If you travel to Wisconsin to detect, you better read this!

[Scully]

Archies in Wisconsin last fall closed off ALL lake and river bottoms to metal detecting, and all state land without any public meetings or input. They just decided to shut it all down. No more permits will be issued unless you can prove you are searching for someones lost item. I wont go into their reasoning because it makes no sense to me.

I am Gene Scullion, president of the Four Lakes Metal Detector Club in Madison, WI, and our club decided to fight what they are doing. We have been paying a lot money to a lobbyist and we now have a bill ready to go to committee probably before the end of October. If successful, it will allow us to regain the waters and some of the land sites, with some restrictions I am sure. We will need a lot of phone calls, emails and letters to state representatives to get the majority on our side. When we are ready with the Bill, I will make another post with form letters and links to state reps.

How can you help if you live out of state? Tourism is big here in Wisconsin, so if you ever travel here on vacation and want to metal detect, or if you own vacation property here, contact the rep for that area and let him know your tourist dollars will go someplace else if this bill is not passed. If you have friends/relatives in Wisconsin, contact them and ask them to help. If you are not sure which representative to call, let me know and I will help you figure it out. Out of staters are more than welcome to respond to this.

What we need is you to simply state that you want them to support the bill. No need for blame or argument, we simply need you to show support for the bill. If you want to stress tourism dollars, that would be more than fine. Some offices have telephone recorders that are on 24 hours a day so even if you cant call during working hours, still make the effort. Simply leave a message with your name, what bill you want them to support, and maybe a brief message why. Thats all there is to it. The Representatives all have email as well, and again, you only need to state your desire to have them support the bill. These people are the ones we WANT ON OUR SIDE, so be polite and professional in your actions.

I will make another post once the Bill numbers have been assigned. We really need your help boys, I hope all of you can make an effort to get the word out to your friends/relatives or important prominent people. I would love the representatives to be flooded with requests to support this bill. If you have friends and relatives in other states that visit Wisconsin, contact them as well! Its time to get the word out, and get it out quickly!

Thanks boys. We gotta stick together on this. Results in Wisconsin, good or bad, could have significant effect on other states doing or considering the same actions. Make your voice heard, its time! If you would like more information, or have questions, feel free to contact me.

Scully
Gene Scullion
President, Four Lakes Metal Detector Club (Madison)
badgermd@tds.net
608-213-6622

[kimsdad]

Gene, I take my hat off to you and your organization for fighting back in this manner!!!

You are right about how a decision or outcome in one state can directly affect other states. People who make these restrictive decisions don't live in a cave - they communicate with others in other states, and governments like to copy what other units of government are doing, usually because it's the easiest way to go. No one should think that this is just a Wisconsin problem.

I'll make whatever calls I can, and I hope that you get a lot of support in the legislature! I know I'm getting real tired of MD'ers getting walked all over.
Neil

[Brett]

You definitely have my support!

[cedarratt]

Wouldn't they want you clean metal debris out of the river and lake bottoms When I go Prospecting on the Llano here I clean out like 1000Times more lead then gold lol. Not to mention what you can find with a metal detector...

[Brett]

I really hope those who read this in the future at least comment if they support this effort or not. It's hard to believe it's been viewed 51 times and only 3 responses so far. Come on people! Most of us are here because of our love of treasure. I can understand if the Illinois Coin Roll Hunters Association doesn't care about it, but I have news for you... if people can't detect they will find other ways to find treasure (at a local bank near YOU)... heh, just a little inside joke there.

Thumbs up or thumbs down? What's it going to be??