Run in with DNR...... Lesson learned

[michigan michael]

I packed up my busted detector and headed for a public beach site. My detector works a little .... well kind of. I will post finds later. I just pulled a penny about 2" down and fixed my hole when my wife, who was with me shooting photographs asked me what I pulled out. I showed her and she told me that a DNR Officer was coming up behind me. She says, "I am serious! He is coming!" I said, " Should we run or try to hide the metal detector under our clothes!" lol Its public without any signs so at worst he would ask me to leave I am thinking.......Hoping! I turned and smiled and asked how he was doing he replied fine and got straight to the point. What are you using there? he said. Oh this is my metal detector and he cut me off and asked what brand. I told him oh its not a real good one and he say oh yeah an MPx. Mpx is not a popular brand. In my head this guy is really gonna give it to me. He is pretty educated and I am probably going to get a fine or something. I still smile and continue our conversation and gave all of you up! lol just playing. He asked what I have found and started giving me hot spots to check out and was telling about the famous sugar island, as well as local spots close to home. again! He started telling me treasure stories about different finds he was called to or discovered. It was a completely different conversation than what I expected. I found out he was a swinger and was looking forward to getting some free time to hunt as well. We ended our conversation and he left and I was again scratching my head As he drove away I was felling like I got away with something even though I was not doing anything wrong................ It occurred to me...... I just had a DNR Officer standing in front of me telling me treasure stories and location hot spots! He is leaving! Dang! There goes possibly the BEST treasure hunting partner that I could of ever had! He did tell me he had owner permission for many spots!

I started this hobby completely paranoid that I was going to upset someone or get into trouble. I read many posts of different laws and how people viewed us etc. I am sure there are people out there that may get mad at what we do. So what! I get mad at what a lot of different people do. lol Follow the rules and don't look back. Enjoy the hobby! Have fun! That's what its all about! Thanks for reading my ramblings. I learned something new and just wanted to share. Especially, with all the other newbies
Thanks,
MM

 

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[desertfox]

Interesting story! I agree with you, you missed the opportunity to have a great hunting buddy! But you know for sure now that it's OK to hunt where you were. lol

HH

Desertfox

 

[camperlee]

I have had several encounters with the DNR on state land usually they just drive by and wave and some times stop and watch or maybe even walk up and talk nothion never negetive but I always try to leave an area better then I find it but less the treasures so if you have had any encounters please post them good luck. Lee

 

[123jerry]

now that the drn is spose to be nice

 

[seger98]

Finally a good story about a DNR worker!

 

[oldschool]

Nice story,I have had usually good encounters with dnr officers.
Shouldnt be to hard to find out who the officer was and give him a call.

 

[oneeye]

I have never had a problem with the DNR while detecting public land. In fact, they usually want to visit.
Dan

 

[RoadKillDave]

I did not think it was legal to hunt on state land unless the DNR marked it as open to detecting. Down the road from where I live in the State Game Area there is an old cranberry bog. I would like to go detect there but didn't think it was legal to go into state woods.

 

[Planet1mars]

Dnr wont bother you unless you have a huge shovel or leaving holes behind. most of them dont even know there own rules,,

 

[BigZee]

Dnr wont bother you unless you have a huge shovel or leaving holes behind. most of them dont even know there own rules,,

Hopefully no DNR employees will read this. I'm sure they know the rules very well, whether or not they choose to enforce them is another story.
Lets not alienate them with careless statements.

 

[Planet1mars]

lot of the summer DNR people are young adults working in summertime..now in the fall i wont go near state land becuse the DNR check for hunters,and will be around more and there the one that know the rules inside and out. I also think it depends if the park has any open areas.. if there isnt open areas in the park i will stay away...And its not to say if the guy is smart or not.. They have better things and more money to make then going after us

 

[fistfulladirt]

Finally a good story about a DNR worker!

And it's taken ALL THIS TIME for ANY good news about 'em!

 

[Giant056]

Last year was the first year in quite a while I didn't get a state park sticker because of one of my favorite spots was banned, I know someone who still hunts the place and it's posted no metal detecting also. He said the rangers just wave at him when they see him detecting. It makes me kinda think they really just don't want people detecting certain area's but I'm not willing to take the chance myself. If I get a sticker this year I'll ask them myself what the deal is but I won't mention the certain person that I know who's been doing it there.

 

[Planet1mars]

I never seen a no detecting sign on any State land or parks..

 

[Irontask]

Michigan State Parks have a web site that list open and closed areas.There are some nice places open and closed.Dodge park in the early 70s was a good place to hunt but its been closed to metal detecting.Pontiac Lake is open to metal detecting.By the way at Fish Lake last season I found an old DNR badge that I returned to the park.Remember we are tax payer's and have as much right to enjoy the park as well as any other park goer. HH Ron