Metal detecting on National Forest?

[Poppa Relic]

I know we cant metal detect in state parks in Mississippi. But I was wandering about detecting in National Forest. They allow deer hunting and etc. here in National forest. I am wanting to go dig civil war relics on national forest areas that don't have any historical signs or markers. Anybody know? I don't want to call the district ranger office and bring attention to myself if the laws are kinda "Grey area". I just want to know if its allowed or if their are any fines involved if someone sees me and calls out the ranger. I definitely want to avoid any trouble. Any help on this Idea would be appreciated. Thanks, Poppa Relic

 

[XLTer]

I could'nt find anything for your state . But , it is my understanding that here in Pennsylvania ( Allegheny National Forest ) we CAN NOT dig or collect ANYTHING over 50 years old . Basically forget about metal detecting . Good luck & HH .

 

[vpnavy]

I searched Google and found...

• 
  [*=2]National Forest Camping Rules stats: Metal detecting is allowed only in developed recreation areas for items having no historical value. Only surface collecting is allowed (no digging) , except at designated beaches where it is permissible to sift through the sand for modern items.
  
  [*=2]National Parks in Mississippi state: It is illegal to Metal Detect in a National Park, Recreational Area or at a National Monument.
  
  [*=2] And, a related thread right here on the Forum: Minnesota and Mississippi Rivers National Parks (May 11, 2009)

 

[Mekong Mike]

What would you do if they outlawed metal detecting all together ? Would you hang your MD on the wall and forget it ?

Go stealth.

 

[Poppa Relic]

Hahaa! That's what ive been doin and been lucky so far. I get scared every little noise I hear. Scared the metal detecting Nazis are after me! Paranoia!

 

[Tom_in_CA]

In addition to what VP navy gives you (that detecting NFS is not dis-allowed), here's another link you might find interesting:

http://www.fs.usda.gov/Internet/FSE_DOCUMENTS/stelprdb5261774.pdf

As for the parts about ...... whether or not (gasp) you might find an old coin (older than 51 yrs. old?), all I can say is .... you're only finding and looking for modern coins, right? I mean, for pete's sake, in all my 35+ yrs. of this, I have NEVER had anyone follow me around with a calculator doing the math on each coin I find. All such "cultural heritage" verbage they put in things like that, are obligatory so no kooks think they can start pillaging around sensitive historic monuments, etc... I mean, once you use a little common sense on where .... in the forests ... you go, then realistically speaking ... as you can see, it's going to be a "no one cares" type of actuallity.

 

[marh415]

I posted a similar question when I started a few months back. I hunt mostly state forests for relics too. Although there are laws regarding metal detecting in my state, DEM couldn't give me any specifics as to what they are when I spoke to them. I have a friend who is a member of a local detecting club and said as a general rule, no historic sites, national parks, and obviously historic cemeteries... DUH I also spoke with a local group who pretty much reiterated the same info. So like Tom said, how are you or anyone else gonna put a date on anything you may dig? It's impossible right? I try to keep a low profile wherever I hunt except for beaches as I try to go before and after people start flooding in for the day. Good luck!

 

[Tom_in_CA]

........ DEM couldn't give me any specifics as to what they are when I spoke to them ..........

Hah, well you went and ask a desk-bound bureaucrat "can I?", eh? You got lucky.

Sounds like in your case, they didn't say no or yes either way. Pheeww. But the BAD thing in cases like yours is, when someone there simply says "no", as the "easy answer". And then proceeds to morph something else to apply to your "pressing question". Like clauses about "harvesting and collecting" or "harming earthworms or vegetation" or "lost & found" or "cultural heritage", etc..... Or worse yet, it risks that such questions you/we pose get passed up the chain of command for in-put, and lo & behold, one day, the public entity that gets peppered with this question, MAKES a rule to "clarify" this, from then on.

Thus, no, don't ever ask desk-bound bureaucrats "can I metal detect?". Instead, look it up for your self. If you see nothing there that says "no metal detecting", then presto, it's not prohibited.