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[b]What would you do in this instance!!![/b]

A

Anonymous

Guest
I was taking a metal detecting lunch on Monday. I have been working a ball field/playground area (I am not in the ball field of course, I am working outside the fenced field) behind a school built in 1922 for about a week and a half. I was just starting to get behind the old school and getting older coins. This is on public land and the building is now the town offices, in a little Po-Dunk town. A man came out and said to me, hey we can't have you digging holes here, kid
 
Does this fellow have any authority???? Seems like a lot do not...Catch 22 in most public land ( digging holes can be construed as damaging the property)...personally if area was producing would go back after hours and be neat.If not would probably move on as its just not worth the problem..I guess we all have been approached many times and guess its just a personal decision..and indeed a part of the hobby..
 
I don't enjoy detecting and looking over my shoulder, it makes my neck sore. If they didn't want me there, I would leave and find somewhere I had permission to detect. It would be much more enjoyable for me to know that I had permission and no one minded me being there and detecting.
 
Was in a town owned park and was asked to leave(By employees) under those same circumstances.....I went to the town Cheif of police and had him check if I was in violation of any ordinances ....was told i was in the clear...... But still felt funny going back as now all the park employees give me the stairing contest(My spelling leaves much to desire) <img src="/metal/html/lol.gif" border=0 width=15 height=15 alt=":lol">
hh
 
In a lot of these type of cases where there is no specific ordnances against metal detecting, it
 
The guy who asked me was burly looking older guy with a Alaska hat (probaly goes there looking for gold). I am laying low for know, I might go back at night later this summer, might not!. My family spent 40 years paying taxes in this town, my mother went to the school (now town offices)my grandmother brought me here to play (I am just looking for my property that my family and I lost, ha ha). It's just one of those small town things. I am not the type to rock the boat and do not want to make them pass some kind of ordenance. I may also call the cheif as I said earlier. I beleive in my rights for use of public land. Any how I was just looking for feedback from others who might have run into the same situation.
Thanks, Dave
 
Was the guy who approached you a village employee or someone else? Personally, I'd have done the same thing you did, but I'd follow it up with a visit to the local police station to get their view on things, especially given that the town has no specific MDing restrictions. If the cops say there's no problem, then there's no problem and I'd feel free to go back, since it's the cops who have to write the citation.
However, common sense would say to go back after office hours.
Scott
 
State park employee had a water detector and detected the beach and water. Although no specific rules against detecting all of his fellow employees sent all detectorists packing to let the goodies for the specific employee..Been there and done that so Bill has a good point..and all situations differ so be guided accordingly...One of our fellow tried to detect the public square which has been there over 100 yrs..Approached by a City Employee and no law against same was asked to leave.Basically can't beat city hall to coin a phrase and just isn't worth the aggravation as the hobby is supposed to be fun...:rolleyes
 
If the area is producing then I would check with the police office. If you get the go ahead then I would probvably go EARLY on a Sunday morning when no one is around to bother you. If someone does then let them knoe that you were given the O.K. by the police.
 
:stretcher:usaflag I would consult with the police before those people call them first-they might start "embellishing"about what was going on.:cool
 
Let me tell you I run into that same thing all the time and Im just about sick of it.I hardly even go detecting anymore because its been nothing but aggravtion and a waste of time.This has been the worst year in the 3 years ive been detecting.I hardly get permission to hunt private houses anymore and so tired of these nosey bastards here in Ny, so much as it bothers me I hardly go.This hobby is so harmless but for some reason almost people just dont like it at all and Im getting too old and tired of fighting with people so Im going back to fishing at least I can actually enjoy a peaceful day without anyone hassling me.I mean you might as well walk around with a damn rifle in your hand because thats the way these ignorant people act like your doing...Im telling everyone I am just sick and tired of getting bothered all the time.People just suck and thats the way it is..Maybe if they had their asses shipped to Iraq like I did they would stop the knit picking but even when I say that they dont care either so end of story..I feel everyones pain who has been hassled this hobby is just not a people friendly one..Well my brother good luck to you ....THE GOOCH
 
Same thing happened to me. I went to ask the city manager for permission. He was more than happy to have me hunt on all city owned property if I would be careful, and not bother him again. Actually he thought it was a very cool idea.
 
Gooch,

I hear ya, I now have my fishing poles with me and fish for a 1/2 hour at lunch.

Thanks,
Dave
 
I HAVE A NEW TACTIC THAT I'VE BEEN USING SINCE EARLY SPRING OF THIS YEAR.
IT SEEMS TO WORK 6-7 TIMES OUT OF 10. I LOOK THEM RIGHT IN THE EYE AND
TELL THEM THAT MY MOMMY TOLD ME NOT TO TALK TO STRANGERS. THEN I GO ABOUT
MY BUSINESS. THEY USUALLY HANG AROUND FOR A FEW MINUTES, THEN LEAVE. THE
OTHER 3-4 TIMES THE COPS SHOW UP AND JUST TELL ME TO GET LOST. THE REAL
DOUCHEY COPS WANT TO CONFISCATE WHAT I DUG UP, CLAIMING IT TO BE A
HISTORICAL ARTIFACT, BEING A PART OF THE TOWNS HISTORY. I GUESS THAT THE
$1.46 I FOUND IN CHANGE HELPS TO KEEP THE TOWN BUDGET BALANCED.
 
I always carry a photo of the mother in law with me , it either stuns them or they feel pity for me and let me detect on .
 
As a 30 + year City employee I am very familiar with the type of person you encountered. After being responsible for or maintaining a specific city property they tend to become too possessive. They feel that it is their property to protect and see you as an interloper. It wouldn't matter if you were a detectorist or simply taking a stroll through the park and stepping on the grass, he/she would raise an issue. As a department manager I have had to call an employee down more than once for that very reason. I have had to explain."Hey, Bob or Jane, it's not your personal property and that person has a right to be there, so back off". What I would do in that situation is find out who that person's suppervisor or division head is and go to them, armed with the ordinance, a copy of the detectorists code of ethics and any other information that sheds a good light on the hobby. I would lay it out just exactly why my detecting is not harming the property and even demonstrate digging and replacing a plug if the person was interested. What I find is that most people thus approached are very receptive and interested in metal detecting.
Another scenario is the slob detectorist who leaves open holes, digs twice the size plug that is necessary and instead of picking up trash as they go, just tosses undesirable targets aside and leaves them for someone else to pick up. I have seen that person too or seen where they have been. It give a black eye to all of us who enjoy MDing. Don't be a slob and if necessary pick up after a person who is. If you see him or her being a slob, don't be afraid to remind them to pick up after themselves. Show them how to remove and replace a plug with minimal damage if necessary. Be diplomatic in dealing with all persons who might affect our hobby and don't be like the guy who jumped you out. Just some advice from someone who has viewed the issue from both sides. JIM
 
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