I'm new - and thoroughly in love with digging up old stuff

[AbZeKa]

Hi There - I live west of Albany, NY and have started tromping around the State Forests. I have come across quite a quantity of old stone foundations, and have been finding some goodies in them. I realize to a lot of people its flat out junk (my husband), but I have the greatest time just squatting in an area and seeing glass/metal/etc just pop out at me. A friend of mine, Laura, shares the same love and this past weekend we wandered into the woods with a small shovel and a pail. A few hours later we were making our way back to the Jeep and completely fascinated by what we found. Lots of bits of glass, old crockery and lots of metal. Laura researched the bits of glass we found and shared with me, but I ended up with most of the metal bits. I have a big ole buckle, the remains of a small umbrella, the tag from an old instruments (possibly a bugle) and some other odds and ends.

So now I have a few questions - I have done some quick searches on NYS forests and I don't see where I can't dig out old stuff - but does anyone if what i'm doing is actually legal? And secondly - does anyone have a good way of cleaning up any of my metal finds? I just want to see if there is anything underneath the layers of dirt that can help me identify the little bits of stuff I have found.

Thank you so much and I look forward to reading any responses anyone has.

 

[Javadroid]

You've found a great place for information and fellow treasure hunters -- welcome to our community!

 

[against the wind]

Welcome to the forum from Port Allegheny, Pennsylvania.

 

[villagenut]

You will fit in just fine around here....welcome aboard. If you scroll the forum you will find a cleaning and preservation forum to show you how to clean your bits.

 

[Hawks88]

Welcome to tnet from Niagara Falls.

 

[vpnavy]

Welcome Aboard! Take a look at Sub-Forums: New York for information (i.e., clubs, etc.) directly related to your state.

 

[devldog]

Welcome to Tnet from Georgia. This hobby is rather addictive and it sounds as if you've got it pretty bad....or should I say good. Congrat's to you and your friend and continued success to you in your adventures.

 

[AbZeKa]

Thank you - I definitely found some helpful tips!

 

[Tpmetal]

ok new york is one of the weird ones. It is technically legal to detect in all state forests, but state parks usually need permit or are off limits, also wildlife management areas almost always off limits due to not being allowed to dig or disturb plant life. BUT anything over 50 years old is technically property of the state due to antiquity laws. So its kinda like yes you can, but really you can't.

 

[AbZeKa]

Ugh...not exactly what I was hoping to hear. Well now...sally forth, rules be damned or? Sigh. All I want to do is plant myself in the woods next to an old foundation and find things, is that too much to ask?

Thank you for the info - you have given me something to think about.

 

[Tpmetal]

that being said though you would really have to piss off a ranger or be digging a big old hole to get bothered. Unlike my experiences of Pennsylvania forest services, new york state forest rangers don't really care about much besides hunting and offroading.

 

[Tpmetal]

Hint stay away from busy recreation areas and don't trash the place and you will be fine. I wave and smile to the rangers while detecting and they simply keep driving. There should also be tons of properties around you that are privately owned that have old cellars on them. Get a permission and then you have absolutely nothing to worry about, you can dig sift and detect to your hearts content with permission of a land owner.

 

[BLK HOLE]

Welcome aboard T-Net from Northern Virginia

 

[Texas Jay]

Welcome from Brownwood in central Texas!
~Texas Jay

http://centraltexastreasureclub.webs.com - Fall Annual Open Competition Hunt - October 13th!

 

[River Rat]

 

[Professor of Engineering]

Welcome to the forum!

 

[A2coins]

Welcome to tnet from Ann Arbor feel free if you ever need any help or suggestions about detecting Ill try to assist!!!!!!Tommy

 

[A2coins]

Welcome to tnet from Ann Arbor feel free if you ever need any help or suggestions about detecting Ill try to assist!!!!!!Tommy