6 months in jail don't blame me, YOU JUST DIDN'T HAVE A SERIOUS ENOUGH LOOK ON YOUR FACE..................
Yeah...that will go over like a turd in a punchbowl....
flash5153 said:I had the farmers daughter thing almost happen,lol. I had permission to hunt this farm whenever I wanted,and I did, sometimes twice a week. This girl ,,and a very good looking girl I must say. Started coming out and talking to me. She was very nice,I was very nice back to her. She started getting very suggestive,,, I would kinda act like I didnt get what she was suggesting and it made what she was saying even more suggestive. lol. I recall one thing she said was- "Can you come back tomorrow, because tomorrow I will be the only one here. My whole family is going away." and with a very cute smile said " We will be here all by ourselves".
There was more before that and after that. I got her point well.LOL
NO,,, I didnt do it, but I was tempted ,, BIG time. If I didnt have a girlfriend I would a been all over it.
Detecting,,,,, Its a great hobby,, you just never know what your gonna find. It is not the first time this has happened to me. I must have a studley apperance when detecting.
Ah can I get that address again please???????? LOL
I played it smart I went to both the PD and parks and recreation and asked them if it was ok for me to MD the parks only thing they said was durring open hours and don't leave holes.
Here's a post on the Garrett forum from many weeks ago, talking about getting permission to hunt private property. I posted on it,,,,, and was going to just copy my response here, but I figured why not just link the whole thread here??
Somebody tell me... Is it ok to do this. I really am not sure.
Here's the link: It takes you to my post but all you have to do is scroll up to get the whole thread: http://www.findmall.com/read.php?32,1077139,1077310#msg-1077310
Somebody tell me... Is it ok to do this. I really am not sure.
Here's the link: It takes you to my post but all you have to do is scroll up to get the whole thread: http://www.findmall.com/read.php?32,1077139,1077310#msg-1077310
By the time your got your probe in the hole you'd be feeling the tickle od Daddy's shotgun on the back of your head...
Dig, I'll take a stab at the public parks portion of your question: I agree with khouse: if it's not specifically disallowed, then no, you don't need to ask the police, parks department, etc... You can usually find the park's rules written on a wooden sign at the park entrance, or available on-line at the city-hall's website, etc.... Or even just go to city hall, and books with the city's codes, rules, laws, etc.... are usually available for public viewing. If it is silent on the issue, then consider yourself no different than any other park user. Ie.: would you "ask" permission to fly a frisbee? As long as you're not doing any harm (I'm assuming you know how to leave no trace of your presence), then you're not in violation of anything. Naturally you need to avoid busy-bodies. There could be someone willing to gripe (as in anything and any hobby), so go at off-hours, low traffic type times.
Lastly, the reason I encourage you, if you are skittish, to look up parks rules for yourself (as opposed to asking a desk clerk or a police if there are rules), is because ....... believe it or not ..... there have been md'rs who have carefully phrased the question to the effect "are there any laws or rules regarding metal detecting in the park?" (which you would THINK would put the burden on them, to produce an actual written rule), but it backfires. For example, they can answer it like: "we would prefer you didn't do that" (as if you were asking permission, and not for a specific written citation). And if you object and say "but where is that written", they can just say "because I said so" or "because I think you'll leave holes" or morph something stupid like "don't disturb the vegetation" or cultural heritage nonsense, and still say "no". And if you argue and say "but I won't leave any marks", etc... you'll just get into a p*ssing match over stuff that you'll loose. And odds are, that same person would never have cared or probably have ever even noticed you (until you asked). That's why it's better to look it up for yourself. If it's silent on the issue, then so be it.
Lastly, the reason I encourage you, if you are skittish, to look up parks rules for yourself (as opposed to asking a desk clerk or a police if there are rules), is because ....... believe it or not ..... there have been md'rs who have carefully phrased the question to the effect "are there any laws or rules regarding metal detecting in the park?" (which you would THINK would put the burden on them, to produce an actual written rule), but it backfires. For example, they can answer it like: "we would prefer you didn't do that" (as if you were asking permission, and not for a specific written citation). And if you object and say "but where is that written", they can just say "because I said so" or "because I think you'll leave holes" or morph something stupid like "don't disturb the vegetation" or cultural heritage nonsense, and still say "no". And if you argue and say "but I won't leave any marks", etc... you'll just get into a p*ssing match over stuff that you'll loose. And odds are, that same person would never have cared or probably have ever even noticed you (until you asked). That's why it's better to look it up for yourself. If it's silent on the issue, then so be it.
Great stuff from Hombre and Tom.
I hunt primarily private property and Hombre's point about approaching people outside as opposed to knocking on the door is spot on.
I try to put myself in the shoes of the people I'm asking.
When somebody comes to my door that I don't know my guard is up, it's different when I'm outside. On a nice day it's no problem to find a lot of folks working in the yard, sitting around or doing whatever outside their old houses.
Many years ago I sold cable TV door to door. And many, many years ago I sold newspaper subscriptions door to door. So I've had a lot of experience knocking on doors. And you can get permission by knocking on someone's door, but I find people are a lot more approachable and unguarded when they're already outside.
As for Tom's post, what he said is good common sense. And he said it darn well as he always does when these permission to detect threads come up.
I hunt primarily private property and Hombre's point about approaching people outside as opposed to knocking on the door is spot on.
I try to put myself in the shoes of the people I'm asking.
When somebody comes to my door that I don't know my guard is up, it's different when I'm outside. On a nice day it's no problem to find a lot of folks working in the yard, sitting around or doing whatever outside their old houses.
Many years ago I sold cable TV door to door. And many, many years ago I sold newspaper subscriptions door to door. So I've had a lot of experience knocking on doors. And you can get permission by knocking on someone's door, but I find people are a lot more approachable and unguarded when they're already outside.
As for Tom's post, what he said is good common sense. And he said it darn well as he always does when these permission to detect threads come up.
flash5153 said:I had the farmers daughter thing almost happen,lol. I had permission to hunt this farm whenever I wanted,and I did, sometimes twice a week. This girl ,,and a very good looking girl I must say. Started coming out and talking to me. She was very nice,I was very nice back to her. She started getting very suggestive,,, I would kinda act like I didnt get what she was suggesting and it made what she was saying even more suggestive. lol. I recall one thing she said was- "Can you come back tomorrow, because tomorrow I will be the only one here. My whole family is going away." and with a very cute smile said " We will be here all by ourselves".
There was more before that and after that. I got her point well.LOL
NO,,, I didnt do it, but I was tempted ,, BIG time. If I didnt have a girlfriend I would a been all over it.
Detecting,,,,, Its a great hobby,, you just never know what your gonna find. It is not the first time this has happened to me. I must have a studley apperance when detecting.
She must have liked the way you swung your rod...
Did she ask you how deep that thing goes?
Hopefully you had a better quality detector with you so you could say 8 inches or more in the hole!
carefullisfamilysite I have never had a complaint about how I fill the holes I find treasure in. It is also important to recheck these areas,often,for more treasure. If not your own yard, one must take the time to leave the area as if you have never been there.Good Luck, Its gona be a long winter.
