This is my first post.
It seems like our freedom to use metal detectors has been taken away at National Parks and most State Parks, as well as at the Louisville Ky Parks. Even Indiana Dunes, which should be a perfect place to detect, is off limits to metal detectors. While Indiana Dunes is an Indiana State Park where metal detectors may be used in certain places under certain circumstances those DNR Regulations are trumped by Indiana Dunes also being a National Seashore where detectors are not allowed. Therefore they are not allowed anywhere there. Some of my retired friends with metal detectors were recently chased out of Brandenburg Ky town park by the local police. New Harmonie (Yep, that's the way its spelled) State Park in SW Indiana is off limits to metal detectors. I'm sure the list goes on and on and on. What is wrong with metal detecting in public places?? We are the public!
I'm sure all of you already know about this but I've been away from metal detecting for over 30 years and things appear to be so restricted now compared to then. Have my fellow treasure hunters been doing some bad things while I've been gone? Have you guys been beating up Park Rangers with your detectors?? Something must have gotten some rule makers ticked off.
Believe it or not our hobby actually performs a public service. While searching school playgrounds around swings and slides I've picked up rusty nails, rusty wire, old pop tops, metal cans, pull tabs, tin foil, and other junk (even glass), some of which could seriously hurt children who play there. None of this junk has any place in our Parks and playgrounds. I think that we are providing a useful service that is not widely known. Its not like we are cutting down trees and stealing the out buildings! It seems to me that we are being discriminated against. We worked hard to finally get to retirement age, or even to get to any age, we've paid our share of taxes and continue to do so, and we have proven we are responsible adults. Why must we be treated as children? Metal detecting is not only a fun hobby that provides a service to our fellow citizens by gleaning junk that clutters our parks, beaches, and playgrounds but it also gets us out of the house, away from the boob tube, keeps us out of the bars and brothels (most of the time) and provides us some regular exercise without us even noticing it. This is helpful, not only to us, but it saves taxpayer dollars if we stay healthier. All of this is disregarded by those who want to keep us from detecting those places mentioned above and much of that thought process may stem from ignorance or pure meanness. If they are afraid someone is going to make a mess and not fill in the holes, how about making a few rules and enforcing them? They should be made aware that a metal detector is not a dangerous weapon but an instrument for non-destructive hobby use. If they are still paranoid perhaps licenses could be sold, just like for hunting and fishing. Membership in a metal detecting club would be a big plus and newbies could be educated about the people friendly way to conduct coin searches, etc. Every one of us already knows we should make as small a hole as possible during a search and fill it in, leaving little or no trace of ever having been there. We always leave a place cleaner than when we found it. Don't we? I've been out many times when I didn't find even a penny but each time I've taken junk away from the site and I've gained the benefits of exercise and the peace that comes from keeping my mind occupied. We need to take our Country back again and we could start by trying to get politicians involved and concerned in helping us, otherwise they will lose even more votes next time. Besides, many of them are so bogged down in really big worries right now that perhaps they need something to do that really helps folks and makes us less angry with everything else. It does no harm to anyone if we dig up some old coins, as long as we are considerate of others and clean up after ourselves.
I'm not just concerned about myself on this subject. I see young children nowadays who look only to the TV or computer for their enjoyment. Yet, I know that when you introduce them to the hobby of metal detecting they really come alive. I'm afraid at the rate we are regressing that by the time these young children approach middle age metal detectors will be illegal. I suppose they will still be able to do drugs or rob gas stations though. bbob
It seems like our freedom to use metal detectors has been taken away at National Parks and most State Parks, as well as at the Louisville Ky Parks. Even Indiana Dunes, which should be a perfect place to detect, is off limits to metal detectors. While Indiana Dunes is an Indiana State Park where metal detectors may be used in certain places under certain circumstances those DNR Regulations are trumped by Indiana Dunes also being a National Seashore where detectors are not allowed. Therefore they are not allowed anywhere there. Some of my retired friends with metal detectors were recently chased out of Brandenburg Ky town park by the local police. New Harmonie (Yep, that's the way its spelled) State Park in SW Indiana is off limits to metal detectors. I'm sure the list goes on and on and on. What is wrong with metal detecting in public places?? We are the public!
I'm sure all of you already know about this but I've been away from metal detecting for over 30 years and things appear to be so restricted now compared to then. Have my fellow treasure hunters been doing some bad things while I've been gone? Have you guys been beating up Park Rangers with your detectors?? Something must have gotten some rule makers ticked off.
Believe it or not our hobby actually performs a public service. While searching school playgrounds around swings and slides I've picked up rusty nails, rusty wire, old pop tops, metal cans, pull tabs, tin foil, and other junk (even glass), some of which could seriously hurt children who play there. None of this junk has any place in our Parks and playgrounds. I think that we are providing a useful service that is not widely known. Its not like we are cutting down trees and stealing the out buildings! It seems to me that we are being discriminated against. We worked hard to finally get to retirement age, or even to get to any age, we've paid our share of taxes and continue to do so, and we have proven we are responsible adults. Why must we be treated as children? Metal detecting is not only a fun hobby that provides a service to our fellow citizens by gleaning junk that clutters our parks, beaches, and playgrounds but it also gets us out of the house, away from the boob tube, keeps us out of the bars and brothels (most of the time) and provides us some regular exercise without us even noticing it. This is helpful, not only to us, but it saves taxpayer dollars if we stay healthier. All of this is disregarded by those who want to keep us from detecting those places mentioned above and much of that thought process may stem from ignorance or pure meanness. If they are afraid someone is going to make a mess and not fill in the holes, how about making a few rules and enforcing them? They should be made aware that a metal detector is not a dangerous weapon but an instrument for non-destructive hobby use. If they are still paranoid perhaps licenses could be sold, just like for hunting and fishing. Membership in a metal detecting club would be a big plus and newbies could be educated about the people friendly way to conduct coin searches, etc. Every one of us already knows we should make as small a hole as possible during a search and fill it in, leaving little or no trace of ever having been there. We always leave a place cleaner than when we found it. Don't we? I've been out many times when I didn't find even a penny but each time I've taken junk away from the site and I've gained the benefits of exercise and the peace that comes from keeping my mind occupied. We need to take our Country back again and we could start by trying to get politicians involved and concerned in helping us, otherwise they will lose even more votes next time. Besides, many of them are so bogged down in really big worries right now that perhaps they need something to do that really helps folks and makes us less angry with everything else. It does no harm to anyone if we dig up some old coins, as long as we are considerate of others and clean up after ourselves.
I'm not just concerned about myself on this subject. I see young children nowadays who look only to the TV or computer for their enjoyment. Yet, I know that when you introduce them to the hobby of metal detecting they really come alive. I'm afraid at the rate we are regressing that by the time these young children approach middle age metal detectors will be illegal. I suppose they will still be able to do drugs or rob gas stations though. bbob