None of the following West Virginia state laws actually state that metal detecting is illegal. However, there are laws protecting any artifacts that may have been located with the use of a metal detector. West Virginia Code §29- 1- 8b protects historic and prehistoric sites. It forbids the demolition or disruption of historic and prehistoric landmarks owned or leased by the state of West Virginia or private grounds where the state of West Virginia has already obtained rights for investigation or development. West Virginia Code §20-2-1 also disallows the removal of any artifacts, objects, plants, animals, substances or materials whether they are natural or man-made from state forests, parks or state wildlife management area unless a permit has first been obtained. Also, West Virginia Code §20- 7A-5 forbids any person to deface, excavate, disturb, remove or injure any historic or prehistoric ruin, archaeological or paleontological site or any other similar object that might be found in any cave
