Hunting public property vs permissions

[KJP462]

I've been detecting for about 4 years and I've hunted almost exclusively on public property. I've found a little silver and a few Indian pennies, but nothing too crazy, and I've logged a significant amount of time hunting. My question is: is hunting on state owned property a waste of time? Are most guys hunting on private property after gaining permission? Just curious to get some opinions on hunting public ground vs getting permission and hunting private property. I appreciate your input.

-KP

 

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[Carolina Tom]

Permission is the only way to fly IMO. Public land has been hunted hard over the last 40 years. Private areas have not had that pressure. Research and permission yields results.

 

[Loco-Digger]

i agree with Tom. In my area people have been detecting since the 1970's. My primary spots to hunt are private permissions, yet I always have a fall back public location or 2 to "just in case" I have more time on my hands to swing the coil.

 

[bologna321]

I've been lucky as in there are some parks recently opened in my area on 1800's farmlands that were previously private and are now overgrown. Finding items back in the brush that wouldn't be there if it had been detected hard in the past.

 

[KJP462]

Thanks for the feedback guys. If you don't mind me asking, what has been your most successful way to get permission? I won't lie, the idea of asking a complete stranger for permission to metal detect on their property is a little intimidating to me.

 

[Tom_in_CA]

It all just depends on what public property it is, and how well it's been hit. In my area: Even some of the private property sites (stage stops, defunct picnic grounds, etc...) have been hammered to death too. So ... it just depends. It's also a regional thing: In some parts of the western states, the yester-year md'ing pressure was apparently light . Because I am shocked to find that some of the places (even public) that we try, have had very little pressure. Versus my area, which has had brazen hard-core guys, who hit the history books, decades ago.

... If you don't mind me asking, what has been your most successful way to get permission?....

Become a member , and docent/volunteer at your local historical societies and historical museums. Usually requires 6 hrs. (or whatever) time per month. Doing things like manning a desk, sorting papers, etc... And it gives you a name badge and title. For example: I lead 4th graders through tours at one of the CA missions. So I have the docent badge on a lanyard. At another museum, I man a desk (greet visitors) a time or two per month. Which affords me another badge.

By having those "credentials", it helps break-the-ice better when talking to private land owners. Eg.: "Hi, I'm a worker at such & such museum. I'm doing research for an article I'm writing on such & such. Can I ask about the stage stop that was said to be on the back-40 of your property in that canyon over there ?" And then slowly morph it into permission to go take some pictures. And then morph to md'ing, etc....

Also: Cold calls on the phone, and cold call emails RARELY work. Because, of course, they do the same thing you and I do with junk mail and door knocks from total strangers: Hang up, and turn-away door-to-door solicitors. Instead: Find some way to "catch them on their front porch". I've even staked out gate locations, at probable times when persons would be coming home from work, *just* to "bump into them" and start up small talk.

 

[Ammoman]

I hunt both but normally find the good stuff at permissions. I hunt public property when i have nothing lined up and want to experiment with my detector. IE learn a different mode. Basically, allot of permissions are one time shots so I go with what I know and do what works and leave the learning curve to public lands.
As far as gaining permission? I never knock on doors. I hate it when people do it to me so i don't do it to others. Instead, i pick a neighborhood and look for people outside the house. They are generally more approachable and more open to you being there. Also, Don't dress like your ready for battle but don't dress like a salesman in a suit either. A good looking car and proper dress goes a long way. You can always go down the road and change your clothes if permission is granted. You need to give the impression that your not a looser or someone looking to case the house.

 

[releventchair]

Thanks for the feedback guys. If you don't mind me asking, what has been your most successful way to get permission? I won't lie, the idea of asking a complete stranger for permission to metal detect on their property is a little intimidating to me.

With the zany treasure hunting shows out now.....you need to realise that some folks can think you are a treasure hunter ,or worse ,that riches are strewn about their yards and properties that you are after.

Put yourself in their shoes....Who are you? And what do you want? ( I am usually looking for anything like a coin that is older than I am. But ,history is in layers ,and hard telling what's here without checking it out. How old is this nice house?)

What if you find something valuable? ( l.o.l.. but be prepared to answer. One permission told me if I found a chest of gold coins ,he gets half. I said ,it's a deal ,but I get to keep the chest...
Are you going to tear up my yard? ( don't hesitate to offer a recovery demonstration if it is a concern . Nothing is good without a good demonstration ,and ...you may spark curiosity. (A curiosity not unlike your own.)

Relax, it is your hobby,not a crime.
If they say no, don't take offence. Thank them for their time. Ask their neighbor next maybe.

 

[against the wind]

It all just depends on what public property it is, and how well it's been hit. In my area: Even some of the private property sites (stage stops, defunct picnic grounds, etc...) have been hammered to death too. So ... it just depends. It's also a regional thing: In some parts of the western states, the yester-year md'ing pressure was apparently light . Because I am shocked to find that some of the places (even public) that we try, have had very little pressure. Versus my area, which has had brazen hard-core guys, who hit the history books, decades ago.



Become a member , and docent/volunteer at your local historical societies and historical museums. Usually requires 6 hrs. (or whatever) time per month. Doing things like manning a desk, sorting papers, etc... And it gives you a name badge and title. For example: I lead 4th graders through tours at one of the CA missions. So I have the docent badge on a lanyard. At another museum, I man a desk (greet visitors) a time or two per month. Which affords me another badge.

By having those "credentials", it helps break-the-ice better when talking to private land owners. Eg.: "Hi, I'm a worker at such & such museum. I'm doing research for an article I'm writing on such & such. Can I ask about the stage stop that was said to be on the back-40 of your property in that canyon over there ?" And then slowly morph it into permission to go take some pictures. And then morph to md'ing, etc....

Also: Cold calls on the phone, and cold call emails RARELY work. Because, of course, they do the same thing you and I do with junk mail and door knocks from total strangers: Hang up, and turn-away door-to-door solicitors. Instead: Find some way to "catch them on their front porch". I've even staked out gate locations, at probable times when persons would be coming home from work, *just* to "bump into them" and start up small talk.

Why Tom,, you're a very sneaky guy with a secret agenda. I think I like it.

 

[Tom_in_CA]

.... sneaky guy with a secret agenda. ...

Yes. I am the fox guarding the hen-house.

 

[darktower007]

I set a goal door knocking. Pin and paper in hand my goal is to get rejected 15 times before I go home.
By doing this I get 7-8 permissions before I meet my goal!
I target homes built pre 1950– most yards are loaded with coins and 3-5 silvers usually.

 

[GB1]

i don't hunt permissions. I live in the woods and i have house sites all around me which is on family a bunch of old roads and a two old mills i'm set