South Mountain Reservation

[mountainman 2]

Can anybody tell me if metal detecting is permitted at South Mountain Reservation in Essex County.If it is, what are the regulations?Thanks for any replies.MM2

 

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[N.J.THer]

MM2,
I hope all is well with you.

I'm not sure about South Moutain Reservation. I always wanted to go give it a try and I know people that have detected there but I'm not sure if it is officially allowed. Thats the reason I have not gone.

How your 2009 hunting season going?
NJ

 

[mountainman 2]

Thanks for the reply NJ. I haven't been out much this year with all the rain and other obligations.I'm looking forward to the Belmar hunt later in the year if there still having it.MM2

 

[N.J.THer]

Thanks for the reply NJ. I haven't been out much this year with all the rain and other obligations.I'm looking forward to the Belmar hunt later in the year if there still having it.MM2

We are still having the Hunt in October...October 11th to be exact. We are in the process of updating the flyer which we will get out to you when it is done. I have a meeting later this month to discuss some details of the hunt. I think this will be the 22nd or 23rd year we are having the hunt. The hunt has such a good reputation that we've had people come from as far as Florida and Canada. Like past years there will be lots of gold, silver, prizes, food and fun. The hard part is coming up with something new to keep it fresh for people that keep coming back.

I'll see you in October.
NJ

 

[whitesid]

I know people that have detected there but I'm not sure if it is officially allowed.
NJ

do you know what they found there?

 

[N.J.THer]

I know people that have detected there but I'm not sure if it is officially allowed.
NJ

do you know what they found there?

I don't....I don't hunt with them but I have talked with them when I run into them at other sites in NJ. Next time I see them I will ask.

 

[whitesid]

ok thanks

 

[TommNJ]

MM2 good question, it's a little of my way, but I always wondered that myself.

TommNJ

 

[bigeye]

According to the rules, it seems ok t detect in South Mountain Reservation. See rules below
http://www.essex-countynj.org/Park_Rules.pdf

 

[mountainman 2]

According to the rules, it seems ok t detect in South Mountain Reservation. See rules below
http://www.essex-countynj.org/Park_Rules.pdf

Thanks for the reply Bigeye. I noticed it mentions permits on the bottom, i wonder if one is required to metal detect there.

 

[bigeye]

I checked permits for South Mountain Reservation. None for metal detecting. I would say it's permitted

 

[gfeulner]

I've detected in South Mountain many times and have never been bothered by anyone. I know people who have found 1/2 cents, seateds, barbers etc. The hilly areas are good to hunt because they're used for sledding in the winter.

 

[jemakat]

Several months ago I wrote to the head of the Essex County Parks Commission to see if metal detecting was permitted as I did not see a prohibition on its website.

I actually received a letter back and was informed that metal detecting is not prohibited per se, but that there is an ordinance which prohibits digging.

 

[mountainman 2]

If your only recovery tool was a screwdriver, would they consider that digging?

 

[N.J.THer]

I have still not hunted in South Mountain Reservation but I hunt other Essex county parks a few times a week. I use a Leche digger and have retrieved targets in front of park maintenance and police. I've never been harassed or asked to leave. They usually just ask what I've found. Not to say that if you get someone having a bad day they could not cause problems for you. I just have never experienced it.

Once after have a nice streak of luck in one corner of a small park...I came back to the same area three days in a row. A police officer stopped me and thought I was staking someone out. He just would not believe that I would come back to the same area day after day just to metal detect. I thought it was pretty funny. I guess different branches of law enforcement don't always communicate and share information.

NJ

 

[Scrappy]

Great information everyone. I just moved to Maplewood and am itching to detect - this information from you all helped tremendously!