Local parks: I hunt early weekday mornings and sometimes late afternoon right before dark. If there are kids playing or people out there I usually stay away from them and don't attract attention. When I go early, right at dusk, I usually only see the occasional joggers or people walking their dogs.
State/DNR controlled property: Avoid these places, MDing is banned. So is Geocaching too, unless you buy a license from the state!! I had a CO tell me that he would ticket a person for MDing on DNR property.
Schools: If you call the front administration office expect a stern "no"! I have better luck getting a hold of maintenance supervisors or the director of faculties. Never hunt during school hours or even when they have after school events. I mostly hunt schools during the summer after 5 or 6 PM (only with permission). People are paranoid around schools anymore. Also remember schools are plastered with cameras everywhere outside, so even if you think you are sneaking around at night detecting someone is watching.
Privately owned property: ALWAYS ask permission from the owner. On private property I only like to hunt away from people, mostly around abandoned homes or old house sites.
Don't call asking if detecting is legal at a local park. Most have a webpage with a list of rules and regulations where you can find out online. When you do go there if you are packing around a big shovel you will attract bad attention. I use a very small spade and a brass probe to retrieve targets. Practice digging in your own yard so you can see the best way not to create a mess or kill the grass. Round spots of dead grass over a plug are just as bad as leaving an open hole, and they will get you booted out. Pack along an old dish towel too, so if you do dig a hole pile the dirt on the towel, when you go to fill it back it it makes putting the lose dirt back in easy plus you won't leave the mess of a freshly dug hole. I make it a personal rule not to retrieve targets over 6 or 8 inches in parks that are well taken care of or mowed.
Good luck and happy hunting!
