MD on "State ownes Land"

[papa]

Can anyone tell me if it's OK to MD on state owned land ? This area is not national forest,but part of a fee fishing area. Located in south west Virginia. I've been unable to contact any local Rangers,or have them return my calls. Looks like some good spots,but I don't want to get busted. Thanks guys ........ papa

[lil al]

hi papa i am not sure of the laws in your state but call your local police dept.they should be able to answer your questions.

[papa]

I called the county police,they didn't even know where I was talking about.Can't get an answere from the Rangers,or anyone else. I'll keep plugging away,SOMEBODY has to know !

[Joe(TX)]

Papa, you probably need to find out the location of the nearest Ranger station and pay them a visit in person. That way if they do not know the answer, at least they can get you a Supervisor to talk to you about it!Also you should be able to get the Park Rangers phone number thru the phone operator. Hope this helps! Would hate to hear a jail story concerning this!! GOOD LUCK

[papa]

I have been by the Rangers office several times.At all hours of the day.Every time I call I get a recording,I've left several messages,but have yet to get a call back.I've even tryed to call the Rangers in the surrounding counties.Same thing. Maybe I should go hang out at the local donut shop

[hellbille]

seems like it's always easier to get forgiveness than permission.if you're in a secluded area,& you're clean with your digs,more than likely just you and the fencepost will know.

otherwise, no tell tale signs=what's the problem occifer?

you've made several attempts to contact the proper...

happy dirtfishin!

[JoAnne]

I agree - play dumb. I went and detected a state campsite beach. After the fact I was trying to get permission to hunt another state camp ground and found out I needed permission to do the first one. Oh well - no one said anything to me and I was able to do it without the hassle. By the way, now that I have asked permission to hunt another camp site they tell me that I can not do it this time of year. I can only do the beach and only when the beach is open. Does not make sense to me. Seems it would be better to do it when no one is around. Oh well. May try and do it after they close for the season. Happy Hunting.

[Arky]

all states have different laws, most pretain to removal of artifacts which means you can MD but if you find something valuable it is the states

[papa]

I just may go any way,but first,I think I'll go under cover,see what the "Possium Patrol" guys are doing near by (if anything) Go case out the joint. Maybe a "Smokey the Bear" out fit.

[Arky]

Originally Posted by papa

Can anyone tell me if it's OK to MD on state owned land ? This area is not national forest,but part of a fee fishing area. Located in south west Virginia. I've been unable to contact any local Rangers,or have them return my calls. Looks like some good spots,but I don't want to get busted. Thanks guys ........ papa

you got me wondering after reading your post so I check in to it here in the State of Arkansas the only state law pretains to the removal of artifacts from a historical site but the State Parks has it's own directive on it internal that says no metal detecting in State Parks, the State Game & Fish has there own directive and the State Foresty has it's directive which all are different the funny thing about me checking on this is the State Administrative Rules & Regulation Committee is going to have a meeting on the State Parks directive on recreational metal detecting tomorrow at the State Capitol. also something else I have find out is the National Parks Service doesn't allow metal detecting on lands controlled by them but the National Forestry Service does allow metal detecting on undeveloped areas controlled by them.