Asked to leave the nature center

[McCDig]

Hunted a Baltimore County park today and was not finding much until I dug a wheat (good sign). After that I came upon a wheat/dime spill and that was my first silver of the day.
I kept in the same area and a 27 signal on the Equinox 600 yielded another spill. Out came two nickels, both 1964.
I thought that was it but noticed a silver quarter in the dirt from the hole. I checked the hole for any other coins and got another quarter, a 1964.

I continued to detect there but was asked to leave by an employee who was pressing the case that the park was a nature center, so I obliged, having had a good run of it. There may be more there. Here's the total take of wheats, nickels and silver.

​

 

[smokeythecat]

Never had one, never will.

 

[Professor of Engineering]

Very good hunt, congrats!

 

[McCDig]

Thanks Professor. A slow start to the day, ended up with shining results.

 

[Joe-Dirt]

We have a local park here that is legal to hunt but there is one guy that works for the city that chases detecorists off on a regular basis. He’s never chased me off but friends of mine have been harassed by him. He sights a “tripping hazard” which is BS, but my friends leave without arguing. I might give it a shot early Christmas morning before my family wakes up. (;

 

[smokeythecat]

Joe-Dirt, no the Baltimore County Parks allow detecting, with a permit. I have one and they are free. The "nature center" and the historic building Mike is referring to is 100% off limits. It's right off a busy road and the local police patrol it constantly. I have dug across the street before, on the other side from the off limit areas, in front of the park HQ and during park hours, with them watching out the window and they don't care. Just don't go to the off limit areas. I know the "lady", she is in charge.

Next stop. The obvious. All Baltimore County Parks will be closed to detecting. That's the price. Posted here on Tnet is a ticket-summons from a couple years ago showing where someone was caught in Loch Raven, first time, and he or she had to pay a fine. It's not worth it to me. I haven't dug there (Baltimore County park) in well over a year, too many private permissions that still produce.

It's like the no trespassing signs on private property. They are there for a reason. My one great PA permission is posted, but when the owners are your best friends, it's game on!

 

[McCDig]

Good luck, Bob. Could be nippy in central Mass. on Christmas.

 

[McCDig]

Smokey is totally on the right path with this one, but you do get a different 'read' on detecting certain Baltimore County areas, depending which "official" you speak with. Oregon Ridge, as a case in point, has a large public picnic area near a ski slope. I got a "green light" to hunt there from the office that issues my permit. If, in fact, the entire park is considered a 'nature center', then it should be avoided by detectorists.

 

[OBN]

Congrads on the Silver, love how clean it comes up.

I really feel for the Maryland land hunters.....I stopped dealing with Permissions and permits 11 years ago and went to the water, best move I've ever done. And don't think it's easy, I've had many home owners call the police, one even had 4 squad cars show. All have ended in my favor but not with out involving the DNR..........On the other hand there have been many friendlies home owners also...

 

[Relicific]

Just carry a 50 dollar bill with you.
Cheaper than a round of golf.

 

[moosescout]

I've heard that in the last couple of years more public land has been banned from detecting in Baltimore.

A year ago I was still able to get a permit. $25
Spent most of my time at Leakin (sp) park. Never had a problem. But don’t ever go alone to Leakin Park. Anne Arundel county refuses to allow mding. And are real jerks about it.

 

[smokeythecat]

Oregon Ridge is fine. I dug there once over a year ago. Didn't go back, it just wasn't worth it. Now if you turn right off the road off Shawan and go by the old buildings and picnic tables up towards the old iron mine, that's what they don't allow. Also those trees with the ugly wraps on the trunks are off limits. Can't figure that one out, but I asked a year or more ago and they said no.

Tommy and I went out today in a different county and only got 3 Spanish silvers. Gotta love those private permissions. Bummer day!

 

[the_mad_cladder]

Some people can’t stand to see people having fun. I would tell all my detecting friends about it and let them take a shot. Or wait a while and after an appearance change try again.

 

[smokeythecat]

I have enough private permissions to keep me busy. I always check in with the landowners every time I go. Harford County and Cecil County do not allow detecting in their parks. It's tough for sure. I have no idea about the western Maryland counties or those on the eastern shore.

I'd like to know what the Maryland Environmental Police do. I mean, really?

 

[against the wind]

Sorry to hear you were stopped while you were on a roll. Congrats on the Silver

 

[McCDig]

Thanks ATW. Yes, could've been a more silvery hunt, but half the battle is finding such a spot, so maybe I can re-visit under more favorable conditions.

 

[McCDig]

That whole 'appearance change' thing sounds complicated. I shared this scenario with our Club this evening as a 'head up', in case anyone had thoughts of detecting there, and to discuss the rules of detecting in Baltimore County.

 

[McCDig]

Thanks OBN. My respect goes out to you water detectorists. I know you've recovered way more precious metal than you would have on land.

 

[McCDig]

Think my Dad is the one with the 50 dollar bills. I'm on a tighter budget.

 

[McCDig]

Thanks moosescout. Been to Leakin several times and have heard of some older finds coming out of the woods. I've never found anything memorable there, but would like to go back.

 

[the_mad_cladder]

That whole 'appearance change' thing sounds complicated. I shared this scenario with our Club this evening as a 'head up', in case anyone had thoughts of detecting there, and to discuss the rules of detecting in Baltimore County.

All you gotta do is shave or grow a beard, lose or gain some weight and wear different clothes. Or you could try wearing an orange vest. Hahaha