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Anonymous
Guest
does anybody else desides me night hunt i usually do it in the fields i live in va in fact im going in about 30 min. found staff button last night
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A
Anonymous
Guest
Used to but haven't for a while..........
A
Anonymous
Guest
Leonard,
I'm sure there is a reason to hunt the fields at night but . . . . . this hobby has enough negative public image issues that this is probably not the best thing to do other than possibly hunting beaches after the crowds leave.
If someone drives by and sees you, the obvious thing they think is that you are sneaking around and doing something you should not be doing. You may have permission from the property owner but the person driving by does not know that and now has the impression that metal detectorists are doing their thing incognitio. If they mention it to someone in passing you can be assured that you will not get permission to hunt any land they may own (or anyone else that may asl for permission).
All you have to do is look at the laws that have been passed in states like NJ and GA . . . . . a negative public perception played a big part in the decision to move forward with those laws.
We all need to paint the hobby in the best light and hunting under the cover of darkness in the heart of historic villages and dozens of Civil War battlefields in Northern Virginia does not quite fit that picture.
Just a comment from one forum visitor
Andy Sabisch
I'm sure there is a reason to hunt the fields at night but . . . . . this hobby has enough negative public image issues that this is probably not the best thing to do other than possibly hunting beaches after the crowds leave.
If someone drives by and sees you, the obvious thing they think is that you are sneaking around and doing something you should not be doing. You may have permission from the property owner but the person driving by does not know that and now has the impression that metal detectorists are doing their thing incognitio. If they mention it to someone in passing you can be assured that you will not get permission to hunt any land they may own (or anyone else that may asl for permission).
All you have to do is look at the laws that have been passed in states like NJ and GA . . . . . a negative public perception played a big part in the decision to move forward with those laws.
We all need to paint the hobby in the best light and hunting under the cover of darkness in the heart of historic villages and dozens of Civil War battlefields in Northern Virginia does not quite fit that picture.
Just a comment from one forum visitor
Andy Sabisch
A
Anonymous
Guest
Can someone send me laws, (links) to Ga. I just had a job interview there and was not aware of any detecting laws. Would I not take a new job because of that, MAYBE, lol
Thanks
Jim Burke
Thanks
Jim Burke
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Anonymous
Guest
i sold my shore house because they changed the laws. the traffic and the huge taxes were bearable when i could go out to the pinelands and check out ghost towns and old foundations. since they changed the laws about detecting on public land, we decided to pull the plug. i will miss it but i know i would have gotten in trouble and at my age who needs that.
A
Anonymous
Guest
talk about public perception. i was driving to cherry hill new jersey and happened to notice two cops talking to a man with a metal detector in a local park. i pulled over and asked one of the cops for directions to see if they were giving the old guy grief about detecting. sure enough they were. from what i could gather, they told the old timer to pack it up and leave. so word of the new law is filtering down to the county mounties and should be public knowledge by summer time. i really felt bad about the old timer, he was trying to explain that his daughter bought it for him to get him out of the house and exercise. i must say that the cops were polite and seemed like they wanted to be somewhere else.
A
Anonymous
Guest
where I live in the piney woods of east texas, At night during the summer is the only bearable time unless I water hunt. We try and hunt areas where there is not too much traffic,with permission of course, which is pretty easy in some of our rural areas. Not quite as much stigma for detectorists in this area, just the archaeologists who want to keep their gov. jobs, if it was up to them, they would let every relic in the entire state rot in the ground.
A
Anonymous
Guest
As an addendum...things to think about..many public places are off limits after dark, residential yards etc. have many different laws rel loitering and prowling at night. Last but not least many critters around to do harm and some of them are human. I do understand many work during the day and especially on hot summer nights nice to get out. Certainly puts a bad light on the hobby in most cases so be guided accordingly.
A
Anonymous
Guest
Here's a useful reference link to a site that provides a concise overview of what laws you need to be careful of. CHeck with your local and state governments to make sure you are safe.
Andy Sabisch
Andy Sabisch
A
Anonymous
Guest
Several people have contacted me regarding the Georgia law passed last year (2003) pertaining to detecting on private property.
The link is provided below.
The key thing many hunters are not aware of yet are being fined for violating is:
1) The need for <span style="background-color:#ffff00;"><STRONG>WRITTEN </STRONG></span>permission from the landowner
2) The need to notify the state in writing 5 days <span style="background-color:#ffff00;"><STRONG>BEFORE </STRONG></span>you do any hunting.
Note that no detecting is allowed on <span style="background-color:#ffff00;"><STRONG>ANY </STRONG></span>state land and in many cases, counties have now adopted that position as well putting local sites off limits.
There is also another section on water hunting and in Georgia, anything under navigable water (virtually any river or creek with more than 1 foot or two of water in it) falls under that classification . . . . . i.e., no water hunting in state parks or almost all rivers and creeks.
You are right, we are loosing areas to hunt and unfortunately, in many cases it is because of the actions of previous hunters.
The thing we all need to remember is that many states look at laws passed in other states and then pass them themselves. This is a law that was challanged unsuccessfully in the courts so other states can use it as a template.
Andy Sabisch
The link is provided below.
The key thing many hunters are not aware of yet are being fined for violating is:
1) The need for <span style="background-color:#ffff00;"><STRONG>WRITTEN </STRONG></span>permission from the landowner
2) The need to notify the state in writing 5 days <span style="background-color:#ffff00;"><STRONG>BEFORE </STRONG></span>you do any hunting.
Note that no detecting is allowed on <span style="background-color:#ffff00;"><STRONG>ANY </STRONG></span>state land and in many cases, counties have now adopted that position as well putting local sites off limits.
There is also another section on water hunting and in Georgia, anything under navigable water (virtually any river or creek with more than 1 foot or two of water in it) falls under that classification . . . . . i.e., no water hunting in state parks or almost all rivers and creeks.
You are right, we are loosing areas to hunt and unfortunately, in many cases it is because of the actions of previous hunters.
The thing we all need to remember is that many states look at laws passed in other states and then pass them themselves. This is a law that was challanged unsuccessfully in the courts so other states can use it as a template.
Andy Sabisch
A
Anonymous
Guest
<img src="/metal/html/frown.gif" border=0 width=15 height=15 alt="
"> I just bought an Explo II ....these laws....or public perceptions are very strange. I have already been advised by some Gov official in my state ..that the laws back east are being reviewed out here.
He said many complaints come in from maintenance type workers..yards type workers in parks. Long conversation...just amazing. Got me worried. Joe
"> I just bought an Explo II ....these laws....or public perceptions are very strange. I have already been advised by some Gov official in my state ..that the laws back east are being reviewed out here.He said many complaints come in from maintenance type workers..yards type workers in parks. Long conversation...just amazing. Got me worried. Joe
A
Anonymous
Guest
Joe,
I've been hunting for 40+ years and started when no one ever saw a detector in parks and schools. Coins literally jumped out of the ground but enough of the good ol' days.
As the popularity increased, a small but highly visible number of hunters started leaving holes open, left trash next to the hole, snuck into sites under the cover of darkness, disregarded posted signs, left holes open in fields with livestock . . . .the list goes on and on. These actoin resulted in laws being enacted to stop them from recurring and the easiest way was to simply "<span style="background-color:#ffff00;"><STRONG>SAY NO</STRONG></span>".
I have written a number of articles on how we as a hobby can present a better image and even made a proposal to the FMDAC to produce a free video to do that (which was simply ignored).
More and more states, counties and towns are pasing laws such as the one I linked to in Georgia and they are getting tacked to unrelated bills which makes it hard to pick up ahead of time. Many people have wanted to get the law repealed after it was passed but it is virtually impossible to do that - once it is passed, the legislators are off to another issue and do not want to undo what they have passed.
What can we all do to give the decision makers a more positive image of our hobby:
- Obey the laws in your area
- Offer to assist law enforcement agencies
- See if your local historical society needs a dig done on their properties
- Caontact the local newspaper when you or teh club does something positive; i.e., return ring, help police, etc.
- Keep a scrap book that you can share with legislators in your area
- Turn anyone into the police that you see leaving holes or hunting unprofessionally
Let's all make 2005 the year that we start to reclaim some of the areas that are on the verge of being closed forever!
Andy Sabisch
I've been hunting for 40+ years and started when no one ever saw a detector in parks and schools. Coins literally jumped out of the ground but enough of the good ol' days.
As the popularity increased, a small but highly visible number of hunters started leaving holes open, left trash next to the hole, snuck into sites under the cover of darkness, disregarded posted signs, left holes open in fields with livestock . . . .the list goes on and on. These actoin resulted in laws being enacted to stop them from recurring and the easiest way was to simply "<span style="background-color:#ffff00;"><STRONG>SAY NO</STRONG></span>".
I have written a number of articles on how we as a hobby can present a better image and even made a proposal to the FMDAC to produce a free video to do that (which was simply ignored).
More and more states, counties and towns are pasing laws such as the one I linked to in Georgia and they are getting tacked to unrelated bills which makes it hard to pick up ahead of time. Many people have wanted to get the law repealed after it was passed but it is virtually impossible to do that - once it is passed, the legislators are off to another issue and do not want to undo what they have passed.
What can we all do to give the decision makers a more positive image of our hobby:
- Obey the laws in your area
- Offer to assist law enforcement agencies
- See if your local historical society needs a dig done on their properties
- Caontact the local newspaper when you or teh club does something positive; i.e., return ring, help police, etc.
- Keep a scrap book that you can share with legislators in your area
- Turn anyone into the police that you see leaving holes or hunting unprofessionally
Let's all make 2005 the year that we start to reclaim some of the areas that are on the verge of being closed forever!
Andy Sabisch
A
Anonymous
Guest
Andy,
Most of the MD'ers I hunt with are very good about filling in holes and removing trash. I have hunted with a couple that don't seem to care and leave a mess. As you say I think most communities and legislative bodies seem to think the solution is to ban everyone. I can't think of too many other activities where everyone is penalized for the misdeeds of a few.
Anyways, the question is: Do you think turning these few over to the police is a good idea? I've contemplated this a couple of times, not sure if it would be more likely to call negative attention to the hobby, cause bitterness and retaliation amoung MDers, etc. Or perhaps it would help keep areas open it we help the authorities regualate. Do you have any examples?
Chris
Most of the MD'ers I hunt with are very good about filling in holes and removing trash. I have hunted with a couple that don't seem to care and leave a mess. As you say I think most communities and legislative bodies seem to think the solution is to ban everyone. I can't think of too many other activities where everyone is penalized for the misdeeds of a few.
Anyways, the question is: Do you think turning these few over to the police is a good idea? I've contemplated this a couple of times, not sure if it would be more likely to call negative attention to the hobby, cause bitterness and retaliation amoung MDers, etc. Or perhaps it would help keep areas open it we help the authorities regualate. Do you have any examples?
Chris
A
Anonymous
Guest
Andy,
Thanks for taking the time to write to me..and the good letter. Believe it or not I just retired after 21 yrs as Police Officer out here. I just wanted a hobby with no pressure and no humans around me.
In my first three months now I can feel the problems in this hobby. I find myself hunting way away from people, making sure I am not holding some digging tool in the open, and just probing one inch in parks. I have a pouch now I carry all the muddy nails, drill bits, razorblades etc that I find...anticipating a stop by someone. I have a list now of 5 ladies who have asked me to find a ring or bracelet they lost ..they just approached me in parks.
I did call my old P.D. and am having the Forensics/Evidence section see if a special order can be allowed for a metal detectorist for search for evidence at crime scenes. Most Police Depts have a list...say Bee keeper lists, in case a swarm of bees is in town, People to translate strange languages list, I will see how this goes and get back to you all....the problem could arise in the chain of custody/reliability of the metal detector locating an object....say a bullet fired at a man in the yard...the bullet struck short in the grass...the other guy says he never fired a bullet...if we could find this bullet....witness officers need to be there, video of the find and expert testimony of how the detector works.
Sorry Andy, I am rambling but you got good solid ideas here and I will look at all I can do in all areas...I remember tons of cases where we used dogs say to find a lost bloody knife etc ..they missed it but I found it in the stream the guy ran across...I may get back in the field soon if I do I will make a little splash if I can. Ill shut up now...thank you. Joe I
Thanks for taking the time to write to me..and the good letter. Believe it or not I just retired after 21 yrs as Police Officer out here. I just wanted a hobby with no pressure and no humans around me.
In my first three months now I can feel the problems in this hobby. I find myself hunting way away from people, making sure I am not holding some digging tool in the open, and just probing one inch in parks. I have a pouch now I carry all the muddy nails, drill bits, razorblades etc that I find...anticipating a stop by someone. I have a list now of 5 ladies who have asked me to find a ring or bracelet they lost ..they just approached me in parks.
I did call my old P.D. and am having the Forensics/Evidence section see if a special order can be allowed for a metal detectorist for search for evidence at crime scenes. Most Police Depts have a list...say Bee keeper lists, in case a swarm of bees is in town, People to translate strange languages list, I will see how this goes and get back to you all....the problem could arise in the chain of custody/reliability of the metal detector locating an object....say a bullet fired at a man in the yard...the bullet struck short in the grass...the other guy says he never fired a bullet...if we could find this bullet....witness officers need to be there, video of the find and expert testimony of how the detector works.
Sorry Andy, I am rambling but you got good solid ideas here and I will look at all I can do in all areas...I remember tons of cases where we used dogs say to find a lost bloody knife etc ..they missed it but I found it in the stream the guy ran across...I may get back in the field soon if I do I will make a little splash if I can. Ill shut up now...thank you. Joe I