Finding out local laws

[TheRiverdog]

So I just took my 3 year old son to buy our new ACE 250 yesterday and we are eager to get into this hobby. You should have seen how proud the little guy was to wear his new Garrett treasure/trash apron while pushing the detector around on my carpet like a vacuum cleaner to hear the ding-ding-dings from the quarters that I had spread around for him. He thinks we're going to find a buried treasure chest the first time we go out. I sure hope he's right!

So anyway, needless to say, the last thing that I want to do is traumatize the kid by getting busted for inadvertently breaking the law.

There is 80 acres of local wooded conservation land here in New England which used to be the site of an old farm, and ski hill. It is now all wooded hiking trails behind a town ball field. I'm interested because there are many stone walls, an old stone foundation, a pond created from a dammed brook and there was definitely revolutionary war activity in the area.

So, my question is...who do I ask, or do I even need to ask if it's ok to MD there?

 

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[gregl01]

Hi, you'd best call your local town hall and make sure who owns it. If it is town property ask them if there are any restrictions. If privately owned call the owner and ask. Most people don't care if the area is undeveloped, but always be sure to ask!!!! You'll make access to more areas possible for future TH'ers.
HH
Greg

 

[TheRiverdog]

Thanks. I actually sent an inquiry email to the President of the local Forest & Trail Association and this was his response....

"No problem at all?if you find something, please take a photo and we can put it on our web site."

Pretty cool. I don't know why, but I was expecting a negative response. I'm glad that I asked.

 

[b1pw3ha]

If you happen to find anything of value I wouldn't let him know about it. Just some advice

 

[jeff of pa]

If you happen to find anything of value I wouldn't let him know about it. Just some advice

I agree.

Not that the Person who told you this, may have had Ulterior Motives, to request this of you.

But IF the Wrong Person sees the Finds on their Web site.

Things could get Changed.

 

[wmas1960]

Sounds like some great opportunities.? ?Personally, my opinion varies slightly from the other ones posted.?

As a general rule, it might be best if you keep valuable items to yourself.? Or, turn them to local authorities for lost and found, where, if not claimed or if they hadn't been reported lost, you would get them back as the finder.? If you find an item of obvious value and you can trace an original owner, it would be nice to make an effort to return the item to an original owner.? Like a class ring etc.? You can often use design features like dates, school name, on a class ring, and inscriptions on or inside items to try and find the original owner.?

Then, if the item you find is an obvious historical item of significant historical or archealogical value, you might offer pictures to the association.? Be prepared though that such items might be demanded from you for a museum collection or historical society.? If that should happen, at least, get a credit to yourself as the finder.?

In another recent thread, here on these boards, the subject was discussed about why Metal Detectorists have such a bad rep with the community and all.? ?Some of the issues were resentment over us finding other peoples lost items and the perception that we are profiteering off other peoples losses or misfortunes.? That we might be robbing future generations and the rest of the public of cultural or historical objects with significant history. And, third, that some people dig holes all over the place and ravage the landscape.?

So, as you do your hunting, remember to respect the environment.? Stay away from natural vegitation or stone walls, or other features that might be considered part of the charecter of the landscape. The foundation of a historical building etc. Gardens, plantings... Unless you can search without damgaging something, try and stay away. You don't want to damage a wall or foundation and have some archeologist or historian come down on you because you damaged a historical site. If especially dry, best staying in bare dirt areas where you won't damage turf or other plant species.? Refill your holes and tamp them flat.? Don't dig more than you need to and replace or replant vegitation properly when done.? Won't hurt to also have some bottled water on hand to water in your plugs after you replant them. Take any trash you find with you and keep as trophies or discard properly.? ?Personally, I keep much of the stuff as examples of what I find.? Even some of the trash.? I like to think that I leave the area cleaner, safer and nicer when I leave than when I found it.? ?If you stumble on some wildlife habitats, animal dens, birds nests.... stay away from those areas.? In some areas there are environmental concerns for native grasses and vegitations and wildlife habitats.? ?Don't get the environmentalists after you.? They will go to the association and try to take away all the fun for everyone.? ?We can all coexist together. Best way to that end is to try and keep it like you were never there.

 

[Gold Digger]

WOW... EXCELLENT POST wmas...

You just said it better than anyone I've ever seen try, including myself!! Great job!!!