Is government ruining our hobby?

[leslie(nova scotia)]

From the land of the Bluenose.....it seems that in our lives government has controls, regulations, law and restrictions that affect every aspect of our day to day activities. Not one to cry wolf or expound the paranoia of the "Big Brother" syndrome but it is increasingly evident that the tentacles of every level of government is sucking the life blood out of our hobby.
While "pruising" (cross between prowling and cruising) the various metal detecting forums on the net that I patronize I have noticed with ever more frequency posts that indicate that metal detecting in not allowed in this town, this city and so on. Is government the cause or is a direct result of detectorists not following the code of ethics, utilizing common sense or just an apathetic approach to the hobby and not standing up to this encroachment?
Rationalization of both perspectives must be voiced so that an amicable compromise can be reached to preserve the hobby. One can easily see the various levels of governments view that detectorists clandestinely loot historic sites, invade private property and leave craters in the ground causing dangerous situations. As with everything in life there is a small percentage of detectorists that fall into this category who taint the reputation of the majority of treasure hunters.
On the flip side of the coin detectorists provide services for the general public finding lost rings, keys, keep sakes and on the odd occasion assisting local law enforcement officers in collecting evidence. As an entity the metal detecting communities is often over looked for other valuable services such as the recycling of coins. If you added up all the coins that detectorists but back into circulation in the run or a year I'm sure the amount would be staggering. Treasure hunting also promotes a healthy outdoors life style without the injuries associated with contact sports thus cutting down on health costs.
Somewhere along the line a unified front has to be established to combat the assault on our hobby while at the same time nurturing a positive and lasting general appreciation of a truly great hobby!

[Gregory]

Yes our governments from local to federal are slowly causing us fits.
Your always going to have the ones that do not fill their holes and the ones who sneak in on historic sites but they can't judge us from one bad apple. There is good and bad in every hobby, sport, politician.

I bet if the president enjoyed detecting things would be fine.
We are not grave robbers but just after coins, relics & jewelry.

I'll help where I can

Greg