New to this hobby

[ALA1755]

I have always been interested in some sort of treasure hunting. I have bought a metal detector and am wanting to use it but now I am running into legal issues on where I can go. I found this site and thought I would give it a try. I live In alabama bad would really like some information on places to go to to hunt.

 

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[SD51]

Welcome to T-Net and always get permission to detect.

 

[Raider19962]

Welcome from Delaware! Anywhere that the property owner gives you permission to hunt is a legal place to hunt. Just ask! All they can do is say no, or not! I like to look for old houses, or places on old maps where old homes were. Or even better, places where old taverns or trading posts were. Of course, the beach is good (easy digging). Just remember to fill in all the holes as neatly as you can so no one breaks an ankle or says you ruined their lawn. There are videos on YouTube by the "Digger" guys, via Garrett Detectors, that teach you all the basics. Also on this site there is a world of advice. Explore here first.
Good luck and be sure to post pics of your good finds.

 

[digging440yrs]

Welcome aboard

 

[eyemustdigtreasure]

Getting permissions is a skill, but most find it intimidating at the beginning, but it becomes easier each time after...
Be yourself, but be humble and appreciative. And, thank them for their time, and maybe share what you find, or show them your finds.
Look in this part of the forum, to get local TNet hunters in your State of Alabama. Maybe you can hook up with them.
Alabama

 

[RustyGold]

Welcome to TreasureNet from SoCal! Good luck!

 

[against the wind]

Welcome to the forum from Port Allegheny, Pennsylvania

 

[A2coins]

Check city ordanaces

 

[A2coins]

Welcome from Mi also Tommy

 

[Yak1366]

Welcome to TNet!!!

 

[Professor of Engineering]

Welcome to the forum!

 

[IAHOLEDIGGER]

Welcome from Iowa

 

[Ogre1190]

Welcome from North Central Illinois. 🙋

 

[vpnavy]

Welcome Aboard! Take a look at Forum:Alabama for information (i.e., clubs, etc.) directly related to your state.

 

[OreElse]

Welcome to T-Net! Where I'm at in AZ the local parks and any of the unfenced athletic complexes are fair game. City ordinance allows it. Inside the fences can be accessed if permission is granted. The main consideration is digging properly and leaving no trace you were there. There are also a few school yards accessible (after school hours of course) but they leave gates open. Most here don't. Generally speaking, any place else requires permission, certainly private property. Fair grounds are great too but permission is required even if the gates are left open. I asked and was old to go ahead. I hit the grounds occasionally and always after the fair is over. Any place people gather or once gathered is worth looking into for permission. Also, if you see a street or sidewalk being torn up, especially in the older section of town, ask the workers on site if you can detect. I've usually been told to go right ahead as long as I stayed clear of any equipment. It's different everywhere. Just some ideas for you based on what I have available in my area. If I'm not sure I just move on.

 

[Raider19962]

Welcome to T-Net! Where I'm at in AZ the local parks and any of the unfenced athletic complexes are fair game. City ordinance allows it. Inside the fences can be accessed if permission is granted. The main consideration is digging properly and leaving no trace you were there. There are also a few school yards accessible (after school hours of course) but they leave gates open. Most here don't. Generally speaking, any place else requires permission, certainly private property. Fair grounds are great too but permission is required even if the gates are left open. I asked and was old to go ahead. I hit the grounds occasionally and always after the fair is over. Any place people gather or once gathered is worth looking into for permission. Also, if you see a street or sidewalk being torn up, especially in the older section of town, ask the workers on site if you can detect. I've usually been told to go right ahead as long as I stayed clear of any equipment. It's different everywhere. Just some ideas for you based on what I have available in my area. If I'm not sure I just move on.

A good point made here. Over time, leaves and other biological material will build up and turn into soil over what was once the surface of a lawn. When my house was being built and the area was cleared away for the foundation, I of course jumped in with my metal detector and found my best ever find, a George Washington inaugural button. The point is, it would have been two feet below the current surface. So when contractors are clearing away a few inches or more, that can be a big help. You have to take advantage of often quickly fading opportunities. Good luck!

 

[sataro]

Welcome from Corsicana, Texas!

 

[Dragonscout]

Welcome to the site from middle Georgia! As some here have mentioned, check with the local parks and rec departments to see not only if they allow, but if there is a fee to detect. Back in Missouri, the local parks allowed you to detect if you paid an annual fee of just $5. Check the sub-forums for Alabama and see if there's a local club and check also with any local businesses that sell and/or specialize in detecting equipment. They will be good indicators or information sources for you. When asking permission, assure them you will leave the area better than you found it, sometimes I've even offered to let them watch for a bit to see what I do if they're interested. You could make a valuable friend that way. Anyways, glad to have you here and good hunting!

 

[teleprospector]

Welcome!
Jon from s/e Michigan

 

[Rookster]

Welcome to Tnet from Mississippi. Always take the rubbish with you.