labradigger1
Full Member
Anyone know the laws regarding metal detecting in culpeper county va. I just received permission to hunt on 500 plus acres of privar land.
Anyone know the laws regarding metal detecting in culpeper county va. I just received permission to hunt on 500 plus acres of privar land.
If you have permission for private property you are golden. Va has some strict laws, battlefields and historic sites are off limits. State parks are questionable, some laws state that for state parks if the ranger or park manager gives you permission then your good to go.
That's awesome that you got a site in Culpeper, lots of CW history there... Let me know if you want a hunting partner, I am less than 30 miles from Culpeper...
I think the strictness depends on the county. You may detect national forest as long as it's not an "old" site meaning no home foundations or old home sites. However, old abandoned picnic areas or modern areas are okay. Posted policy allows for up to six inch deep holes. Amateur rock hounding is allowed. Army Corp land has rules but those in charge are very lenient.
I would research this info before heading out into the NPS property with a detector. I'm not contradicting the above info, but I'm not sure about this. All the NPS (federal) property around here is totally off limits. Protected by huge fines and prison time. You're not even suppose to sight see in the parks with a detector in the car. Also schools and parks are a no go. This may just be around my area, but NPS/federal property rules and regulations are national right? Just wondering where this info came from, and if the Army Corps of Engineers has a website with detecting rules posted. Thanks!
Whether you are metal detecting, deer hunting, or carrying a gun, you need to know the difference between national forest (USFS) and the National Park Service (NPS). The national forests, in Virginia that's Thomas Jefferson National Forest and George Washington National Forest, are administered by the U.S. Department of Agriculture. As per personal communication with a forester and a ranger in Jan., 2012, there are no TJ or GW specific rules concerning metal detecting. general rules are: only modern areas and six inch or less holes. You cannot detect old foundations or home sites. You may deer hunt, turkey hunt and carry exposed firearms during legal hunting seasons. Forest laws are enforced by Forest Rangers as opposed to a Forester. They have powers of arrest and carry weapons.
The National Park Service lands, meaning the Blue Ridge Parkway, Shenandoah National Park, The Wilderness, etc. are administered by the Department of the Interior. No metal detecting is allowed. No deer or turkey hunting is allowed. No carrying of exposed firearms allowed. Park laws are enforced by Park Rangers. They have powers of arrest and carry weapons. If you're caught on NPS property, you will be put under the federal jail.
Both are federal property but it's up to you to know the difference and the laws pertaining to each. I am a hunter educator for VDGIF and am always frustrated about the number of people that don't know the difference.
Thanks, real good information, I sure miss VA.Whether you are metal detecting, deer hunting, or carrying a gun, you need to know the difference between national forest (USFS) and the National Park Service (NPS). The national forests, in Virginia that's Thomas Jefferson National Forest and George Washington National Forest, are administered by the U.S. Department of Agriculture. As per personal communication with a forester and a ranger in Jan., 2012, there are no TJ or GW specific rules concerning metal detecting. general rules are: only modern areas and six inch or less holes. You cannot detect old foundations or home sites. You may deer hunt, turkey hunt and carry exposed firearms during legal hunting seasons. Forest laws are enforced by Forest Rangers as opposed to a Forester. They have powers of arrest and carry weapons.
The National Park Service lands, meaning the Blue Ridge Parkway, Shenandoah National Park, The Wilderness, etc. are administered by the Department of the Interior. No metal detecting is allowed. No deer or turkey hunting is allowed. No carrying of exposed firearms allowed. Park laws are enforced by Park Rangers. They have powers of arrest and carry weapons. If you're caught on NPS property, you will be put under the federal jail.
Both are federal property but it's up to you to know the difference and the laws pertaining to each. I am a hunter educator for VDGIF and am always frustrated about the number of people that don't know the difference.
Whether you are metal detecting, deer hunting, or carrying a gun, you need to know the difference between national forest (USFS) and the National Park Service (NPS). The national forests, in Virginia that's Thomas Jefferson National Forest and George Washington National Forest, are administered by the U.S. Department of Agriculture. As per personal communication with a forester and a ranger in Jan., 2012, there are no TJ or GW specific rules concerning metal detecting. general rules are: only modern areas and six inch or less holes. You cannot detect old foundations or home sites. You may deer hunt, turkey hunt and carry exposed firearms during legal hunting seasons. Forest laws are enforced by Forest Rangers as opposed to a Forester. They have powers of arrest and carry weapons.
The National Park Service lands, meaning the Blue Ridge Parkway, Shenandoah National Park, The Wilderness, etc. are administered by the Department of the Interior. No metal detecting is allowed. No deer or turkey hunting is allowed. No carrying of exposed firearms allowed. Park laws are enforced by Park Rangers. They have powers of arrest and carry weapons. If you're caught on NPS property, you will be put under the federal jail.
Both are federal property but it's up to you to know the difference and the laws pertaining to each. I am a hunter educator for VDGIF and am always frustrated about the number of people that don't know the difference.
I think the strictness depends on the county. You may detect national forest as long as it's not an "old" site meaning no home foundations or old home sites. However, old abandoned picnic areas or modern areas are okay. Posted policy allows for up to six inch deep holes. Amateur rock hounding is allowed. Army Corp land has rules but those in charge are very lenient.