Just getting into md. From PA, but just reading sounds like this state wants to take the fun out of it, like they do everything else. Seems very limiting on where you can md in PA. Any advice other than the whole playgrounds, ball fields stuff.
Detecting in pa
- Thread starter dadsonmd
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kayden
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Research your own town ....private properties are where you will find alot of goodies....Oh yeah & being that you live in Pa. Good luck detecting as our weather here sucks right now!
Pulltab Parson
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Don't sweat it being PA, I mean, you can hunt wherever as long as you get permission (depending on your county/city ordinances), and like Kayden said, Private property is where it's at!
HH
PTP
HH
PTP
Tom_in_CA
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What are reading that tells you state land is so dire there? As for city and county , as long as there are no rules in your city or county saying "no metal detecting", then it must not be prohibited 
. (no need to have to seek permission to do something that isn't prohibited ).
. (no need to have to seek permission to do something that isn't prohibited ).
pa plateau hiker
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I've been detecting in Pennsylvania for more then 30 years and have never heard the state wants to stop metal detecting. Where id you get this info from?
like Tom & plateau say, Noting has changed that I'm aware of.
There has been a no go in National Park's since Metal detectors started getting popular.
pretty much the same with state game lands.
some counties in pa have a problem, you can google your county parks rules, if it doesn't forbid detecting
no reason to ask.
most State parks are open with a Free Permit from the office.
Most Public parks, it's a don't ask, Don't tell thing. If there is nothing on the signs,
and no rule against it online, there probably is non on the books.
If it's a church owned , or school owned, most ignore you also,
but technically these days both can chase you, by telling you it's private property. refusing to leave can
be trespassing, but unless there are signs, I don't think a park can just charge you
without a warning.
in most cases if not privately owned by a business or person, & you go Low key & respect the property,
you should be ok
There has been a no go in National Park's since Metal detectors started getting popular.
pretty much the same with state game lands.
some counties in pa have a problem, you can google your county parks rules, if it doesn't forbid detecting
no reason to ask.
most State parks are open with a Free Permit from the office.
Most Public parks, it's a don't ask, Don't tell thing. If there is nothing on the signs,
and no rule against it online, there probably is non on the books.
If it's a church owned , or school owned, most ignore you also,
but technically these days both can chase you, by telling you it's private property. refusing to leave can
be trespassing, but unless there are signs, I don't think a park can just charge you
without a warning.
in most cases if not privately owned by a business or person, & you go Low key & respect the property,
you should be ok
Tom_in_CA
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Well, I don't know what "other sites" you are referring to, but when it comes to the DCNR site, I see nothing that says "no metal detecting". In fact, on the contrary, you'll see here, within their website, that it's actually specifically ALLOWED (which is even better than simply being silent on the subject, eh?) : PA DCNR - Metal Detecting
So again, not sure what you're seeing that's causing you to think you can't md at lots of PA places.
DirtAngler
Jr. Member
Where in Pa.? There are a lot of areas depending on where you live but your best bet is private homes.
pa plateau hiker
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Avoid Natural Areas on State Forest Land. They are off-limits for metal detecting.
No, state forest is different
PA*DCNR*-*Forestry
allot of state forest is open without a permit.
but you would need to check with the local service
or at least should
I Believe the parts that are considered Natural or Historical are off limits.
I'm not not sure what natural means to them.
PA*DCNR*-*Forestry
allot of state forest is open without a permit.
but you would need to check with the local service
or at least should
I Believe the parts that are considered Natural or Historical are off limits.
I'm not not sure what natural means to them.
Last edited:
pa plateau hiker
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DCNR puts out maps of different districts across the state. The map I show here is of the Sproul State Forest. It shows what I mean by a Natural Area. It also shows State Game Lands that are off-limits for digging also. These maps pack a wealth of info. I carry one with me all the time when I am hiking as they fold to a 4" x 9" map. A lot easier then carrying a topo map.
pa plateau hiker
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Yes any office would have them. Another photo, Only one came up on my previous post
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