Hunting at Schools Question ..

[bradsguns]

Hello all, just getting started in MD, my Xterra 70 will be here next week.
Anyway, I see a lot of you looking at school playgrounds...are schools just open to this or do we need to get permission from someone ?? Obviously, they dont want some guy MD'n while kids are out playing, but do you just go anytime after hours or during the summer ??
Thanks,
Brad

 

[brnn53]

Unless you see a sign that forbids entry, schools for the most part are public property. Do not hunt during school hours and.. I really hate hunting when there is activity on the grounds as I feel watched and distracted but weekends are great and usually empty. Make sure that you leave no holes and take out the trash for disposal. Be cautious in the seedier section of town schools. Pay attention to your surroundings and everything should be fine. Have fun and HH!
Mike

 

[Digginman]

Hi Brad, welcome to T-Net.

This seems to vary by locality. I have never had any problems in my area. I live in a small town. There are folks who come to my area to hunt schools with me. They aren't allowed in their big cities.

I would contact your local school admin office and ask. Get it in writing if permission is granted. This will cover you in case anyone notifies the police or other authorities.

DM

 

[mastereagle22]

I had the administrator of a local public school come up to me the other day asking what I was doing. When I explained it to her and walked her around the area I was working she was happy that I wasn't tearing the place up. She did however trick me into volunteering to come by one day right before school starts and help her plant some flowers and a couple of shrubs, since I like digging so much.

 

[Tom_in_CA]

I hunt public school yards, at will, and don't ask. If other afterschool usage goes on (people jogging the track, shooting hoops, or whatever), then detecting should be no different. I would be hesitatant to ask, fearing I may get a "no", from someone who really wouldn't have given a durn. But since you ask, they must say no -type of thing.

 

[bradsguns]

I will probably take my best friends daughter when I go to our local schools...let her "play" on the equipment and I will just do my detecting while "waiting" for her to finish her playtime
Thanks for the info all !!
Brad

 

[wallyblackburn]

I was hunting a local elementary school a week or so ago and the security guard was driving through and stopped - oh boy, I thought. He just wanted to know if I was finding anything good and told me of some areas at the junior high he thought would be good!

I was at another yesterday and a cop drove through the lot making rounds. She just waved and went on.

I would tend to fall in the "Don't ask, they might say no" camp.

HH,
Wally