How do you ask?

[cjw]

How do you ask someone for permission to MD on their property?

I read recently... to offer the property owner "...any 'find' will be split 50 / 50."

Does that sound reasonable? 50 / 50 split ??

How do you ask or get permission from someone to MD on their property?

 

[Roscue2]

From what I've read on the forum offering them 50% right off the bat isn't a very good idea. Many owners will just give you permission before you even have a chance to offer them anything. Just start off by asking them if you can hunt their property. Might also be a good idea to have a contract/ written agreement that they can sign. Many people on the forum their own written agreements which I'm sure they won't hesitate to send to you so that you can print a some copies off.

Sorry for being so vague, but I don't have any experience asking for permission so I'm just telling you what I've read and heard,

 

[cwilk]

If you plan on digging up their yard make sure you know what you're doing. Dress nicely. Be polite. Introduce yourself and ask. I wouldn't discuss a split but you could ask if they've lost any jewelry that you might find for them. I usually offer them an older coin, if I find one, when I leave. I find I get permission about 75% of the time. I only hunt private property when my public sites are not detectable. I travel in a radius of about 50 miles from my house and I have over 100 public property spots in my rotation. A lifetime of detecting.

Chris

 

[TURNMASTER]

Just ask and don't offer anything. If they ask you then decide based on that. They could go buy their own MD after all. You may want to ask if there is any particular thing that may have been lost, which you could watch for.

Jeff

 

[Anonymous]

As to Russia,that surrender too exists such practice 50 /50 with master.

 

[Old Katz]

There's nothing difficult about it. Just tell them you would like
to MD their yard and that your not goingg to make any big holes
and mess up their yard.
Katz

 

[cjw]

If you plan on digging up their yard make sure you know what you're doing. Dress nicely. Be polite. Introduce yourself and ask. I wouldn't discuss a split but you could ask if they've lost any jewelry that you might find for them. I usually offer them an older coin, if I find one, when I leave. I find I get permission about 75% of the time. I only hunt private property when my public sites are not detectable. I travel in a radius of about 50 miles from my house and I have over 100 public property spots in my rotation. A lifetime of detecting.

Chris

thanks everybody for the comments.

cwilk....that's good advice you give ".....you could ask if they've lost any jewelry that you might find for them"

In the February 2010 magazine..Western & Eastern TREASURES pg 8....
Dr.David Caldwell of the Scottish Treasure Trove Unit makes this comment regarding the ownership of 'found' treasure;

"The landowner has no right at all, but in practice most metal detectorists make a deal with landowners before they start searching that they will go
50 / 50."

According to Dr. Caldwell, the landowner " has not right at all...".
I wonder if it's the same here in the US and Canada?

 

[Roscue2]

Here if you found a cache of old gold coins and the owner found out about it they would most likely demand it back. If you said no they'd probably take you to court and sue you for it. They'd probably win too. There are too many people out there nowadays who will sue for anything.:sad:

 

[keithc]

I haven't done this yet but I have thought of offering realtors who are selling old houses if I (or the kid down the street) mows the grass or etc (thus making searching easier anyway ) in exchange for a search(s) ... Just a thought... Also the county you are in likely siezes property for whatever reasons...you might be able to access them without a hassle