Jekyl and Hyde at the Fairground

[Belangers]

Our state fair ground is closed all year until mid August when it comes alive for one week. The gates are always open and people use it for a short cut to walk their dogs, etc... The place is absolutely huge and although there are some grassy areas, the grounds are not very well kept since thousands trample through the area for one week out of the year.

So Friday, my wife and I went back and decided to detect the grassy area where the rides have been in the past. We were doing pretty good but it was getting hot with no shade so we decided to cut it short. Just then, the groundskeeper came up on us on his tractor and started a converstation with us. He was very friendly and we talked for about 20 minutes, then he wished us good luck and drove off.

Yesterday, we went back and decided to detect in the shady area of where the rides always go. We couldn't dig up the clad fast enough!! This small portion of field was LOADED with clad and we knew we finally hit virgin ground.

Well, after only one hour the groundskeeper came up on us again. We stood up with smiles on our faces to greet him again, and to our utter amazement he was angrier than a hornet. It was like meeting Jekyl and Hyde in person. He told me in very loud, colorful language to get the F out and not to come back. We were absolutely floored at his attitude when just yesterday he was so welcoming. It baffled us to say the least. We didn't argue, we just picked up and left. Still a little in shock because we didn't do anything wrong, and he enjoyed our company the day before. Anything like this ever happen to anyone else?

[Tinky1878]

Did you have permission? Even without it, he should not have been that hateful!

[Cfmct]

He may have a friend who wants to detect the property.. he may have mentioned your success to someone else and they came up with the idea of booting you out.. there is a beach I hunt that if we were to try and hunt the dry sand they would kick us off or call the police.. its not legal I'm sure but I only hunt the wet anyway..

[Belangers]

Originally Posted by Cfmct-PI

He may have a friend who wants to detect the property.. he may have mentioned your success to someone else and they came up with the idea of booting you out.. there is a beach I hunt that if we were to try and hunt the dry sand they would kick us off or call the police.. its not legal I'm sure but I only hunt the wet anyway..

When we first met him we were pulling up bottle caps and pull tabs, only a few modern pennies. It was only on the 3rd day that we were finding large amounts of clad and that was when he pulled up on us with the vicious attitude.

[Belangers]

Originally Posted by tinky1878

Did you have permission? Even without it, he should not have been that hateful!

The grounds are huge and there are no "offices" to go to to ask permission. Nobody is ever there except some people that walk their dogs and kids that run through it for short cuts. We don't even know where he came from.

[bmattioli]

Man, that's a bummer.. Maybe he was having a bad day. People get crazy at times. I see it bothers you but don't sweat it. Thank God 99% of folks out there either say good luck or I hope you find something good.. Very curious they are..

Bruce

[DougF]

Sounds like his boss saw you out there, and found out that he (groundskeeper Willie) hadn't chased you away. The attitude he gave you on the last day was probably what he got from his boss. "S**t rolls downhill". Don't let it bother you.

[RickO]

I would go back, without the detector, and have a serious conversation with him, armed with research (i.e. who controls the area, what are the laws etc).. seems very strange to be cordial one day and vicious the next. RickO

[Tinky1878]

Originally Posted by bmattioli

Man, that's a bummer.. Maybe he was having a bad day. People get crazy at times. I see it bothers you but don't sweat it. Thank God 99% of folks out there either say good luck or I hope you find something good.. Very curious they are..

Bruce

Amen...!
When I ask for permission, people usually say something like "help yourself" or some other kind words. Only a few times were I told no, but they were nice about it.

[booker]

If dude had use the F word at me. He been hunting his teeth No reason to be nasty. He could been nice and just ask you to leave

[Carol K]

Yeah, why didn't he just say, "Sorry, but management doesn't want any detecting on the property."

Maybe the heat was getting to him?

Why not visit the local police dept and ask them? Maybe they can tell you who to contact about detecting there.

[icy mike]

our state fairgrounds do not allow md'ing because of the damage a few careless individuals did in the past (i.e. using shovels and not filling in the holes). It's too bad, because it's usually pretty good md'ing.

Icy Mike

[Belangers]

The first time he first chatted with us he told us the best time to come is on the day they take the rides down. He said there are usually about 20 metal detector guys out there finding stuff and made it sound like it was typical for people to detect the grounds. Never made any indication that we weren't welcome. Smiled, wished us good luck and drove off in his tractor thing.

I'm not upset that he told us to leave. We're easy going people. Just tell us we're not welcome and we'll jet off. It was the sudden change in this guy that shocked both me and my wife. Our 9 year old was standing nearby and it just wasn't necessary to use the language and venum behind it. It was embarassing to say the least.

We plan to go the day the take the rides down to see if there are 20 others detecting. If so, then I'll ask them who they got permission from.

[booker]

How is the Ace 250 working out for you?

[sectshun8]

Originally Posted by booker

How is the Ace 250 working out for you?

Indeed... how is it working for you?

And I've read through this thread a few times... I think maybe i get more aggravated each time Just seems damn right ridiculous

[dutchroots]

Maybe the guy has an evil twin. I've been told our county fairgrounds are off limits to detecting unless you know the right people on the fair board. If you know the wrong people on the fair board then forget it.

[Belangers]

Originally Posted by booker

How is the Ace 250 working out for you?

Alas, I finally have a good understanding of the signals Comparing it to the BH that my wife now uses it's not much different except it tells me the depth which is a big help. Some day we'll upgrade to a better model but for now these are working out well for coins.

[CyberSage]

He almost sounds Bi-Polar. It would explain his demeanor. I would go back without the detecors and try to talk with him. Are you sure he is the grounds keeper?