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Select Here to View the MDHTALK's May News Brief in Adobe .PDF
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| May 2021 | Metal Detecting Hobby Talk News Brief Volume 11 Number 134 |
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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. |
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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 MDHTALK Article Links Return Stories MDHTALK Find a Club Read Newsletters FaceBook Clubs MDHTALK Event Calendar May |
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 April 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: Cemetery Metal Detecting Download This Article Ethics for Responsible Metal Detecting
 The Ethics of Metal Detecting around or in a Cemetery is a Legal, Moral and Public Perception issue for the metal detecting hobbyist. Cemeteries are found on church grounds and old cemeteries, settler cemeteries, civil war cemeteries can be found on private or public lands. Today’s highly used cemeteries are everywhere. An ethical prohibition exists for metal detectorist where you know the deceased have been laid to rest. Also, in the past, the deceased may have been buried just outside of the known bounds of a historical or old cemetery. This may have taken place because the relatives could not afford a plot in the cemetery proper, or the deceased were buried before the cemetery boundaries were established. The situation is, if you make a decision to metal detect in or outside the boundaries of a cemetery you may be detecting over a deceased person’s grave. I sincerely hope that detectorist consider how one’s action of detecting cemeteries can affect the negative perception that the public develops for all metal detectorists. First let’s explorer the legality of metal detecting in or around cemeteries.  The law that has the greatest effect on metal detecting cemeteries is the
Trespass Law that concern private or public properties. There are trespass
laws in all states, counties and cities that cover the same
thing-trespassing without permission on property.Here is an example of the California Trespass Law. This example probably represents trespass laws that can be found most everywhere in the U.S. California Penal Code 602 PC defines the crime of trespassing as entering or remaining on someone else’s property without permission or a right to do so. The offense is a misdemeanor that carries a maximum sentence of 6 months in jail and a fine of $1000.00. In the case of a cemetery, the owner of the cemetery property owns the land for roads or lanes, walking paths and other areas within the cemetery boundary. Then there is the ownership of the individual cemetery plots where the deceased are buried. These plots are also private property and should be covered under any trespass laws. The land that borders a cemetery can either be public land or under private property ownership. These lands are also covered by trespass laws. So just don't go in the cemetery with the intention of metal detecting. If you can't find good places to metal detect besides cemeteries, you should change hobbies. The Federal 1990 Native American Graves Protection Act, probably does not apply to metal detecting most know cemeteries but could potentially be applied to civil war and early settler cemeteries. This act covers Native American and must be followed at all times and in all situations. Second what are the moral issues associated with metal detecting in a cemetery.  Definition: Morality is a principle concerning the distinction between right
and wrong, good and bad behavior, or a system of values and principles of
conduct, held by society.Some detectorist may say the practice of detecting a cemetery is OK as long as the detectorist has cleared it with a cemetery official, uses proper recovery methods and keeps to the lanes and walkways. However, the public at large may view any type of metal detecting in any old or new cemetery very negatively. This negative public view will affect all metal detectorist in the long run even if no law is broken or permission was given to go there. Common sense should tell you just don't go in the cemetery or around a cemetery with the intention of metal detecting. Everyone should agree that metal detectors will never be used over or around graves and detectorist shouldn't carry shovels into cemeteries unless they want to spend the rest of their day talking with the police. .Be Respectful of the Graves don't touch any monuments or headstones. This is not only disrespectful, but may cause damage to the memorials, especially older ones. Never remove anything from a gravesite or gravestone, such as flowers, coins, or tributes that have been left by family members. Third what is met by public perception of metal detecting in a cemetery. Just don't do it. If you can't find good places to metal detect besides cemeteries, you should change hobbies. The public does not understand that detectors only detect target a few inches below the surface from their perspective they detect far deeper. One can understand why people would want to search around/in graveyards. There are probably old coins/relics that mourning people have placed or dropped on grave sites. The feeling maybe that the deceased resting in the graveyard won’t care if you detect there. The people driving by or visiting a grave would definitely take offense of somebody swinging a detector and digging in the cemetery. There are other places to go detect. Searching in or around cemeteries is very disrespectful and bad for the image of all detectorist. Metal detecting in a cemetery does not create a good hobby image. Regardless of the law never metal detect inside any cemetery boundary or even outside of the physical boundaries of a cemetery. Since this could provide the public with a very disturbing image of a metal detectorist. In Conclusion: A metal detectorist needs to consider the trespass law, the morality and the public perception of metal detecting in or around a cemetery. Also, the Metal Detecting Code of Ethics is against detecting in cemeteries and finally a set Cemetery Etiquette needs to be followed by detectorist. The consensus is that it is extremely disrespectful to detect in cemeteries both to the dead and their living families. Digging in graveyards gives fuel to those who wish to paint detectorist as very cold-hearted. It's just not right and it’s disrespectful to go near grave sites with a detector. It doesn't matter the age or location of the cemetery. Just Don't Metal Detect a Cemetery. Cemetery Etiquette Website A cemetery is a unique place. While it is part of the everyday scene, it is not part of everyday life. That is to say, it is a place where tranquility and quiet are the desired norm, and activities of everyday life should be suspended. Desert Lawn Funeral Home and Memorial Park Website Cemetery visitors should:
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General U.S. and World Wide Hobby News
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Other News Sources
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New rules for treasure hunters in Kansas City parks
Web
Link KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Anyone hunting for treasure in city parks now has a list of guidelines to follow. First of all, anyone with a metal detector is required to register with the city each calendar year and is only permitted from sunup to sundown. Historical objects or those with archaeological value or interest may not be removed from a park. Kansas City could make outdoor dining in parking spaces a permanent option There are other guidelines that also must be followed, according to the Kansas City Parks Department: o Litter apron or bag is to be worn or carried during metal detector use and all litter disposed of in trash containers or removed from site. o If an object of historical or archaeological value or interest is found, the metal detecting activity shall cease, and park staff notified. o Plants and trees may not be dislodged or have their roots disturbed. o You may only dig using hand implements and only three inches deep and three inches wide. o Restore the ground when finished. METAL DETECTING IS PROHIBITED IN THE FOLLOWING AREAS IN KANSAS CITY, MISSOURI: Athletic fields Historic sites/memorial grounds GoGolf and disc golf courses FrFrank Vaydik Park Loose Parkr /> Indian Mound Park Union Cemeteryr /> Shoal Creek Living History Museum Battlefields Dog parks Landscaped plant beds |
Metal Detecting Permit
Web Link Metal detecting is permitted in City of Boise parks and facilities with the procurement of a Boise Parks and Recreation Department Metal Detecting Permit. A metal detector is defined as an electronic instrument which detects the presence of metal objects nearby. Metal detectors can be useful for finding metal objects hidden within other objects or buried underground. Metal detectors often consist of a handheld unit, with a sensor probe that can be swept over the group. Metal Detecting Permits cost $10.75 and can be purchased online or over the phone at 208-608-7600. When Purchasing Online: o Once the metal detecting permit has been purchased, you will receive a receipt and the application by email. o Please fill out the application and click submit at the end of the application. o Once we receive your application, we will mail the metal detecting permit to you. |
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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 May |
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Metal Detecting Hobby Talk MDHTALK HOME PAGE http://www.mdhtalk.org |