Treasure Trove Permits

Hal Croves

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Sep 25, 2010
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If one truly understands/overstands their Constitutional Rights, then they can't do anything of that nature without an injured party claiming wrong doing. Period

Unfortunately, I am writing from first hand experience. I was told in no uncertain terms, that if I were to walk into the Mesa office with a sample of gold (not a prospecting sample) taken from any location in the SWA, without first obtaining a permit, I would "probably be arrested and charges filed".

Even if I were simply trying to prove the location of a cache or mine to obtain that permit.

Which sucks.
 

azdave35

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Dec 19, 2008
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Unfortunately, I am writing from first hand experience. I was told in no uncertain terms, that if I were to walk into the Mesa office with a sample of gold (not a prospecting sample) taken from any location in the SWA, without first obtaining a permit, I would "probably be arrested and charges filed".

Even if I were simply trying to prove the location of a cache or mine to obtain that permit.

Which sucks.

they ,might arrest you but it wont hold up in court and you would have a good basis for a lawsuit
 

gollum

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Scott told me years ago that if I find a cave of gold bars, that I should take pictures only and reseal the cave. Pictures would be good enough to get your TT Permit.

Mike
 

Hal Croves

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they ,might arrest you but it wont hold up in court and you would have a good basis for a lawsuit

Dave,
You may not believe this but I look awful in pink stripes and have NO desire to be passed around like a sock puppet.

I would plead insanity anyway and call you as a witness for the defense.
Hope that made you crack a smile.
 

Hal Croves

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Sep 25, 2010
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Scott told me years ago that if I find a cave of gold bars, that I should take pictures only and reseal the cave. Pictures would be good enough to get your TT Permit.

Mike

That's the plan, if the opportunity ever presents itself.
: )
 

deducer

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Scott told me years ago that if I find a cave of gold bars, that I should take pictures only and reseal the cave. Pictures would be good enough to get your TT Permit.

Mike

Wouldn't the act of "unsealing" a cave get you in trouble? Did he say anything about that part?
 

gollum

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Wouldn't the act of "unsealing" a cave get you in trouble? Did he say anything about that part?

Nah. You are allowed to prospect, use basic hand tools, move rocks around, etc. Just don't take anything but pictures.

Mike
 

deducer

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Nah. You are allowed to prospect, use basic hand tools, move rocks around, etc. Just don't take anything but pictures.

Mike

That is very interesting, thanks. Did he put that in writing to you?
 

sdcfia

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Scott told me years ago that if I find a cave of gold bars, that I should take pictures only and reseal the cave. Pictures would be good enough to get your TT Permit.

Mike

Ha ha - good one. How did you keep a straight face?
 

Johncoho

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Thanks for the reply Mike. I forget his name because it happened about 4 years ago.
 

gollum

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Ha ha - good one. How did you keep a straight face?

I know, I know. HAHAHA See, when he is wearing his Big Boy Chief Archaeologist Outfit, he can only answer questions as The Chief Archaeologist of Tonto Natl Forest, Not Scott.

Mike
 

Hal Croves

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Sep 25, 2010
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Wouldn't the act of "unsealing" a cave get you in trouble? Did he say anything about that part?

Perhaps, but if that sealed cave turns out to be archeologically important, your in trouble. That's my take on things based on talks with JSW. I think I may have something in writing to that effect.

And if the Forest Service didn't get you, the little people who guard that cave just might.

 

deducer

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Perhaps, but if that sealed cave turns out to be archeologically important, your in trouble. That's my take on things based on talks with JSW. I think I may have something in writing to that effect.

And if the Forest Service didn't get you, the little people who guard that cave just might.

Not at all.

If the FS wanted to charge me for "desecrating" an archaeologically sensitive site by "unsealing" a cave, they would have to prove that I had prior knowledge that the site contained something of importance, and that my actions were deliberate and not accidental.

I, on the other hand, could just claim I leaned against the rock wall and it fell inwards. Or that I was hiking and fell through the roof of a cave :icon_thumright:
 

Hal Croves

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Not at all.

If the FS wanted to charge me for "desecrating" an archaeologically sensitive site by "unsealing" a cave, they would have to prove that I had prior knowledge that the site contained something of importance, and that my actions were deliberate and not accidental.

I, on the other hand, could just claim I leaned against the rock wall and it fell inwards. Or that I was hiking and fell through the roof of a cave :icon_thumright:

Posting advice on how to circumvent federal law is something that makes me a little uncomfortable.
In the SWA, I always try to follow the rules, even the unreasonable ones.

That's not always easy for sure.
 

azdave35

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Posting advice on how to circumvent federal law is something that makes me a little uncomfortable.
In the SWA, I always try to follow the rules, even the unreasonable ones.

That's not always easy for sure.
i thought you've never been in the swa
 

sdcfia

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Perhaps, but if that sealed cave turns out to be archeologically important, your in trouble. That's my take on things based on talks with JSW. I think I may have something in writing to that effect.

And if the Forest Service didn't get you, the little people who guard that cave just might.


Is that Danny DeVito?
 

deducer

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Posting advice on how to circumvent federal law is something that makes me a little uncomfortable.
In the SWA, I always try to follow the rules, even the unreasonable ones.

That's not always easy for sure.

I am not posting advice; only pointing out that the FS wouldn't be able to make that kind of charge stick unless they could prove that I acted with malicious intent (e.g., catching me red-handed with a chunk of C-4 and a detonator).
 

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