kuger said:
umrgolf said:
kuger said:
I would never hunt an area I didnt have to ask!!I look at as the landowner has "protected",it for all these years and I dont have to take some elses seconds.Just ask,offer to show them that you leave no evidence of a "dig",show respect,I offer them some of the finds.Dont beg,if the answer is no,then its no.Move on.Research,research research
Over the last few years, 95% of the better stuff I've seen come out of the ground was on private property. Really simple to ask and receive permission.. Go into it with the mindset that even if they say no, you'll be in the same boat you were in if you didn't ask. Show respect and start by introducing yourself, tell them you like to metal detect and find old relics and you were just stopping by to see if they would mind. Assure them that you will take care of their property by removing any trash you find and you'll be replacing the small plugs you dig. You really don't need to say much more than that. If they ask to have some of the finds, I always say absolutely. Doesn't hurt to give them a portion of the finds if they ask. From past experience, I'd say its about a 60%-70% success rate. Just can't get discouraged or embarrassed to hear "No".. It's gonna happen. Just reply with a simple "Ok, thanks anyway", smile and move on.

Very well said!!
Many may think its crazy but they dont mean much to me....I carry Merc dimes,Indian head pennies,even Barber coins I have found,and always give one or two to landowners if I found them there or not
For sure, I've never done that, but if the landowner asks to have some things, it doesn't hurt to give him some of the more common finds from the property. Most of the yards I dug where there was civil war stuff turning up, I offered them an eagle button or two. Never ever had anyone ask for more, as most of them are shocked anything was in their yard to begin with. On the really fruitful properties, I'll make a little display case with some relics as well. Wherever you may fall into the spectrum of "how much to give to the landowner" is up to you. Some give nothing, some give a little, some give all. Personally, I'm not in the business of breaking even.

I like to keep most of what I find.