Public Perception Of Metal Detectorists During The Past 50 Years?

[HaroldILL.]

Well as Far as the Forest Preserves We hunted for Years without a problem. Then a bunch of clowns on another Forum started having group hunts there with up to 20 at a time. All armed with shovels. So that is like waving a Red flag in front of a Bull saying Here I am come and get Me. They even made YouTube videos titled Metal detecting Cook County Forest Preserves. How stupid can You be?
Of course they say us Old timers are pointing fingers but We hunted under the radar. And never drew attention to are selfs. That's what really happened as They gave them an excuse eventhough the law is still stupid and silly.

 

[Tom_in_CA]

Well as Far as the Forest Preserves We hunted for Years without a problem. Then a bunch of clowns on another Forum started having group hunts there with up to 20 at a time. All armed with shovels. So that is like waving a Red flag in front of a Bull saying Here I am come and get Me. They even made YouTube videos titled Metal detecting Cook County Forest Preserves. How stupid can You be?
Of course they say us Old timers are pointing fingers but We hunted under the radar. And never drew attention to are selfs. That's what really happened as They gave them an excuse eventhough the law is still stupid and silly.

Yes, this was one of the theories about how someone in Cook county authority there, "dreamed up a law".

But .... I still wonder if this is what did it. Because ask yourself : What non-md'r is likely to get on Youtube, and start watching md'ing videos ? That would be as unlikely as you getting on youtube and watching knitting videos, bird-watching videos, etc..... The only geeks that are watching md'ing videos are most likely us geeks that like md'ing.

So I am having a hard time envisioning that someone in Cook county forest admin. "just happened to be watching md'ing videos one day", and got the notion "Gee, let's make a rule".

I'm highly suspicious that the origin is: Someone must have gone in, (like, to ask permission , seek clarification, etc...) and that THAT'S what put it on their radar. And the moment anyone gets a "no", they feed this information into the md'ing community pipeline. Then other md'rs get all-up-in-arms, and rush to seek "further clarification". And before long ... presto: It's written in concrete. I could be wrong about the origin . Perhaps your right that some archie minded person saw 20 md'rs out there, and got a bee-in-his-bonnet that they might find something old (heaven forbid). But the odds of this seems remote.

 

[HaroldILL.]

Come on Tom You can't go into public property with 20 guys armed with shovels. That's just common sense.
We detected them for 20 something Years and sure People asked and it was O.K. as We were smart enough to hunt one maybe two at a time and use hand trowel and back fill are holes like You should. As long as You did that the Tree Cops could give a crap. But You start 6-20 at a time it's testing things a bit. It just draws too much attention. The YouTube video title is just plain stupid. It gives others the impression they are Silver mines attracting even more Newbs with shovels in a over crowded situation. I know the don't ask theory, But this situation could have been avoided with some common sense. I live here so I know what happened.

 

[Tom_in_CA]

I can understand the eye-sore-psychology of "20 guys" if the issue was turfed parks. Yes, I've seen that before. Eg.: a lone guy or two with detectors are ignored. But the moment you put 20 guys, in a single field, then .... sure .... passerbys are going ask themselves "Gee, what's up?" And "gee do we allow that ?" etc...... Yet, as you surmise, no one pays a 2nd glance at a single guy md'ing.

But isn't this a forest ? You're saying that some decision maker was out in the forest, saw 20 guys, and then went and dreamed up a law, eh ?

Perhaps that's the evolution. And it's almost impossible to ever get to the root of "why?". Because, certainly , if you asked them NOW , they would say "no because of holes" , or "no because we saw a Youtube video". Or "No because of cultural heritage", etc.... And in each case we md'rs will mutter under our breath "Durned that md'r who left holes", or "durned that group of 20 md'rs", or "durned that guy who made a video". Or "durned those archies". But I'm of the opinion that often times, such reasons-given are merely the "go-to" reason. Ie.: to justify the law they just made.

Because, think of it : If you ever ask someone "why?", they are NEVER going to say "simply because we felt like it". Or "because someone came in asking permission, so I had to address the pressing issue". Instead they will always point to holes or heritage, or shovels, or whatever. The much BIGGER ISSUE is: What brought it to their attention IN THE FIRST PLACE ?

yes it's possible that some policy maker was out in the forest and saw md'rs that he didn't like. I grant that could have been the genesis.

 

[HaroldILL.]

The Forest Preserves have Many open areas. Its not just Forest. I seen those nice spots You have with all the Seated and Gold coins. How would it be if 20 Guys showed up there with shovels? Public or Private even How would that go over? Bet You would not be to happy would You? Or if You lost the site do to the number of diggers? Its all fun and games till it it happens to You.

 

[Daniel Tn]

I think Tom has valid points, as do some of the others.

My take is that the average person still thinks we are using "geiger counters" and or silent electric weedwhackers.

I still don't like going to public areas at peak times. I freshwater beach hunt and like to stay on top of recent drops, but I will only hunt early morning or rainy days when nobody else is there. My cue to leave is when the first couple of swimmers show up. Reason for doing is is two fold. I don't want to bother anybody and I don't want to give other people ideas to start hunting too....whether it be them personally or if they go tell a co worker, family member, etc that also metal detects that they saw someone using one of those detector things...it might tip them off to a place they hadn't considered hunting and then cause competition.

Now, for relics, that is a big reason why I quit relic hunting. All relic hunting here is done on private property. Which requires permission from the land owner. In an area as rich in history as where I live, people have been hunting these relics for 50+ years. Some land owners have indeed been bothered a lot by people seeking permission, and have had their stories of troubles by those with and without permission. Today there is a huge increase in night hawking and using Tom's tactic on public land for private land....just go and don't ask. Without personally knowing the land owners, it is hard to get permission around here any more. I think its a trust thing...I'm the same way with my land when it comes to people wanting to deer hunt or fish. I go by my gut...most of the time though, its a No that I give.

 

[Elton]

I truly feel it is our obligation to know what you can, and can not, detect in our/your areas.

It is also obvious that at times we should not detect in certain circumstances.

A large group of any activity draws attention. What type of attention depends on how everyone acts while doing their thing.

 

[Tom_in_CA]

You say :

"I truly feel it is our obligation to know what you can, and can not, detect in our/your areas."


Right. Ok. And what's the valid way to discern whether you can or you can't ? a) Ask some bored pencil pusher "Hi, can I metal detect?" . Or b) look up laws/rules for oneself and see if there's anything that truly said "no md'ing" ?

You say: "It is also obvious that at times we should not detect in certain circumstances."

Yes ! This is the same psychology of nose-picking !! It's not illegal, right ? Yet ... for pete's sake ... don't we ALL sort of ... uh ... use a bit of discretion in our timing ? So as not to offend the squeemish ?? Then why can't md'ing be the same way ? Why do we feel-the-need to have red carpets rolled out for us ?

You say: A large group of any activity draws attention.

Yup. Saw thi first hand. There was a certain large turfed park in CA, that had always/ever been renowned for deep-turf silver hunting. So a bunch of us hatched the idea to have a group hunt there . Posted the notions on a California forum. And ... before long .... had 20+ hunters committed to meet up at O-dark-30 on a certain day. After all, it's not dis-allowed, right ? Hence .... what could possibly go wrong. Eh ?

But lo & behold, our "20 guys" crowded into a single grassy meadow, must have raised quite a spectacle. Some passing cop slowed down. Came to a stop, ... and beheld the spectacle. Came marching down to alert the closest of md'rs "you can't be doing this". And do you really think you're going to win such a debate ? OF COURSE NOT. Naturally this ended the day for this "well-planned" group outing.

Notice that for a place such as this, that no "rule" or "law" exists. Notice that this location had always ever been detected with NO PROBLEM since time imortal. But now notice that the moment you put 20 guys into a confined space, then ... presto ... some busy body will start asking questions. It has NOTHING TO DO with legal versus illegal. It has everything to do with "eysore vs non-eye-sore"

 

[bulletman]

n/t

 

[HaroldILL.]

Well We still have are Chicago parks or I would sell mine. Probably still sell My Etrac and keep other two as they are rare Hot ones. Never liked the Chicago parks as a lot of driving to get to. Also can't keep an eye on Your car as a lot of vandalism. I am too Old and crazy to worry about gangs as did not think I would live this long. The only thing that scares Me now is Cancer or Heart disease.

 

[Elton]

I agree with you Tom...…… I guess in todays world we need to look up....and or ask around about detecting certain areas in a round about way.
Asking some pencil pusher is just going to get a no.....

RED carpet nope...….. but use a little discretion when detecting is a good rule...

If it's a beach.. might not be wise to go around lifting peoples beach towels to detect under them.. I saw this happen at Tybee Island...



All I am saying is use a little common sense... it goes a long way.... and leave your shovel at home if your doing parks and or schools..


Another thing that really bothers me...Seeing people dressed up with belts, vests, Camel hats, shovels hanging off the belts... Combat boots, all kinds of tools hanging off them..dragging around a large long handled shovel…..…. and many in Military type garb.With all those prementioned accessories. Now you talk about catching attention.. Man that catches every ones attention.. and as if that isn't bad enough.."Yelling" at the top of their voice range"….. Hey Bubba. I found silver. Clear across the park to each other.Running, jumping up, and down, doing some kind of dance etc.No wonder they get thrown out...

 

[Normx2]

Thankfully private property owners can still govern what happens on their own property for the most part. That's why I avoid PUBLIC property of any kind. I also avoid all the clothing paraphernalia I've seen people wear, like max camo, big knives, and other bells and whistles.

In all my years detecting I've yet to spook a relic, nor have I been attacked by one. You can locate it, stomp the ground, walk off and come back and you guessed it! it's STILL there!!!. Dressing up like a tree is a good way to become a Crossbow target or worse, If you're really trying to hide you probably shouldn't be there in the first place.

In Deer season? my favorite getup is an old pair of Jeans and an ORANGE T shirt.

 

[bulletman]

If I may expound upon this subject a little more. I am 55 years old, and have seen a lot of change in my lifetime. Certainly our freedoms are under scrutiny and constant attack when it comes to the natural resources within the U.S.. God forbid if you should want to harvest any of the natural resources to provide for your family. This includes fishing, hunting, trapping, mining for minerals, harvesting trees from forrest - you get the idea of what we are talking about. So, now we live with a bunch of tree hugging, liberal maniacs who cannot stand detectorists cutting into mother earth with a lesche digger. 50 percent of the population are democrat liberal or progressive voters. Can we imagine the perception of metal detecting if Hitlery had made access to the office of the President???? The negativity projected towards metal detecting is very high. I don't believe it's a problem with any detectorists, or a group of them. The problem lies with the mental disorder that Michael Savage talks about every day on his radio show. Liberalism is a mental disorder! Are we to a point in life where a child cannot dig and build sand castles upon the beach????

Just look at all the changes that has been pushed upon us. Global warming my arss!!! Emission standards has destroyed the functionality of diesel engines. Boat motors are now 4 stroke, and I'm still expecting 4 stroke chainsaws! Catalytic converters on wood stoves. Walmart is now installing charging stations for electric cars at our store. This list could go on and on. So, it's no wonder that detector manufacturers are producing camo detectors. The days of bright neon colors are over. How long is the lifespan for our hobby???

Bulletman

Shalom

 

[Tom_in_CA]

..... Emission standards has destroyed the functionality of diesel engines. ....

Oh my gosh, have YOU hit a sore-subject with me ! I own a street sweeper business. And we have (gasp) older street sweepers with (gasp) older diesel engines. And as such, have been subjected to this stuff you allude to.

But ... of course .... this has everything to do with metal detecting , right ?

Seriously now: As it regards to md'ing, 99% of this exposure to the "no's" you allude to, is to be blamed on md'rs making their own selves a giant bullseye. They scurry about , desk to desk asking "can I", and fetching a "no". Is that big-bad-governement's fault for issuing a "no" ? I don't think so. To me, that the silly grovelling md'rs fault for bringing their "pressing issue" to those desks . To persons who perhaps never cared or thought about it.

So to me: government isn't "big and bad". 99% of the time, it's the individuals on the receiving end, who begged to become a bullseye .

 

[bulletman]

Agreed Tom. One should not have to ask permission to hunt on public grounds. After all, we own these grounds and have worked a lifetime to pay the taxes that support such grounds and the government bureaucrats who supposedly work for us. I believe the EPA, the dept of natural resources, and bureau of land management was started with good intentions in mind. Yet, just like any other government agency, these have been extremely corrupted by idiots with badges. They believe we the little people do not deserve to use the public owned lands. Don't pick up a pretty rock in Yellowstone! That can get you arrested, and a heavy fine. Unbelievable! My Grandfather fought in World War I, in France. He died in 1972, and would probably believe that Germany had won WW2 if he could see how we live today in this country.


Bulletman

Shalom