That's the thing. Most people don't know what the law is, and to make it easy on themselves when asked, they just say NO. Why would they stick their neck out by saying YES, when NO works so easily and with no consequences. All public sites that I've ever looked at have had rules posted somewhere....be it city hall, county court building, online, etc. If it isn't specifically prohibited, it's allowed. Somehow some people think it's the other way around and that they need permission to do anything on public land. That doesn't mean that some bureaucrat, groundskeeper, or some other type of civil servant won't get their panties in a twist over seeing one of us having fun detecting. There are busybodies everywhere that think their opinions are gospel. Sometimes it's best to just come back another day and time if someone like that is all up in arms about it and wants to call the police. Print out the rules regarding that site and keep a copy with you if it should come to a major confrontation. Use some common sense as to when you hunt a busy site. Do it at off hours when traffic is low, use proper recovery methods so as to keep the place looking as good or better than when you started, and be friendly when approached. I'll even bring and keep some hazardous junk in my pouch to show anyone who asks "what have you found", or, "what are you doing"? Showing a groundskeeper, ranger, or even a dog walker, nails, can slaw, broken glass, etc. can sway their opinion of you and what you're doing in a positive direction.
