Private Property Advice

[nrobins3]

Hello! I've been interested in detecting for quite some time and I am finally getting ready to make my first purchases. I could use some pointers on how you guys gain permission to detect on private property. Do you just knock on someone's door and ask for permission? If so, in your experience what makes a person more likely to give you a "yes"? Also, how can I look up property records to see who owns a particular piece of land? (large wooded areas with no structures).

I've spent about a month piecing together Civil War battlefield locations in Metro Atlanta/North Georgia that are now on private property and I'm excited to get going!

 

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[Megalodon]

To find the owner of the property, you first need either the address or tax map parcel number. You can get the address easily from Zillow. Once you have the address, then get the owner info from either your county tax office - often online, or the state dept of assessment and taxation, also usually online. If the owner is not local, try to get permission by email, then print the email and bring it with you. I have found that owner permission is sometimes not enough. If there is a caretaker or farmer leasing part of the property, their permission would be needed too.

Explain that you are researching the history of the site and will hunt there alone, fill in all holes, and remove all trash - both dug and trash on the surface. State that you will provide a description of your vehicle if you must park at the property and do so if they give permission. Make it easy for them to say yes.

 

[nrobins3]

Thanks! I have a feeling that a lot of people would be very skeptical of one or two people driving up to their house and knocking on the door and asking about metal detecting. I'm planning on printing out the war era maps that I've found to reassure them about what my interests in the area are.

 

[Megalodon]

Thanks! I have a feeling that a lot of people would be very skeptical of one or two people driving up to their house and knocking on the door and asking about metal detecting. I'm planning on printing out the war era maps that I've found to reassure them about what my interests in the area are.

I agree. I prefer to talk to people who are outside working on something - cutting a tree, tilling a garden, etc. I offer to help. I don't like to ask permission to dig on nice lawns but ask about garden areas. My best permissions came from places where I gave away extra fish from the river in front of their historic homes. Got permission that way at historic places where militias trained and even tours of old homes from the 1700's.

Good luck.

 

[Davers]

I agree. I prefer to talk to people who are outside working on something - cutting a tree, tilling a garden, etc. I offer to help. I don't like to ask permission to dig on nice lawns but ask about garden areas. My best permissions came from places where I gave away extra fish from the river in front of their historic homes. Got permission that way at historic places where militias trained and even tours of old homes from the 1700's.

Good luck.

Megladon is correct.

It can be a pain.
But

It's what you gotta do .

So yr my new comrade / competition Good Luck as this area has been hunted & is still being hunted hard + Whats left of our Civil War history is fading quickly .

Davers

Oh...Welcome to this site MANY! smart people here , all friendly so far.

 

[nrobins3]

Well hey, friend! With some poking around through maps I've seen a good bit of stuff around Dalton that is still in private hands and another place in particular in Paulding County close to Pickett's Mill.

 

[vpnavy]

I noticed this was your very first post - so, Welcome Aboard nrobins3! Take a look at Forum: Georgia for information (i.e., clubs, etc.) directly related to your state.

 

[fistfulladirt]

I used to door knock quite a bit, either by myself or with a pal.
I had about an 80% success rate by keeping my speech to about 15-20 seconds long.
Never mention digging, treasure or gold.

 

[Davers]

Well hey, friend! With some poking around through maps I've seen a good bit of stuff around Dalton that is still in private hands and another place in particular in Paulding County close to Pickett's Mill.

I got to run to the Dr, but yes there are sites still around & 'Me' I have never been good at door knocking to me its like asking a girls dad for a first date , or when I was younger /going to court.... nothing real bad I drank before I was 21 a few times. Also I have never been great on a computer esp, printing , scanning etc.

Just a-lot of driving (with my neck on a swivel ) Done the business card thing , (I got 2 call backs out of 30 or so cards left in mail boxes), IMO There are So many factors that go into finding a good site & would love to help you with relic I'd or area info etc.

I got to get ready but we can chat in the future if you like.
Davers/ Davey