Site Advice

[Scanman]

Hey Guys, I apologize if this question has already been beaten to death.

This Summer while scouting out fishing locations, I found a lake in a remote area, in one of those towns if you blink while driving through you missed it. On one side of the Lake their is all houses, the other side is a nice park, with a sign that says something along the lines of, site of old conservation club from the 1930's. I thought wow this could be an interesting hunting location. But, I was concerned with all of the houses facing the lake and park, there would probably be someone that would not be happy with someone metal detecting. I would only use my Lesche digging tool, and do my best not to leave a trace. I prefer to hunt in locations where I do not have an audience, but I cant help but not think about this site. Sites such as these is one reason I purchased the Cortes, hoping to limit the amount of digging non treasure items.

I would have no idea where to begin to ask for permission to hunt this public site, as it is in a remote location, with no government agencies and no signs for contact of any kind.

Am I worrying too much?

What do you guys do in this situation?

Anyone ever have the Police called for Metal Detecting?

Thanks for Advice.

Scanman

 

[Hombre]

Scanman,

If the area is not posted and it is public land, you should be allright detecting there.

 

[Matt_SC]

Personally, I wouldn't chance it. There are places like that around here too. A nice coin, etc. is not worth the potential hassle or legal trouble.

 

[mudpuppy]

Yeah, you are worrying too much...tell you what, roll in there and give it a quick sweep with nothing but your screwdriver in hand to see if its been picked, or if anyone rolls up on you, you are not appearing to being ready to tear up the place....dress nice, if approached, you are just a harmless old duffer out getting some air...you should try the edge of the water, or any good looking locations...you should know within 10 minutes or less if it has some merit. If the Police roll up and it looks like you cant talk you way out of getting cuffed and hauled off, just start babbling about aliens and pennys and foaming at the mouth and then wet your pants...no cop wants you in their car at that moment. I'd hunt the hell out of that place and hope maybe one of the homeowners comes over so you can sweet talk into hunting their waterfront!
Mud

 

[Tom_in_CA]

You haven't said who (what entity) owns the actual ground in question. But it sounds like , that if there was a plaque or sign, then obviously, it's some sort of public park , and you are not dis-allowed from being there (lest how else would have you have gotten close enough to read that sign? doh! ) I agree with Hombre: just do it. Unless that entity (city? county? etc...) had some sort of law that said "no detecting", then why would you think you can't ?

As for nearby lookie lous possibly not-liking it for some reason, well that's an entirely different subject: To a degree, yes: you can never be 100% certain that "everyone will love you" and "everyone will roll out red carpets for you". Because let's face it: detecting has connotations. That you might be about to leave a hole or whatever. So what? I even had a lady on the beach tell me my detector was bothering her dog! (I think she thought it emitted a sound or frequency that only dogs heard?). Ok. So what? Pick low traffic times and go when "miss-lookie-lou" isn't out on her porch.

But I think, as mud-puppy says, that you are worrying too much. I detect parks, schools, beaches, ruins, etc... wherever I come to and travel to. And don't have any problems. Oh sure, if someone dosen't like it, they're welcome to tell you. Just give lip service and move on. But "legal hassle and trouble" as Matt says? No. Unless there were some specific law or rule that said "no metal detecting", (which is rare down at ANY city and county small-town levels anywhere), then .... I think you are worrying too much.

 

[BarberBill]

I'd just go for it with the idea that if someone OFFICIAL asked me to quit I'd leave peacefully and/or ask foregiveness.
BB

 

[jim tn]

I have been on a couple of spots just like that this past year, one here in Tn and one up in Mn, and never had a problem. Both were small public parks surrounded by nice homes. One was a bonanza, the other a near bust. I wouldn't go out of my way checking to see if its o k to hunt it, as long as it is public ground. To easy to get a "no" from someone that doesn't actually know. Good luck, it sounds good. HH jim tn

 

[mudpuppy]

See, thats the thing. Most Lookieloos are half insane, have nothing better to do than look out the window for perceived mischief. No biggie, you have to be able to immediately size up their insanity level and adjust yours accordingly. Most insane people prefer the company of somebody as equally or slightly more insane than themselves. Not much more though, dont go overboard, you might intimidate them. Once its accepted that you are as insane or slightly more so than them, a decent conversation can take place, and you can hunt unobstructed...If an insane person is wearing a badge and packing heat, it is generally not wise to engage them in a debate, unless you have your mental rollodex locked and loaded for such a meeting. For instance, when a US authority figure approaches me while I am smoking in a secretive spot on an airport concourse, I start babbling all the French words I know, in no particular order, they discount my indiscretion and are unsure of the legal protocol since they perceive me as a "foreigner" with no sense at all, and up to date have gotten away with a stern warning...perhaps this winter we can furthur address the art of walking this Planet invisible, Tom's got it mastered, he could do a real good write up on it I bet!...
Mud

 

[dirt doctor]

I would give it a shot . In 20 years I have only had the police called on me twice and at the same local park . Both times they said they only came because someone called and they had to show up for that reason alone . They said I wasn't doing anything wrong , I could stay and have a nice day . Several times at other locations where they happened to be I've had them come by just to see what I was finding and just to shoot the bull . One time I had two drive up and say " when it get's dark this is not a safe place to be" , one of those officers said he had been thinking of getting a detector and was very happy when I answered his questions and gave him a quick lesson in detector basics . He then asked where He could by one . On that particular day I had found a Franklin Half , Roosie silver Dime and a Boy Scout neckerchief slide ( they were quite impressed ) .Your just metal detecting , no big deal .

 

[dan b]

Yeah, just do it. You are wise to just use a small digger. Realistically, it's not the detecting that has the potential to upset the busy bodies. It's the digging. If no one bothers you after three or four outings, then you may want to scale up the digging tool if need be.

 

[wheatymike]

You got a backlight on that Corty don't ya Dusk till about 8pm is best, not to suspicious. Stay out too late and the cops will be on the prowl. LOL 5am till dawn also good.

 

[Matt_SC]

Let me clarify my eariler post a little. I guess it's the sign about "conservation club" that would give me pause. I suppose if it's just a public park it would be ok, but if it's some type of historic site (which could be federal land) I'd steer clear. Around here if they catch you removing anything from a historic site you will be fined or worse.

 

[Scanman]

Thanks everyone for your input. I am guessing the majority of the houses around the Lake may be seasonal, If I can, I will try to hunt this location in the Spring, hopefully before the seasonal folks return. If I am unable to get up there in the spring, then this summer I will take my kayak, fish the lake, and before I leave, I will break out the Cortes and see what I can find. Thanks again for the confidence boost, one of my strategies when winter is over and I am able to hunt again, will be to always have a detector in my car, so when I find interesting locations I will be ready to hunt and not have to return at a later date.

Scanman

 

[wheatymike]

Sounds good. I was just kidding around. Really you need to use your best judgment. I know the feeling. Sometimes it's hard to know if its ok.

 

[ez4sure]

try to find out who owns the land if its county or city land it should be ok depends on the laws there, when i go to a new town or city i call the police dept and ask what the laws are on metal detecting then you can enjoy yourself and not worry good luck hh

 

[Tom_in_CA]

Sure, if someone is skittish that there "might be a law", they're welcome to check to see if the entity owning the park has some sort of prohibition. But RARELY EVER on the city or county levels are there ever any specific prohibitions saying such a thing. It's very rare that you ever find a city or county that has something that specific.

But as far as asking a live person (as you say) "what are the laws on metal detecting?", can't they just go look them up for themselves? Most cities and counties have websites nowadays, with muni-codes listed right there. Ie.: parks close at sunset. No dogs allowed. No alcahol. etc... If you see nothing there saying "no metal detecting", then presto, it must not be prohibited.

Because the thing I would be afraid of to go asking live persons (at police stations or park's dept's desks) is that you may get someone who morphs something else to apply. Like the dreaded "disturbances and alterations" type verbage (even though the person asking NEVER mentioned digging or holes, yet it's often just the knee-jerk reaction of the person answering). And perhaps the person would never have cared, noticed , etc... (like if they'd just been passing you by on the street). But the fact that someone is in there asking, essentially, "can I ?", merely presumes that something is inherently wrong, or damaging, or askew, that you had to ask, to begin with. Because if it were totally innocuous, why would you be asking ? This subconscious inference is not lost on the desk person, thus often dictating a "safe" answer of "no".

hence best to look it up for ones self. If the city or county has no website, and if you're still real skittish, you could ask the desk person where the city or county codes and laws are listed. And it has to be SOMEWHERE for public viewing. Eg. In binder form behind the counter they can pull out for you to browse through, or wherever.

 

[Scanman]

Great suggestions, I am thankful to live in a rural area, where unlike some States, CA comes to mind, where there is Big Government at every corner and:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qLm3HMG8IhM

It's just a little more laid back, and I like it.

HH

Scanman

 

[Chestnut]

It depends on what Conservation meant. If its the old definition of a conservation group (pre 60s) you are probably ok because they actually thought about preserving wildlife areas for use (what a concept), unlike today's brand of conservationist who want to keep everything safe under glass and no one is allowed into the area because they may crush a grass blade. We common folk need to leave the outdoors to the specialists who have been trained to know how to treat mother nature with tender caresses. We should just get our outdoor experiences through National Geographic specials. (which is why Audobon, Sierra Club, WWF, and The Conservation Fund will never see a dime of my money.)

As for checking the laws: If you felt a need I would approach it in an ambiguous manner without naming any specific activity. Ask for a copy of the useage guidelines or some such vague term. As someone mentioned: its always easier for them to say "NO". If its not in writing I would feel safe going.