Detecting in pa

kayden

Bronze Member
Apr 24, 2011
1,331
229
Pennsylvania
Detector(s) used
Ace250,AT Pro & Garrett Propointer!
Primary Interest:
All Treasure Hunting
Research your own town ....private properties are where you will find alot of goodies....Oh yeah & being that you live in Pa. Good luck detecting as our weather here sucks right now!
 

Pulltab Parson

Hero Member
Jan 20, 2007
823
84
Northwest PA
Detector(s) used
Tesoro Tejon, Tesoro Vaquero, White's Prizm III, White's Bulls-eye Pinpointer II
Primary Interest:
Metal Detecting
Don't sweat it being PA, I mean, you can hunt wherever as long as you get permission (depending on your county/city ordinances), and like Kayden said, Private property is where it's at!

HH
PTP
 

Tom_in_CA

Gold Member
Mar 23, 2007
13,837
10,360
Salinas, CA
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2
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Explorer II, Compass 77b, Tesoro shadow X2
What are reading that tells you state land is so dire there? As for city and county , as long as there are no rules in your city or county saying "no metal detecting", then it must not be prohibited :). (no need to have to seek permission to do something that isn't prohibited ).
 

pa plateau hiker

Bronze Member
Jul 15, 2012
1,086
1,302
Primary Interest:
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Just getting into md. From PA, but just reading sounds like this state wants to take the fun out of it, like they do everything else. Seems very limiting on where you can md in PA. Any advice other than the whole playgrounds, ball fields stuff.

I've been detecting in Pennsylvania for more then 30 years and have never heard the state wants to stop metal detecting. Where id you get this info from?
 

jeff of pa

Super Moderator
Staff member
Dec 19, 2003
85,836
59,622
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like Tom & plateau say, Noting has changed that I'm aware of.

There has been a no go in National Park's since Metal detectors started getting popular.
pretty much the same with state game lands.
some counties in pa have a problem, you can google your county parks rules, if it doesn't forbid detecting
no reason to ask.
most State parks are open with a Free Permit from the office.

Most Public parks, it's a don't ask, Don't tell thing. If there is nothing on the signs,
and no rule against it online, there probably is non on the books.

If it's a church owned , or school owned, most ignore you also,
but technically these days both can chase you, by telling you it's private property. refusing to leave can
be trespassing, but unless there are signs, I don't think a park can just charge you
without a warning.

in most cases if not privately owned by a business or person, & you go Low key & respect the property,
you should be ok
 

OP
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dadsonmd

Jr. Member
Feb 10, 2013
22
7
Thanks for the info. Looking forward to getting started and chatting with others about MDing. Son is so excited. I'm glad he is finally showing an interest in something.
 

Tom_in_CA

Gold Member
Mar 23, 2007
13,837
10,360
Salinas, CA
🥇 Banner finds
2
Detector(s) used
Explorer II, Compass 77b, Tesoro shadow X2
Reading DCNR site mainly and other forums from other sites

Well, I don't know what "other sites" you are referring to, but when it comes to the DCNR site, I see nothing that says "no metal detecting". In fact, on the contrary, you'll see here, within their website, that it's actually specifically ALLOWED (which is even better than simply being silent on the subject, eh?) : PA DCNR - Metal Detecting

So again, not sure what you're seeing that's causing you to think you can't md at lots of PA places.
 

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dadsonmd

Jr. Member
Feb 10, 2013
22
7
We are getting a bounty hunter tracker 4. Reading reviews seems decent for a beginning detector
 

DirtAngler

Jr. Member
Jun 18, 2011
62
10
SE Pa
Detector(s) used
MX5, M6, GPP, TRX
Primary Interest:
All Treasure Hunting
Where in Pa.? There are a lot of areas depending on where you live but your best bet is private homes.
 

pa plateau hiker

Bronze Member
Jul 15, 2012
1,086
1,302
Primary Interest:
All Treasure Hunting
Avoid Natural Areas on State Forest Land. They are off-limits for metal detecting.
 

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dadsonmd

Jr. Member
Feb 10, 2013
22
7
pa plateau hiker said:
Avoid Natural Areas on State Forest Land. They are off-limits for metal detecting.

What is considered state forest land. There is a state park that has a lot of woods around it that is owned by the state. Is that what you mean. What about state game lands?
 

jeff of pa

Super Moderator
Staff member
Dec 19, 2003
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No, state forest is different

PA*DCNR*-*Forestry

allot of state forest is open without a permit.

but you would need to check with the local service
or at least should :tongue3:

I Believe the parts that are considered Natural or Historical are off limits.

I'm not not sure what natural means to them.
 

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pa plateau hiker

Bronze Member
Jul 15, 2012
1,086
1,302
Primary Interest:
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natural area.JPG DCNR puts out maps of different districts across the state. The map I show here is of the Sproul State Forest. It shows what I mean by a Natural Area. It also shows State Game Lands that are off-limits for digging also. These maps pack a wealth of info. I carry one with me all the time when I am hiking as they fold to a 4" x 9" map. A lot easier then carrying a topo map.
 

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dadsonmd

Jr. Member
Feb 10, 2013
22
7
I live in Altoona area. A lot of history here. Fort Roberdeau (Rev. War), Allegheny Portage RR, . Just concern with getting arrested, fined, or my stuff consfigated. Just have to do some research, not gonna be as bad as I think.
 

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dadsonmd

Jr. Member
Feb 10, 2013
22
7
pa plateau hiker said:
<img src="http://www.treasurenet.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=740734"/>DCNR puts out maps of different districts across the state. The map I show here is of the Sproul State Forest. It shows what I mean by a Natural Area. It also shows State Game Lands that are off-limits for digging also. These maps pack a wealth of info. I carry one with me all the time when I am hiking as they fold to a 4" x 9" map. A lot easier then carrying a topo map.

Any park office would have these? Where can I get one?
 

pa plateau hiker

Bronze Member
Jul 15, 2012
1,086
1,302
Primary Interest:
All Treasure Hunting
Yes any office would have them. Another photo, Only one came up on my previous post legend.JPG
 

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dadsonmd

Jr. Member
Feb 10, 2013
22
7
Thanks for all of the info. I'm trying to get hooked up with some local people to see where they go detecting.
 

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