colorado14ers
Bronze Member
I want to detect a abandoned ski area (geneva basin) this summer but its on national forest land. Is it legal to detect?
It ils perfectly legal to prospect as long as it has noy been legaly withdrawn from mineral entry, such as a wilderness area. However around abanded buildings it gets tricky as much of colorados areas could technically be archeological sites. I always call Denver and seek their blessing as they are the regional office. They also send you the prospecting laws. I have found the Denver Office to be friendly, truthful and helpful. I have them fax me claim papers all the time to make sure I am not on somebodies claim. I think they charge me .15 cents a page. Its the homegrown personel they hire in their branch offices as receptionists and such I have trouble with. They try to make up there own laws at the receptionists desk. I have yet to run into a forest ranger that was a jerk. I did have one call his home office as he was incorrect in what he was stating, He did. I wave at him every time I see him. He waves back.
1st. THE STATE OF Colorado does not have any national forests THEY BELONG TO THE FEDERAL GOVT. METAL DETECTING
IN A NATIONAL FOREST CAN GET YOU SERIOUSLY ARRESTED AND YOUR VEHICLE CONFISCATED PERMANTLY, AND YOU DOING JAIL TIME....
THE NATIONAL ARCHEOLOGICAL ACT (i think its called) MAKES IT A FELONY TO DISTURB OR PICK UP ANY MAN MADE ARTIFACT ON FEDERAL LANDS... WITHOUT THE APPROPRIATE PERMIT / PROSPECTING FOR MINERALS IS ALLOWED BY PERMIT / THE POSSESSION OF A METAL DETECTOR ON FEDERAL LAND IS ALSO A FELONY IF ITS DISCOVERED ....
YA BEEN WARNED HOMER....