Permission on private land

lisfisher · Dec 31, 2014

There is a field in town which I've been salivating over for years now. Finally found out who the owner was. Knocked on the door and asked nicely, followed by a firm NO! Ugh, only the second time I've been turned down since I got into this nearly 20 years ago. Certain spots just scream out to me " dig here, there's one of everything you ever wanted" and this was one of them. Oh well on to the next spot...

bigfoot1 · Dec 31, 2014

my expierience is the spots I look forward to the most usually end up not paying off.Its the fluke types unexciting spots that have hit biggest for me.At least it might make you feel better when you get a ,"no"

1320 · Dec 31, 2014

lisfisher said:
There is a field in town which I've been salivating over for years now. Finally found out who the owner was. Knocked on the door and asked nicely, followed by a firm NO! Ugh, only the second time I've been turned down since I got into this nearly 20 years ago. Certain spots just scream out to me " dig here, there's one of everything you ever wanted" and this was one of them. Oh well on to the next spot...

Don't give up. Send the owner a letter, a gift, a phone call...whatever it takes to make the "sell". Stay on him/her, sometimes it takes years....

watercolor · Dec 31, 2014

You mentioned "in town" so I'm assuming you live in that vacinity.

I'm wondering if some "out-of-town" detectorists were confronted by him while detecting this field without his permission.
I know that I would be upset with detectorists in general if that was the case.

As "1320" suggested, what have you got to loose by sending him a letter. . . you might want to wait a few months though before sending it.
Also, it might help if you have any research materials of his property (old plats, maps, etc.) that you could share with him, that might help break the ice too.

Good luck!

lisfisher · Dec 31, 2014

He did say that "many other people have asked me if they could search the field" so I am guessing he has had it with that

CincinnatiKid · Dec 31, 2014

No means No?. Innovative means are not necessary. Sometimes...
GL
Peace ✌

BC1969 · Dec 31, 2014

If that many others asked and got NOs, I'd bet that its already been pounded to death at night..I know of quite a few guys that do those sorts of things at historic sites or anywhere they damn well please, because they couldn't care less.

BC

PS I'm NOT saying to do that by the way, just pointing it out.

Metal Illness · Dec 31, 2014

Only the 2nd turn down in 20 years, wow that's like 99.99999999999999% I get turned down sometimes 2-3 times an outing, but I am asking to detect in peoples yards. I've even been given permission only to have a husband or wife come out and tell me the other spouse shouldn't have given permission........... Sometimes I just wanna scream who wears the damn pants? lol

DigIron2 · Jan 3, 2015

Yeah it can be tough getting a yes,allot of people just don't like the idea of it for some reason?I have heard reasons like "I might want to do it one day,or I have family that might want to do it"or like you,sometimes just a big fat NO,or I DONT THINK SO! I think some people are afraid you might find something of value,but I think it is usually more of a privacy issue then anything else.Keep at it and gl -HH

Helix · Jan 3, 2015

I agree with a lot of the comments. In my are there is - was a really great old stage coach stop, hotel and some early home sites all out in a few acres of farm field. All long gone with zero trace anything was ever there. Twenty five or so years ago the owner was ambushed by mders asking to detect his field. Basically the owner told everyone to get lost and put up no trespassing signs everywhere. Then low and be hold in recent years the fellow sold the land to a building developer, and guess who knows some of the developers. :laughing7:

Anyway I would keep an eye and watch if the land changes hands or any possible construction about to take place. Owner might change his mind if the land is going to be greatly disturbed anyway. Also might want to find out if anyone you know, knows the owner. People tend to feel more comfortable if your friends with his mailman or mechanic or who ever it might be, you see my point.

CMan1 · Jan 3, 2015

I asked a couple yesterday. They were clearing a Two acre lot. I asked if I could MD it. I made sure it was okay from both of them. I asked if there use to be a home there. They both looked and said over there. Then they mentioned there use to be some across the street in the over grown woods.

fistfulladirt · Jan 4, 2015

I've found that carrying a big wad of $20's really seems to help!

lisfisher · Jan 4, 2015

I'm thinking some people might be afraid of someone getting injured on their property and filing a lawsuit. Then on the other hand I have had people say yes and "come any time and no need to check in every time "

BC1969 · Jan 4, 2015

fistfulladirt said:
I've found that carrying a big wad of $20's really seems to help!

Ahh drat! I thought I was the only guy that did that!

BC

Higgy · Jan 4, 2015

fistfulladirt said:
I've found that carrying a big wad of $20's really seems to help!

You guys actually PAY to hunt someone else's property?

pgfhgs · Jan 4, 2015

I asked at a campground 4 times before an ok, then I waited 2 weeks stopped to check in and got a no not this week, stopped again finally a yes, proved I wouldn't wreck the place and found over 3 dollars in clad in an hour. can't wait until spring before they open hopefully a yes will still be good!

BC1969 · Jan 4, 2015

Higgy said:
You guys actually PAY to hunt someone else's property?

I have many times, and more times than not the investment returned 1000x back.

BC

pgfhgs · Jan 4, 2015

BC1969 said:
I have many times, and more times than not the investment returned 1000x back.

BC

I haven't needed to "YET" :4leafclover:

BC1969 · Jan 4, 2015

Oh I don't *need* to either. Just sometimes when I have a almost ironclad lead through research, that I know will pay off, I go all out and offer cash upfront. Reason being in the past just going the I'll just ask route, I've been turned down, then if you offer cash, people will be like what do you know that I don't know, then they get suspicious that there's something very valuable out there..I'd rather pay upfront.

BC