Metal Detecting is OUTLAWED in Austin, TX. Public Parks

[Black Davy]

It pays to do your research. Man this was a bummer to find out. I am heading on the road again, this time to Austin, TX. and I was going to do a little detecting. I went to the City of Austin's web site and then to the Parks dept. It says detecting is allowed by permit. So I call the parks dept and they say call the park police, I call the park police they say call the parks dept. Well I get back to the parks dept and finally get to the directors office (he gives the permits out) I was told that detecting is against the law and permits are given out to find lost jewelry of for police purposes. I then did a search on the web and read an article about how the archaeologists consider detectorists the same as grave robbers. I guess they criticized detectorists for taking historical artifacts.

Well I guess I won’t be detecting there. I like Reno, NV's no fee permit good for three years.

Does anyone now of other locations that have banned detecting.

[Gregory]

I'm sorry to hear that.
They consider us grave robbers? Last I heard the archaeologists were in Egypt digging up every body they can find.
We have no interest in digging up the dead we're just after lost items.

[rip]

Originally Posted by Gregory

I'm sorry to hear that.
They consider us grave robbers? Last I heard the archaeologists were in Egypt digging up every body they can find.
We have no interest in digging up the dead we're just after lost items.

if not there they are digging up native americans !

[relic_hunter]

I have come across this problem in the past in Colo, what I found out is that if there is no law written, then park services cannot deny anyone from MD in parks.
Some places will have people who will attemp to discourge MD, but unless there is a specific law banning MD you can use MD's all you want.

[NB Digger]

As far as I am concerned NO publicly owned park should be off limits! Who pays the taxes to keep the parks running? Who pays the taxes to purchase the park land? Who pays the taxes to pay the officials and the archeologists who tell people "NO". As far as the archeologists...they will never be given enough money to dig most of what we dig anyway. Detectorists have done more to find, record,document, research and study CW battlefields than any archeologist! That's just a fact!
Nough said I am done. Sorry for the rant....been a long week!
Travis

[Toadie]

I heard that Austin Texas Parks were off limits but never gave that much thought. Seems there is a pretty big archaeological burial site in one of the Parks and since early Spanish gold and silver were found, they banned detectors in all of their local parks. I have a link here somewhere I will try to locate..

Meanwhile, about us being grave robbers... Well.... I guess if that is what they think then they need to look in their own back yards. There are several new developments going in and houses currently being built upon Amerindian burial sites. I know of 15 to date that cover five sites. However, since they are on "private property", the Gov. will not do anything to stop the destruction of before mentioned burial sites.

It's all in who you know I guess and how much money you got that gets their attention now a days..

There are still plenty of other great spots to detect in the area..

James

[dougdann]

It does seem like alot of archeologists seem to think it all belongs to them.
And with the laws the ogv. doesn't really share alot. Esp. in respect to sunken ships and large finds.

But I feel it belongs to the people. After much was lost by the average person. I know also other countries.

But with the computer age, most anything can be ID and studied.
Communication is at it's best.

I could understand permits if one feels they have found something great.

There's alot of amazing history and information to be uncovered and it should be shared by all.

Doug

[Fiftytwo pennies]

ARIZONA: “If treasure were found on state land it would be state property and subject to state disposition.”

CALIFORNIA: “Metal detectors may be used only to detect modern day coins. Persons uncovering any material while using a metal detector within a state beach area are asked to leave the material in place and immediately advise an employee of the find and it’s location.”

FLORIDA:”…we do discourage the use of metal detectors since there is really nothing to be gained.”

GEORGIA:” It shall be unlawful for any person to use or possess in any park or historic site any electronic device for the detection of metals, minerals, artifacts, lost articles or any treasure hunting.”

HAWAII:” We do not have any restrictions against the use of metal detectors within our state parks.”

IDAHO: “Visitors at Idaho State Parks may not dig or disturb the park premises, however one might use a metal detector without digging.”

INDIANA: “The lost and found valuables, including archaeological artifacts, must be turned in to the manager for proper disposal.”

MONTANA: “No person shall disturb or remove the top soil cover. This prohibits digging for worms, bearing of garbage and allowing pets to dig holes.

NEW HAMPSHIRE: “Anything found on state land belongs to the state. Money or items valued in excess of $5.00 are to be reported to the park manager.”

TEXAS: “No person shall operate or otherwise use a metal detector in any unit of the state park system except for the employees of the department.”

WASHINGTON: “Digging in any soil, earth or on any beach is prohibited. Use of metal detector would be closely scrutinized by the park manager, since the logical act after finding an object would be to dig for it.”

[pris]

Where did you find these quotes, Fiftytwo pennies? They remind me of when people go back and look at old laws, like these.

Colorado:

In Denver it is unlawful to lend your vacuum cleaner to your next-door neighbor

Connecticut:

In Devon, Connecticut, it is unlawful to walk backwards after sunset.

In Hartford, Conn., you aren't allowed to cross a street while walking on your hands

Georgia:

It is illegal to say "Oh, Boy" in Jonesboro, Georgia


Anyway, those quotes make me laugh (some of them, anyway).

[Joe(TX)]

These laws all come from bureaucrats who would rather listen to the State Archeologists than to their general public!! In Texas, it may be more restrictive than in other states! They have outlawed metal detecting in State Park swimming areas where no significant historical material could ever be found!! But it is ok for the Park Ranger to use his metal detector on the same site! Sounds like they just want to keep all the goodies for themselves without any competition!.....................Joe