Getting Permission

[keg11v]

Greetings all, and Happy Holidays.

Fairly new member here, long-time treasure hunter but a greenhorn metal detector. I've noticed that many of you appear to occasionally hunt on private properties, presumably obtaining permission from the current owners. Any general tips for how to approach/contact and communicate with property owners? Etiquette? Obviously they're all going to react differently, but I imagine some of you more experienced folks have figured out what generally doesn't work.

I live in Bellingham, WA and there are a lot of old townhouses and farms from the 1800s around here.

Thanks for reading,

Loren

 

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[drenalin11]

I'm new also so I can't give advice but I have seen this question brought up multiple times just in the last month and have seen the majority of the responses point to different threads so I would try doing a few searches of the forum because apparently there are a few really good threads already out there.


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[Loco-Digger]

This topic has been brought up countless times in the past 3 years that I have been here. Have either of you searched the threads on the site mining for the topics that interest you?

 

[keg11v]

My apologies for the redundancy, I have searched the site on that topic though and couldn't find any specific threads on it. Links would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

 

[Loco-Digger]

Here are some links to threads and another good reference

http://www.treasurenet.com/forums/metal-detecting/444880-getting-digging-permissions.html

http://www.treasurenet.com/forums/metal-detecting/461469-obtaining-permissions-frustration.html

Getting Permission to Metal Detect

 

[Truth]

My biggest fear till this day that I haven't had the nerve to face yet.


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[Truth]

Here are some links to threads and another good reference

http://www.treasurenet.com/forums/metal-detecting/444880-getting-digging-permissions.html

http://www.treasurenet.com/forums/metal-detecting/461469-obtaining-permissions-frustration.html

Getting Permission to Metal Detect

Thanks Loco you have been helpful to me, as well as others, in many different ways. This is something I will read and have to face.


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[Loco-Digger]

Not a problem Truth, I lurked for a while before I got the nerve to post, but did learn how to mine the threads for the info that interested me. Permissions are just like asking a girl to dance when you were a teenager. The more you do it, the easier it becomes.

 

[Truth]

Not a problem Truth, I lurked for a while before I got the nerve to post, but did learn how to mine the threads for the info that interested me. Permissions are just like asking a girl to dance when you were a teenager. The more you do it, the easier it becomes.

See that's what I mean. Unfortunately I was a half decent looking guy and already knew they would say yes, so I never had to learn that trait "rejection". Pisses me off, I didn't know I'd be metal detecting at an older age. Ugggggh


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[Loco-Digger]

Well come on Adonis, you can now play the sweet harmless old man card.

 

[Truth]

Well come on Adonis, you can now play the sweet harmless old man card.

Another problem I'm 47 going thru a loner faze. People are drama. Lol
I'm down to God, Wife, Detecting, 2 Fishing buddies and Trump. Living the good life [emoji631]


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[Loco-Digger]

I try to catch the property owners outside and strike up a conversation to size them up. If they are not in a good mood or have a negative demeanor, I continue with the small talk and introduce myself as a town resident and eventually excuse my self thinking I'll come back on a better day to pop the question. If they are in a good mood and have a friendly demeanor then I eventually drop the question and say something like this "I have a hobby, I like to metal detect and I was wanting to know if you'd mind if I detected your property?" DO NOT use the terms like treasure, gold, or jewelry. I try to down play it and if they ask what do I think I might find, I say maybe a mercury dime or maybe even an old penny. Most don't care what you find, but many just want to see what you've pulled form there yard.

 

[Truth]

I try to catch the property owners outside and strike up a conversation to size them up. If they are not in a good mood or have a negative demeanor, I continue with the small talk and introduce myself as a town resident and eventually excuse my self thinking I'll come back on a better day to pop the question. If they are in a good mood and have a friendly demeanor then I eventually drop the question and say something like this "I have a hobby, I like to metal detect and I was wanting to know if you'd mind if I detected your property?" DO NOT use the terms like treasure, gold, or jewelry. I try to down play it and if they ask what do I think I might find, I say maybe a mercury dime or maybe even an old penny. Most don't care what you find, but many just want to see what you've pulled form there yard.

Loco I'm gonna do my best and I promise you'll be the first one I tell.


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[Jeremy S]

Asking for permission takes thick skin sometimes. Be prepared to meet some truly @$$hole landowners. On the flip side you will also meet some of the nicest people you could possibly ask for and will find cool things.

I'd say I get permission at maybe half of the places I ask, and usually only find good stuff at one or two of the places I get to hunt.

 

[Honest Samuel]

Be happy, have a big smile, and info the owner that you had purchased metal detectors to search for single coins and single jewels to pay for the detectors, and your bills, and detecting is a hobby that you enjoy doing. Also then them how long you been doing it and you always fill in your holes and you are willing to share any buried treasures. I use written agreements, so I do not get everything that I find stolen from me. But, it up to you if you need written agreements or not. Good hunting and good luck.

 

[Bkn74]

I just got a detector so I'm new at detecting and haven't gone out yet besides my yard. I've been getting tons of permissions tho. One town I'm going to hunt has a civil war fort, large old rail line from civil war, underground railroad history, AL capone history and tons more. The city gave me permission by using a friend that knew mayor, I called up the railroad and got permit info, as for property owners I've been researching them and finding people I know that knows them to introduce me. The only permission I'm working on getting the nerve to do is going to the home of 92 yo mob boss that has ties to al capone. Lol. As for the people I can't find mutual friends of I juse chat them up and permissions come easily. If your real nervous find places you could care less about and start asking them for permission. That way you get experience in talking/asking and don't fub up the good spots.

 

[Honest Samuel]

Chatting with people about them and not you will go a long way. Tell the owners how many years you been detecting, that you cover your holes. That you need what you find to help to pay for your detector and bills. Also advice them about sharing buried treasures. Good hunting and good luck.