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April 2021 |
Metal Detecting Hobby Talk News Brief
Volume 11 Number 133 |
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Support The Hobby
I would like to point out to the News Brief readers that there are a number of organizations taking on the challenge against various
types of legislation dealing with metal detecting and gold prospecting. MDHTALK's recommendation is to visit their website and
give strong consideration to joining the fight. In some cases your support may be to send emails and / or write a letter to specific
legislators or to provide funds to help with the fight. Here are the organizations and a link to their website.
Go to the Join The Fight MDHTALK Webpage to read more about each of these organizations
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MDHTALK
News Pages
U.S. & W.W. News
U.K. News
U.S. Archaeology
U.S. Legislation
W.W. Meteoritic
Other Media
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Event Calendar
April
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What is a News Brief?
The news brief provides a brief look into any news event. The intent of the news brief is to provide you, the reader, with news clips on
what was taking place in the hobby last month. To read the whole story select the Article Link or go to MDHTALK.org.
There are more news stories placed on the MDHTALK website for March the news stories listed in the MDHTALK News Brief are just a portion
of all the hobby related news reported the past month. The news Brief is now available in Adobe PDF format, there is a link at
the top of this webpage. The news brief is no longer emailed; it is only available on the MDHTALK website and can be downloaded.
The Website's featured article for this month is: Banned:
by Lee Wiese
Download this Article
- I was told in a gruff kind of way by a parks and recreation
worker to leave the park, that all parks in city were being
banned to metal detecting. The park employee said som
 eone in the
past had created holes in the park ground while metal detecting
and the city had banned future use of metal detectors.
- I was told last year by a park worker that I could not metal
detect in their part. But I had called the park director before
I went and he told me it was ok. I told the park employee that
if he didn't believe me call the park director. He then said ok.
- I was told that metal detectors may be used on DNR land or
waters only for locating specific lost personal items. A special
permit is required.
- I was camping at my favorite state park for a few days. I went
metal detecting and pulled up a lot of clad, on the 2nd day I
was just filling a hole when one of the rangers came up. He
asked me what I found, I showed him, he took a pause and asked
if I had the park managers permission to metal detect. I know
the rules, I read everything about metal detecting state parks.
I have been metal detecting this park every summer for years. I
said I did not and he took another pause and said that he would
consider giving me permission to metal detect there but only at
the beach. The next day I looked in the park store and there was
a sign posted on the door that read "Metal Detecting is
Prohibited in this State Park and Legal Action Will Be Taken."
- I was detecting for about a half hour when a police officer
walked up and exchanged pleasantries. I said I was just
detecting for a few coins. The officer said, "I
 know I've been
watching you for a while, and I like what I saw. You made two
trips to the trash can and I can't tell where you have been
digging. Just wanted to say thanks, and keep doing what you are
doing. The problem is that someone from the Parks and Recreation
Program may run you off. They don't even allow tent pegs in the
ground." About a half hour later the Parks and Recreation guy
shows up and I was tossed out of the park.
- People will call the police on you just for having a detector.
You have not broken any laws or dug any unsightly holes. You are
just enjoying the hobby. The cops come over and usually say you
need to leave or just move along. Sometimes the police are open
to metal detecting and after a few questions leave you alone.
However, if a park ranger comes to check out the complaint be
prepared to leave immediately or get a ticket
These comments are because almost every state, county, city, and
town have rules / regulations that create comments like those above and
these rules / regulations put restrictions on metal detecting which result
in banning.
Metal Detecting Early Years
A very early Federal act AAA-American Antiquities Act of 1906
is a very broad Federal law that addressed historical sites. However, it had little to no impact on metal detecting before the ARPA act in 1979.
In the early years, 1950s - 1980s, there were few detectorists in the hobby and no local or state laws against metal detecting. The hobby was pretty much a
user’s choice of where and how to practice metal detecting on most public lands.
How Did Change in Law and Attitude Come About?
The change in attitude towards metal detecting started to take place with the passing of the Federal
ARPA-Archaeological Resources Protection Act of 1979.
This act set the stage for the establishment of federal, state and local agencies to identify and define
archaeological sites as protected and making these sites off limits to many people related activities including the hobby of metal detecting.
The Federal
NHPA-National Historic Preservation Act of 1966 as amended in 2000
was passed before the ARPA-Archaeological Resources Protection Act. The 1966 Act set in motion the requirements to identify
structures and surrounding grounds that could be or are of historical significances and should be protected for future generations of Americans.
Following are two major Federal acts were passed after ARPA:
Each of these acts are more specific in their protection of certain human remains, lands and sites.
The adoption of these five acts at the Federal Government level put in place the ability for states and local governments to
follow suit and either adopt these acts in whole as their state law or to write their own regulations and laws to complement the Federal Acts.
Examples of direct regulations against metal detecting may be worded similar to the following:
- Metal Detectors: No person shall use a metal detector or similar device on parklands, except as provided in a written permit granted by the General Manager of the District.
- It shall be unlawful to use a metal detector or similar device in any District Facility or Parkland without a permit.
- Use of a metal detector in our parks is strictly prohibited.
Examples of indirect regulations that can be applied to make metal detecting illegal may be worded similar to the following:
- Prohibited Activities Defacing or Destruction of Property: No person shall injure, deface, cut out, displace, remove, fill in,
raise, destroy, excavate, tamper, or create any disturbance to property contained within the Park whether it be natural or manmade.
- No artifact or any other organic or inorganic material may be removed from any historical area of the park.
- No artifact or any other organic or inorganic material may be removed from any area of the park, via metal detecting or any other form of excavation.
- It is our goal to provide as many positive recreational
opportunities for park visitors as possible, andthe use of metal detectors, or "treasure hunting," in the park
system is not illegal. City code does not prohibit it however, it is our obligation to protect the park's resources and to
ensure that damage to the park by visitors is minimized, and it is illegal to dig in any park area with any tool. Violators are subject to citation.
With this concept in mind, park visitors with metal detectors are welcome in the parks so long as they do not do any digging.
Park staff have been directed to politely ask treasure hunters to leave all digging tools outside of the park and to inform
them that sifting through the top few inches of sand or fir bark in play areas is acceptable so long as they do not use any tools
or inconvenience playground users. The City is, in fact, grateful for any assistance treasure hunters might render with
regard to the removal of any trash or debris they might find during their hunt.
- Treasure hunters observed digging in the park or otherwise damaging park resources will be informed that they are breaking
the law. If they continue to break the law, park staff will contact Public Safety.
Today’s Metal Detecting Situation:
 Today, the result of these five Federal acts is that more and
more local cities, towns, schools and counties are closing their public land to metal detecting. The type of regulation that is
being put in place against metal detecting can be either directly related or indirectly related to the metal detecting hobby.
Since the adoption of the ARPA-Archaeological Resources Protection Act of 1979 archaeologist have been hired at almost
all levels of government to identify archaeological sites and to get regulations and laws passed to protect archaeological sites.
During the past 20 years this has taken place at a rapid rate in the U.S. Archaeologist have also contributed to a negative
attitude toward detectorist that has permeated all levels of government and the public at large.
Keep in mind that metal detecting hobbyist do not have a voice in Federal or State governments. There is not a strong
metal detecting association in the U.S. that can represent metal detectorists. However, there have been cases of hobby support by
local metal detecting clubs in some communities. This is rare but it does happen.
Another contributing factor is that many detectorists do not practice good target recovery methods on public
grounds. This has caused many cities, towns and counties to create laws or regulations that impact metal
detecting on non-related archaeology sites. (parks and beaches in general)
Never bring shovels, spades or any digging tool that should only be used in a garden to recover a coin target in a park.
Tools of the trade to recover a coin target are: 10 inch- ¼ inch shaft screw driver, 6-to-8-inch
knife, a drop cloth and an electronic pin pointer.
Also carry a bag or apron where you can place trash that is recovered while metal detecting.
What Can Be Done?
Manufacturers, distributors and dealers must step-up and provide hands on training for every new detector sold
before it is taken into possession much like when you purchase a fire arm. In most states to purchase a fire
arm you must first go to a class on safe and proper operation. Strong manufacture involvement is a
requirement not just a pamphlet but hands on how to practice the hobby correctly and safely. Individuals who
metal detect must take ownership for their behavior and practice
Responsible Metal Detecting while out detecting.
Responsible Metal Detecting is to:
- Know and Follow the Law.
- Gain Permission.
- Apply the Metal Detecting Code of Ethics.
- Join a Metal Detecting Club and National Metal Detecting Association.
- Understand the Potential Cultural Value of Your Find.
- Volunteer Your Services to the Hobby.
Here are links to a self-certification metal detecting class:
These small steps will not do away or improve the
current metal detecting environment in the U.S. but may slow the change that is currently taking place which is
to eliminate the use of metal detectors on public property.
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General U.S. and World Wide Hobby News
- Beach Metal Detecting Turns Up Central Regional Class Ring.
Article Link
- Meet the Berks-based detectorists.
Article Link
- A Guide to Metal Detecting by Dalton treasure Hunter Graeme Rushton.
Article Link
- Treasure hunters find guns in Memphis canal.
Article Link
- 7 places to look for free money.
Article Link
- Children with metal detector find Civil War cannonball in York County.
Article Link
- Jaw-dropping treasures found by metal detectors (Photo Show)
Article Link
- Is Coin Collecting ‘For The Birds?
Article Link
- The Thrill Of The Hunt: Mulik Seeks Treasures In The Dirt.
Article Link
- Emails: FBI was looking for gold at Pennsylvania dig site.
Article Link
- VC Variety uncovers rare treasure in West Michigan.
Article Link
- These modern-day treasure hunters reunite people with lost heirlooms.
Article Link
- Pajama-clad man caught on camera trying to snatch artifacts from historic fort.
Article Link
- SAR-1 Search & Recovery Underwater Metal Detector.
Article Link
- The Best Metal Detectors, According to Real-Life Treasure Hunters.
Article Link
- Millions of dollars worth of precious metal hidden in secret vault in rural Texas town.
Article Link
- How Metal Detecting Apps Work.
Article Link
- Seek, and who knows what ye shall find.
Article Link
- New coin column to debut: “Hidden Treasures,” by Frank J. Colletti.
Article Link
- Ancient coins being smuggled illegally across US border seized by officials.
Article Link
- Metal Detecting In A Sedona Swimming Hole.
Article Link
U.K. News
- Magnet fishing: Hundreds in the district now hooked on fast-growing hobby.
Article Link
- Swedish Viking hoard: how the discovery of single Norman coin expands our knowledge of French history.
Article Link
- 'Illegal metal detecting' at Castell Dinas Brân in Llangollen.
Article Link
- Map of the places in Cornwall to find buried or sunken treasure.
Article Link
- Viking era silver strap tip found in Shropshire field is declared official ‘treasure’.
Article Link
- When in France Don’t Do As The French Do.
Article Link
- New rules to be set for metal detecting in Portsmouth.
Article Link
- Sheffield dad reveals incredible treasure trove unearthed after one month of metal detecting.
Article Link
- Brierfield metal detectorist excited to get back out exploring after lockdown.
Article Link
- 2,000-year-old Celtic brooch found by metal detectorist sells for £55,000 at auction.
Article Link
North America Archaeology News
- Archaeologists find earliest colonial site in Maryland after nearly 90-year search.
Article Link
- Archaeologist Brings 18th Century Fort to Life with LiDAR and 3D Modeling.
Article Link
- U.S. Repatriates Pre-Columbian Artifacts to Mexico.
Article Link
- ‘It’s fantastic’: Archaeologists find artifacts on Henrico property from multiple time periods.
Article Link
- Boston Archaeology asks public for help identifying mysterious artifact found at Paul Revere House.
Article Link
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Other News Sources
- American Digger Relic Roundup. For diggers and collectors of history. An hour long program every Monday Night at 9:00
PM eastern standard time. Join your hosts Butch Holcombe, Jeff Lubbert and Heath Jones as they explore the past. Learn more
about Metal Detecting, Treasure hunting in all it's forms, and the preservation of history.
March Pod Cast Link
- Archaeology and Metal Detecting Magazine present the BIG metal detecting podcast. A weekly show bringing all areas of history together with our guests, news and much more.
March Pod Cast Link
- Coin World - Numismatic and Coin Collecting
March News
- Garrett Searcher
March Searcher
- Gold Prospectors Assn of America (GPAA) - News on legal issues for the gold prospecting community
March News
- Mel Fisher
Salvage Update
- PLP
March Press Release
- Prospecting and Mining Journal (IMCJ)
March News
- The Archaeology and Metal Detecting Magazine The Archaeology and Metal detecting magazine are one of the lead online sites in their genre. Offering multiple platforms for Archaeological, Historical and metal detecting news, articles, research areas and much more.
March News
- 1715 Fleet Society
April Newsletter
Jewelry Returns
- Power of social media helps lost engagement ring find its way back to owner.
Article Link
- Wedding ring found in Belding Burger King parking lot after two weeks of searching.
Article Link
- The Finder of the Rings: Vancouver woman’s lost wedding band recovered.
Article Link
- Hobby helps Sisters man find cherished items lost by owners.
Article Link
- ‘Devastated’ by lost engagement ring, Georgia couple gets big surprise from community.
Article Link
- MODERN-DAY TREASURE HUNT SAVES KEY WEST MARRIAGE PROPOSAL.
Article Link
- Amherst man never lost faith his mother’s memory ring would return.
Article Link
- Aldi shopper, 100, who lost wedding ring in shop gets it back five years later.
Article Link
W.W. Meteorite News
- Oops! The “World’s Oldest Meteorite Impact Crater” Isn’t an Impact Crater After All.
Article Link
- A fireball, a driveway and a priceless meteorite.
Article Link
- I’m a meteorite dealer who makes millions selling space rocks – I’ve been kidnapped and robbed in the brutal trade.
Article Link
- Meteorite falls over Arkansas, possibly landing near El Dorado.
AArticle Link
- See Vesta, the brightest asteroid, in binoculars.
Article Link
- Meteorite hunters find Sweden's first ever new-fallen iron meteorite.
Article Link
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Metal Detecting & Gold Prospecting Events.
Now is the time to start planning and getting your club's 2021 hunt information on the web. The sooner it is out and available to the metal
detecting community the greater the chance for people to see it and give your event some consideration.
Select here to View the Complete Event
Details for April
Add Your Event Information Here
Check out your event before going it may have been postponed or canceled.
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- April 02, 2021 (Three Days)
Stanton, Arizona
2021 Backhol Push Dig at Stanton
LDMA-Lost Dutchman Mining Assn
- April 08, 2021 (Four days)
Vein Mountain, North Carolina
2021 Detector Hunt at Vein Mountain
LDMA-Lost Dutchman Mining Assn
- April 16, 2021 (Three Days)
Canton, Texas
TEXAS TREASURE SHOW
TEXAS ASSOCIATION OF METAL DETECTING CLUBS
- April 16, 2021 (Three Days)
Canton, Texas
Charles Garrett Memorial Hunt IV
Garrett Metal Detecting and Texas Assn of Metal Detecting Clubs
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- April 17, 2021 (Two Days)
Deal, New Jersey
The Big Deal Hunt
ECRDA, SIHH, DSMDC-Task Force for Metal Detecting Rights Foundation
- April 20, 2021 (Five Day)
Marlborough, New Hampshire
BONE #28 Streeter's Treasure Hunting
- April 23, 2021 (Three days)
Duisenburg, California
2021 Backhol Push Dig at Duisenburg
LDMA-Lost Dutchman Mining Assn
- April 27, 2021 (Five Days)
Blue Bucket, Oregon
2021 Diggers Dirt Party at Blue Bucket
LDMA-Lost Dutchman Mining Assn
- April 30, 2021 (Three Days)
Stringer District in Kern County, California
PLP's SPRINGFEST!
PLP - Public Lands for the People
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