Northern Va MDing laws

[tw656]

Pretty sure federal parks are out. What about county parks, schools, tot lots and so forth.
Is it legal? Thanks. Im just getting into MDing and am iching to go.

 

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[ivan salis]

fed parks and lands no go-- most often the "well known " big civil battle sites --no go--private land get the ok up front from the legal owners-----check with your local govt bodies about their local---"park rules" --(state or city and county) they tend to vary from place to place and upon who "owns" them---some yes / some no ---if in doubt check it out ---before going there ---not knowing the law is no excuse (a very famous saying)---the judge will say ---Ivan

 

[borninok]

Not sure where you are located....but most of the areas in the DC/VA/MD area are in the No Hunt zone....unless you are on your own private area, have permission from the land owner, or hit the beach area. Do yourself a big favor and check the specific area rules/laws first. For example, the city of Manassas, VA....metal detecting on public areas (schools, parks, etc) are no hunt....and the mere possession of a metal detector on public land is ...I think a Class 3 misdemeanor. Further away from DC area....the more lenient the cities are. Like I said...check, check, check. Beaches like Virginia Beach are ok.
--Mel

borninok
--Mel

borninok

 

[sqzdog]

I was going to hunt Upton Hill park in Arlington (Old CW fort site), but it is owned by the state and there is a law against it. State-owned park managers have the discretion to grant permission and I tried this with the park above but of course they said no. I guess it depends on the history of the park.

 

[papa]

Anything in Virginia that is owned by the state or federal government,well,you can forget about hunting it.
Your tax dollars at work,..........

 

[Digginman]

Like borninok said. In my area I hunt the schools and parks, don't have any problem. Further east is out in alot of cases.

Ask is all you can do.

DM

 

[timbuckII]

Like borninok said. In my area I hunt the schools and parks, don't have any problem. Further east is out in alot of cases.

Ask is all you can do.

DM

So who do you ask? The school, parks department, Police, Commonwealth attorneys office? Where do you find the law itself?

 

[borninok]

http://www.fmdac.org/parks/parks.htm

The above website is the best place for citing regs for the state parks. You can pick any state and review its regs. For city/local, I normally will go online and research under the specific city's ordinances. If you are not successful in the any of the above, check with the specific park authorities, usually the public information officer can provide the info.

Here in this area of VA, near the metro DC area, while the regs say you can submit a request, the response 99% of the time will be a definite "NO". Like I said earlier, the further away from the Metro area, the more lenient they seem to be. It is frustrating....which is why, after getting booted off repeatedly from county/city parks, I travel to VA Beach and hit the beach. Or, I beg someone to let me tag along....ha/ha

Asking the police departments is not always a definitive answer.....most are not aware. Although, if you get something in writing from the police department giving you permission, that might help you out at your trial. I don't know.

By the way....just as a precautionary word of advice....ignorance of the law is no excuse......most jurisdictions presume you already know the law.
--Mel

borninok

 

[timbuckII]

Thanks. The Va State parks I understand it is the cities and counties that are the problem. I know each has it own set of laws but even in the same jurisdiction the different offices either interpret them different or do not know them. That is why I ask about where to find them.

HH
TC

 

[captain Jack]

in all honesty I hit parks and schools and have't had a problem yet either. I figure if a cop comes along and says you're not allowed, say ok, but you did contact a few county offices and couldn't get a clear answer. If nothing else they won't snatch your MD and then you just respect them and not go back. It's true, ignorance of the law is no excuse, but the words "yes sir" and a friendly attitude go a LONG way! Just think of all the a-holes they have to deal with on a daily basis. You're friendliness is a breath of fresh air.

few tips for parks and schools:

1. do it when the areas are least populated
2. immaculately fill holes
3. keep your trash so you can show hat at the very least you are cleaning up the park.
4. Act like you KNOW you can be there (but that doesn't mean be cocky to the police should they arrive) but if you keep looking over your shoulder while you MD someone is gonna think you're nervous about something.

Good luck, and HH! keep us updated on how it all goes!

 

[Gen. Breckinridge]

I just found out that Virginia State Parks require an MD permit, it cost $10 and well worth the money. I hunted the closest one to me back in the 1970 and paid for a Fisher 555D in one day. I'll admit that was thanks to the Hunt brothers trying to corner the market on silver and gold but $680 for one days hunt isn't bad in anyones book. The old Fisher found a liberty quarter at about 14" and sang like Pavorati. The 18k class ring pushed the total to the $680 mark. No name inside and a sizing piece was missing, about 1/8" but 18K none the less and heavy! Good luck hunting in No. Va from the SW corner of the state.

WS4V, Ken

 

[captain Jack]

you forgot to add where you get this permit!?!? I'll take 15 please...

does this mean if you have a permit you can just show up at a state park and MD? or do you still have to get permission after the permit? you have my pulse up a few notches...

 

[Gen. Breckinridge]

I think the permit covers a year and they are available here at the office in the state park. Call yours to verify.
Ken

 

[tw656]

Stopped by a Middle School and MDed for about an hour no problems. No good finds either, lots of trash. I was wondering has anyone in Northern Va, ever been kicked off a school? Got a ticket? Arrested? Had there MD taken away? I am only interested in Schools in Northern Va. Like for example Fairfax County.

Thanks.

 

[skullhunter.va]

you can by the state 10 dollar perment.But you still need to get the ok from the main park ranger at every state park in Va you visit..If you plan on trying state parks then i would call that park first before i drive there just incase that they tell you no way about using a metal detector in there park..

 

[tw656]

I realize parks are a pain in the butt. I am curious about schools. Escpecially in Fairfax county and I guess Maryland in the dc metro area. I was wondering if anyone is MDing at schools there and what kind of problems from anyone they might be facing. Someone on this thread said its a misdemeanor. Is that possible? Has anyone been arrested, and so forth?

 

[skullhunter.va]

you might want to try emailing that northern relic metal detecting club you have in that area of va.If anyone can tell you anything.It'll be that club... 8)

 

[dcinffxva]

Hopefully this will help some of you guys out a bit. Most local police are NOT going to know the laws about metal detecting, unless they are in a specific area which has a large number of people going there to do it, such as Manassas. If you want to get an answer for a certain jurisdiction, call the Magistrates Office. These are the guys that will determine if there is probable cause for an arrest. Get the name of the person you spoke with. If you should happen to get stopped by the police for metal detecting, which is fairly unlikely, Tell them that you checked with the Magistrates Office prior.

There may be park regulations that prohibit metal detecting. If that is the case, they can tell you to stop, they can ask you to leave, but you can't get into legal trouble for it, unless you refuse to stop, or leave when asked. If you refuse to leave, then you are trespassing, and you CAN be arrested for that. So far, I've never been asked to stop, or leave. I don't hunt in the common areas though, and am usually well away from the other people using the park.

I've hunted in several parks in Northern Virginia, and never had an issue arise from it, including the ones which were Civil War forts. Unfortunately they are so full of garbage that hunting them has been absolutely useless. I've had much better success hunting private land, and turned up a fair number of Civil War relics, and just the other day my oldest silver so far (1820 dime).

Upton Hill is NOT a state park. It is operated by the Northern Virginia Regional Park Authority. I went through there in the late 70's, right when they were opening the swimming pool and mini-golf areas and found a couple of three-ringers and one barrel band, but that was it for relics. The land that is now the park was for many years the headquarters of the American Nazi party, and the Nazi's left a lot of trash behind.

It depends on your hunting preference I guess. My goals are Civil War relics. If you are a coin/jewelry person, the parks may treat you great. For me, they have been a waste of time.

Good luck all !