Need a Little Information, Please

[Clifford Powell]

We’re from Roswell, NM and are planning to travel to Centreville, VA to visit relatives over Thanksgiving. I would appreciate some information on the laws pertaining to metal detecting in Virginia. I know that state parks, national parks, national forests and beaches are off limits (same in New Mexico). More curious about hunting parks and such.

TIA
Cliff - - -

 

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[Michelle]

go to any suburb and or farm outside of town....just pick a spot if it looks good pull up to the house and ask....People are very nice about letting you know...better to just ask....never hurts.

 

[THing4CSA]

Hi Clifford
You are heading for a great area with so much history that no matter where you go it will produce some super finds.
I would search around the area where Routes 28 and 29 cross as I have found many drops and fired bullets and several buttons, coins, and other items. Give me a call when you are here and I will see if we can hook up to search a site that to date has produced over 200 bullets, 30 buttons, 4 coins, part of a CSA round canon ball and lots of whatsits. LOL What detector do you use? I use a Whites DFX and have a XLT as my back up detector. I carry my back up detector more for a loaner for land owners or their kids so I can get access to their property. It is a small cost to pay to search land that in many cases has never been searched. I look forward to hearing back from you.
Dave Mork
'Digger-Dave'
THing4CSA
PS: Remember; don't leave it in the ground!

 

[jmginmd]

Dave,

You have had better luck than I have. I just recently left Sterling and moved to Harpers Ferry. While in VA, it was very hard to find sites to hunt. I got the impression that people would rather develope and pave over then let me search. If you would ever like a hunting partner, give me a pm. I have been out a few times with civilman1 with some luck here and there. Good luck and HH!

Justin

 

[DCMatt]

I currently live in the Reston/Herndon area. I recently found maps showing "the battle of Ox Hill" or more often called "the battle of Chantilly". The battlefield just a few miles from my house. I have found two undeveloped spots that might be good candidates for MDing some Civil War stuff. One place had a one room church on it (until the late 80's) before the intersection was enlarged. They are on the road easement (btwn the exit ramp and the road) along route 50. I'm guessing this is Fairfax county property.

These places are only a few hundred yards from a major skirmish line.

Anybody have any idea about hunting these spots? Legal? If I need permission, from whom?

Any advice is appreciated.

DCMatt

 

[Rebel]

Yo! Rebel here: In Virginia, as far as I know, you CAN NOT treasure hunt on state or fed land without very severe consequences; most pp look around during the day... then go back at night to "treasure hunt"... lol. for a "look-see" of treasures in Va. check out the Virginia section @ http://www.coinworld.com/NewCollector/StateTreasures4.asp hh

 

[DCMatt]

I think I've found my answer.

This is from the Virginia Department of Criminal Justice web site:
______________________________________________________
State-controlled property
a. Persons who conduct any type of field investigation, exploration, or
recovery involving the removal, disturbance, or destruction of objects
of antiquity from state-controlled property have committed a
misdemeanor unless they have a permit from DHR (§ 10.1-2302).
(1) See Appendix A to this order for a sample permit to conduct
archaeological excavations.
b. A person who intentionally defaces, damages, destroys, disturbs, or
removes any object of antiquity from a state archaeological site or
other state-controlled property has committed a misdemeanor (§
_______________________________________________________

Too bad... I know no one will ever search or do any study on the road easement area I found.

Oh well, back to the research.

DCMatt

 

[DCMatt]

I got a very nice email from the Fairfax county Cultural Resource Management and Protection Office manager. She said:

It is illegal to metal detect on county-owned, state-owned and federal land (including both parkland and non-parkland). There is a method by which you can apply to metal detect on state property, however, I do not know what is required for such a request to be granted. Metal detecting is legal on private property with landowner approval.

I also checked on the permit requirements. I don't qualify...

DCMatt

 

[Rebel]

Re: Need a Little Information, Please...

Yo! Rebel here: Fellow Viriginians... MORE info to share to make us the BEST! RAH! RAH! RAH! http://treasurequestxlt.com/community/showthread.php?t=6690
hh