Getting started

land owners permission is all i know about, idk about any permits but finding a local club is a good way to get help as well as ppl on this site. im new to metal detecting also but have been into prospecting since a kid.
 

You've got to be a little more specific, on where you are going to go. Because, sure, there might be some places you need a "permit" to dig. And there are tons (most) more, that you don't. And there are some places that might say "no digging at all" (if you asked high enough up chains of commands from bored clerks), yet realistically, you're ignored if you're not making a mess or sticking-out-like-a-sore thumb. And what the answer is depends on where you're intending to go: city property? county property? state property? federal property? etc..

And actually, forget the "digging" issue for the moment. Don't even concentrate on that anyhow. Because if that's your mental "go-to" image of detecting, and if you wanted to be real technical, that's going to "booger you up" every time anyhow. I mean, think of it: if "digging" is your automatic equivalence to "md'ing", then did/do you really think you're going to get people to say to you "go ahead and dig in the park" or "go ahead and dig on the beach", etc... Thus the BIGGER question is: "Is metal detecting ok", not "Is digging ok". Because ...... although there is the temporary evil process of target extraction, yet let's face it: the real mental image with "digging" (to anyone you're asking or talking about this with) is .... let's face it .... HOLES. No matter that YOU know you'll cover them up and leave no trace, yet to deskbound bureaucrat you're talking to, the ONLY thing in their mind is going to be "yahoos with shovels leaving holes" (I mean, you can't blame them). But technically, if you leave no trace of your presence, then you have not altered or defaced ANYTHING, now have you?

So the question then, is where can I metal detect, not where can I dig.

To answer that question: Do not go asking desk-bound bureaucrats. Instead, look up the rules in the entity that you intend to go on (city, state, county, etc...). The muni codes MUST be available for public viewing somewhere. Like on the city website, etc... You know, you'll see the park rules, for example: Dogs on leash only, park closes at sunset, no alcahol, etc... Well if you don't see anything forbidding metal detectors, then presto: It must not be disallowed.

Now this is not to say then, that you can go nilly willy wearing neon orange in front of gardeners and lookie-lous, waltzing over beach blankets. There is still the connotations and curious folks that this hobby brings out (that you might leave a mess or something). So go at off-traffic times, avoid busy-bodies who might gripe...

By the way: beaches are always the least hassle places, because almost always, no one has an issue with beaches. Heck, kids dig in the sand all the time :)
 

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Sorry, metal detect. Got it. Thanks for all the info. Greatly appreciated. I think your right beaches should be my first place to md.
 

Are in NYC?If so you can get a free permit from parks dept.You can download from their website.
 

Get yourself a screened scoop with about a 3 ft. handle so you won't have to bend down as much.
 

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NYC info

In NYC you will need a permit to detect in designated parks and beaches.The 2013 permit allows MD'ing in 31 parks and 8 beaches.You can download the permit application from NYC Parks and Recreation Metal Detecting Permits.
 

Relish, Just curious: The OP never said where they were from (New York , etc....). I suppose you cited that info so they'd be curious to go check to see if THEIR locale has similar "permits" ? If so, be aware of an un-intended (yet understandable ) action often follows, when newbies read of such things (eg.: "check to see if you need a permit"), is that they will do JUST THAT :). They go into whatever entity it is around them and risk asking "hi, do I need any sort of permit to metal detect?". The danger of that becomes that .... even though there may be no such thing there, yet the person fielding the question can tell them "you can't detect", since the question sort of sounds like you're asking their permission or something. Even if/when you carefully word it (thinking you're putting the burden of proof on them to cite such a rule or permit , if one existed)

Rarely has any city or county ever implemented such a thing by the way. And so, if a person fears or wonders if any such rule or permit exists where they're at, a good word of advice to them, is to look that up for themselves. City and/or county codes, rules, laws, etc..., are listed somewhere for public viewing. (website, or on the front counter, etc...). They can look it up. And if no mention is made on " metal detecting", then Presto, there must not be a permit or prohibition.
 

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