Trying Out A Big Park

[Harry(PA)]

Carrying trash and being creative is not a good idea, It only helps prove that you have been digging in the park, you will find trash there anyway.

I know of several who have hunted in parks and have been through hell with fines, loss of equipment, loss of vehicles, loss of boats, and a loss of a home used to pay lawyers fees. Also have had their homes searched and all treasure taken and not returned unless you can prove they were either found elseware or purchasd.

I have a complete trial transcript here that you can purchase for a nice large fee.

The parks do not have to post rules.

It is your job to go to the park office and ask to see the rules and to get permission.

Every park manager can set his own rules in this state of PA.

Do they have to have them in writing???
Maybe yes maybe no thats a legal question.

Do they have to show you the ruling in writing?
Probably not; if they say no than you do not have permission.

To even recommend to a newbie or anyone to just go ahead and detect a site is not a good or a proper thing to do.

Protect your a$$ and theirs by telling them to always get permission. It is the right thing to do.

Sorry to disagree with all your posting

Harry(PA)
Past President
Mid-Atlantic East Coast Chapter of the FMDAC

[Harry(PA)]

Originally Posted by FinalLastDays

All National Parks are off limits to metal detecting... I believe every state's State Park is off limit to metal detecting also, I know my state of Louisiana is off limits. If you do find a keeper coin, keep it hidden - just in case someone shows up to stop any metal detecting... show them just a few clad coins if they ask.

Every state has it's own rules. Arkansas just opened up a few of their State parks to metal detecting on a permit basis.

Pennsylvania State Parks are run by park managers who make their own rules. Some Ohio & Pa state parks are run by the Corps of army Engineers.
Some by the DNRS. Some are open and some have strict rules. Some demand permits and some do not.

Ohio allows hunting in the water all summer and not anywhere on the grass. PA allows hunting in the water and on the grass. Some Pa parks restrict you to water hunting betweem Labor Day and Memorial Day only and with a permit.

You have to ask to protect yourself. The worse they can do is say no.

National Parks > FORGET ABOUT THEM> Break down your detector and remove the batteries, put them in the trunk out of sight, even when just driving through.

[smartfox]

Thanks For The Info Harry. Did Not Think Things Could Be So Bad. I Would Think That Would Be An Extreme Case. I Think It's Real Hard For Them To Press Charges Like That Unless They Told You Before To Stop Md Then You Get Caught Again. I Mean Even When It Comes To No Fishing Sign They Usually Give You A Warning Before Pressing Charges. I Believe If There Is No Md Allowed It Should Be Posted In Order For Them To Bust You.

[Harry(PA)]

Yes the extreme does happen and too many times. Mostly on state & federal properties. City parks will chase you off but some will write you up. But there are those that think they have to push the limit. In a way we can not blame them because there are so many in this hobby which will break laws,leave open holes, leave trash and just have no idea what trouble they are causing to our hobby.

My opinion is to ask permission. They can only say no. You will be disappointed but you will save yourself lots of money & misery.

In a park with lots of rides and train rides I would definetly ask first.

Ask your question on the FMDAC website Forum at:
fmdac.com and get their opinion.

PS;
They do not have to post signs or wait untill they catch you again. All they have to do is see you and they don't even need a witness. As I said it is your responsibility not theirs. Good luck and happy hunting.

Harry (PA)

[Lucky Penny]

I'm new to MDing, and am trying to find places to hunt, but don't want to get fined or lose my investment. I made a call to a local State Park and was told that MDing was only permitted from May to Oct, and only with a permit issued by the park superintendent. It is only permitted in unturfed areas open to the public, anything found has to be turned in, and if not claimed in 60 days, may be returned to you. Any archeological finds will not be returned. Sounds pretty restrictive to me.

[Dull Knife]

Originally Posted by smartfox

TOMORROW. WAS SUPPOSED TO WORK ALL DAY BEFORE MY 2 WEEK PAID VACATION GOOD PART OF BEING A TEACHER BUT MY SON'S DAYCARE IS CLOSING EARLY SO HAVE TO PICK HIM UP BY 12:30 P.M. GOING TO TAKE HIM TO A BIG PARK. I'M NOT SURE BUT IT MIGHT BE A STATE PARK. THEY HAVE PONY RIDES AND TRAIN RIDES AND ALSO A NICE PARK FOR KIDS TO PLAY. I DO NOT THINK IT SHOULD BE TOO CROWDED. WILL TAKE SON ON PONY RIDE AND POSSIBLY TRAIN TOO THEN WILL DO SOME DETECTING WHILE HE PLAYS. SHOULD I JUST GO IN WITH MY DETECTOR AND DETECT OR SHOULD I ASK FIRST? I DO NOT THINK I HAVE SEEN ANY SIGNS ABOUT NOT DETECTING. I THINK THE PLAY AREA IS SAND BUT AM NOT REAL SURE. Also what other areas at the park should I check? I'm still new at this. Thanks in advance.

with all the child molesters running loose these days, I'd think it safer for you and your son, that he stay with you while you are detecting....and second.....do not type in all capital letters, on the internet it says that you are SHOUTING!!!!! You don't need to shout....we can hear you

[Joe(TX)]

TYPING IN ALL CAPITAL LETTERS IS NOT SHOUTING, IT IS JUST HIGHLIGHTING SOMETHING THAT IS IMPORTANT!!!!! no offense was intended and you should not take it that way!!!! JOE

[smartfox]

yeah it means that you are highlighting something when in capital letters. Thanks Hatty. the park post was really informative. have not had any problems at the park at all luckily. I am going to search a small park today and then maube going to the beach. i always take the boys when i have to and keep a reakl sharp eye on them. sometimes it is hard because i get excited and lose a bit of focus. luckily i have 2 and they tell tell each other.

[Harry(PA)]

I was in a meeting with The FMDAC & the Corps of Engineers a few years ago in a midwestern state and I asked what happens when you turn in an item.

At first his reply was that no one ever turns in anything.
I than asked if someone did what would happen and when would I get it back.

His response surprized me.

He said I would not get it back. It would be held for a limited time and if no one claimed it than it would be auctoned and the money would go into the "General Fund".

RE:CAPS

I sometimes forget and type completely in caps. If I am too lazy i wil not retype but send it in caps.

I believe the rule regarding Caps is shouting is from the old days when PC's were just becoming into the future. simular to the old abrieveated words.

With children learning computers in preschool I think they will learn typing themselves and are now excellent typist in a few years, while we had to learn it and hated it. Therefore they do not type with caps or short cut ing words.

Yes I know they have their own code which we do not understand but that shows how smart they are nowdays.

I ahve not hard a complaint about using caps for several years.

Harry(PA)

[smartfox]

i am not surprised by the park's response. When you give something to someone and no one knows who it is there will always be some employee or volunteer person that will pocket your hard earned item and say that it was given back to the original owner blah, blah, blah. My opinion about it is this: IF YOU KNOW WHO IT BELONGS TO BECAUSE OF A NAME OR SOMEONE WHO DESCRIBES THAT THEY LOST IT GIVE IT BACK TO THEM but if not keep it for yourself. I mean you are the one with the detector putting all that time and effort to get something. that's my take.