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Select Here to View the MDHTALK's January News Brief in Adobe .PDF
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| January 2022 | Metal Detecting Hobby Talk News Brief Volume 11 Number 142 |
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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 January |
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 December 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: Metal Detector Member Self Certification Program Article Download Here Printable Version of: MD-101, MD-102, MD-103 Colored Background Version of: MD-101, MD102, MD103 This article involves responsible metal detecting and the community. While practicing the hobby of metal detecting there have been a number of issues and questions that continues to come to one’s attention. These issues have been evident while metal detecting at large, at club hunts, in metal detecting conversations and during some recent club visits as VP of the Western Chapter. So what are the issues and questions? Generally, it is the lack of knowledge by both new people to the hobby and some old timers. This lack of knowledge covers issues like where one can / cannot go metal detecting, proper methods of pin-pointing and minimizing ground cover damage during target recovery. I am sure that most everyone who metal detects has been exposed to similar situations and has seem first hand the results of very poor target recovery, or has talked to someone who has been asked to leave a specific detecting place due to lack of permission. As more people start to practice the hobby proper training and guidance will become essential for responsible detecting. Without proper education / training the result will be damaged property, public entities banding metal detecting, and arrests; all negatively impacting the reputation of the hobby. These are the issues that have prompted me to suggest creating a club Member Certification Program for metal detecting clubs and individuals. I would willing to work with a club or clubs to establish such a certification program for its members. Let’s explore what a possible club metal detecting Certification Program would cover. A certification program is meant to certify metal detecting club members in a classroom environment on responsible metal detecting. The class would be approximately 6-8 hours in length, would cover an introduction to detecting, ethics for detecting and where to hunt, how to use a metal detector and target recovery. Below is a four point outline for a club member certification program or some may call it a Metal Detecting 101 class. 1) The class would start with an introduction and discussion on:
3) Next the class should cover how to:
The certification class would be a requirement for every current member and every new member that joins a club. At the completion of the class there can be recognition, with a certificate of completion or some other award. This program can be a great selling point to your community authorities. The certification program demonstrates the clubs commitment to obeying laws, following good methods for practicing the hobby, and a willingness to reach out to educate its members and the community. The certification class can be used at schools to introduce students to the hobby, or offered as a metal detecting 101 class at your local community center. In one case, I have witnessed a club that was able to get global permits for club members from city and school authorities by using a similar approach. In another case a club uses such a program to educate the community at large. It will work, and as more and more people join the hobby it will be a must in every club if the hobby is to continue to have access to public and private lands. If you would like a copy of this article select Article Download Here |
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General U.S. and World Wide Hobby News
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Other News Sources
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Many of us pay close attention to those Antiques Roadshow stories of lucky
homeowners who started a renovation project and found a stash of cash or a can
of coins buried deep in a wall or tucked inside a vent. Forgotten treasures left behind by a home’s prior owner is a wish come true for most but can be an interesting question of law for the Courts. The age-old phrases “finders-keepers” or “possession is 9/10ths of the law” may not always apply and the results are often dependent on the treasure itself and where it was discovered. Property Owners: In New Jersey, finding items of value in your home or on your property belong to you if the law views those items as abandoned. Abandoned property is property that the owner has intentionally waived ownership. Lost property, on the other hand, like many other states requires reporting of the find to authorities as well as the public. New Jersey requires 120 days public notice once the reasonable effort to publicly notify has begun. Naturally, the fortuitous party who discovered the loot wants it considered abandoned and thus “finders-keepers.” Finding hidden treasure in the home you own is usually yours to keep under the law. Rented Property: What happens in those situations where renters accidentally put a hole in the wall and find old jewelry long since forgotten as evidenced by the mound of dust collected on it? Or, what if a landlord gives permission for renters to store some of their belongings in an area of the basement which has been ignored and unused by its owner for years? In those situations, the law would consider the find lost and a requirement to first notify the landlord would ensue. Found property of value does not always have to be excavated for ownership to change hands. In the event a tenant vacates the premises leaving behind personal property, which could have value, the landlord must advise the tenant in writing and wait 30 days before taking possession. If the landlord mailed that notice to the prior tenant (Certified Mailing, Return Receipt is recommended), the landlord must wait a period of 33 days. Public Property: How about the metal detector wielding warriors strolling the beaches along the coastline looking for discarded trinkets or the weekend treasure hunters searching to unearth forgotten cargo of the Sindia or the George F. Skolfield shipwrecks? The stretches of beach where these historical items might be found are publicly accessible land and are owned by either the state or the local municipality. Who owns the discovery on this land if it’s revealed with the use of hand-held shovels and sifters? While the items buried in the sand amounting to pocket change or rings usually belong to the finder (hats off to local metal detectorist, John Favano, who is often asked to find lost wedding or engagement rings to the relief of visiting vacationers), items of historical or cultural significance found on public land belong to the state or town and are typically donated to local historical societies who display such artifacts for community enjoyment and educational purposes. Closing Out the Year: Abandoned or lost riches found in your house or on your property is a tale that we would all like to tell. Traditionally, and especially at this time of the season, the wealth that our homes routinely give to us are the treasured memories created with family and friends throughout the year. Happy Holidays! About the Author: Andrew J. Luca, Esquire is a co-founding member of the CKL Law Group, LLP and has been practicing Real Estate and Consumer Fraud law in New Jersey for nearly 20 years. |
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Metal Detecting & Gold Prospecting Events.
Now is the time to start planning and getting your club's 2022/23 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. |
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Add Your Event Information Here Check out your event before going it may have been postponed or canceled. |
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Metal Detecting Hobby Talk MDHTALK HOME PAGE http://www.mdhtalk.org |