Today I found a socialist (or he found me)

[surprman]

Bummer. Today I was detecting at my favorite park (a municipal part as defined by the village). I had been detecting there all summer and I am fanatic about filling in holes and removing all junk (lots of lead from plumbing, steel wire and about 5 complete capguns, surprisingly). The park is nice and I was actually just thinking this morning that I could see no evidence that I had dug any of the hundreds of plugs I have made there. Most folks I have met there would strike up a brief conversation while walking by the park (I think more to engage in conversation than actually a desire to know what I was finding). Today, a younger guy (maybe early 30's) was walking two dogs and asked me if I lived here (I live about thee miles from the village). He proceded to tell me that this is village property and I need to ask permission to metal detect. I explained that it was my understanding that this was a municipal village park and there are no postings (online or otherwise) that indicate that I could not detect there, and that I was very carefull about cleaning up after detecting. He proceeded to tell me that all items in the park were the property of the village and that I should not keep anything I find for myself -that any items I found were of archaeological value and should be given to the village for everyone to gain an understanding of the history of the village (after of course I asked for permission to do so!). Really - I have not found any pyramids or burial sites with my detector - just a few (nice) coins and some clad (not much historical value there). I realized after a few minutes that this guy was not going to drop it so stopped taking and I packed up and started back toward my vehicle. He followed me the entire time (another 2 or 3 minutes), yammering away behind me, I guess in some sort of attempt to convince me that he was right and I was somehow wrong for detecting there. I got back to my car and since I had not said anything at all to him (since I had stopped digging), he said something like " ...well you are not going to talk to me?" I replied "Yeah, something like that" as I put my detector away and got into my car (I am really not a confrontational person and for me to even say that is quite a lot). He came around to the driver side window and continued to yammer outside the car! Now, to be fair, he was not threatening at all, so I was not to concerned from a safety standpoint. I was more annoyed at his persistence (and philosophical position on finding lost items). I guess I will go to the village parks department tomorrow, talk to someone in charge (in person) and request permission (in writing). I'm sure some would ignore this guy and continue to detect, but I would not feel comfortable going back without permission in hand, in case I run across this guy again (it is a small village and I am pretty sure he lives within view of the park).

Bye

 

[Ramapirate]

I was hunting one Saturday morning in the largest park in my city when a dude comes up and starts verbally attacking me about digging a plug. I told him to look all over the park where I'd already dug literally hundreds of holes over the past months. If he could find one spot where I'd left a mess or not filled in a hole, I'd leave and never come back. He then told me he'd just find a park worker and they'd boot me out. I told him that I knew all of them and he was welcome to bring them in for a chat. I finally said "Here, I have the director of Park and Rec's card in my pocket, he's usually here on Saturday morning and if he's not too busy, we'll get him to come by and share with us the local law's on md'ing this very park!" So I proceeded to break out the cell phone and call him, and as luck would have it he'd just pulled in the parking lot on the hill right above where we were standing. He came down and shook hands with me and I introduced him to the One Man Concerned Citizens Brigade and his dog "Dogma" and Mr.Director proceeded to tell him the same thing I had told him. "Sir, this man is here persuing a hobby and the park is a better place for his being here!" He cleans up trash that he didn't even bring in and he never leaves holes where he digs!" "So until you start catching "Dogma's" pee in a dixie cup and scrubbing the grass after he takes a dump, I suggest you go persue your hobby and let this man persue his in peace!" "Here's my card with my name and number on it, feel free to call the department anytime!" Haven't seen him since, and it's always a peaceful hunt. Maybe a few kids asking questions, but that comes with the territory.

Very HH,
Ramapirate

 

[mpostma]

Rampirate, that is how is should be. Nicely done!

Quick story. We have a beach and park that we don't allow dogs because it has been a problem with kids running and stepping in "leftovers". Some woman gave me a hard time, while I was still mayor, about mding the the park. She had her dog tied to the sign that forbade dogs in the park. What a sweet exchange that was. I asked her to get the dog out of the park, and please clean up the crap before one on my kids stepped in it. She was beligerent. I called the parks director, and our police chief. What a blast that was, as she was removed from the park, after having to clean up after her noisy little crap factory.

thanks,
Mark

 

[Ramapirate]

As long as I'm paying way too much tax to live in this city that I love, I will do everything I possibly can to befriend every local government official and make them all aware of what an important role metal detectorist play in helping keep the city clean.
Keep the suits on our side, you never know when one will come in handy

HH,
Ramapirate

 

[tapoutking]

You handled it well. I on the other hand would have not.

 

[DD-777]

You handled it well. I on the other hand would have not.

 

[DJ_Quinn]

I think everyone has a story about running into idiots like this guy while out detecting. I just try to ignore them and pack up and leave until later. Arguing or trying to reason with an a hole is like wrestling with a pig in the mud, you'll never win and the pig likes it.

 

[crazyjarhead]

Theres always someone out there to make it a point to ruin our day, no matter who or what it may be about

 

[aa battery]

just for fun it would of been nice for you to urinate on a tree and turn and say What? your dogs do it. OK i know iam crude

 

[mpostma]

Actually a very good point AA. Hmmm, anyone remember "Clyde" from the old Clint Eastwood movies? The way he treated police cars?

 

[Lasivian]

I'm a socialist, but this guy sounds kinda crazy. I'm sure the village would thank you for doing your part to clean up to park.

I agree, calling this guy a Socialist is an insult to Socialists.

I am a Socialist and a Detectorist, and any true Socialist would be happy with you cleaning up the trash in the park for the good of the community while you take anything that is obviously not "ancient archeology".

If he thought there was a problem with you detecting he should have contacted the authorities, not played vigilante pain-in-the-butt.

 

[MUD(S.W.A.T)]

People need to stop worrying so much about what others are doing wrong. More so they need to worry about what they are doing wrong. If your in a public park, you can dig all you want and I would have told that guy the same thing.

It upsets me about the laws in State Parks and such. I never thought I would be getting something unlawful when I bought my metal detector. We are restoring historical items back to the human view from a ground that would otherwise distroy them. Just because we may kill some grass or someone may not fill in a hole. So it is important for us to follow the code of conduct. In hopes we can gain respect to someday hunt the State Parks. I think not being allowed to hunt in State Parks should be protested by us. If some agreement can be signed with the park that agrees to our cleaning up the trash and filling in holes. Then why not let us search.... With half circle plugs the grass won't die in most cases. So whats the damage, no one can trip on a filled in hole. If they do they need to learn to pick up their feet a little.

Maybe someday we can have our freedom...

Keep @ it and HH!!

 

[Codes]

Ma always told me "every village has their idiot". I guess you found theirs!

 

[Frodov]

First of all, congratulations on your having kept your cool. <applause> Secondly.. Don't you just HATE a Busybody? <rolling eyes> I mean come ON! Some of these people might mean well or even in their own mind or imagination think they are doing the public a service by "policing" the parks and public areas. Still though, they have no clue as to what we as detectorist are doing or the care that most of us use in the pursuit of our hobby in picking up after others and cleaning up after ourselves. All they see is someone digging a hole and Defacing property.. like we are some kind of chipmunk or squirrel or something.. <guffaw> Hell! Squirrels dig more holes in the parks than we ever will. Slobs drop, toss or throw their garbage wherever.. and fine upstanding citizens like HIM let their dogs defecate and urinate wherever, at will. Yeah.. Got to love'em!
All ranting aside though, you did well by keeping your cool. A couple of tips that might help you in the future however.. and it will happen again, trust me!.. anyway.. be polite. You seem to have that down already..kudos. Secondly be as inquisitive as the person that approaches you. Ask them for their name, a card if they have one, a phone number or address where they can be reached. You'd be surprised how fast someone like that will backpeddle to a simple request of "And you are..?""How might I or someone else reach you concerning this matter?" They can't walk away fast enough usually. And lastly, be forcoming. If the person is genuinely concerned and willing to listen at all, have a card that you can give them, a "business card" kind of thing with your name, and a phone number and or email address. I wouldn't go so far as to suggest putting your home address on it, but I have my address on my cards. Of course, what you are doing by looking up the local laws and ordinances is something that should be done in the first place.. going to ask for written permission to hunt on public land and property is a good idea too, but I've not gone that far myself yet. I do take time to talk with any grounds keepers or maintenance personell that happen to be working in the parks in my town though, or anywhere I go to detect. If nothing else, it lets people know that you are not trying to pull a fast one or vandalize anything that they may be responsible for, and even better, it is a good avenue for information. I've gotten tips and suggestions from the grounds keepers and maintenance personnel on areas to hunt that I had overlooked or simply didn't know about. I think they get a kick out of steering you to a good find as well as we like finding them. <grin> Don't hesitate to share (show) your finds with the working stiffs.. or the occasional busy body.. especially all the trash and junk you clean up. They might see you in a brighter light.. or at least not be as adamant about harassing you about digging up archaeological artifacts like the crushed empty beer or soda cans, broken bottles, pull tabs, candy wrappers.. etc etc. <laughing> As for the guy with the dogs... I would have handed him a couple of small plastic bags so that he could "Pick up" after his dogs. <laughing>
Again.. good for you for keeping your cool. You did right. As enervating or aggravating as that guy must have been, it was better to do what you did. Obviously he doesn't have enough drama in his own life to keep his mind on his own business and to let anyone else go about theirs in peace. A very small individual indeed. *sigh*

Get the permission, have your information, be polite, courteous and conscientious.. and most importantly...

Have Fun..


Happy Hunting!

Frodov

 

[diggindeep]

you just empowered this guy by walking away ,what he really needed was a little facial disfigurement.....call me next time.

 

[Monty]

There is a very small park near my home where people like to walk their dogs. When I walk my dog I always carry a plastic bag to clean up after her. Unfortunately most people don't. You have to be very careful where you step and I pity some poor kid that tries to play on the grassy area. I'll bet 10 to 1 this guy didn't pick up after his dogs either. I only mention it because it's my pet peeve. There's always someone who takes it upon themselves to be the "King" of the park and goes around bothering people. We've all run into them. Scattering their teeth across the park probably isn't the best method to deal with them. I agree with one of the other guys. By turning the questions back on him and asking his name and position, etc. is a good way to deal with him. Screw with his mind a little bit and he will probably retreat. Monty

 

[Arthur Neto]

Sounds to me like some serious lack of s*x....

 

[Dirt Dobber]

Just another entry into log book."Found one idiot in XYZ Park today 9-28-2008 " . LOL Be safe . D.D.

 

[hogge]

I would have first, politely, told the guy to not bother me. If he persisted I would have told him to "Drag A$$". If he then persisted, there would have been a small throwing of the divots at first, til he got the message or it would have been full shovel fulls of dirt! This is how I solve small problems of people not minding their own business. I have no more patience anymore for jackass people.

 

[Lasivian]

Rehosted for catchdogcross because Angelfire.com sucks

This is how I deal with people like that, I've never had a problem with anyone bothering me
when detecting while she's with me. She lets me know if anyone is around, mostly people just stay away.
I love the piece of mind she provides, she's such a good dog.
Catchdog

 

[Mr_Mojo_Risin]

I hate reading posts like this only because it irks me that some people have alot of nerve and can't mind their own business. I haven't really had any problems with folks telling me I shouldn't be "digging there" or whatever. Most are just curious like "Hey, you ever find anything?" or that they've heard you can "find old dimes and stuff". I usually just tell them about the junk I find (pop tabs, etc.) It keeps this racket interesting. Good for you keeping your cool. Many are prone to taking the defensive.
Happy hunting to you.