New York State parks detecting laws

[dlibity1]

Heading to Watkins glen state park.does anybody know if it's ok to metal detect there?
I'm new to this so not sure if I'm even listing my question correctly??

 

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[Tom_in_CA]

Have you checked the FMDAC's state-by-state listing for NY ?

It says beaches only. But strangely, when you click on the state's name, to read the expanded version, it doesn't say that. It says some parks ok, some need permits, etc... Utterly vague, eh ? So if you go to click on the EVEN MORE expanded version: the link that would supposedly lead you to chapter and verse of where it talked about any supposed permits. Or any supposed fees for said-permits. Or anything that said beach only. Or listed parks, etc... ANYTHING that says what the FMDAC single-sentences answer just said. But alas, it's a dead-link.

I suppose you could go to NY state's park's dept. website, and do a key-word search on "metal" or "detecting" or "detectors", and see if anything actually exists (versus silent on the subject).

Unfortunately, a lot of the FMDAC's well-intentioned list, got it's "yes" or a "no" and the single type of "check at each kiosk" answer by ...... you guessed it: Asking. And some pencil pusher, perhaps envisioning geeks with shovels raiding priceless historic sites, gives an easy answer. Yet if you go to sleuth further, you see no actual "no md'ing" rule exists. Barring something ancillary that a bored pencil pusher applies to your "pressing question".

If you find that the NY park's state parks do NOT contain any real true "no md'ing" rule (ie.: silent on the issue), then presto: It's not prohibited.

 

[Terry Soloman]

Hey, 'ere's da freakin' "rules" in Nu Yawk OK? Lissen up! You get the Annual $40 State Park Metal Detecting Permit. You use your noggin when you detect, and try not to draw attention to yourself by searching during the week early in the morning, or after 3pm when the lunchers, dog walkers, bird watchers, and the morning hikers have gone home. You'll never be bothered.

You'se understand?

 

[Tom_in_CA]

Thanks Terry

What ? You mean we don't parade ourselves in neon yellow at Archie conventions waltzing over their beach blankets swatting hornet's nests ??

 

[Sandman]

Just leave the area as you found it an don't be seen with a shovel.

 

[gunsil]

You sure about that Terry? I have been told that the only places you can detect in Harriman State Park legally are the beaches at the lakes there. No woods hunting allowed and for sure you will get tossed out hunting the great lawns at Bear mountain.

 

[Terry Soloman]

You sure about that Terry? I have been told that the only places you can detect in Harriman State Park legally are the beaches at the lakes there. No woods hunting allowed and for sure you will get tossed out hunting the great lawns at Bear mountain.

Been told? That is why I never ask! I detected in both these places and never had a problem. Check out Bear Mountain at 6:00am on a Tuesday!

 

[Honest Samuel]

Connecticut does not require permits to use metal detectors, but the rule is only on beaches. You can use detectors on land, but, no digging, only what is on the ground which is stupid. I did found many pennies on the ground without a detector. I guess the jewel and coins, are found on beaches. # 1. Go to the park and ask the staff, if off season and no staff, then go for it. Good hunting and good luck.

 

[gunsil]

Been told? That is why I never ask! I detected in both these places and never had a problem. Check out Bear Mountain at 6:00am on a Tuesday!

When you go to get a permit at Bear Mountain for Harriman park they explicitly tell you no hunting other than the lake beaches. A friend was escorted out for hunting the big lawn by the ice rink.

 

[Joe hunter]

State parks in ny are beaches only and you need a permit it is I forced ,if you stop at the main gate they sometimes have them or will sometimes give you a verbal go ahead there nat jerks about it.

 

[Tom_in_CA]

You sure about that Terry? I have been told that the only places you can detect in Harriman State Park legally are the beaches at the lakes there. No woods hunting allowed and for sure you will get tossed out hunting the great lawns at Bear mountain.

When you go to get a permit at Bear Mountain for Harriman park they explicitly tell you no hunting other than the lake beaches. A friend was escorted out for hunting the big lawn by the ice rink.

gunsil, I have no doubt you may have been told this. And perhaps you didn't solicit the "no" . Perhaps they just off-handedly told you this, at the time they handed you the permit. But is this "beaches only" and "no lawns" is actually written down somewhere in NY state park rules ?

Here's an example of what I mean: I knew a guy who went in to city of San Francisco parks dept. and asked "can I metal detect in the parks?". Someone there told him "Sure, help yourself" So in effect, that's sort of akin to your "permit", right ? But a few weeks later, he realized he'd forgotten to get that guy's name who'd told him "yes". So he went back to the same office a second time, to get that guy's name (in case any busy-bodies stopped him in any park). But this time, someone else was manning the desk. The two of them could not figure out who it was that the md'r had spoken to a few weeks earlier.

So the current clerk just made it simple and said "what is it that you wanted to know? Maybe I can help you ?". The md'r repeated his question. And the current clerk said "Sure. But you can't dig".

Do you see how something like "can't dig" or "beaches only" etc.... can just be an off-hand comment (whether solicited or not) ? So just because someone handing me a permit says something like this, I'm not so quick to assume it's gospel law. If it's written down like that, sure. But otherwise, no.

 

[Honest Samuel]

Been told? That is why I never ask! I detected in both these places and never had a problem. Check out Bear Mountain at 6:00am on a Tuesday!

Too early for me, I do not get up before Noon, and I am too old to be climbing mountains, but I did research Bear Mountain. Good hunting and good luck.

 

[Honest Samuel]

Thanks Terry

What ? You mean we don't parade ourselves in neon yellow at Archie conventions waltzing over their beach blankets swatting hornet's nests ??

Yes, you can. Any problems, tell them that you have my permission.