permission on state parks

[ghost]

Recently I called the department of state parks in Maryland asking permission to go metal detecting in one of their parks. They have a policy of sending a application to the person who wishes to do that. So they sent me one and I filled it out and now I am waiting for a reply. The ranger told me its up to the individual park manager. Its 50-50 if I get it. I wrote down that I would fill my holes back in and even pick up any trash I find and also show them what I find. The parks I wish to check out would be Calvert Cliffs and Sandy Point. I will let you all know what the outcome is.

 

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[gusser]

Call your local State Rep and State senator. They can get you the YES you seek.

 

[cooper1841]

We have State Parks that advertise metal detecting, as one of the things to do during your stay, and its right on Lake Huron.

 

[BC1969]

seems most of the state parks around me are limited to detecting the parking areas, though it seems nobody follows the rules around my area. then again most of the conservation officers couldn't care less, the random Rambo gungho by the book types are increasing and will kick you out just for the fun of it even in places where it is allowed.

Mike

P.s 5 bucks says tanner chimes in

 

[cooper1841]

One in my area has limited area,(Algonac)........................... Lakeport State Park is the whole, beach, campground, trails, and pic-nic area!!

 

[cudamark]

Recently I called the department of state parks in Maryland asking permission to go metal detecting in one of their parks. They have a policy of sending a application to the person who wishes to do that. So they sent me one and I filled it out and now I am waiting for a reply. The ranger told me its up to the individual park manager. Its 50-50 if I get it. I wrote down that I would fill my holes back in and even pick up any trash I find and also show them what I find. The parks I wish to check out would be Calvert Cliffs and Sandy Point. I will let you all know what the outcome is.

Sometimes asking over the phone or in writing is the worst thing you can do. The rules should be written down somewhere and you should be able to access them. If it's truly an arbitrary decision made by the specific park ranger/manager, I'd go see him in person and offer to demonstrate your recovery skills if need be. It's a bit harder for them to tell you NO to your face.....assuming you're presentable and polite.

 

[Jeremy S]

+1 what cudamark said.

Show up in person and talk directly to the park manager. By playing the paperwork game through the mail they are just going to drag you into their bureaucratic hole. Mailing them paperwork simply gives some pencil pusher time to Google videos of Ric Savage with a backhoe and to figure out how liable they would be if you use dynamite to retrieve that wheat penny (which may be a priceless Indian artifact, so now he has to ask a state archaeologist).

Just coming from my own experience, I never have much luck asking over the phone unless I personally know who I am asking or we have a mutual acquaintance.

 

[Tom_in_CA]

Haha bc1969. . I have not been able to log onto t'net from my desktop 'puter for a few months now. Can only get on t'net from my android smart phone . Hence can't type out replies very well , etc...

Not sure why . Perhaps a mod. put a restriction on me or something ? Anyone else having this issue of their account only working via a mobile device ?

 

[WhiteTornado]

Look at this link, particularly part D. You are searching for modern stuff. I think they assume you want a permit as an archaeologist.

MetalDetecting

 

[Tom_in_CA]

White tornado : well do you know the quickest way to get verbage like that applied to casual innocuous harmless hobbyists like us? Simply ask a bunch of desk-bound bureaucrats and archies "can I ?".

And then sure enough : you'll eventually find one to give the " safe answer ". To tell you it applies to you and I too . Ie: the old "no one cared. ..... TILL you asked " psychology.

 

[WhiteTornado]

White tornado : well do you know the quickest way to get verbage like that applied to casual innocuous harmless hobbyists like us? Simply ask a bunch of desk-bound bureaucrats and archies "can I ?".

And then sure enough : you'll eventually find one to give the " safe answer ". To tell you it applies to you and I too . Ie: the old "no one cared. ..... TILL you asked " psychology.

Oh I know, I've read plenty of yours and cudamark's posts

I actually got that link off the site of a local treasure hunting club based in Baltimore, of which I'm a member.

 

[jeff of pa]

We will be at Sandy Point park Beach for the MARS Hunt Saturday October 11th..
I'm not registered to hunt this year, But I thought Sandy Point Beach was open to anyone
at any time

 

[reednc]

North Carolina state parks will issue a permit to only search for something specific that was recently lost, like a wedding ring.

 

[Tom_in_CA]

Reed -nc: And why do you think anyone there dreamed up such a policy ? Do you think it's "durned those archies " ? Or: "durned those md'rs who must've left holes" ?

 

[WhiteTornado]

We will be at Sandy Point park Beach for the MARS Hunt Saturday October 11th..
I'm not registered to hunt this year, But I thought Sandy Point Beach was open to anyone
at any time

I'll be there the next day for the Maryland Free State Treasure Club hunt

Far as I know, Sandy Point Beach -- being part of a state park -- is now open to anyone at anytime. From Memorial Day to Labor Day, state park beaches are 6 AM to 9 AM only. At least that's what the regulations say. I haven't hunted in a state park before. The hunt on October 12 will be my first.

 

[James/Texas]

Against state law in Texas to use a metal detector in any Texas State Park. No exceptions. Wish it wasn't so, but have to live with the rules.

 

[beerguy]

This is a sore spot with me.

I live about a mile or two from a large state park. Hundreds of campsites, an old grassy area, just a nice place to go to find stuff that the campers lose.

I have always stopped by the ranger station on my way in at the beginning of the year, just to see who is there, maybe a new ranger.

Yes, you are supposed to get a permit. No, they really do not wnt you to, just know where it is/isn't allowed. They have a map that they give you showing where you can go.

Last spring, I was with my son in the campground area and a new ranger came by.

Asked if I had a permit. I said no, but reiterated my story of stopping by the station annually. (I have lived here for 22 years)

He said it was NO LONGER ALLOWED in the camping area, they area afraid that I will dig up Native American artifacts.

So I no longer donate an extra 5 bucks to the State Park system in Washington, no longer buy the Park Pass.

The funny thing is, they put in a drainage system in the 1970's and the whole campground is sitting on a foot of gravel.

I couldn't detect past that on a good day.

 

[cudamark]

Most indian artifacts have no metal in them anyway. How do they figure you were going to find them? ESP?

 

[RobRieman]

So it's alright to build a campground on an Indian burial site if your a state park? Lol

 

[Sandman]

Again blame the Archie's