How would you deal with these rules?

[slater]

I received this reply from a Park Ranger for a PA State Park:

"Metal detecting is allowed within -------- State Park with the following exceptions. No metal detecting is allowed in the swimming pool area and no metal detecting is allowed in the “day-use” area (picnic areas of parking lots 1-13) on weekends from May to September.

There are some additional requirements as follows:

1. We must be notified when and where you will be using the metal detector.

2. All findings must be reported to the park office.

3. You may keep all findings except those of historical significance.

4. Only a screwdriver, ice pick or similar narrow pronged device may be used for digging. Shovels, spades, garden trowels or similar devices may not be used."

My questions: Is this too restrictive to even bother? Are there "similar narrow pronged devices" that would be good to use?
Thanks for your input.

Rich

[Joves]

I would but I have never tried popping as it is called with a screwdriver or a probe. There is a video somewhere on how to. Those are better than the rules we have here in my areas parks, I can detect all I want I just cant dig and that includes popping.

[gordonquixote]

lol...that's brutal.

Here is my take.....his rules rule......BUT, if you pinpoint the location/depth of the coin well, I think a narrow coin popping tool would actually be better than a Lesche or similar with practice in sensitive areas.

I usually pinpoint and insert the Lesche to loosen a hole big enough for the pointer and then fish the target out with my finger.

So: Pinpoint, insert screwdriver next to object, loosen soil, insert pointer, insert finger, extract coin.

I was at a location today with permission (baller brick house built in 1936 where I found the Voyager Dollar in Dec). Anyway, the grass directly in front of the side/main entrance is manicured like a golf green. Flat dirt, reel-cut grass...no way to dig but coin popping would work I think.

[Gauntlet]

Get a tool that meets their requirements and practice at home at retrieving items without cutting a flap/plug. I use a screwdriver with a flatwasher notched and welded on the end, but I've seen others post pics of a gasket scraper ground to a round blunt end too.

[bucsfan612]

I live in PA also, and those are the rules as stated for all State Parks. I could do way more damage with a screwdriver than I usually do with my Lesche. Once I saw those rules, I crossed state parks off my list of detecting areas...ain't worth it to me...Just sayin'

[slater]

Originally Posted by bucsfan612

I live in PA also, and those are the rules as stated for all State Parks. I could do way more damage with a screwdriver than I usually do with my Lesche. Once I saw those rules, I crossed state parks off my list of detecting areas...ain't worth it to me...Just sayin'

That is what I was thinking. I am new to metal detecting, and have been practicing cutting plugs in my yard. I've found some neat stuff too- an old axe head, what looks to be a small animal trap, some coins and toys my girls lost (that stuff sinks into the ground quick!) and some other odds and ends. I can't see how I would have gotten any of those items out with an "icepick". I've got a lot more practice with pinpointing before I could pop a coin out with a screwdriver. For now, the whole thing seems like more of an inconvenience. I have some other spots to try.
Thanks for all the input.
Rich

[slater]

Originally Posted by Joves

I would but I have never tried popping as it is called with a screwdriver or a probe. There is a video somewhere on how to. Those are better than the rules we have here in my areas parks, I can detect all I want I just cant dig and that includes popping.

I asked at our town hall- no problems with metal detecting. The secretary said no digging though. I explained that I wouldn't be using a shovel or anything, but I might need to cut a flap in the grass and lift it up to get a coin. I took this forum's advice and tried not to use the word "dig". She didn't seem object to what I said, but she's not a town authority either. I explained that I wanted to make sure what I was doing was legal in case any nosy neighbors were suspicious. She said there are some people that like to complain. She asked for my name and number so they could contact me if needed. I took it as an "all clear" and will proceed carefully. For now, I'm going to stick with playgrounds, sand areas, and areas a little off the beaten path, since my plug cutting isn't that pretty yet.
BTW- my first two outings were at a playground with ground up tires- no digging tools necessary! The playground is only a few years old and my daughters and I got $3.71 including one of those gold-looking dollar coins. Lots of fun!

[Joves]

Well for me the area I want to hunt was the County Fairgrounds forever since the towns founding, they also held Pow-Wows there. This is an area that screams honeyhole to me. I would understand the no digging in the grass areas as I stated but not one that is just dirt weeds and rabbit brush. I think Im going to try a different plan of attack on this.

[carcur]

take the screwdriver and use it to loosen up the ground and dig with your hand
besides a lesche is a big knife not a shovel or spade

[yardhunter]

You'll never win in the state parks. Even if you showed them everything...they probably would wonder what you are hiding.

It's not worth it.

Private property is the best places to hunt anyway........see ya yardhunter

[fsdigital12]

Here in Jersey state parks are off limits

But with those rules you listed, might as well be off limits there too.

[dogpound]

when i'm in state parks i just cut a plug using the screwdriver......its not always a nice recovery but i didn't make the rules

[turtlefoot]

This is probably the type of "narrow pronged device" they are talking about.

Back in the late 80's all it did was coinshooting. I never took anything out with be besides a pocket knife, a screwdriver and an "awl" type probe with a rounded tip. I would probe lightly and find the coin, cut a small slit and use the flat screwdriver to pop the coin out. It took some time to learn the technique, but it got me in some parks that I otherwise wouldn't have been able to hunt.

With those rules, I would probably hit those parks hard. Those rules will turn a lot of hobbyists away. You might get some nice finds!

Doug

[slater]

Originally Posted by turtlefoot

This is probably the type of "narrow pronged device" they are talking about.

Back in the late 80's all it did was coinshooting. I never took anything out with be besides a pocket knife, a screwdriver and an "awl" type probe with a rounded tip. I would probe lightly and find the coin, cut a small slit and use the flat screwdriver to pop the coin out. It took some time to learn the technique, but it got me in some parks that I otherwise wouldn't have been able to hunt.

With those rules, I would probably hit those parks hard. Those rules will turn a lot of hobbyists away. You might get some nice finds!

Doug

I have one of these weeders and was thinking about using it. I just think it seems like a big hassle to track down the ranger before and after the hunt. I'll think about it. It certainly wouldn't hurt to try it once. Thanks for all the comments everyone.
Rich

[dogpound]

Originally Posted by turtlefoot

This is probably the type of "narrow pronged device" they are talking about.

Back in the late 80's all it did was coinshooting. I never took anything out with be besides a pocket knife, a screwdriver and an "awl" type probe with a rounded tip. I would probe lightly and find the coin, cut a small slit and use the flat screwdriver to pop the coin out. It took some time to learn the technique, but it got me in some parks that I otherwise wouldn't have been able to hunt.

With those rules, I would probably hit those parks hard. Those rules will turn a lot of hobbyists away. You might get some nice finds!

Doug

i use a screwdriver and also one of those weeding tools, that weeding tool works great for deeper targets