That time of year again, whats the scoop?

dr-quest

Sr. Member
Feb 25, 2007
369
66
Nova Scotia Canada
Detector(s) used
Garret AT Gold, Whites XLT,Tesoro Stingray ll,Whites Surfmaster ll
Primary Interest:
All Treasure Hunting
Florida vacation is coming up and once again I go over the state rules for metal detecting. On beaches I read you can detect from high tide to low tide, not in the dunes but up to the dunes and not in the water. But every year we see lots of guys water detecting on the beaches, are they just taking there chances?, wondering if anyone has been busted for water detecting beaches and or is diving & walking considered different in water hunting laws. Thanks :thumbsup:
 

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Rules haven't changed, the only place your restricted from hunting in the water is about 20 miles of beaches between Vero Beach to just north of Sebastian Inlet.... Called the Treasure Coast. National sea shores, federal property are off limits and any state park on the beach requires ranger permission or sign saying it is legal...
 

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So water hip or chest deep 100 yards off the beach is okay on the gulf side as long as its not a state park beach?
 

dr-quest,

It's not really from high to low tide. For the most part, on most beaches you can detect anywhere, just stay off the dunes. When it comes to some parks and private property, technically above the high tide line may be off limits...........If its a hotel for example, I got above high tide line at night.......because there is no one out there, you have more area to detect, you're not a nuisance and generally no one is going to complain. During the day, on private hotel, if your swinging around their customers then thats probably trouble. You can go chest/hip deep, you can do full scuba if you want, just not in leased areas.........I don't believe on the Gulf side there are many leases if any.......
 

Thanks guys, appreciate the help :icon_thumleft:
 

No leases on gulf side, but some state parks on gulf side do not allow you to detect so check state park rules if your detecting in a state park, some do allow and some do not.
 

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