Lots of land is National Park or Stat Park owned and restricted. This includes a good number of fresh water beaches. The COE lake parks allow beach hunting but not hunting on the rest of the land. State parks allow no hunting anywhere. Several counties have 'don't damage grounds/plants...' which can be interpreted as no metal detecting, as it is in my county. I've only been busted once, but we're restricted to tot lots or volley ball sand pits.
I believe several counties that are part of Atlanta have no dig rules as well. I know my local town doesn't allow digging on town owned land.
BCD
BCD: Fair enough answer for "National Parks" and "Georgia state parks". Ok.
However, I disagree with the notion that verbiage abut "damage" (and yes, even "digging") automatically forbids us. I see you added "... can be interpreted". Yes. I agree. Sure. Anyone can gripe about anything if they want.
But on the other hand, I do not see such boiler plate obligatory language as automatically precluding us. Nor do I construe it to mean we must ask if it applies. Eg.: asking "Hi. I see you have alter & deface language in the minutia. Does this mean I can't dig ?". Then OF COURSE they're going to say "no". You would simply be the latest victim of "no one cared till you asked" club.
Think of it: If you leave no trace, no damage, etc... If you cover, stomp, and fluff up your spots, then technically, you haven't damagED, defacED, or alterED anything. Now have you ?
And yes: I'd apply those semantics with d
ig versus d
ug. The only difference is spelling. Ie.: we don't say "diggED".
If such wording gives someone the willies, then you're right: Every single park in the USA is off-limits. Because I guarantee you that such language exists, i some form or fashion, in every single one. But a quick look at any md'ing forum show & tell section will show you: Tons of md'rs are hunting at public parks. See ?