Question: Getting permision to hunt old sites?

D

Danielmc

Guest
Hello there,

Most of my t-hunting life has been spent in parks, schools yards and at the beach. I have recently purchased a machine that can hold its own in the relic hunting business and I have seem to come across a plethora of possible sites to hunt. But alas, how difficult is it to get permission to hunt these lands. Sadly and actually fortunatley much of the historical land is preserved, but how about those areas that have been forgotten? Does it just take a good set of balls to approach as many targets as possible seekign permission?

How often do people get turned away? Are there any techniques that are best used? Or does just good old honesty and charm win the prize?

Thanks a ton!

-Dan
 

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I find that it really helps to know the history of where you're proposing to hunt and to use this knowledge when talking to the landowner. Let them know how interested you are in finding relics/artifacts to round out the picture your research has created. Don't go in as a a Treasure hunter, but as a "History Hunter". Good people skills really help too. Like if you notice a name on the mailbox, use it to introduce yourself. Also, be a good listener and genuine in your attitude and approach and emphasise your respect for their property and willingness to show them anything you might find.
 

Research is a great key to start the conservation with. My hunting partner did a lot of research on a place, we found the land owner told him our idea and asked for permission. "You wont find anything out there but you can look if you want too, but let me carry you and show you where my grampaw camped with the soldiers when they came through" He was wrong about his field and right about where his grampaw camped with the soldiers. After you make a good contact the rest of the land owenrs will usually let you too. Plus all they can say is no...d2
 

Greatly appreciate the tips fellas.

HH
-Dan
 

You had the answer all the time Dan...

And you got some good advice as well! Being honest and sincere is always the best policy. What Canewrap, Dick and d2 said is great advice. Some folks will know exactly what may have happened on their property and some do not have a clue. I always have a 'white' bullet or two in my pocket to play show and tell and I always give them the relics just for taking the time to talk with me about their property. I am seldom turned down while seeking permission. Approaching and talking with the property owners and those who work the land is rewarding and fun in itself. Farmers are always good folks!

Glad to see you are going to get away from the ballfields and parks. You will not only find relics and other objects you will not find in the parks...But you will also start turning up the oldest coin recoveries of your life. Hunting in the boonies is fun and productive and you will have a hard time going back to the ballfields. Have fun and good luck with the permission. If turned down...do not get discouraged! Mike(NC)
 

One fossil hunter I know, always carried a small piece
of Petrified wood with him when he asked if they knew where
any like that were found.

One man sent him to a ditch where he found a six foot long
piece that he sold for several hundred dollars.

Fossis.............
 

Always be honest! Just as D2 said these folks can probably help you out.
Here's what I typed on another forum:

I have been doing alot of research on alot of different places. I always report to the landowners and what I find on their land. There has been only one ask me to do this, but I feel I should keep them all informed. I always offer them the first of whatever I find and inform them by the way of summery of what and where I have found items.
I have been searching this one landowner's land for a good while. He gives me the run of the place. I found a large Confederate camp on his land, he also has another Confederate camp on his land that I have not found as of yet and there are also lots of other very good points of intrest on his land. All he asked for is for me to keep him updated on what I find, if I find somethin pretty valuble we split it if it gets sold and to not publicize what is on his land until he decides how it needs to be handled. I understand his situation. The guy had some land in another county that an Indian mound was found on. The government came in and shut his farming down for a good bit while they dug the site. Afterwards he couldn't do anything to his land but farm it.
I old him that I would respect his wishes and do exactly the way he wanted me to do.
I found a couple of Enfield rounds from the one camp along with some other items. I went to find him to show him what I had found but was unable to locate him. I tried several times after that to catch him at his farm. It was like I just missed him. One day I caught up to him and told him about what I had found and told him the story about the camp. I told him that I was going to give him the first round with short story about the camp. I offered to give him whatever he wanted out of the stuff I found and a summery of the locations found. He told me that anything else no matter what it was I could keep it for my own collection or sale it for funding of my search. He told me to keep on keeping a log book and the summeries because it would be nice as a part of history of his place. He was very appreciative about me being honest with him.
A few days later I was approached by another landowner that has land adjacent to the other landonwer. He told me that he had heard that I was doing research and heard how I treated this other landowner. He told me that I was welcome to hunt his property with no strings attached. That made my day! I have been trying to contact this landowner for awhile to see about hunting his property because there is some really good stuff from the ORs about his land. I told him about what happened on his land and he enjoyed the story but he also knew a bit about what happened there. It's been too wet to hunt his property so I haven't been out there yet. I have been doing alot of research on the place and getting my maps inline. I will offer him the first relic(no matter what is is, including an 11 star CS buckle) with the letters from the ORs that tell about his place.
The more honest you are the better your chances of hunting more and more property.
 

For what my input is worth, do not send letters to potential sites unless you have NO other way to make contact. In the last month I have asked permission to detect 25 locations and have gotten permission from 21 of the places. One of the others I actually wanted to detect bad so I went and personally followed up and eventually got permission. Two of the others no answer or response and one letter was returned with the words "HELL NO" written on them. Pardon the French but that is a direct quote.

One thing I can tell you is research a little about the place you want to go and have a very good reason for why you want to detect the site before hand. The homeowner/property owner is likely to say yes but they may ask a lot of questions. I have only had one person concerned about liability and I do carry waivers in my detector bag for just such an occasion. The biggest concern I come across is that they don't want damaged lawns. I carry a small container of grass seed, and a mixture of water and miracle grow with me and make sure I water every hole and plant the seed in yards of the people that seem to be concerned about their lawns. And yes I know that this is probably wasted effort but I have been invited back to the three places where I have done this. Mostly remember you are a guest and act as such and you should be okay. One thing though if someone says no, politely say thank you and walk away. A friend of mine recently got into a disagreement with a landowner and the landowner knew a lot of people and now my friend is having a lot of trouble getting permission to hunt. YOU can NEVER win this type of situation and it will cost the REST of us. Remember you are not the only detectorist out there!
 

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