Can i detect at a school?

[mbczoh]

I was planning to detect a schoolyard near my house, but after looking at a thread about legalities and the like, I am not sure if it is such a good idea. Obviously it is summer time and there isn't anyone around so....

T H I S I S M Y F I R S T P O S T .

 

[vpnavy]

Welcome Aboard mbczoh! Take a look at Sub-Forums: California for information (i.e., clubs, etc.) directly related to your state. I am sure each locality has different laws. You didn't specify your locality in California so I would start by browsing Sub-Forums: California...

 

[jeff of pa]

Wecome.

Used to Be a Simple Question. with a Simple Answer... "YES"
But ever Since 911 & Terrorist Paranoia/propaganda. Probably best to ask,
unless you live in a Very small town where everybody Knows each Other.

 

[Nitric]

Welcome!!
When I started detecting, Schools are where we detected the most. It really probably depends on the area. In OH, western PA, and WV, We drove around looking for Schools to detect. I'm not sure about the legal part of it but I've never had anyone say anything to us about it. Just don't make a mess or detect the center line during a soccer game! If we saw a lot of people around we would either wait till the game was over or move on to the next one.

 

[sprailroad]

I agree with Nitric in his reply. I would add a couple of things, what I do not do is bring a SHOVEL to dig with, school grounds or parks, looks really bad, just my simple digging knife with a orange handle. As Nitric said, just don't make a mess, and of course take any trash targets with you. I carry a small plastic bucket with me for that, and even pick up water bottle caps etc. as I go along. I've never had a problem anywhere. Schools other then public, private, catholic schools etc., I would say you do need an OK for those. If the grass is nice, and the ground is "summer dry", I'll come back in the fall, no good way to dig a plug in super dry ground without risking damage. When there IS school going on, weekends only. I have only been approached one time, and here's a small tip, I always carry two rounds of live ammo in another pocket in my coin pouch that I have dug before, one is a .22 long that had been hit by a lawn mower, I showed the fella the trash in my bucket, and mentioned and showed him the two rounds, and as he left he hoped I'd find something good. I understand everywhere is different though, and IF asked to leave, well.....OK

 

[BigWaveDave]

The best hunt I’ve ever had was at a school, but I lucked into that as it was under renovation, and the permission came from a bunch of guys who didn’t speak English.
Just about every school here in FL has signs clearly posted that say NO TRESPASSING.
You’re gonna have to find out for yourself what your school districts policy is.

 

[Rookster]

Some still let you, some don't. It's always good ethic to ask. I hunt one within a mile of me and got booted at one 13 miles away. Don't be afraid to get the boot. It happens or has happened to most here.

 

[Javadroid]

You've found a great place for information and fellow treasure hunters -- welcome to our community!

 

[BLK HOLE]

Welcome from Northern Virginia!

 

[against the wind]

Welcome to the forum from Port Allegheny, Pennsylvania

 

[River Rat]

 

[Nitric]

I agree with Nitric in his reply. I would add a couple of things, what I do not do is bring a SHOVEL to dig with, school grounds or parks, looks really bad, just my simple digging knife with a orange handle. As Nitric said, just don't make a mess, and of course take any trash targets with you. I carry a small plastic bucket with me for that, and even pick up water bottle caps etc. as I go along. I've never had a problem anywhere. Schools other then public, private, catholic schools etc., I would say you do need an OK for those. If the grass is nice, and the ground is "summer dry", I'll come back in the fall, no good way to dig a plug in super dry ground without risking damage. When there IS school going on, weekends only. I have only been approached one time, and here's a small tip, I always carry two rounds of live ammo in another pocket in my coin pouch that I have dug before, one is a .22 long that had been hit by a lawn mower, I showed the fella the trash in my bucket, and mentioned and showed him the two rounds, and as he left he hoped I'd find something good. I understand everywhere is different though, and IF asked to leave, well.....OK

We started out using probes. it was a screw driver that was kind of rounded. That's all I use to this day is a bigger screwdriver, unless I'm in a place where I can use a shovel like the woods or private property. But I haven't detected much in a few years. Also, at schools we were never kicked out of private or Catholic schools either. That may have been just luck. Most stuff at schools that is right on the surface or right below the grass. You can stab around and find it pretty quick, within the top inch or less. We would walk the side lines and the center lines where they do the coin toss. If it was a deeper target if the ground was dry we left it, and didn't spend time tearing things up for what was probably more and likely a pop tab. My Dad found a hand of silver dimes detecting an older school, but that was rare for us to find stuff like that. Most of them have been hit a few times already by others. We mostly went to grab the quick quarters and move on.

 

[Professor of Engineering]

If I detect at a school, its early morning on a weekend...no workers or people to bother me.

Never use a shovel! Use a quality hand digger and various recovery probes, so not to leave a mess! The key is to find the object, recover it and do not leave a trace! Always take your dug trash...its the right thing to do and can be shown you are "doing a service" for the area when busybodies approach you.

 

[Texas Jay]

Welcome from Brownwood in central Texas!
~Texas Jay

http://centraltexastreasureclub.webs.com - Open Competition Hunt - October 13, 2018

 

[Honest Samuel]

A big welcome from the great state of Connecticut. Good hunting and good luck.

 

[Trezurehunter]

I worked locally where I lived for 27 years. People knew me and I knew the Principals of the older schools. Just to make sure, I asked and received their permission. I agree with the others on the digging tool issue. No large shovels should be used. That is one way to get yourself kicked off the property very quickly.

 

[devldog]

Welcome to Tnet from Georgia. Yes, you can hunt at school but only between classes and during recess.