Florida state banning hunting.

I didn't read all the posts of this thread yet,I'm not sure if someone might have mentioned that we need to have an organization to go to bat for us. We need an organization like the "NRA" to voice our concerns on Capital Hill and fight for us and our hobby. If someone knows of an organization that already exists,please let me know so I can become a member.I donate as much as possible to the NRA to protect my firearm rights.Now the same people that are attacking our rights to own firearms are now attacking our right to TH.
WE need to ban together and start letting Congress and the Senate know that we are real people that enjoy our hobby and won't tolerate any government interference. Not only are we TH'ers,but we are also Voters!
 

We have already lost the right to recover arrowheads from Florida rivers . It is now a felony to do so . There are people now trying to remove this law from the books but once it is there it is hard to remove. All I can tell all of you is to get involved and be heard. Contact your local clubs to see how you can help. :thumbsup: :thumbsup: :thumbsup:
 

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ocalasix said:
beaches are all ok, long as its not a private beach or such..gregg

haven't heard anything more as of yet on being banned..

I'm assuming that state park beaches are still off limits to MD'ing. But I have a question about camping in Florida state parks...simple tent camping with no electrical hookup. I realize those parks are usually booked up for trailer and RV spaces, how about no electricity tent spaces? Could a person count on finding a campsite most of the time without a reservation? If that is possible, a person could move around some and have a place to stay...not be too expensive. What do they cost per day? Sifters (at beach only)? Are sifters banned from state parks? My sifter is just a gold pan classifier with a galvanized mesh insert attached, I mean they might think I'm sifting for seashells...or aluminum to recycle.

Is it possible to keep a Spanish coin from a Florida beach or is it totally banned? :coffee2:
 

Here is a link to the State Park issue, and I've bumped it up on this forum.

http://forum.treasurenet.com/index.php/topic,76615.0.html

Basically it is legal to hunt on the beach of a Florida state park. Each park can be different, so check with the rangers first.


Next, here is a link to find campsites at Florida state parks. I stay in them often. They are generally about $25 a night for the RV spaces, primitive camping is probably less. You should make a reservation through this webpage:

http://www.reserveamerica.com/

You can show up at the gate on a first come basis, but reservations are best. There are almost always primitive camping spaces available.

You can go to the Sebastian Inlet state park, and stay in a tent. Walk out to the beach and head north until you are abeam the houses. You are now on public beach and can detect to your hearts desire. I'm not sure if the Warden, err, Rangers, allow MDing on the beach there or not. (by their own guidelines they are supposed to)

Can you keep the cobb?

Legally, no. It is an artifact by definition. (and so is a 1958 penny)

Does everyone keep them.

Yes.
 

Thanks GIB, I thought primitive camping sites generally are available. Right now it's a toss-up between another vacation idea out West. Florida would be less driving distance...it's all about gas prices, distance, camping costs, etc. Sand is easy digging, some places out West you need a hammer pick as a recovery tool. When is the hurricane season officially over? I could leave either middle of September or wait until mid October...get bills paid by mail first and then vacation between those times. :icon_sunny:
 

I would wait until October.

Not due to hurricane season, but just because the night's will be so much more pleasant if tent camping. The weather is much better and you will have a great time.

People in Florida generally don't do much different during hurricane season, other then the standard preparations. Unlike tornado's and earthquakes, we know a long way in advance it's coming and can get out of the way if necessary.

I've been through 7 hurricanes now and I lost more in my last divorce than I ever did in a hurricane...
 

wreckdiver1715 said:

Thanks...that really helps!

But what about encrusted coins, how do you know what they are...

I was recently going through some coins found years ago at Brazos Island, Texas. I never cleaned them, thinking all were just clad coins. Some were partially encrusted pennies and none wheaties, others the same size but too encrusted to tell...then a dime sized coin I noticed had an oval shaped clean spot, apparently was on top of something leaving the rest of the coin encrusted. To my surprise it looked like pictures I'd seen of some silver 1/2 Reales and is slightly narrower than a dime.

I don't know how you could tell for sure, other than the size, whether a coin is old if encrusted. :icon_scratch:
 

Having gone through this thread and the other threads, that links for are posted here...decided to email the Florida state parks about a couple things I've found should get them to comment on, so here it is. :hello2:

Thank you for your interest in Florida State Parks.

Florida Administrative Code, Chapter 62D-2 which provides rules and regulations for Florida State Parks does not specifically address the use of metal detectors; however it prohibits any ground disturbing activity which is a product of metal detecting. As a result, guidelines for the use of metal detectors as stated in the Florida State Parks Operations Manual are as follows:

1. Due to the tidal influence in coastal areas, the use of metal detecting devices are allowed in coastal parks, in a zone between the waterline and the toe of the dune, as determined by the Park Manager, except at archaeological sites within the zone designated by the Division of Historical Resources (DHR) or the Park Manager.

2. For the recovery of lost personal items that are specifically identified by their owner as being lost in a specific area of a park. The owner of lost property or his representative should contact the park manager who will arrange a time for the search to be conducted in the presence of a park staff member. During these searches, only the item sought may be kept by the owner or his representative.

Any dug hole(s) associated with the use of a metal detector must be refilled to the contour of pre-dig conditions using excavated material.



Q. Is written permission required from the ranger of each park? Or is that given when you visit a park?

A. Written permission is not necessary but you should get together with the park staff to ensure you are both on the same page as far as the boundaries for where you can metal detect and the areas to stay away from. This will help to alleviate misunderstandings as far as interpretation of the rule.

Q. Concerning the 50 year rule, does that only applies to items found in the water, and in that case the law requires that you report it / turn it into the state? However, for the average beach detector, items found on the beach, between the base of the sand dune, and the average low tide line the rule is still "Finders Keepers"? And are you under no obligation to report it to the state? If so, how and to whom are finds to be reported?

A. You are under no obligation to report it, but you may want to mention what you found to the park management so that if there are any items reported as being lost the owners may be contacted.

Q. Parks with nesting sea turtles? Do they nest in the permitted zone for metal detecting? Avoid turtle nesting parks?

A. Yes, sea turtles do nest in those areas and you must not disturb them or you are in violation of the Endangered Species Act and could face federal charges. We try to mark the nests so that people know where they are to avoid them but we may miss some so just be careful.


If you have any other questions or concerns regarding Florida State Parks please feel free to contact me.


Leylani Velez

Information Specialist

850-245-2157


It seems that nesting turtles could be the biggest risk, digging into a nest which carries with it the possible Federal offense level charges. Is October the last month for nesting turtles? Are they all done nesting by November? :coffee2:
 

Does anyone know anything about city or local parks near Vero beach or Sebastian? I'm going to call a person a friend knows who works with the city but any advice would be appriciated.

Thanks
 

daggerdog said:
this all started a few years back when some midflorida greedy aholes were caught with a bob cat digging up indian graves.. they actually floated the thing down river and went nuts. bones were everywhere. NAGRA (i think) is the hammer. I have one of those types on my river- River John. he has plundered every site on the river and now you cant even get out of your boat on shore.

Do they ever think oj arresting his mangy a**? Why pick on us?
 

Bum Luck said:
daggerdog said:
this all started a few years back when some midflorida greedy aholes were caught with a bob cat digging up indian graves.. they actually floated the thing down river and went nuts. bones were everywhere. NAGRA (i think) is the hammer. I have one of those types on my river- River John. he has plundered every site on the river and now you cant even get out of your boat on shore.

Do they ever think oj arresting his mangy a**? Why pick on us?

OJ's mangy ass was arrested in Nevada; remember? He's locked up in the Nevada State Prison; which is supposted to be a tough place. You can bet he's NOT out golfing. :laughing7: And why didn't someone keelhaul River John before he screwed everything up?
 

Here is what ticks me off. They want to ban relic hunting. Well I'm from Pensacola and I can tell you that this city has no concern for completely destroying historical sites. For example. When they tore down the back part of Sanger Theater they used a backhoe and just threw all the earth in a huge pile. A few detectors in our area combed through the pile and found cannonballs and other artifacts. We aren't allowed near Ft. Mcrae which is a very important part of our local history and the state does nothing to try and save it. Most of it is underwater now and in very sad shape. I understand the state wanting to preserve our state heritage and not have people destroy what would otherwise be an important archeological find but if no one is going to search these areas then whats the point? I think it has to do with but greed and corrupt politics. They certainly don't care one way or another really. Now as far as relic hunting in the water THAT is state owned. (coastal area offshore to 25 miles) The coastal waters should be open to anyone. Hell even wading out in the water a few feet and finding something could be construed as illegal. I just don't get it. If I had the means I would get a petition signed by every metal detecting club in the state and shove it right up our governor's..... :o

Sorry just had to vent..

Mike
 

Well, ended up going out West instead, as first planned...going to Florida was a backup plan. Decided to get that Arizona trip out of the way since spent much longer time researching it out.

Seems that there ought to be a way a person could make a trip to Florida for T'Hing without all the hassle. State parks are a place to stay...but how far of a distance is it between the waterline and the dune?
 

I think we have let these MD laws and bi laws get out of hand. One might have assume that there are as many MD rs and there are hunters. The gun owners have legislative power in this country. It's time we step up to bat. It can only happen if each state is lobbied by their own concerned MDrs. Make some waves, and let them know that the laws on MDing and treasure hunting needs to be changed if they want your next vote. We need a lobbiest in each state to represent the MDrs of that state. When we get the state laws under control, time to go for the Feds laws. We The People. Remember that. We are suppose to suggest laws to our representatives, and they carry out our wishes.
They are not suppose to talk among themselves and make up laws that only please them. I realize that there are places that need to be protected by amateur MDrs. I've been on the beaches and watched these people with their new detectors digging holes and move on without filling them, just waiting for that unlucky beach jogger to snap his ankle. I wouldn't mind paying for a yearly $20 permit to seperate us from these type of people, and maybe getting some hunting benefits like hunting state and fed parks and other places that are off limits to us as of now. I'm guessing that there are thousand of MDrs out there who would part with $20 to put us in a more professional light with our government agencies. Make this a nation wide permit so we can use it any where in the US. And don't forget, money talks. Theres a lot of greedy politicians who would love to work for groups that have heavy money backing them. I myself am getting tired of seeking permission for hunting public areas. If your part of this forum, I'm betting your a professional or at least want to be a professional MDr or treasure hunter. That in it self is a commitment in the right direction. This is just my thoughts on this subject. Any ideas how we can come together on any of these ideas and act upon them? If not now, then when??
 

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