Hunting at Public Schools

[Ya Dig?]

I am new to hunting in my city and I was wondering, in general, if you need permission to hunt on public school grounds? I do know that I need a permit to hunt the public parks, which I have. I'm still nervous about going to the schools. There are two public schools near my house that I would love to hunt. The amount of stuff that kids leave behind on those grounds is crazy. Do you generally call for permission to hunt public schools, or is it OK to just go and hunt because it's a public area? Has anyone run into any trouble doing this?

[Patton]

Originally Posted by Ya Dig?

I am new to hunting in my city and I was wondering, in general, if you need permission to hunt on public school grounds? I do know that I need a permit to hunt the public parks, which I have. I'm still nervous about going to the schools. There are two public schools near my house that I would love to hunt. The amount of stuff that kids leave behind on those grounds is crazy. Do you generally call for permission to hunt public schools, or is it OK to just go and hunt because it's a public area? Has anyone run into any trouble doing this?

A friend of mine has. I have had no problems but I identify myself first if I have the chance. A lot easier on weekends than to hunt after school. You are correct. Lots of goodies the kids leave on the ground. Also, check the bus stops where the kids wait to get on board. Unreal!

[joee5]

I havent attempted any schoosl yet but I would guess it varies town to town, state to state the different laws.
Happy hunting.

[dogpound]

in my area i hit them early weekends or during the summer, i haven't had any problems

[JerseyJoe]

No problems at all. I've found some good stuff too. Good luck!

[Larry(IN)]

I have detected them but never while they are in school! After hours or weekend is the only time I ever hunt them.

[Nitelord]

I called just the same and both Elementary schools said no problem. I just need to stay outside of school hours and after school activities.

[floridabill]

Best to check , every State is different. Around me there are signs posted no trespassing and they will arrest you if caught on school ground when not at a school function.

However I asked permission and after a background check they issued me a permission letter. This was a few year back, when I went to detect I discovered that almost every school has a fence around it and the gate is locked???

They also said no detecting during school hours. I really water hunt only but thought I might give some of the older school a try but after this I thought why even grant me permission

[coinMD64]

Hi, I do enjoy hunting on school grounds after school hours and on the weekends in my hometown. I found lots of clad coins and of course trash. Yesterday I found a nice 1973D Lincoln penny while MDing at a local school ground near my home before rain started to hit. I had no problem MDing on school grounds after kids and teachers went home. I love MDing the school tots lot!!! Thanks!

[youngercs]

I called the Denver Police Department and asked...I was told that I'm allowed to hunt any Denver Public School or Park, and was told to "just follow the metal detecting code of ethics".

[nohope587]

In the Houston area they have the Spark system where a school yard doubles as a park out of hours. You are free to detect any time outside school hours.
there are 119 sparks in the city. If the school is not in the spark program you are still allowed to detect with the following reservations. There must be no school children present. After regular school hours only.
A couple of counties have started fencing in the play areas and locking them outside of school hours. These require permission from the Principle which in most cases will be denied. I take a bucket of all the nasties I have pulled from play areas when I visit. It sometimes works and they let you hunt but in most cases they don't believe you find bullets knives etc in their play yard..

[Michaeltime]

I detected the local high school and middle school. Lots of pencil tips reading nickle. Some pennies dimes , seems the high school was the only one with quarters. In general for me only some loose change. I thought near the school would be good kids hanging out before school. Nothing much I guess they look down and pick up quarters and dimes dropped. Probably best school site would be elementary schools. Looking at historic maps finding old school locations may produce what a lot of us are looking for. Look for a big tree near where the foundation for the school was. Sign of a baseball field. The one I searched I found picthers mound had lots of old dimes . I looked at some plat maps and they showed lots of schools back in the 1920s out in the country.

M6 by White's Greenville Michigan Mike SWC Hunter

[Finster]

weekends and night time is the best time to hunt school grounds.