Enforcement of Metal Detecting Laws in National Parks, Legal or Illegal?

[HarveyH48]

Tourism is a major industry here in Florida. Been here nearly 30 years, and can assure you, most people could possibly be on their best behavior, while on vacation. They do all kinds of stupid things, to save a few minutes, or a couple of bucks. They know they can either get away with it, or forgiven, because they aren't from around here. I'm sure the visitor numbers are availiable for National Parks, some have hundreds of thousands of visitors every year. If just 1% of them are swinging a detector, and digging holes, that quite a few holes. Think it would be very hard to allow detecting in designated areas, since a tourist could simple plead ignorance.

I know natural wonders don't appeal to everyone, but many do. Metal detecting isn't for everyone either, which is great, more stuff for the rest of us. Really don't see the problem with preserving one of greatest resources, for future generations to enjoy, to experience, as our founding fathers did, as the stole it from the Native Americans. Reading about it in books, is one thing, but walking through the forests just doesn't compare.

 

[Midknight]

Tourism is a major industry here in Florida. Been here nearly 30 years, and can assure you, most people could possibly be on their best behavior, while on vacation. They do all kinds of stupid things, to save a few minutes, or a couple of bucks. They know they can either get away with it, or forgiven, because they aren't from around here. I'm sure the visitor numbers are availiable for National Parks, some have hundreds of thousands of visitors every year. If just 1% of them are swinging a detector, and digging holes, that quite a few holes. Think it would be very hard to allow detecting in designated areas, since a tourist could simple plead ignorance.

I know natural wonders don't appeal to everyone, but many do. Metal detecting isn't for everyone either, which is great, more stuff for the rest of us. Really don't see the problem with preserving one of greatest resources, for future generations to enjoy, to experience, as our founding fathers did, as the stole it from the Native Americans. Reading about it in books, is one thing, but walking through the forests just doesn't compare.

Back in the 1950s Yosemite was aiming for 1 million visitors a year. Now, it gets over 4 million. Best solution, keep mds out of national parks.

 

[Carol K]

Yet, not only is it stated in law that metal detecting is not allowed in National Parks, it clearly states that POSSESSION of metal detecting equipment is illegal and will be confiscated by National Park Service personnel and the person possessing the equipment can legally be expelled and permenantly barrred from reentry to the park.

This is true.

Also add to the list...

-Property owned or maintained by the Army Corp of Engineers
-Sites listed on the National Register of Historic Places
-National Seashores
-all recreational areas to preserve water quality owned by S C R W A

 

[turtlefoot]

This is true.

Also add to the list...

-Property owned or maintained by the Army Corp of Engineers
-Sites listed on the National Register of Historic Places
-National Seashores

You can also add National Scenic Riverways

 

[carcur]

kinda strange you can take a loaded gun into a national park but not an MD

 

[turtlefoot]

I know that this is a bit "off topic", but there is something that has really bugged me. I know a local contractor that has a gravel mining permit for a particular creek. The spot that he mines has a 19th century home site on the creek bank. He can take a backhoe down there and legally fill a dump truck and take the gravel off to wherever it is needed. I cannot detect that same area as I will be disturbing a potential historic site.

Doug

 

[OleSarge]

Tourism is a major industry here in Florida. Been here nearly 30 years, and can assure you, most people could possibly be on their best behavior, while on vacation. They do all kinds of stupid things, to save a few minutes, or a couple of bucks. They know they can either get away with it, or forgiven, because they aren't from around here. I'm sure the visitor numbers are availiable for National Parks, some have hundreds of thousands of visitors every year. If just 1% of them are swinging a detector, and digging holes, that quite a few holes. Think it would be very hard to allow detecting in designated areas, since a tourist could simple plead ignorance.

I know natural wonders don't appeal to everyone, but many do. Metal detecting isn't for everyone either, which is great, more stuff for the rest of us. Really don't see the problem with preserving one of greatest resources, for future generations to enjoy, to experience, as our founding fathers did, as the stole it from the Native Americans. Reading about it in books, is one thing, but walking through the forests just doesn't compare.

HarveyH48, your post brings tears to my eyes. Not to be confused with tears of anger or pain, these tears are because I realize what you say is so absolutely true. I still wish the authorities would consider application for and issuance of permits to metal detect specified areas within the National Parks. But, since they don't, won't and probably never will, at least I have heard enough from the informed and interested FMDF members that I can now comfortably live with it. This forum is one of a kind in that it does allow first line participants to voice their opinions, in a civil and objective manner, about a hobby which, if left to the wiles of a liberal public, would be more closely associated with possession of a weapon than old coots swinging a mini-MRI machine to locate expensive pull tabs.

 

[sleepyjim]

This is true.

Also add to the list...

-Property owned or maintained by the Army Corp of Engineers
-Sites listed on the National Register of Historic Places
-National Seashores
-all recreational areas to preserve water quality owned by S C R W A

STOP!
You are scaring me.....

Jim

 

[Carol K]

STOP!
You are scaring me.....

Jim

No worries Jim, as far as I know, you're still good to go in National Forests.

 

[CoiltoSoil]

I can understand National Parks, but it's ridiculous to ban local parks, especially those who allow pretty much all other types of activities. At least we remove trash, most other activities create trash, and the one park near me that banned detecting allows horse back riding whose divots and manure is much worse than anything we cause.

 

[HarveyH48]

I can understand National Parks, but it's ridiculous to ban local parks, especially those who allow pretty much all other types of activities. At least we remove trash, most other activities create trash, and the one park near me that banned detecting allows horse back riding whose divots and manure is much worse than anything we cause.

Horses usually stick to specific trails or paths, with most hazards removed. A poorly filled hole, or one re-dug by an animal, posses a risk to horse and rider. Most other activities only do minor surface damage. Most of us eventually learn to dig and fill our holes, so as not to leave a mess, or put people at risk. There are some, just starting out, still refining their skills, who aren't quite so tidy. And, of course, there will always be those, who could care less about other people using the parks. We would need some way to assure the parks, and public, that we aren't going to mess up the park, or leave dangerous holes. Anyone can stop off at Walmart, pick up a detector, garden spade, and a pack of batteries. How can we speak for them, on their first time out hunting?

There are parks that ban dogs. How much damage does a dog really do in a park, even if the owner doesn't pick up the stuff? There are usually other animals in the parks, leaving their stuff too... I do agree, that it's preventable, manageable, but still some folks just take their precious dog to the park, for a toilet, and nothing more. It doesn't take that much time to make sure your dog is empty, before going to the park. Not hard to train them to go in specific areas, or never in others. My dog has two areas, where he isn't allowed to even pee, doesn't even bother to sniff around, or need to be told. He's not a real smart dog either...

Still, there is room for discussion, maybe asking for permission, as an individual. There will always be places the are off-limits, but think some places would be willing to talk about it. Could be they don't want to encourage everyone to hunt there, but might be open to a few here and there. I'm sure they are aware of the sharp metal objects that show up, some one gets hurt, they report it, sometimes want compensation. Was that sharp rusty object dug up, and left beside a hole? The bad actions a few, who might not know any better at first, can have some lasting effects. You do everything right, nobody knows you were there, nobody remembers, no one cares. It's the negative experiences that most folks remember, and want to avoid in the future. I don't see an easy way to determine if a complete stranger, with a metal detector, is going to do a good job, or be a slob. The slobs are going to put people at risk, make a mess for someone else to clean up and fix.

It's a hobby for me, and suppose to fun, challenging, adventurous. Fighting, arguing, getting stressed, isn't part of having fun. There are plenty of places to hunt, hassle free. Might not be as productive, had no expectations of getting rich, or finding rare things. The same potential can be found anywhere people have been.