Pissed!!!

[damz68]

I spent $400.00 on a device I cant even use, except in my back yard.
I just called Sumter NF and Francis Marion NF to see what the rules and regulations are to detecting and both flat out said, "no detecting allowed"! Funny thing is they allow panning and prospecting, which is a lot more harmfull to the enviroment. So, I have called a couple churches and even a couple friends and all have said no, I can not detect on there property.

Where in the hell do you all go to detect? Where in SC, other than some beaches, can I go? This is so frustrating and I really wish I would have looked into it before making the purchase.

 

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[damz68]

Just called Manchester State Forest, not allowed there either!

 

[Spitfire Reddie]

Maybe you should of checked on the state laws before you got your machine ?
Anyway i would find a nice quite and empty forest and go at it ! What they dont know will not hurt them ! LOL just be careful

 

[SHERMANVILLE ILLINOIS]

D,

"This is so frustrating and I really wish I would have looked into it before making the purchase."

It would have been a good idea.

Take the time to check the web, I am sure you
will be able to find some good locations to detect.

What machine did you purchase and what did you
plan to look for?

have a good un...............

 

[stoney56]

Maybe these guys can help with ideas. I don't know how close they are though.

http://www.scmetaldetectingclub.com/default.html

 

[The Beep Goes On]

There are tons of places to detect...

Parks, sports fields, playgrounds, ocean beaches, lake beaches, private homes, construction sites, farm fields, forests areas (non-NF), old roads, ghost towns, etc., etc.

Look around you.

HH!
TBGO

 

[damz68]

I guess what I am most upset by is the fact that "our" National Forest will allow panning for gold but not detecting. I wish someone could explain the reason behind this. The way I see it pannig really upsets the wetlands and waterways, dredging destroys waterways. So even if you were one of those A-holes MD'ers who leaves a hole in the ground, you still have done less to destroy than those looking for gold.

I can see not being able to hunt Kings Mtn. or Cowpens, that is common sense. But Sumter NF?

I think I answered my question. Gold always, or eventually, will make its way to our gov. but the relics, coins and artifacts sedom do. Being that our government always has to have a peice of the pie, and being that they make the rules, this is what we have. Sounds good to me, I remember well what the treasure hunters went through in Florida with the gov. on there finds.

 

[BIG61AL]

Don't give up so soon....my favorite place to hunt is middle and elementary schools especially if it has a football or soccer field....i already have found five silver rings and one gold ring and I've only used my detector less the fifty times this year.....try you own yard first...try near bus stops, open fields where kids play, as i said above schools are great, any construction site....all old buildings, farms, play parks
Try it out for 20 times and then see if you are making any progress.

 

[damz68]

Thanks, my reason for getting into this hobby was for old coins and civil/revelutionary war atifacts. I think I will give the parks and schools a try. Who do you talk with to see if you can hunt scools and parks? Would I go to the super.?

 

[The Beep Goes On]

I think you hit it damz...the gov't doesn't mind natural resources being taken out of the ground, but relics and coins, etc., Oh My! I think you can blame the archy's and the historical folks for these laws. They just don't get it...those items will rot into nothing and history will be lost.

Check the parks department for your county. Check with the school for school grounds. Some people "just do it", but it's best to check first.

TBGO

 

[damz68]

That is exactly what I was thinking while giving you all my thoughts behind this. Eventually, all but the gold will rot in the ground, that is such a waste. It makes no sense but then again I have been ill for three years and still have not seen a dime from disability! I guess this is how our leaders work! I am having to force myself to get better, another reason I bought the detector.

What would/could a ranger do if he caught you detecting in the NF? Could you not play dumb, I really did not expect a no from them and only called them because I like doing things by the book. All of my hobbies are outdoor related and I spend many hours in the NF. Rarly do I ever see any gov. official(ranger).

 

[Jason in TN]

Carry a Gold pan with you when you are out in NF when your have your detector if any one ask (very unlikely) Your have your pan and you are prospecting. You can prospect with a detector.
And you said prospecting is legal after all.

 

[The Beep Goes On]

They can do anything from telling you to leave to confiscating all your equipment including your vehicle (anything you used to "accomplish the dastardly deed"), and hefty fines can be levied. It isn't worth it IMO.

HH!
TBGO

 

[Rusted_Iron]

even a couple friends and all have said no, I can not detect on there property.

Time to get some new friends!

Keep trying, you'll find somewhere that you can detect. A decent house site can give you months of detecting.

 

[jorge del norte]

Thanks, my reason for getting into this hobby was for old coins and civil/revelutionary war atifacts. I think I will give the parks and schools a try. Who do you talk with to see if you can hunt scools and parks? Would I go to the super.?

Do the schools, local parks, churches, the sure-fire "I know I can get away with it here areas", sport fields (not on the field), devils acre (between curb and street grass), night hunt.... Get healthy, then try the more risky areas,
just be ready to leave if it does'nt feel right. I always check the risky places for easy parking and get-away.....if you know what I mean. I figure no one is going to ever give you permission in this day in time, if a spot is prime. I have only been told to leave once......but I was pushing it where I was detecting, and a rent-a-cop got me....so I just left. Just be smart...and get out and get WELL!!!!!

 

[Mighty AP]

Hey Damz, The schools & parks are great places to learn your new machine inside & out! By the time you've figured that thing out Im sure you'll have found some places with "historical possibilties". Also ask freinds & neigbors yards are great places to dig. And if it dont work out for you I'll give you $100 for your machine, eh? LOL

 

[Jeffro]

If you are allowed to prospect in the NF, you can prospect with a metal detector. If anyone asks, which is unlikely, then your answer is "I am prospecting". and yes, ignorance is bliss sometimes. This ain't gonna work on the Florida treasure beaches, LOL! But in your neck of the woods, it is highly unlikely that anyone will do anything. If they do try anything the law is on your side, you were prospecting.

 

[Charles Miller]

Stealth Detecting.

Hmmm... Not a bad idea. Conventional ear-buds for headphones, fanny pack or backpack for the MD box, run the coil cable down your pants leg to a coil imbedded in the sole of your hiking shoe! It's crazy, but it just might work!

 

[Jeffro]

Most federal employees are just like the guys at the post office or railyard, they just wanna put in their 20 and retire. They couldn't care less, unless you're tearing the place up. Every so often you will get a rabid eviro wacko, in which case its better to move on and come back on an off shift.

If prospecting requires a permit, go for it, have it ready. If another agancy offers you a permit, turn their butt down!

 

[enamel7]

As far as dredging goes, I don't believe it is allowed in a NF either.