Was told not to detect a Provicial Beach in Canada!

[Harley digs it]

Well I thought that the wife and I would go out to the beach about an hours drive away. Left later in the day so as not to disturb the people enjoying the beach. When we arrived there was only one couple on the beach and they were getting ready to leave. I was delighted to have the place to myself. So I start to comb the beach and pulled alot of trash out of the sand and some clad. The trash I put in the trash cans located on the beach along with a few pieces of broken glass from a crushed bottle I found with the cap still on it.

Then not even an hour later a park warden comes up and says that I not allowed to detect the beach. I said sorry and packed up. The thing I don't understand is why I cant detect it if:

a) No one is there,
b) I'm cleaning and securing the beach,
c) The holes I dug were no deeper than 6-8 inches and I re-filled them all.

This really mad me mad but I bit my tongue and was polite about it. I think I might have to write the parks management and see if I can have permission to MD there. Being told that you cant have a MD on a government owned and operated beach doesn't make sense to me, if its done correctly. This was a first for me.

 

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[Charles]

Some things just don't make since. State Parks in Texas are the same way. Illegal to have a detector in state parks at all. I could kinda see perserving nature and wildlife. But they won't make exceptions to swimming beaches. They also declared several miles of beach on the coast a state park.

 

[Harley digs it]

Yes it blows my mind, I'm sorry you are in the same position as I am.

Though I can understand that there may be some MDers out there that dig the grassy areas and might make those areas unsightly. The thing that I don't understand is what is the difference if I'm on the beach with a MD and digging my finds and all the families there that are tunneling to China half the time? Well, none that I see. Except I fill my holes in and actually clean the area.

I shouldn't think that it would be too hard to get permission to hunt the beach its just a kick in the pants because pretty much all the beaches in my area are all government run beaches and parks.

Hehe I should of tested the law and stepped into the water at that point and said I'm not on park land anymore! The only problem being I'm generally a law biding person so I would of felt bad giving the guy a hard time, but the water was warm.

 

[JW]

Careful about giving the rangers too much greif, they can take your detector and fine you in most states on state property of federal land.

It doesn't make any sense to me either, but thats life I guess!

 

[froggy38383]

Well I thought that the wife and I would go out to the beach about an hours drive away.? Left later in the day so as not to disturb the people enjoying the beach.? When we arrived there was only one couple on the beach and they were getting ready to leave.? I was delighted to have the place to myself.? So I start to comb the beach and pulled alot of trash out of the sand and some clad.? The trash I put in the trash cans located on the beach along with a few pieces of broken glass from a crushed bottle I found with the cap still on it.

Then not even an hour later a park warden comes up and says that I not allowed to detect the beach.? I said sorry and packed up.? The thing I don't understand is why I cant detect it if:

a) No one is there,
b) I'm cleaning and securing the beach,
c) The holes I dug were no deeper than 6-8 inches and I re-filled them all.

This really mad me mad but I bit my tongue and was polite about it.? I think I might have to write the parks management and see if I can have permission to MD there.? Being told that you cant have a MD on a government owned and operated beach doesn't make sense to me, if its done correctly.? This was a first for me.

Here in Manitoba I have detected on a few Provincial beaches. I requested permission at one Park office near here where there is a swimming area, and was given the go ahead. Some rangers appraoched me later at this site and were quite interested in what I was doing and asked information about the detector in regards to beoing used to find rifle shells.

If the area is of histroic significance detecting might be prohibited.

I know that in Riding Mountain National Park detectors are prohibited.

Knowing Canada every province has its own laws in regards to this activity. Perhaps one sure way of finding out is to get on a provincial government web site and to inquire about what the laws and regulations are for that province.

 

[jeff of pa]

You'r Doing the Right Thing Trying to find out.

A L W A Y S

Q U E S T I O N

A U T H O R I T Y

Is My Motto.

Sometimes Some Authority Figures, Pretend to Have More Authority then They Realy have

GOOD LUCK !
Jeff

 

[Monty]

Questioning authority is a right in the USA, but I don't know about Canada. There is a correct way to question authority however. Do it with the pen, not with the sword and you will get a lot further with it. Standing out on the beach with metal detector in hand is not the place to question authority. You are completely vulnerable and only bad can come from it. If I had a copy of the law or regs with me and tkhey did not prohibit detecting on the beach, I wouild suggest the officer go over the regs with me and explain it a little better. Most enforcement people are honestly doing what they think the law does or does not allow. If they are proven wrong you will usually get a clarification and an apology. There are those few who will bully you and those are the ones that you don't want to question or even argue with. You can't win in that situation. Back off, go to higher authority and proceed from there. Just a little insight from someone who has been in the enforcement business. Monty

 

[Michigan Badger]

Monty is right on. All the answers were good to a point but he summed it all up.

To treasure hunt today one needs to be smart. With each passing day we're losing more and more hunting areas either to land development or bureaucracy nonsense.

We could all learn from the Native Americans. Most of them stopped shooting arrows a long time ago and instead they sent their children to Harvard. Today they kick butt without ever having to pick up a bow.

Another thing we all are going to have to face sooner or later is, treasure hunting has never really ever been a marshmallow activity. I?ll not explain what I mean by this. It?s best to leave some things to the imagination.

Zeb

 

[jeff of pa]

I AGREE

I Guess I should have made Clear,
I thought Everyone would Realize

When I say QUESTION AUTHORITY I mean, Talk to his Superior.

Find out IF he Knows what he is telling you,

OR if he MESSING WITH YOU or just THINKS he Knows what he's Telling you is right.

 

[Born2Dtect]

Harley,

The answer is simple. The next election ask all candidates what is there stand on detecting rights. Vote for the guy who is willing to do what you want. You may need to educate them as to the benefits to all from detecting. This would work in Canada and the US as well. Think about it guys. Who better to change unfair laws than the ones who wrote them. We all need to push the agenda when possible.

Ed Donovan

 

[rvbvetter]

? ? I don't remember what state it was for. But someone once posted the regulations here for there parks. And like my state, detecting was prohibited in state parks.
? ? But since that time I came accross some regulations here that detecting was not strictly prohibited in a very small number of our state parks.
? But they might as well be. I don't remember word for word. But it was to the effect of; Detecting was permitted but there was to be no digging or misplacement of floral (such as grass)or damage to the eco-system.
? So as soon as I can figure out how to retrieve a target without digging or misplacing a blade of grass or triggering the next Iceage.
? ? ? ?
? ? ? ? ? I'M THERE !!! ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? HH

? ? ? ? ? ?

 

[Monty]

In my Citiy and State I doubt that the elected officials have even given any thought at all about detectorist's rights! To te best of my knowledge there are no issues pending before the lgislature having anyuthing to do with treasure hunting. It's kinda' ignored here! I depend on the various forums to keep me up to date on federal issues. Anything pending now? Monty

 

[Michigan Badger]

It's possible to hunt almost any state park today (not all) if one is very careful.

For instance, you're camping and you think you lost a key. You detect your lot and if a ranger comes up you quickly let him know what's up. Better still have someone stand guard and watch for him. You don't want him to get into his THOU SHALT NOT HUNT routine. He will not buy your story but it does give him a way out without losing his authority. If he's not a grade one jerk, he can say: "well, as soon as you find your key, stop." Then he can walk away and have an answer for any superior who may challenge him.

If I go camping I'll take a detector along to find my keys, my neighbors keys, the keys of the guy on his other side, etc., etc. I just make sure the others think they may have lost something. Generally, people camping are in good spirits and will play along.

See, in this case you're not treasure hunting but you're providing a public service.?

There comes a point where you have to stop but a little is better than nothing.

 

[SASQUASH]

Hay zeb you got the right idea. Having some balls to stand up for your rights even if you have to be creative. Gets you some treasure. When I go out I where my CDF (Ca. Dep. of forestry) shirt. They think I belong there plus I'm a Big Bad looking M F that helps to. Sorry the rebel is coming out in me. I notice in the post that asks where you work a lot of you are Cops. This is the only place where there is so many different people. That love the same thing. SAS<><

 

[Michigan Badger]

When I go out I where my CDF (Ca. Dep. of forestry) shirt.

I like that? ?8)

My son is a part of a powerful special law enforcement group and he gave me one of their shirts.? ? People not only don't want to talk to me, they don't even want to make eye contact.

If one gets into the law type of thing make sure the item is not considered official uniform.

Zeb's newest saying: The wise treasure hunter is known in the community as "that guy who'll find your lost stuff for you."

 

[SASQUASH]

Yae that is fun finding lost valueables for folks. Last summer I was at La Jolla beach. A lady had lost a silver ring that was given to her the day before for being in a wedding. They where just leaving when they saw me with my M.D. she sowed me a 30ft. by 30ft. area that it could be. Found it in about ten min. I don't really think they thought I would find it. No reward & you could tell that they had the money but the big smile was good enough for me. Some times it is more fun to find things then it is to keep it. I have been MDing the local museum property. All that I find stays at the museum ofcoures my name is on it. I'm not only the local house painter but also the local Treasure hunter. MERRY CHRISTMAS ><> FROM SAS.

 

[luckyglenn]

Your subject caught my attention.
Here in St. Petersburg Florida we are fortunate enough to have one of the most beautiful beaches in the Country------Fort Desota Park (and beach).
As a precaution, I checked in at the Ranger Station and inquired about the legality and/or restrictions of md'ing in the area.
I was informed that I would need a permit, so---asked what was involved.
Was informed there is no cost.....just fill out a form (name and address) and that's it! No charge, and no expiration date. Just have it on person if stopped by a Ranger. Hmmmmmmmmm.
I was told that detecting could only be done on the white beaches........not off the beaches.
I figure that the permit gives them the opportunity to educate the detectorists of their laws, and and assures that those with permits will be aware of same.