New to this hobby

[Orvin]

Just started metal detecting bought a Bounty Hunter 505 supposed to be a good brand? I live in Charlottesville, VA and have been reading the Virginia laws on metal detecting and trying to figure out what areas are "fair game" from my reading since Virginia is rich in Civil War relics metal detecting is a No-No I am looking for places close to Charlottesville in which to hunt any suggestions?

 

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[vpnavy]

A lot of members love their Bounty Hunter's. You might consider browsing Forum > Metal Detecting Forum > Brands > Bounty Hunter...

 

[Tom_in_CA]

Orvin, don't confuse anything you read about Virginia, on the STATE level, to apply to anything other than state land. Eg.: those things wouldn't apply to city, county, private, etc.... And only state "park" land, as well (not necessarily other forms of state land).

And just because a place is "rich in relics" (ie.: old and having good potential to find oldies) doesn't automatically mean that a place is a "no-no". Heck, look at the finds forum, and you'll see no shortage of us md'rs posting and boasting of our latest old coins and relics finds, right? Where did you think those guys found those things? At NEW places with no history? Doh

Now if you're worried that other entities and types of land "might have rules" (cities and counties lands in your part of the state), then you can look up those entity's rules for yourself. You know, like if the city or county has a website, and if the muni charter, codes, laws, etc... are listed, you can see if there's anything that says "no metal detecting". If not, well then presto, it's not prohibited If there's no listing on-line for your intended spot, and if you're still worried and skittish, you can go to the city or county hall, and ask the clerk "where can the public avail themselves of the listings of the laws, rules, codes, etc..."? (as opposed to asking that clerk "can I metal detect?"). Because ALL laws have to be available for public viewing SOMEWHERE. I mean, doh, laws are not "hidden" and a "secret" afterall. Heck, to be honest with you ... most of us don't even worry or go that far, and just detect.

But once you've done that homework, and deduced there's nothing addressing "metal detectors", you ... uh ... still need to use a bit of discretion. I mean, sure, don't be a sore-thumb digging holes at sensitive obvious monuments. Don't waltz over beach blankets at an archaeologist convention, etc.... We all go at low traffic times, so as not to ruffle feathers. This is admittedly an odd hobby, that draws the curious stares of lookie-lous, and does admittedly "have connotations". So you use due-discretion, and don't be a magnet for attention and scrutiny, waiting for someone to morph something else to apply to your activity.

 

[team sidewinder]

Welcome to the forum and the hobby.

 

[Orvin]

Thanks Tom,

Your post answered some of my questions and now all I have to do is check out our local laws, I'm just looking to enjoy the hobby my first "find" was an old bullet in my front yard about 9 inches deep looks like it came from a modern rifle, was not looking to find anything just getting used to the detector settings.

 

[christo000]

Thanks Tom,

Your post answered some of my questions and now all I have to do is check out our local laws, I'm just looking to enjoy the hobby my first "find" was an old bullet in my front yard about 9 inches deep looks like it came from a modern rifle, was not looking to find anything just getting used to the detector settings.

Welcome to the hobby ur in for a great time & there are alot of real nice people as well as vendors so if ur in need of coils diggers,answers to questions its all here good luck

 

[Orvin]

Thanks @christo000 hope to just have fun but if I get a few bucks for any (finds) I won't object...

 

[Orvin]

Thanks team sidewinder