I only worry about what time I metal detect when others are using the field already for activities that would be disrupted by me metal detecting. It's akin to not starting a game of frisbee in the middle of a soccer game.
It sounds like you're in support of this position. Correct?
So you're saying that you wouldn't need to ask anyone if you could metal detect at these locations, but that you would use common courtesy to guide your judgement, correct?
So if there's no rule, you would just go ahead and use common courtesy to guide your judgement without asking the man in charge?
Then if the 'No Digging' rule does not exist, you wouldn't ask?
Sorry, I intended to direct this question specifically to Harv.
All pretty much the same question, worded differently. Strange way to join an ongoing discussion... Perhaps it's just that Tom has asked very similar question(s), literally a couple dozen times since December. Just annoying that you are just as repetitious as Tom, like a broken record, or a child, in the back seat of a car, chanting 'Are we there yet', every mile or so, on a 4 hour trip...
What sort of other activities involve a high degree of secrecy, and avoiding observation? Almost always activities no one wants to be around. A guy robbing a 7-11, is going to share his plans, out side of his little gang, involved. Certainly he would rob the 7-11, when there is a cop standing there, helping himself to some free coffee, and of course, a doughnut (sorry L.E.O.). A burglar wouldn't want the neighbor seeing him break in, or want the people living there to interrupt them. The perception of us doing something wrong, is related to not being open about we do, avoiding being seen, talking to those most concern with what we are doing. If there is person in charge of overseeing a public site, like the park attendant, school official... I'd have no problem talking to them. If they aren't comfortable with me being there, wouldn't press the issue. Maybe try again some other time. But, least I introduced myself, explained what I intended to do, gave them a chance to give specific instructions on what they expect from me. You know, like make sure my holes get fill in nice, maybe stay out of certain areas. A chance to work out a compromise. He's the guy most people are going to, if they think I'm doing something wrong, or complain. Since I already talked to him, he can smooth it out, he already knows what I'm doing, already decided it was okay. Most people don't have nasty attitudes, or on power trips. Maybe office-bound, paper-pushers, all stressed out, but still not that common from my experiences. You show the proper respect to the person responsible for the site you want to hunt, you raise his perception of you, and your hobby. He might not know much about you, or the hobby, but you are respectful, responsible, for checking with him first. Most likely to give you a chance, unless he has some bad experiences, with some messy hunters in the past.
Ok, if that's the perception you're worried about that someone might have (and it can happen at ANY type ground, not just sports turf) , then perhaps you've chosen the wrong hobby. I mean, gee, I'm real sorry if someone thinks that md'rs are "opportunistic vultures" preying on little kids who lost their lunch money, or preying the poor people who lost rings. And sure, maybe that's a correct characterization of us. eh? But if that bothers someone, then at a certain point you have to ask yourself: "why then did you get into metal detecting? Didn't it occur to you that you might have to dig ? (and that another person might not like that). And didn't it occur to you that you'd be capitalizing off other's fumble-fingers misfortunes? (which other people see as "vulturish")
buzzard's
sorry you have to work so hard for your other hobby.(Lets not be "inconsiderate") remember just cause you use the field for 2 hours or so playing and marking lines to play baseball, others also have the right to use it for their hobby may it be kite flying or mding. You don't own it and your not the only tough guy in town that can "come unglued"...SMH. For the record most mder know better to detect any mound on a baseball field.Can tell your still new to the hobby, as to every one who has used a MD for a year knows that the goods are in the out field. How again am i defacing anything with your logic i wonder why you even got into this hobby. Anyway im not much of the chatter when it come to talking to ppl i dont care for. So im gonna go on about my business so i can continue my stay here at FMDF. Lots of good info on here from EXPERIENCED mders.
