MD at Sand Key / Clearwater Florida

[GoldDigger]

Boobie posted a question regarding a location for metal detecting, and it prompted me to ask...

I am heading to Clearwater later in the month. Does anyone know if there are any restrictions to detecting on the beach?

[bbqcook]

I don't think so, but don't take my word for it.
I will pm you with some info

[l38ranger]

The answer to your question is no. Thats where i hunt, clearwater to st. pete BCH, that whole strech...so you should be fine...haven't made it to sand key yet but i'm sure it is the same, if you see somebody there you can always ask...when are you coming down?.....good luck and happy hunting...

[PAPPY]

Usually if detecting is Not allowed on the beach area it would be posted NO METAL DETECTING at each public entrance to the beach area. If it is not posted...I wouldn't worry about it until someone in law enforcement approached me and told me Not to metal detect. You can always tell them that the area is not posted.

The simple thing to do is to go to the local law enforcement center and Ask. That way you know for sure.

[GoldDigger]

Thanks Pappy.

If an officer approaches me I plan to say...

"Pappy told me it was okay"

[TheBullShark]

Originally Posted by GoldDigger

Thanks Pappy.

If an officer approaches me I plan to say...

"Pappy told me it was okay"

That really cracked me up

Golddigger Ive been reading about a new Florida law that basically says you are not allowed to keep any objects found submerged in State owned waterways,river and bottomlands(and they own all of it)over 50 years old.....


Now your ok to MD "in the water" off the beach just dont pick up that 1957 coke bottle glass shard that may cut someones foot open,or you sir are breaking the law....That being said its why I have to really think about what I say online.I can guarantee all my finds were found 50 miles inland,I cant help it that the Indians carried that barnacle infested hunk of rust all the way inland and dropped for me to find 150 years later.

[GoldDigger]

Hi BullShark,


That is amazing. You make a good point. People that MD perform a service, they pick up and throw out the trash.


I could only imagine…


Officer: "Sir you cannot MD on the beach"


MD'er: "Why?"

Officer: "You are digging holes"


MD'er: "Well sir you better stop those 200 kids building sand castles that is a real problem."


Officer: "They are not really looking for anything so they will not break any laws. You know, anything you find is the property of Florida"

MD'er: "I can tell you want I just found, but I do not like to use profanity"

Officer: "What do you mean?"

MD'er: "Ah, never mind..."

[TheBullShark]

Lol!!

I was trying to find you a link to read about it,but thats pretty much the extent of it...And I seriously doubt any street level officers/cops have ever even heard of it(the law)

But apparently it has all taken place over the last few months,there used to be an "isolated finds law" up until late last year where you could keep isolated finds(that had basically moved from their original site),you just had to report them afterwards.

With the new law In the same chapter it says "you can legally hunt/md in the water" it also says "you cant keep anything 50 years old".



Theres a site that tells all about it but Ive lost the link...I will have to "self destruct these posts" so they cant be used against me,I will also have to destroy my hardrive and Ill see you in the cornfields and private ponds that I search daily


NOTE to Clarify: The beaches are fine from the dunes to the tide mark (hi or lo not sure)...so your ok ON THE Beach(to keep over 50),you are also ok to go in the water and MD you just cant keep 50 year old items you find while in the water....crazy huh?




Freedom at its finest!