Getting Permission

[kd5txx]

Ok I know the obvious, But what works for you? I have a detector now, have practiced, have found some stuff but I want more. I see old locations and places that look like great targets but have no experience asking for permission to hunt them. Do you just knock and say Hi I'm so and so, can I use a metal detector on your property? I wouldn't let someone on my land if they said that..... What is a good approach that works for you? I did try asking today and was told the church leadership would frown on that...so I need help.

Thanks in advance

 

[bigtim1973]

Just be straight forward with it and try not to be nervous...............I do it 2 different ways depending on if the house or property is occupied with people living in it currently or it is empty. If it is empty I try to locate the owners by writing the address down and calling the tax office of the county. They give me the name and I look it up in the phone book and I just give them a call and I say,"Hello my name is Tim Henderson and I was wondering if you are the current owners of 123 main street?" They say "yes I am" then I ask if they would mind if I looked in that yard for old coins and relics with a metal detector. The usually say yes.........I tell them thank you and then I ask them if they have lost anything like a piece of jewelry or tool etc.
If the house is occupied I just knock on the door and basically do the same thing.......It will either be yes or no.........Kind of like asking someone out on a date you know? The owners will either say yes or no to you. I tell you one thing too though......I am a musician also and when I had long hair people always seemed to say no..............But since the long hair is gone now almost everyone says yes.............Alot of owners of the places I hunt enjoy watching me the first time I detect on their place because they have at one time or another thought about getting a metal detector............So when that happens I just give them a quick lesson on how it works and then I start detecting..............When I find a good signal I tell them what it might be before I dig........It is great to see their reaction too then I offer them to try it. It is not too often you find people like that but it is nice when you do............You will also have alot better luck getting permission from people in country setting areas than inside city subdivisions, etc.................Good luck and hope this helps, Tim

 

[rjw4law]

That was very good information...that is basically what I do also.

 

[Sandman]

Just be friendly and ask without the detector in your hand. Be clean and dress casual. I like to give them my business card too as sometimes they give the card to some neighbor or relative. It is normal for someone to just say NO initially but on a later follow up they sometimes allow you to detect. Follow Big Tim's suggestions to show the owner how to use a detector as most are very curious. If you do find a nice ring, don't show it to the owner unless you are planning to give it to them. If the land is extra nice I have giving the owner a silver ring that I told them that I found on their property after I have gotten permission. Farmers make good friends when you bring them a pie as a show of thanks after having gotten permission. I learned this when I had gotten permission to hunt their pheasants. Treat the property well and don't even mention the word "Dig."

 

[DOGMAN ( U.K )]

Be polite and don't beat about the bush'. I always say " Sorry to trouble you, but I was wondering if it would be possible to use my metal detector on any land you may have suitable." Depending on their reaction and comments, I go on to say that I'm insured with the FID and NCMD
( UK federations). Have answers ready for any questions they may ask (IE) " what are you hoping to find" etc.
A detecting business card to hand over with all your details shows you have integrity and have a business like professional approach to detecting. It also gives them a point of contact should they need it.
Also, have a few nice finds in your pocket to show them the type of things they may have on their land ( but only go down this road if you feel the need ie not sure whether to let you detect, or are showing a keen interest.
Finally, don't turn up looking untidy and remember.....smile.

 

[TORRERO]

I remember once in Charleston SC me and a friend got permission for a house that was on property
that had been used during the CW.
We found lots of really great things, I got my 1st Flying Eagle cent, my buddy got a 3 cent piece,
we dug 2 breast plates (Union) and tons of mini balls and Eagle buttons.

The yard was small, postage stamp sized, and she had only given us permission to hunt her back yard.
(This was a regular neighborhood house, not a farmers field)

It was so good we gave her a gift card for Red Lobster, she liked that..

But at some point later I / we took someone else with us just to show a "friend" so to speak..

a few months later when we went back, she was very angry at us, saying someone had come to her
house when she was not there and had dug holes in her back yard with a shovel.

If you get permission, and bring a friend, be very sure you know who your taking as someone he knew went back with a shovel...

Permission is granted to you... not to everyone else you might want to bring...
If you bring a friend make sure and let the owners know, and be sure it's someone you trust.

 

[Sandman]

I would just shoot this dude in the head and leave him at the side of the road for what he did. We don't need people like this in the hobby.

 

[ivan salis]

remember any land not asked about is a 100% no -- if you ask theres a chance you might get a yes -- so its all up side

ask enough folks your bound to get a few yes's-- once you get a yes take great care to in your digging nd recovery never forget --this is someone esles land your own --their doing you a favor by saying yes

ask ahead of time if there was any personal "family jewelry" lost-- If they say "yes" granny lost her weding ring ask what did it look like and tell them if found you will return it. -- be a "good guy" plus they get the issue of "that my wifes ring--so gimme out of the way --upfront --if a find "matches" the discrprition --turn it in to em (fair is fair) --if not your up a ring .

get any deals about finds out of the way "up front" -- on a spot that looks highly promising a 50 / 50 deal might be struck offer the owner first pick and then back and forth picks on items found --items need to be sorted 3 ways coins--jewelry and relics if its not a coin or jewelry its a relic

 

[TORRERO]

I would just shoot this dude in the head and leave him at the side of the road for what he did. We don't need people like this in the hobby.

There was no way to determine who actually did this, but for sure it was someone who knew
someone who knew the guy we brought.
And yes we felt the same way, of course permission after this was permanantly denied.

 

[gleaner1]

Sandman, I know yer justa kiddin' about shootin' people in the head for bad metal detecting ethic. That's a bit much don'tcha think?. Nobody ever gets into my hard-earned metal detecting realm, except the most trusted of friends. If any "outsiders" get into my detecting zones, and start breaking the rules, I just use my super-natural powered metal-detecting-abuser zapper tool to cast them off into a never-ending spiral of hell-fire, corroded zinc pennies and really pissed-off land owners. That'll teach 'em.

 

[mcdpoor]

Make a card with your name and phone number and your promise to respect the property and leave it in as found condition.. Then offer to let them join in on the hunt..You may make a friend and get several more leads..

 

[coinmaster2db]

If you are asking someone in your hometown, it's always good to let them know you are also from the area. It really helps if you know some of the same people. I'll usually tell them that I've driven by their place for years, and had always wanted to detect their yard/field. Then I say "Well I figured I'd just stop and ask. The worst you can do is tell me no." If they pause to think about it for a minute, throw in: "you won't even be able to tell where I've been".
The main thing to think about is not how bad you want to hunt a piece of property, but how you can address the owner's concerns. ie.. is this a crazy guy casing my house, is he going to leave huge holes in my yard, does he know about some treasure buried on my property, is he going to start showing up all the time unannounced?
If you get a NO, always be polite and tell them that you appreciate their time, and you're sorry you bothered them. It will leave a good impression, and maybe when you've hunted their neighbor's property, you can get them to go to bat for you.

Happy Hunting!
Cm2db

 

[Woodland Detectors]

Get To The Point! and sincere. NO ONE like to hear how many shades of blue the sky is.
Most of these people are too busy to hear it. That's what pisses me off when I get sales calls.

Oh Yeah, smile that works really good too.

 

[Woodland Detectors]

I would just shoot this dude in the head and leave him at the side of the road for what he did. We don't need people like this in the hobby.

Don't do this!

 

[Monty]

I am lucky in a way. I always tell them I am a retired police officer and being naturally inquisitive I took up metal detecting as my hobby. Unless the owner is a crook or got a ticket last week he/she always lets me hunt. I don't mind listening to their story about the "bad cop" who gave them a ticket 5 years ago when they weren't doing anything wrong. I think all the major points have been covered, be polite, get to the point, provide information, and don't look like a bum. The only time I am hesitant is when there's a beautifully manicured lawn. No matter how careful you are it nearly always leaves a little rough area where you dig. I went to my old house where I grew up in my grade school years and an elderly lady lived there. She even invited me in to look around. It brought back many memories of my childhood. I got permission but after only about 3 minutes she came out with a glass of iced tea and said, "Honey, that's enough now". I guess she had me on a time clock? I didn't find anything but I enjoyed the memories. Monty

 

[Woodland Detectors]

I remember once in Charleston SC me and a friend got permission for a house that was on property
that had been used during the CW.
We found lots of really great things, I got my 1st Flying Eagle cent, my buddy got a 3 cent piece,
we dug 2 breast plates (Union) and tons of mini balls and Eagle buttons.

The yard was small, postage stamp sized, and she had only given us permission to hunt her back yard.
(This was a regular neighborhood house, not a farmers field)

It was so good we gave her a gift card for Red Lobster, she liked that..

But at some point later I / we took someone else with us just to show a "friend" so to speak..

a few months later when we went back, she was very angry at us, saying someone had come to her
house when she was not there and had dug holes in her back yard with a shovel.

If you get permission, and bring a friend, be very sure you know who your taking as someone he knew went back with a shovel...

Permission is granted to you... not to everyone else you might want to bring...
If you bring a friend make sure and let the owners know, and be sure it's someone you trust.

Oh yeah, Ive had this happen too. It usually ends up being the guy you brought . Going back with out telling you and screwing it up for everyone. Right?? guy? Yeah that's why I am very selective on who I take anymore. sorry, I had a moment

 

[TORRERO]

This morning while I was out going to some local garage sales, I happened to see a small sale
at an old house me and my friend have been eyeing for a couple of years....
Long story short...
I asked if we could hunt and he said it sounds interesting and so tomorrow, we will scan the yard..
imagine that...

"House" is mid 1860's maybe ?
big yard...
everything around it has turned commercial...
gas station next door, storage unit accross the street..
But we have high hopes...
for some Barber or Seated or Indians...