Getting permission for land owned by the church

[vmc1161]

They can forgive you after they punish you.....

I went to Catholic school with nuns and I do believe you are correct.

 

[VirginiaBikeGirl]

I've had two churches say yes, and one say no. Too bad on the no. That Catholic Church sits on an old wealthy persons land and the rectory was a 19th century mansion. The head priests reasoning was, we've told people no in the past, so we'll tell you no also. So long as its well reasoned, I guess.

 

[bottlecap4u]

I’ve hunted catholic diocese-managed land. My advice is start with the nearest local Catholic Church, as I did. If the land is in use by a local church as a gathering site, you mentioned a pavilion, even better. Don’t encourage letter writing, but face-to-face contact is best. Worked out well for me to detect, I ended up volunteering for them on several paint jobs they needed too like the below. Overall was a great experience for me. Good luck.

 

[kevinmichaeljohn]

So I purchase my first md and the very first thing that falls out of the box is the code of ethics for detectors headlined by the ultimate taboo-never go on private property without permission, preferably written permission. My lawyer pointed out at a cookout the other day, it’s also the law, criminal trespass. I know as a freebie I’m probably the last person to be shooting off my mouth but if I discovered someone uninvited on my property I would be pissed as all hell,. Now if they approached me in person (best option) or through a letter I might be more open to the enterprise, particularly if it was made clear that half of any money made of the loot would go to me. And in the case of a church all the better. Charity. Or offer to help fix up the place if buildings seem in disrepair.

 

[Tom_in_CA]

...... preferably written permission. ......

I disagree ^ ^ that that is "preferable". Why isn't a verbal "go ahead" just-as satisfactory ?

Because, think of it : When you or I show up, on a total stranger's doorstep, with a contract for them to sign, then : That is the FASTEST way to fetch a "no"

So when some property owner says "help yourself" and "yes", I am NOT going to shove a legal agreement across the table for them to sign. WHY ARGUE WITH A YES ?

...... particularly if it was made clear that half of any money made of the loot ......

Another "fastest way to fetch a no" ^ ^ Is to begin talking about splits. Because all that does is conjure up images of treasure, loot, $$, legal issues, etc.... Ie.: AS IF you're about to find the Atocha, a treasure-chest, etc....

So all you need to do is tell them : "You're welcome to anything I find. As it's just a hobby-for-me, etc...". And I have NEVER had a property owner say "Gimme me half the merc's and barbers". Or : "Dump it all out and let's see", etc..... Instead , when it's done, I just show them the targets. And will hold out a barber or trade token or button and say : "Here's one I don't have for my collection. Can I hold this one ?" And have never had anyone say "no". In fact, they just laugh and say "It's all yours" (if they even ask IN THE FIRST PLACE)

 

[rcornell]

I disagree ^ ^ that that is "preferable". Why isn't a verbal "go ahead" just-as satisfactory ?

Because, think of it : When you or I show up, on a total stranger's doorstep, with a contract for them to sign, then : That is the FASTEST way to fetch a "no"

So when some property owner says "help yourself" and "yes", I am NOT going to shove a legal agreement across the table for them to sign. WHY ARGUE WITH A YES ?



Another "fastest way to fetch a no" ^ ^ Is to begin talking about splits. Because all that does is conjure up images of treasure, loot, $$, legal issues, etc.... Ie.: AS IF you're about to find the Atocha, a treasure-chest, etc....

So all you need to do is tell them : "You're welcome to anything I find. As it's just a hobby-for-me, etc...". And I have NEVER had a property owner say "Gimme me half the merc's and barbers". Or : "Dump it all out and let's see", etc..... Instead , when it's done, I just show them the targets. And will hold out a barber or trade token or button and say : "Here's one I don't have for my collection. Can I hold this one ?" And have never had anyone say "no". In fact, they just laugh and say "It's all yours" (if they even ask IN THE FIRST PLACE)

I just had one that wanted what was found or no permission. Not going to do that... I would rather spend my limited time elsewhere. So, I said we can split any Silvers... you get the first one, I get the second, etc. Then, as I was detecting... I'm thinking I sure hope I don't dig a <Big Silver of some Kind>. lol! That is no way to detect, so I am not doing that again. (NOTE: no Silver found, but a nice IHP that he told me to keep.)

 

[Tom_in_CA]

I just had one that wanted ....

I'm not saying that a "fluke" might not occur. Sure. But in my experience : EVEN THOSE THAT SAY they "want everything that's found", yet : When you're done, and you SHOW THEM the pile of finds, and when you hold one to the side and say "here's a token (or coin or whatever) that I don't have in my collection", I have NEVER had them say "no you can't have that one either, give it to me".

Now *could* there be an exception / fluke ? SURE ! But you can still get a picture, for boasting purposes. And it's still fun to hunt, EVEN when you can't keep the targets.

I have hunted historical monuments (because I am a docent tour-leader) and : Could only hunt on the condition that the finds go to the museum. AND I GLADLY ACCEPTED that "cost".

 

[kevinmichaeljohn]

I disagree ^ ^ that that is "preferable". Why isn't a verbal "go ahead" just-as satisfactory ?

Because, think of it : When you or I show up, on a total stranger's doorstep, with a contract for them to sign, then : That is the FASTEST way to fetch a "no"

So when some property owner says "help yourself" and "yes", I am NOT going to shove a legal agreement across the table for them to sign. WHY ARGUE WITH A YES ?



Another "fastest way to fetch a no" ^ ^ Is to begin talking about splits. Because all that does is conjure up images of treasure, loot, $$, legal issues, etc.... Ie.: AS IF you're about to find the Atocha, a treasure-chest, etc....

So all you need to do is tell them : "You're welcome to anything I find. As it's just a hobby-for-me, etc...". And I have NEVER had a property owner say "Gimme me half the merc's and barbers". Or : "Dump it all out and let's see", etc..... Instead , when it's done, I just show them the targets. And will hold out a barber or trade token or button and say : "Here's one I don't have for my collection. Can I hold this one ?" And have never had anyone say "no". In fact, they just laugh and say "It's all yours" (if they even ask IN THE FIRST PLACE)

Interesting points Tom. As a newbie to this great hobby I have a large learning curve ahead. I should point out that my comment of getting a signed letter was simply quoting my lawyer. But it doesn’t need to be a complicated document, it can be a few sentences. But it’s pretty clear personal contact is the key.

 

[rcornell]

Interesting points Tom. As a newbie to this great hobby I have a large learning curve ahead. I should point out that my comment of getting a signed letter was simply quoting my lawyer. But it doesn’t need to be a complicated document, it can be a few sentences. But it’s pretty clear personal contact is the key.

I have gotten written permission a couple of times when the property that I wanted to detect was not near the owner.