Corp of enginer parks

Thanks for the info, I had read somewhere, that all you needed to hunt Corps lakes is a permit from their office. I haven't had time to verify this or not. Good luck, and keep us posted, More than half of the lake is dried up. Should uncover a lot of stuff.

Bill
 

You say you "encountered a gate-keeper" who told you detecting wasn't allowed. But then you went on your own research, and found out that it IS allowed (even specifically .... by name even :))

This is a PERFECT example of getting a "no", simply because you ask. I bet that same ranger (whomever you asked) would probably have never paid you any mind, if he'd just been passing you by in his truck. It's a perfect example of the psychology of "no" being the easy answer (afterall, the mere fact that you thought you had to ask, simply implies that something must be amiss, or wrong, or damaging, or whatever, lest ...... why would you have felt the need to ask? This psychology is not lost on the person fielding the question, who is sure to bestow on you his "princely opinion ::) ).

And also the perfect example of why we need to look things like this up for ourselves. If it is silent on the issue (or explicitly allowed, like in your case) well then presto, I guess it's not illegal. But if you go ask enough bored bureaucrats if you can pick your own nose, you'll eventually find someone to say you can't.
 

Actually we dident ask, as I already knew the law, we asked about what it cost for a few hrs. He then asked what we were going to do. So we told him. Turns out he was wrong about the fees also. Going back to that park Sunday, we talked to the lake manager. We wont have any problems,and will pick up more trash than we bring in,as usual.
 

Texan, ok. But notice that even if you had asked first (which appeared to be the progression of your original post), the point remains: he'd have said "no", even though it's the wrong answer. Thus the best avenue for any of us, at any site, is to "look it up for ourselves" and ask no one. If the rules are silent on the issue, or expressly allow it (as in this case), then so be it. :hello:

Just curious: Since you already knew it was allowed, what was the fellow's reaction, when you told him he was mistaken?
 

He droped some rangers name and polity disagreed. Well, I have my paper work printed out now and all the gate keepers at the 2 corp parks on that lake have been educated. :wink:
 

I still recomend you check with a" reliable" source, b-4 just going into a corp park. They are supposed to be marked and posted if no detecting is allowed and they do have some rules to follow . But they are the same rules we as detectorist follow any way. Except no shovels, only trowels,some do issue permits, and no disturbing any foliage, including grass.
 

The subject actually raises alot of questions... for instance one of the lakes close to me is a "County lake" It splits 3 counties, It was Built and is maintained By the corp of engineers. 4 free "county parks and several private ones. (who they lease from,, or own the property i dont know), no corp lakes, No state parks, There is private property butted up to that lake . I can dig anywhere except the private parks, or private property Ive been turned down at.

This lake is a Corp of engineers lake, NO private property butted up to its shores.. 2 state parks (absolutely no digging there, even though their shores are corp property and maintained by the corp.. :icon_scratch:.., 3 private parks (can dig there)leased from the corp. 2 corp parks... All very odd and contradictory to me.

It seems to me if its a corp lake its free game up to the High water mark, in any park,,,,, Of course Im not going to debate some Gate keeper or State park ranger or some Drunk marina owner,,,,,, But there it is. Im just grateful to have a place to dig.

All that said,, My friend was recently asked to stop metal detecting at lake lewisville in Texas, (notice Im not naming MY spots LOL)
But we found out... Its allowed,,, they issue free permits there, just so you understand the rules.He of course was told it isn't allowed, period...

I'm told in Travis county... Lake Travis, (home of hippy hollow, and a very Rich folks lake,) It is NOT allowed Period. I don't know I don't go there its to far...

Its best to just ask.
 

I have never had a problem, I just drive up to the headquarters and go inside and get permission.

I will name two lakes that I have done and continue to do, Lavon and Lewisville and believe it or not,

I was given permission to do the sand beach area at Eisenhower state park when I camped there for a week.

I don't talk to the workers cause thats the fastest way to get a no. I drive straight to the park HQ and ask.

Actually everyone has always been nice in the office's. Metal detecting is at there discretion so be nice.
 

TC A lot of these "gate- nazi's" either do not know what they are talking about, or are trying to keep the parks to theirselves. Either way you are wise to have a copy of the rules with you.
There is NO future trying to argue with these guys, if you do not have a copy with you.
Moral of the story..... Print a copy and be prepaired. HH Gayle
 

Thanks yall,, I believe your right about state parks as well, where there is no historical significance. If you ask they might let you,,, But ask the right folks.
 

Yea, they (the Regs and rules) say state parks are off limits, but I have had some luck, I think it depends
on the person in charge, I was allowed in two but was denied down when I was camping at the state park
in galveston on the beach.
 

I don't ask, I just do it, if I'm asked to stop I will but have never been asked to stop. My experience with Corp of Engineers is that hunting in the water is ok but not on land. I visited one lake yesterday and had some good luck especially around the piers which in a couple more weeks will have no water around them, I will hit them at that time. Lake Lewisville is too far for me, I'm closer to Houston. HH
 

Texas Connection, I read your in-put on #7 of this thread, where you cite many confusing boundries/over-laps, etc.... and then conclude with: "Its best to just ask."

However, I'm going to have to side with rsc & texas-digger: Don't ask. Look it up for yourself (if you are skittish), and then just GO. Because by asking, you can get "no's" where no one might ever have cared (till you asked). If it's not disallowed, or in some cases EXPRESSELY allowed, then why would you need to "ask"? I don't get it. Look it up for yourself. And I bet, as Texas Digger says, odds are, no one really gives a hoot if you just go.

Because I bet that by everyone following the "go ask" admonition, that it is just a matter of time, before rules get implemented, and places get put off limits.

Such was the case for the entire state of Utah's state parks years ago, for example: At some point, a memo was issued "clarifying" the state park's view of metal detecting. It went on to spell out dire restrictions (if not outright prohibitions) on detecting. But get this!! : In the introduction to this policy clarification memo, it said something to the effect of:

"The parks dept. [there in state capitol] fields many inquiries each year regarding the use of metal detectors in our state parks. The following will make clear the department's stance on the use of metal detectors ....." blah blah. And then goes on to morph things in such a way as to limit or prohibit detecting.

DO YOU GET IT?? : Apparently, before this, there was nothing prohibiting detecting (barring something that could be morphed to apply). But given enough "squeeky wheels" and people asking "can I" well guess what?? I guess they had to "address this pressing issue", and now rangers, who perhaps never cared before, are now given the memo to "be on the lookout" and start booting people??

I can give example after example after example of the same exact psychology happening. Thus, it is best that we look it up for ourselves.
 

Totally understand what your saying Tom. There is a fine line.

I should of said "Its best to ask the right folks first" then dont bother if its OK, Thats what Ive been doing at the corp parks, as I found out yrs ago,, BUT,, Now I have the laws in hand. So if approached, or go through that again at the gate,,, I can show them,, But if asked to leave, I still will rather than have a confrontation,,,

I also Found out If I dont use a picnic area in this park, only the parking area, we dont have to pay anything to get in.. But I still will ,,as I feel it my duty to support the park.

Or plan of action has always been in using these parks, is to show up early clean the beach of trash, then go digging. Cover our holes and Show we are making a effort to haul out not only our Dug trash, But others as well.(we usually leave our trash bag and buckets out in plane sight, then pick them up when we leave)
 

Jeep, for some reason, your link isn't working. But I'm assuming it says something to the effect of "no detecting"? Well in those cases, sure, go ahead and "ask". Because there would be an express prohibition. The cases where I'm saying "don't ask", is where it is silent on the issue, or an express allowance. NOT saying don't ask where it's already prohibited, in cases like what your saying, where you may actually get a "yes" (which over-rides the prohibition).

If I've misunderstood you, let me know, as your link isn't working.
 

Tom_in_CA said:
Jeep, for some reason, your link isn't working. But I'm assuming it says something to the effect of "no detecting"? Well in those cases, sure, go ahead and "ask". Because there would be an express prohibition. The cases where I'm saying "don't ask", is where it is silent on the issue, or an express allowance. NOT saying don't ask where it's already prohibited, in cases like what your saying, where you may actually get a "yes" (which over-rides the prohibition).

If I've misunderstood you, let me know, as your link isn't working.
Click to expand...

Tom, thanks, fixed the link and yes it says no detecting, and I understand and agree with what you are saying about just go ahead and detect. I have the same philosophy. Just putting the warning about Texas State parks out there.
 

Re: South Carolina State Parks

I usually camp at these parks and the Rangers are nice. You can detect from the high dune to the waters edge and I have never had anyone stop me from detecting in the water. The S.C. parks that I've detected on the beach is Edisto Island -Hunting island-Huntington Beach and Myrtle Beach. They limit you to 24 hours a day 365 days per year.
On N.Carolina Beaches stay away from any National Seashore- I just got back from Hurricane Irene-crossed over to Atlantic Beach .You cannot hunt the State Park Beach at Ft.Macon or Ft.Macon itself., but anywhere North of Ft.Macon State Park Beach to Emerald Island I didn't have any trouble. I also now enjoy detecting anywhere from Nags Head all the way to Corolla,N.C but parking is limited.goldnugget-Charlotte,N.C.
 

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