Some States ban metal detecting in State or municipal Parks. Check the internet for your area's parks, etc.
If no specific data is defined give them a call for confirmation. Here in St. Louis you can get a permit for hunting specific area's of State Parks, shore lines only on lakes, etc. The city has no law on metal detecting so I have an email from them stating it is okay just in case I get stopped by a local cop that doesn't even know his own laws.
Ballfields that give names but are unposted get an email or phone call from me asking for permission. Those that are unposted and don't have any names of identification are fair game to me.
I got kicked off of one such soccer field this past Sunday by a jerk that had no clue what a metal detectorist does. I was polite, gave him my card and told him I have hunted his park 6 times in the past 3 months and have only improved the condition of it. I said I would not return and apologized for any inconvenience this may have brought him.
No sense in trying to convince this idiot that he had no clue as to what and how I was operating... <img src="/metal/html/lol.gif" border=0 width=15 height=15 alt=":lol"> I also told him if he gets any report of lost items on "his field" to give me a call. I smiled, packed up and left.
Public schools that are not posted as "NO TRESPESSING" are also fair game for me. I have met coaches, school principals and teachers that are only curious as to what you are doing. So far I have faired well in the school area. I also hunt private schools the same way.
As other have posted, leave the area in better shape than you found it. This is part of the hobby as well.
"Always" keep some trash in your bag as advertisement when approached. When asked what I am doing I produce a handfull of trash and tell them I am cleaning up the area and laugh at the same time. Works very well 99% of the time.
HH
Johnny B
