Getting permission to metal detect

[legoandmars]

Hi, I was wondering how you guys get permission to metal detect abandoned woods and such; how would you find out the owner?

For example, I have an area in my city where there is a big stretch of land that used to have a house on it, but it was torn down.
Who would I ask if I wanted to detect there?

 

[cudamark]

Check the tax records at your county courthouse to find out who the owner is. Sometimes you can do it online, other times you need to go down there and search the records. It's all public knowledge.

 

[Honest Samuel]

I hope that you get permission and find many items including old coins.

 

[RobRieman]

Many GIS websites will show you boundaries and owners. They are a great tool.

 

[Loco-Digger]

Most county auditors have a map that works something like google maps. I use the once for my county all the time.

 

[kcm]

Many areas also have what's called Plat Books. The link below doesn't go over to Washington or other western states, so I don't know if there is anything like this available there. What's nice about a Plat Book is, it not only shows you who owns what land and where active homesites are, but it also gives contact info. For example, the person we bought our land from also happens to own other land all over this county and the next county. They do nothing with it but farm it (mostly CRP). One section of our plat book shows who owns what land and how many acres. Another section shows only the residences.

Plat Books - Search for plat map books by state and then county.