Any issues metal detecting this lot?

[BladeRunner2019]

There is an empty lot a couple miles from my house. I recently found out there used to be a house on it. I have no idea when the house was built, only that it was there in a 1971 aerial photo.

I looked up the owner and it's listed as the Department of Transportation. Would I be trespassing if I hunted it?

Thanks.

 

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[Sandman]

Go for it' Remember the land was there before the photo.

 

[BladeRunner2019]

Thanks! I can't imagine the DOT would have an issue with me hunting it. There is a private road right beside it and I figured for sure the same people owned the lot. I was glad to see they don't!

It's a little over grown right now so maybe when it gets colder the weeds will be more manageable.

Thanks again.

 

[BigWaveDave]

When a busy body calls the popo You can drop the "I talked to the guy at the DOT and its all good" line. Happy Hunting!

 

[Tom_in_CA]

Don't be a wuss . Do it . Don't be a victim of the "no one cared till you asked" psychology .

 

[Carolina Tom]

If it is not posted... go for it. Dig neatly, so if anybody shows up, there are not a bunch of "gopher holes" all over the place.

Unfortunately, sometimes asking is the quickest way to get a "no". GL&HH.

 

[Jeremy S]

Go at a low traffic time! Early weekday mornings or late weekday afternoons.

Tall weeds do suck! I have a few sites that I'm waiting until this winter to hunt just for that very reason.

 

[Diggin-N-Dumps]

Hunt it, I only ask permission when there are people living there...Ive only been run off of maybe 3 places out of the 100+ i have just hunted.

 

[BladeRunner2019]

Other than the weeds, the other negative is its location. It's on a busy road and close to an on/off ramp to a highway. It's also right beside a "rental home" development with tons of houses. If fact, I will probably have to park in their clubhouse parking lot. I don't usually like to detect with eyes on me, but I'll just have to bite the bullet in this case.

Thanks to all for the advice.

 

[Tom_in_CA]

Hunt it at night then. What someone doesn't see won't bother them .

 

[NorthernTesoro]

I say go for it! Sounds like a lot i hit today. The first hour I was nervous that someone might say something but then I ended up working it all day. The only thing that i hated was all the traffic didn't let me hear the tones that well, i don't use the headphones because I am always paranoid of someone creeping up on me.

 

[The Silver Pirate]

Old torn down homesites could be full of nails and such. Be prepared. But if it had a home there at one time, it's worth it. Don't forget to go around large trees. People buried caches around them, and there was usually a tree swing too. Look for an area that may have had an out building too.

 

[BladeRunner2019]

Overall its a pretty small lot. There are still a few trees on it that look old. Not really big, just old looking. lol They are what originally got my attention.

 

[RobRieman]

Overall its a pretty small lot. There are still a few trees on it that look old. Not really big, just old looking. lol They are what originally got my attention.

3 days and you still haven't hit it yet? Get out there and send us some pics!!!

 

[gleaner1]

If it is not posted, you should be okay. Just hope one of those wacky DOT guys dont come along and see you in there. Just hope.

 

[BladeRunner2019]

Well, my plan was to wait until it got colder to see if that might help with the weeds, but I had a little time so I stopped by there today for a short hunt. I didn't have any issues parking in the clubhouse area next door.

Unfortunately, only a small % of the lot was hunt-able. Weeds and grass were too tall and thick. There were a few area near some trees that I was able to detect, but didn't find anything. I think even when it gets cold the weeds and grass that are there will still be too thick. I'm trying to decide if I can drive my mower the 1.5 miles and cut it all down.

Maybe I can find somebody that does yard work and pay them to mow it for me. Is it against the law to mow a lot that isn't mine? Or maybe I'll call the DOT and complain about the "overgrown" lot and ask them to mow it.