Rich: You are correct that Mining is allowed on certin areas of BLM and National forrest Lands. Congress has kept in force an 1800's law that states that citizens will be allowed to do recational mining. What has changed is the fees and Permits required to do it. Electronic ( Metal Detectors ) are allowed for the same. The amt. of Land now open for this has been vastly reduced, hundreds of thousand's of acres are now closed to recretional mining. If you want to metal detect for coins or anything else, look at the fine print in the rules covering BLM land and National Parks and forrests, some of them state outright Metal Detecting is forbiden, many state nothing about Metal Detecting, However do state that it is a violation of the Law to move, or disturb any vegitation, rock or soil in their Jurisdiction,in other words you can Hunt, but you cannot dig, unless you want to risk Jail, fines, and loss of your Detectors.
