Sandman
Gold Member
- Joined
- Aug 6, 2005
- Messages
- 13,398
- Reaction score
- 3,994
- Golden Thread
- 0
- Location
- In Michigan now.
- Detector(s) used
- Excal 1000, Excal II, Sovereign GT, CZ-20, Tiger Shark, Tejon, GTI 1500, Surfmaster Pulse, CZ6a, DFX, AT PRO, Fisher 1235, Surf PI Pro, 1280-X, many more because I enjoy learning them. New Garrett Ca
- Primary Interest:
- All Treasure Hunting
- #1
Thread Owner
Sandman's trouble with State Park policies.
Here is an article that was run in the Oakland Press about me detecting in state parks. It was to bring attention to the rules of restricting the use of metal detectors in Michigan State Parks.
Pontiac metal hunter kept out of park
Tuesday, October 14, 2008 5:02 AM EDT
By CAROL HOPKINS
Of The Oakland Press
Dennis C. Rahn Sr. of Pontiac enjoys taking out one of his 13 metal detectors to look for coins and jewelry.
“I go out every chance my knees let me,” the 66-year old said. “People think we’re digging up all this money, but you can make more by working at a (fast-food restaurant) part-time.” Nonetheless, there is one local spot Rahn wishes he could explore — Dodge Park No. 4 in Waterford.
“At Dodge Park, we cannot even look for lost coins in the grass for extra money to buy a coffee on the way home.” Metal detecting is recognized as a legitimate recreation activity by the state when it is conducted in ways that don’t damage natural and cultural resources in the state parks or violate applicable state statutes, according to state officials. The Department of Natural Resources asks that items found must be reviewed by park staff and may be retained for further investigation.
Five of the 98 state parks allow metal detecting. Dodge Park is not among them.
Oakland County Parks are open to metal detecting, said officials. County rules state, “Metal detectors will be allowed in the picnic, campground and general park area. With permission from the park supervisor, metal detectors will be allowed in the beach area when the beach has been closed to the public. The use of metal detectors in the water will be done by a group of volunteers approved through the Commission’s Chief of Parks Operations.”
Rahn has found money, rings and many pull tabs, he said.
He would like to be able to explore beach areas because “people in the water have slippery fingers.”
Rules connected with metal detecting changed in the state parks a few years ago.
“We had most parks open for metal detecting years ago, but then we were contacted by the state archaeologist who said we were in violation of the state antiquities act,” said Harold Herta, Department of Natural Resources chief of resource management.
After that, Natural Resources staff conducted a two-year analysis — between 2003-04.
“We talked with metal detecting groups and archeologists, and then created maps and posted everything on the Web.
“Some parks are open, some are partially open and others are closed,” Herta said.
“We tried to appease state archaeologists, but still allow for recreational use of metal detectors.”
The five parks that are open — none in Oakland County — have no cultural or historic areas, he noted.
Herta pointed out many states close every park to metal detecting, and that no metal detecting is allowed in national parks.
“It would have been easier to say that here,” he said.
“We’re trying to find that middle ground. (The current policy) is a compromise solution.”
The state parks that are partially open allow metal detecting in parking lots — areas that don’t yield much, Rahn noted.
He wishes the state would change the rules.
“If I find enough for a cup of coffee, I am a happy camper,” he said.
“With pennies costing three cents apiece to mint now, I read somewhere, I would think someone would be happy that metal detectorists are finding lost coinage and putting it back in circulation.
“It is the only hobby that many seniors can do that doesn’t cost an arm and a leg.”
On the Web
The rules about metal detecting in Michigan’s state parks and a complete list of parks where people can use metal detectors can be found at www.michigan.gov/dnr/0,1607,7-153-10365_10883-97922--,00.html.
Here is an article that was run in the Oakland Press about me detecting in state parks. It was to bring attention to the rules of restricting the use of metal detectors in Michigan State Parks.
Pontiac metal hunter kept out of park
Tuesday, October 14, 2008 5:02 AM EDT
By CAROL HOPKINS
Of The Oakland Press
Dennis C. Rahn Sr. of Pontiac enjoys taking out one of his 13 metal detectors to look for coins and jewelry.
“I go out every chance my knees let me,” the 66-year old said. “People think we’re digging up all this money, but you can make more by working at a (fast-food restaurant) part-time.” Nonetheless, there is one local spot Rahn wishes he could explore — Dodge Park No. 4 in Waterford.
“At Dodge Park, we cannot even look for lost coins in the grass for extra money to buy a coffee on the way home.” Metal detecting is recognized as a legitimate recreation activity by the state when it is conducted in ways that don’t damage natural and cultural resources in the state parks or violate applicable state statutes, according to state officials. The Department of Natural Resources asks that items found must be reviewed by park staff and may be retained for further investigation.
Five of the 98 state parks allow metal detecting. Dodge Park is not among them.
Oakland County Parks are open to metal detecting, said officials. County rules state, “Metal detectors will be allowed in the picnic, campground and general park area. With permission from the park supervisor, metal detectors will be allowed in the beach area when the beach has been closed to the public. The use of metal detectors in the water will be done by a group of volunteers approved through the Commission’s Chief of Parks Operations.”
Rahn has found money, rings and many pull tabs, he said.
He would like to be able to explore beach areas because “people in the water have slippery fingers.”
Rules connected with metal detecting changed in the state parks a few years ago.
“We had most parks open for metal detecting years ago, but then we were contacted by the state archaeologist who said we were in violation of the state antiquities act,” said Harold Herta, Department of Natural Resources chief of resource management.
After that, Natural Resources staff conducted a two-year analysis — between 2003-04.
“We talked with metal detecting groups and archeologists, and then created maps and posted everything on the Web.
“Some parks are open, some are partially open and others are closed,” Herta said.
“We tried to appease state archaeologists, but still allow for recreational use of metal detectors.”
The five parks that are open — none in Oakland County — have no cultural or historic areas, he noted.
Herta pointed out many states close every park to metal detecting, and that no metal detecting is allowed in national parks.
“It would have been easier to say that here,” he said.
“We’re trying to find that middle ground. (The current policy) is a compromise solution.”
The state parks that are partially open allow metal detecting in parking lots — areas that don’t yield much, Rahn noted.
He wishes the state would change the rules.
“If I find enough for a cup of coffee, I am a happy camper,” he said.
“With pennies costing three cents apiece to mint now, I read somewhere, I would think someone would be happy that metal detectorists are finding lost coinage and putting it back in circulation.
“It is the only hobby that many seniors can do that doesn’t cost an arm and a leg.”
On the Web
The rules about metal detecting in Michigan’s state parks and a complete list of parks where people can use metal detectors can be found at www.michigan.gov/dnr/0,1607,7-153-10365_10883-97922--,00.html.
There are State Parks here on my side of Michigan I'd like to hunt too.
