Pissed!!!

D

damz68

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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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In all the national forests and parks I've visited, from coast to coast and north to south, there's a common rule: Do not disturb or remove plants, animals or minerals found on this property. That's paraphrased, of course, and directed at the general public, which constitutes, I'm guessing, 99% of all human traffic in these areas. It's a given that the general public would lay waste to the parks and forests if not for a few occasionally-enforced regulations. Some of the parks and forests I've seen look like they could use a few years of recovery, and there usually are sections closed off to the general public for just that reason.

However, we all know that you can buy permits to hunt animals, fish, and harvest trees in the national forests --- These regulated activities are beneficial to maintaining a balanced environment, and I would imagine these activities constitute maybe 1% of the human traffic. I can see prospecting falling within that 1%, as well. Relatively speaking, prospecting doesn't damage the environment at all, compared to the carnage inflicted by Dad and Mom and Timmy and Sis on their weekend slash-and-burn-multiplied-by-ten-million camping trips.

Now, there is a problem with metal detecting in historic parks, such as Kings Mountain Military Park, a few miles from where I live. They just don't allow the general public or seasoned artifact hunters to come in and remove anything that makes the property historic. The park's bones would be picked clean in a week. And I'm pretty sure you couldn't bluff them with the prospecting line.

;)
 

Charles sounds like the most knowledgable one yet, but I disagree with the prospecting bluff line. It ain't a bluff. You can and are permitted to prospect with a metal detector. I wouldn't have suggested it otherwise.

And as far as suction dredging in National forests, it is permitted as well. Here's their brochure, paid for with your tax dollars.
 

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Historic parks, national parks, are off limits. He is correct there.

Point is, it is up to you to do your own research to find out what is and what ain't allowed. DO NOT EVER TAKE THE PERSON WHO ANSWERED THE PHONE'S WORD FOR IT! LOL! Like I said before, it just depends on who you talk to as to what answer you get. Kindof like opinions on here, heheheheh! ;)

Go to the US Dept. of agriculture website, they are in charge of National forests. Track it down yourself, print out a copy of what you find as far as rules and regs go, and follow them. You are covered then.

I have stood toe to toe with park employees and showed them the rules that they were unaware of. What they ARE aware of is what they've been told by a superior, and that is not always necessarily so.
 

Yeah, I didn't mean to imply that prospecting in itself was a bluff. Rather, I'm saying that some national parks -- such as the one here in my neighborhood -- will not allow metal detectors for any reason, simply because it's a Revolutionary War battleground. Preserving the history of the property trumps mining rights, so you couldn't go in there even with a federal-issue prospecting permit.

;)
 

This is true. You aren't gonna get away with it on a civil war battlefield, LOL! ;)
 

I just started detecting this year, and have i've been turned down a few times when i've asked if its "ok". So i just started goin out and detecting without asking. Not around homes or businesses that are open ofcourse, but secluded areas of parks, or city construction sites (i.e. new roads, sidewalk repairs, and buildings being torn down) one thing has proven true - its easier to beg forgiveness than ask permission. if someone approaches me, and says "hey! what are you doin?" i just put a stupid look on my face and say "huh? Oh....sorry. didnt mean to bother anyone". I dont know about your area, but in my town, if there are no posted signs about private property or no tresspassing, then all they can do is ask me to leave. if they catch me returning, then i can get in trouble. Get a little flashlight that mounts to your head and go out at night, or early in the morning when most ppl are sleeping or busy goin to work. I've yet to see a construction crew workin on Sat or Sunday, then is a good time. keep your eyes peeled when your driving around, look for places that are already dug up, or that have rough looking lawns that most ppl wouldnt be concerned about if a few brown spots showed up. the further out in the country i get, however...the more cautious i get. Hehehe as you may know, ppl down south dont mind firing a warning shot at strangers on their farm or out in the boonies.
 

I NEVER ask. Just go!!!!!
I am a taxpayer and as such I will enjoy my hobby on MY tax financed lands no matter what.
Every once in a while I do run across a jerk of whom I pay his salary. So I just lay down the law to him.
 

Hehehe as you may know, ppl down south dont mind firing a warning shot at strangers on their farm or out in the boonies.

If you run across some land with "No Trespassing" painted on a casket lid, you can pretty much assume they mean business. ;)
 

Don't focus on the places you can't detect. Focus on the places you can or can gain permission to detect.
The longer you detect the more you'll start seeing sites that you can hunt, that you never noticed before. And that can sometimes give you a wealth of great finds.
I think most would call it; Developing an eye.
You'll soon see the possibilities of sites by eye, that most never see. Let alone even notice the site. HH
 

I Never ask permission in municipal. provincial, or town parks.. I just make sure I don't make a mess, always put the 'divot' back, and stay out of the way.. Unless there is a posted sign saying NO METAL DETECTING, and there never is.. I wander all over while keeping a low profile.. You just use your head, if it 'looks' like it might cause some problems, then don't do it.. If it's posted no tresspassing, you might be facing some real trouble.. You should just turn around, and get out of there faster than someone can say "Crickey it's a Stingray" :o
 

I've been turned down at a few places now. Skittish about asking at a few others. I've Hunted playgrounds and an old school . Hunted at a local football/hockey field, and no one bothered Us. Course We stayed away from the actual playing field- except where the players sit. That was the best- several pocket dumps.
I Drive alot for Work and all Summer have found Myself scouting out possibilities! At first it seemed My own property was going to be the only place-- now it seems endless. Just don't have the time!
It also helps if Your friends know alot of people and are not introverts!!! ;D ;D
Good luck & HH
 

I got my first "good" detector when I was stationed at Ft. Jackson (Columbia), in the early 90's, and hunted al over the place.

There is a guy on this forum from the Columbia area who has posted some fantastic (CW) finds.

I personally hunted the parks and school yards, as I wasn't into relic hunting then, but I NEVER had a shortage of areas to hunt.

Pay attention to construction areas, especially in the big cities that existed during the civil war, as areas that have been covered with concrete and asphalt for the last 100 years are exposed, but only briefly. The guy I mentioned above (I can't recall his name), has make lots of finds in those types of areas. Just be sure to link up with the site foreman..........

Good luck, and don't get 'pissed', you live in a SPECTACULAR area, rich with revolutionary and civil war sites........

Roger
 

Look hoss, no pain no gain. Do you think the Pilgrims cared what England thought? How about the Confederacy? Texans in their revolution? What are the odds, that the owner of any given property will jump out from behind a tree in the middle of the woods in S.C. just to stop YOU personally? Honestly. Just about every damn mountain road in that state led to someone's house. I have found many old homes sites just by driving. There is no one around and no one cares enough to drive out to them. Just drive. Lots of people will say no.

Work on your approach, and keep asking. Personally I don't ask to dig on private land and so far I haven't found any I wanted to dig on. I just jump out and make quick sweeps on something uninhabited if time permits. Hit and run so to speak.
 

Jeffro said:
Charles sounds like the most knowledgable one yet, but I disagree with the prospecting bluff line. It ain't a bluff. You can and are permitted to prospect with a metal detector. I wouldn't have suggested it otherwise.

And as far as suction dredging in National forests, it is permitted as well. Here's their brochure, paid for with your tax dollars.
Click to expand...
jeffro,
if i knew you better and you weren't a dude i would hug you!
But, I don't and you are, so thank you.
 

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thanks Jeff for the birthday wishes!!......

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