I got kick out from hunting/advise needed

[liquid1]

Hey all, I was out hunting today at a local county park minding my own business, digging in a woods shavings sand playground..I was locating around the outer edges near the concreat sidewalk and was there for about 30 minutes getting use to my new machine, when a women walked up to me and said what are you looking for and I nicely said what ever I can find from coins to jewlry she snarled her nose up and ask me to leave she said I was freaking her out.mind you I was on a good hi #60 target digging a small hole..and ask me if I would go hunt what ever some where else, she was rude and snobby..said I was scareing her and her kids but her kids were steady playing ..I said nicely Yes mam I will..But I bring my 2 daughters here all the time myself and I promise not to be a serial Killer. She acted like she owned the park..I realize where I live theres lots of Snobbs and rich folks in the area.

!!!But have any of you had run ins with people not wanting you to even be around them!!!..I told my wife what happened and she said sense I was there first she woulda told her to find another park sense there were lots of people around I was not a treat..But you gotta Know my wife 110lbs 5'9" tall and Bullet proof..lol....I left knowing there was more than a few good targets in the ground But I wanted to keep the Peace and not want to get a scar against metal Detecting..Theres no posted signs against MDing.. its a public place..Big ball fields ..I told my wife guess I need to shave my Beard and Mustach..She just rolled her eyes and laughed..said NO WAY...any info or advise..

[Buster]

I think I would have moved to the ball fields for sure. Maybe I would have left and come back another time too. You were not doing anything bad and as you said you bring your kids to the area all the time. Sounds like she was having a bad day at the park.. You have as much right to be there too. Some people just don't get this hobby. If they tried it, they might like it. Maybe not. I was always told to respect people when I talked to them and it seems that you did that. You did good keeping your cool. Way to go.I'm sure there will be more added to this post for sure......Buster....

[Bill(OH)]

When she asked me what I was doing, I would have pulled out all of the pop tabs and rusty cans and told her I was cleaning up the park and making it a safe place for her kids to play in.

Not that I am an expert on this or anything, just what I would have done.

Bill

[Dixieldy]

Some may laugh at this or not agree but most of the time we go to the police station in town if we can find it and ask permission first. Today while at Tybee Island we did this cause we thought we might get a chance to detect in the tot lot there. The poicemen told us to go ahead but... John Cougar Mellencamp (spell check, don't know him all that well) was in town and the people might complain about us MD in the tot lot nearby. He said if they do, they will just come out and tell us to leave. We didn't get to hunt there cause we were too busy on the beach.

We did ask about our parks here in town BECAUSE of the same exact thing you are telling me. I'm going to be honest here. After getting permission to hunt in our parks.... IF someone told me to leave... I would point them to the nearest police station. I don't know if this would happen to a woman or not... maybe it's just cause you are a man. Who knows about people? I admire you for keeping your cool though... just don't know if I could have done that. I do try to go when there aren't many people there though. Sorry you had to deal with that.

[EPC Guy]

I think you acted in the best possible way in this case...although I'd probably go back to hunt there later. Even if you're absolutely in the right, no good will come of becoming involved in an altercation...like Dixie said - I'd simply double-check with the local P.D. - and if they gave the okey-dokey - I'd simply direct the lady to them if she confronted me again.

Thanks for being such a great ambassador for our hobby!

[pris]

You should be commended. I'm sure if someone asked that lady what she was doing with her kids there, that she was freakin' them out, that she wouldn't just leave without losing her temper. What a nerve she had to confront you! I DEFINITELY would have done the totally wrong thing and told her that I wasn't leaving. Gee whiz. some people.

[FinalLastDays]

Being that I have permission grants to most of the parks I metal detect at, I would have just pulled out the grant and showed the woman that I have been given permission by the park & recreation department to metal detect. One thing that crossed my mind when reading your post was that you can offer to the woman the opportunity to let her children find a coin or two in the ground with your help. That may not have changed her mind, but could have allowed her to see you are not such a bad guy doing such a bad "freaky" thing - plus it would give the hobby of metal detecting a good name. I'm glad you kept your cool, but do not feel threatened by people such as this woman. Good luck!

[EBCIII]

Hey liquid you did better than I would have! She was a worry wart or busybody. Knowing myself I might hav gotten mad.

In the long run you did the right thing. If you had of gotten mad or something. She probably would have called the cops. No good. Just go back at a less busy time, Beale.

[rip]

I just had a similar thing happen to me.I was told by an older lady that I was making her nervous.I was very polite to her and left but I realy just wanted to look at her and go BOOGIE BOOGIE ! You did good ! Now go to the police station and do as the others sugested and if you run into her again just look at her and go BOOGIE BOOGIE !

[IndianaSmith]

I'd have stayed.....might have even suggested her putting her kids back in their plastic bubble far away from the evil man with the metal detector. If she had a problem with you.....it was "her" problem, you weren't doing anything illegal or immoral. By leaving all you did was reassure her by being a "snob" (I'll stick with that word, but can think of others) that she "wins"........

How did that "benefit" MDers by running away. Not too many out there to stand-up for our own rights if we don't. What if you were simply setting on a bench reading a book & she'd have told you the same thing.....would you have left?

Stand-up for your rights.....while you still have any
Smitty