Winning the battle of public perception

[Clayton]

If you've been in the hobby for more than five minutes, you know that public perception of metal detecting varies a lot from place to place. Metal detectorists can be seen as vultures...doing nothing but waiting to profit from another person misfortune. Generally it seems that parks, city, county, state and federal lands are being banned from metal detecting on a rapid basis...even beaches. Places that belong to the public are being banned from the public by misinformed or misguided government officials. And private land is often kept bottled up tight, even when the impact of metal detecting is minimal and in many way an asset (trash removal, etc). So I propose a thread to bring together good ideas to win this battle of public perception.

I mean these as proactive ideas above and beyond the code of ethics. Things we can actively do to keep our spots open and maybe even open up new ones. Because if we don't do something, the misinformed and over zealous regulators will win the day and we'll be all talking about the "good old days" when we weren't arrested at the beach for bringing a metal detector, etc...

I'll get the ball rolling with these:

1. Answer questions politely, no matter how many times you get asked the same ones.
2. Show your trash bag to people on a regular basis, consider it part of the price for a great hobby. Educate them about the dangers under the soil and watch them be shocked and relieved that you took that danger from under their feet (and their kid's feet).
3. Volunteer your services. Be the hero. It is hard to ban a hero.
4. Send an email, letter, whatever to your elected official whenever are able to return a ring or other treasure to it's owner. Thank them for supporting the hobby by keeping the park/beach open to metal detecting and let them know this happy reunion wouldn't have been possible without their support. Give them a reason to support us, not just to avoid banning us.
5. Tell your friends/family/coworkers what a great hobby it is. Actively talk about the positive aspects that aren't just your best finds, but things like the health benefits, environmental-green aspects, and historical preservation. Most relics we find would rust away or sink to unrecoverable depths. They aren't museum worthy for the most part, but items worth saving. People should know.
6. Notify the news outlets when a reunion or significant discover has been made. They eat that stuff up and genuinely don't get enough positive human interest stories.

[scoundrel]

Originally Posted by Clayton

If you've been in the hobby for more than five minutes, you know that public perception of metal detecting varies a lot from place to place. Metal detectorists can be seen as vultures...doing nothing but waiting to profit from another person misfortune. Generally it seems that parks, city, county, state and federal lands are being banned from metal detecting on a rapid basis...even beaches. Places that belong to the public are being banned from the public by misinformed or misguided government officials. And private land is often kept bottled up tight, even when the impact of metal detecting is minimal and in many way an asset (trash removal, etc). So I propose a thread to bring together good ideas to win this battle of public perception.

I mean these as proactive ideas above and beyond the code of ethics. Things we can actively do to keep our spots open and maybe even open up new ones. Because if we don't do something, the misinformed and over zealous regulators will win the day and we'll be all talking about the "good old days" when we weren't arrested at the beach for bringing a metal detector, etc...

I'll get the ball rolling with these:

1. Answer questions politely, no matter how many times you get asked the same ones.
2. Show your trash bag to people on a regular basis, consider it part of the price for a great hobby. Educate them about the dangers under the soil and watch them be shocked and relieved that you took that danger from under their feet (and their kid's feet).
3. Volunteer your services. Be the hero. It is hard to ban a hero.
4. Send an email, letter, whatever to your elected official whenever are able to return a ring or other treasure to it's owner. Thank them for supporting the hobby by keeping the park/beach open to metal detecting and let them know this happy reunion wouldn't have been possible without their support. Give them a reason to support us, not just to avoid banning us.
5. Tell your friends/family/coworkers what a great hobby it is. Actively talk about the positive aspects that aren't just your best finds, but things like the health benefits, environmental-green aspects, and historical preservation. Most relics we find would rust away or sink to unrecoverable depths. They aren't museum worthy for the most part, but items worth saving. People should know.
6. Notify the news outlets when a reunion or significant discover has been made. They eat that stuff up and genuinely don't get enough positive human interest stories.

I hate to say it, but it's forums like this, and the internet, and all the information sharing technology that's going to do us in. It seems that people are taking up m-d'ng in droves. There is always going to be the ones that don't fill their holes,or pick up trash, and detect where it's illegal. The honor system rarely works, so every activity eventually gets heavily regulated(like fishing and hunting). So, as we get on these forums and share our methods
and locations with the whole world, you have to ask yourself.. Are we shooting ourselves in the foot?

So.. If you ask me, I never find anything, it's not worth the time and effort.

[Clayton]

Good point. There will always be those in any hobby, sport, or endeavor, that make the others look bad. That is one more reason why the concept of actively winning the battle is critical. And FYI, I believe the web is a fantastic tool for educating the public as well as mobilizing the 'troops'.

[digsafe]

Lets hope they dont make this into a Tv show,because that whould really be the nail in the coffin.The one good thing is that MD is hard work,and you really cant make a profit every day unless you found a glory hole.I think i lost about 20lbs in the last three days from all the bending down.Beach sand is easy but,hard compact dirt is much harder to dig & sift.

[DIGGER27]

i don't really believe most idiots that give us a bad name...leave holes, trash, ect, really hang out in places like this.
That type usually is more selfish, they feel entitled to do anything they want.
They know it all so why get advice from a forum?

If someone like that does read some of the posts here, before long they would realize most others do it different.
A few might change, most won't, those people will drop out quick.
They won't like being told they are wrong.

Best idea is still to be a good ambassador.
Except to those few snarky people that you come across with the attitude...

"Find any gold yet? Heh Heh!"

"Why yes, as a matter of fact I have.
A bunch of silver and hundreds of dollars worth of coins and even some civil war relics, too!" (Smile).

Love to see their faces change after that conversation.

[Clayton]

...anybody got additional ideas to win the battle of public perception? My six certainly can't be all...

[DIGGER27]

Everyone wear a t-shirt from Florida Bill that says...

" Would love to be a treasure hunter..
What I really do is clean up the environment."

Or

"Keeping the environment clean for your use since 1992."

Or

"Stepped on a rusty nail, lately?
No?
Thank your local detectorist!"

[jcham]

The biggest run down I had with the parks department was at a public green, inner city where crime and all that goes with it was happening all around me. People ducking into the portable bathrooms in three's. You name it , same park differnt day a couple laid out a blanket and well they must have been into having people watch. I mean nothing wrong with a little entertainment while I hunt, cant say much for the kids in the park. That day there were none.

Regardless I'm hunting away minding my own business and this Parks Truck comes speeding for me had I used headphones I would have gotten hit. They skidded across the lawn left 20 feet of skid marks compleatly distroying the grass. They got out of the truck wanting to fight, with the digger I use God Bless them as I had it handy. After things cooled down just by me keeping cool I asked if I could show them the detector and what it could do and what it couldnt. They kept saying I would dig up electrical, they didnt want to hear it and get out.

Finially I waited for the police and when they didnt come and these guys wouldnt leave me alone I left and went to the Police Dept to file a report. The very nice looking women officer just smiled and had no clue what metal detecting was until I went into detail. She laughed and smiled and told me the parks Dept was right next door and if I didnt get satisfaction from them to file charges against the two people who used thier truck as a weapon.

I went next door and they knew I was coming. Three of us talked and told them what I do and why I do it, how I do it and with what machine. After I went in to all of that they agreed to let me hunt every park they looked after as long as I was neat and didnt file charges against thier workers. I went back to the park and these two meatballs used their heals to make holes in the grass everywhere as if to show someone I did that. So now we have 20 feet of ripped up grass 50 or so holes made in the grass and all of it was done by park workers who had nothing better to do that day. Far be it for them to pick up trash, report the crimes that were happening and just do their jobs.

What I have found is that why take any BS, why. In the town hall there is a law passed in my state where metal detecting is legal period, on all State and local property unless otherwise posted and to get them posted would take a public hearing, not going to happen.

Seriously I feel that the more I just smile and walk away the more it hurts the hobby. Other than that day I have never won with the police, they have laughed and told me to come back another day but even then, come back another day. Know the laws in your state and towns, it will not only save your hunt but that of the person behind you looking for some fun.

I used to walk away, I mean some guy claiming to be the town manager started yelling at me for coin shooting. I'm the town manager and I cant do this on this green and get out or I'll have you arrested. I left with my tail between my legs. Come to find out the town manager was black and this guy was just some NUT. Forget it call the police and if I am fillinig in my holes and no property damage, call them they dont care they are busy with 1000's of domestic abuse calls, drug calls, DWI's, they have better things to do than to bother with a guy looking for loose change in the dirt......

I know of one park that is posted I didnt see the sign and I hunted it for hours, I saw the sign when I left and said thats why everyone was looking at me funny. However the joke is on them, this was and could have been a real nice park but there was trash everywhere, it just looked like a dingy old diry land fill. Parks that are hunted reg are normally the nicest.

[scoundrel]

Originally Posted by Clayton

...anybody got additional ideas to win the battle of public perception? My six certainly can't be all...

Maybe organize m-d events at parks and beaches were the main goal is to
get the buried trash out. Award prizes(scoop,batteries,t-shirts,hats) for the most bottle caps or pull tabs, or the biggest or most unusual piece of trash. A bunch of m-d'ers on their best behavior would send a positive message to park rangers and other officials.

[Clayton]

Originally Posted by scoundrel

Maybe organize m-d events at parks and beaches were the main goal is to
get the buried trash out. Award prizes(scoop,batteries,t-shirts,hats) for the most bottle caps or pull tabs, or the biggest or most unusual piece of trash. A bunch of m-d'ers on their best behavior would send a positive message to park rangers and other officials.

What a freakin' awesome idea! Make the trash the treasure for a day. Call it "Trash to Treasure Tuesday" or something. Really hype it is a GREEN thing, maybe even get corporate sponsors to donate the prizes (they LOVE good green PR)....

keep the suggestions coming! (but please everybody read the initial post...looking for positive suggestions)....

[Jack Flynn]

Clayton I have the same feelings you do. I really believe that we have to police ourselves from an inside perspective though. When I talk with a group of people and the talk is let's go hunt this place. My first words are do we have permission? Some take so many things for granted. My personal thoughts are to police from within. Be outspoken and an ambassador of this hobby. I have always with anyone, kids, friends, loved ones, others who pursued my different passions over the years, tried no matter what to do the right thing. Even if the right thing "was the wrong thing" for that moment. We should tread lightly and leave little or no trace of our being there.

[Clayton]

Good point Jack. I think this forum and others like it are great places for that healthy self-regulation....sort of educating new detectorists about what is appropriate behavior. Just having the discussion is part of that. It really isn't any different than learning to become a good camper. Among other things my parents taught me to leave a campsite better than I found it. Besides developing good character in me, I'm sure it helps to promote camping as a positive and healthy hobby.

[Clayton]

edited...

[yandosan]

Maybe it's the tanking economy and the realization that the safe office job is not so safe or reliable anymore.
Or the 401K, or any other "dependable" means of getting by.
Somewhere along the line, the perception (IMHO) of Metal Detecting became a little more favorable.
For example, those meteorite hunters on TV seemed-- to some, at least--- like rock stars.

[Dustyloins]

I went by the police station last week and dropped off about a dozen business cards. I told the dispatcher on duty to give me a call if they ever needed anyone with metal detectors to help search for evidence.....she thought that was a good idea.

Dusty

[RAMBLIN' STEVE]

Well, here's my pair of zincolns, but I'm sure that it won't be very popular...
In order for our hobby to be taken seriously instead of being viewed as a niusance, it needs regulation.. That means licenses or permits with rules
of conduct.. Without permits to back us up, we're powerless to defend
ourselves against narrow-minded anti-MD people and law enforcement
officials.. It's not much different than a fishing license, and would provide us with some type of recourse regarding MDing.. I know, it's a sobering thought
to think of MDing as a regulated activity, but there are far too many people
out there that have an MD but no regard for thier own conduct...
Well, there's my opinion.. Let the stones fly...

[Clayton]

Interesting. I'm generally very against regulations myself, but you make a good point. There is a certain benefit to permits and regulation. I don't personally have a problem paying for a permit if it keeps away some of the negative behaviors and thus negative publicity.

Was also thinking that joining groups like www.lostmystuff.net is a good thing for PR. I think that would be an actionable #4 from my post above.

[Machtyn]

Can this discussion be stickied?

[donnyjaguar]

Showing off an old dirty syringe or razor knife to anyone who asks while detecting in a park sends the right message.

[Rob479]

I like to show the rusty iron or sharp can slaw to parents that I see in the parks when I hunt them. It opens a line of communication with the community and it gives our hobby a positive image.

Even when I send out my permission emails, I always use the slant that I am doing the community a favor by removing trash. I never mention valuables or coins, just that I am cleaning up the parks and playgrounds.

So far I have 100% rating when it comes to getting permission to hunt. I guess my slant works...