Treasure Hunting Question

[GaryDiehl]

Hi all, I just signed up here and have been reading for about 2 hours. Love it. Anyway, I am researching a novel I am writing about husband / wife treasure hunters and had a few preliminary questions about treasure hunting. I'd like to have them looking for something of somewhat historical significance in the US Southwest / Ghost town stuff or buried stolen loot. My question is about the legality of all this. How do you go about getting permission to search and if it's public land can you? Since all land in the US is either public or private, it would seem that anything you find would either belong to the land owners or the government. Is that correct? Can anyone give me some advice on how one might work (or in my case, write) around this scenario?

[sabre15]

Welcome, with private land you would want to get permission from owner, parks and public land are normally ok, stay out of state and federal parks unless you get written permission. Or if all else fails you go pirate/commando style and do it on the down low so to speak. There is a great researcher/treasure hunter named Roadquest here, he may be able to give you some areas and stories and tell you how a true professional does it from researching it all the way to finding it!

[truckinbutch]

Welcome, with private land you would want to get permission from owner, parks and public land are normally ok, stay out of state and federal parks unless you get written permission. Or if all else fails you go pirate/commando style and do it on the down low so to speak. There is a great researcher/treasure hunter named Roadquest here, he may be able to give you some areas and stories and tell you how a true professional does it from researching it all the way to finding it!

If he will talk to you you will get the nuts and bolts construction with no BS .

[GaryDiehl]

Thanks, I'd like to learn more about the research, techniques and stuff. Although after reading all these posts, I'd love to go get a metal detector and start hunting myself. I know some spots in the woods where there seem to be the foundations of old cabins or something. I'd love to see what's scattered around there.

I can definitely see the appeal!

[rjw4law]

Try ebay, kellyco or google search....very easy turn on and go machines for beginners garrent and whites lower end models....what ever you do, do it in moderation,,,,do not get hooked ... its only recreational!

[KellycoChick]

Try ebay, kellyco or google search....very easy turn on and go machines for beginners garrent and whites lower end models....what ever you do, do it in moderation,,,,do not get hooked ... its only recreational!

LOL!!! Only recreational huh? Well howcome it's my career then? :P

Original Poster: Questions get answered on this forum awesomely, so ask ask away! If you have more specific questions about purchasing a machine I am here to help! We also have a library on our website that has articles I've written and found that rock. OR you can check out www.HowMetalDetectorsWork.com <--- that's one of our sites. Oh and we sponsor an awesome blog by some of our customers at www.TreasureHunting.com. Read those and check out the library at the bottom of our main page www.KellycoDetectors.com. And good luck!

[WishfulThinker]

Look up Charles Garrett on Amazon.com.
"Treasure Hunting For Fun And Profit" or a previous version "Lets Talk Treasure Hunting" is a very good beginners book which provides a great overview.
Michael F. Chapin --- "The Urban Treasure Hunter: A Handbook For Beginners" offers a different perspective.
Also try authors: J. Frank Dobie; Charles A. Kenworthy; Warren Getler; W.C. Jameson