Re: Whats the current and future metal detecting situation in Fla? Clay County
The only restriction in Clay County Florida is no Detecting on County Historic sites. The County recently passed a law clearly stating the right to detect on county public property that is not posted or a historical area. Private property is private property and with permission there is not a problem. I was surprised by the thoughtful decision made by the county and their understanding of the fact that a complete restriction would have declared public areas such as parks and even the tot lots off limits to detecting. I main reason for the new declaration was that the county had seen items supposedly recovered in historic areas of Clay County ending up for sale on ebay. I thought the county and their position was very enlightened. Most of the public schools at least in Clay County are fenced off. I could not attend the county meeting but did manage to tape it and view it later. Unlike alot of issues the debate was mostly in favor of metal detecting. I have never experienced a problem detecting around here. I've found more in the tot lots and around the boat ramps in the county than I ever have driving over to any local beach and hunting there. But I admit when the counsel had announced the issue of metal detecting in the county I was very worried. There are areas of Clay County where I'd like to see the county open up the area to research for a couple days just to see what might be there and if it would be worth further historical exploration.
JRich