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Common Ground News

Where are you allowed to use a metal detector?

Author

Carter Sullivan

Updated on March 04, 2026

Where are you allowed to use a metal detector?

Metal detecting is OK in most parks (not all) but you cannot remove anything from the parks. Make arrangements with the park management prior to arrival. On beach areas only with permission from the Park Manager. Permitted on most beaches, but check with specific park office because most are federal lands.

Likewise, people ask, where can you use a metal detector?

  1. Your Yard. Your back yard might not be the most exciting place to search for treasure, but it's a great place to test a new detector and drill that smooth, long sweep.
  2. Land Owned by Friends and Family.
  3. Sports Stadiums.
  4. Parks.
  5. Beaches.
  6. Prospect for Gold in Known Hunting Grounds.
  7. Churches.
  8. Battlefields.

Secondly, where can you metal detect without permission? Fortunately, there are many places you can legally metal detect without permission – and we'll share some resources for how you can discover these sites!

  • Local Parks & Recreational Spots.
  • State Parks.
  • National Forests.
  • Family and Friends.
  • Metal Detecting Clubs.
  • Network to Meet New People.

In this way, can I use a metal detector on public land?

Metal detectors may be used on public land in areas that do not contain or would not reasonably be expected to contain archaeological or historical resources. Archaeological remains on public land are protected under law.

Can you keep what you find with a metal detector?

If it is determined to be 'treasure' then the treasure valuation committee will set a price for it and the owner is required to offer it up for sale to a museum. If it isn't purchased by a museum the owner can keep it.

Is a metal detector worth it?

Metal detecting is really great, even though you may have some days where you find nothing. But when you do find stuff, it's very rewarding. I'd say it's worth it. It's a hobby for the vast majority of people who do it.

How much does a cheap metal detector cost?

Cheap Metal Detectors Under $200 | Best Price Guarantee at DICK'S.

How deep do metal detectors detect?

six to ten inches

Where is the best places to metal detect?

Where Are The Best Places to Use a Metal Detector?
  1. Your Yard. Your back yard might not be the most exciting place to search for treasure, but it's a great place to test a new detector and drill that smooth, long sweep.
  2. Land Owned by Friends and Family.
  3. Sports Stadiums.
  4. Parks.
  5. Beaches.
  6. Prospect for Gold in Known Hunting Grounds.
  7. Churches.
  8. Battlefields.

What is the best selling metal detector?

Best metal detectors in 2020
  • Garrett AT Pro: best value all-around, coins, relics, freshwater.
  • Fisher F22: best entry-level, kids, coins.
  • Minelab Equinox 800: best relic hunting.
  • Minelab Excalibur II: best for saltwater and beach hunting.
  • Minelab CTX 3030: best of the best.

How do you use a metal detector for beginners?

Top 25 Tips for Metal Detector Enthusiasts
  1. Tip #1. Expect to find more trash than treasure.
  2. Tip #2. The more you search, the more you find.
  3. Tip #3. Buy the best metal detector you can afford.
  4. Tip #4. For relic hunting, look for the local hot spot.
  5. Tip #5. Avoid high traffic times.
  6. Tip #6. Dig everything.
  7. Tip #7.
  8. Tip #8.

Where can I hunt for treasure?

8 places to find real buried treasure
  • Crater of Diamonds State Park. Crater of Diamonds is one of the most accessible places for modern-day diamond prospecting. (
  • Jade Cove.
  • Ozark Hills lost copper mine.
  • Treasure of the San Miguel.
  • Dutch Schultz's treasure.
  • Beale treasure.
  • Forrest Fenn's treasure.
  • Auburn, California.

What is the best metal detector for gold?

Best Entry-Level Gold Detectors
  • Fisher Gold Bug Pro. One of the best entry-level gold metal detectors is the Fisher Gold Bug Pro.
  • Garrett AT Gold. Another excellent entry-level gold detector is the Garrett AT Gold.
  • Fisher Gold Bug 2.
  • White's Goldmaster GMT.
  • Tesoro Lobo SuperTRAQ.
  • Minelab GPZ 7000.
  • Minelab GPX 5000.
  • XP DEUS.
Frequently there are short statements in an ordinance that may made it unlawful to metal detect, or a permit may be required, or metal detecting is allowed but no digging. Metal detecting in a cemetery is not a good hobby image. Regardless of the law never metal detect inside of any cemetery boundary.

What happens if you get caught metal detecting?

If you are caught detecting without this licence you are liable to prosecution. People that are caught nighthawking are banned from getting this licence and if they persist in doing it they are charged with theft.

Can I metal detect in rivers?

Rivers are a fun place to metal detect, but you need to watch out for slippery rocks.

Can you look for gold on public land?

The short answer is yes. The vast majority of federal lands managed by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) and Forest Service (USFS) are open to mineral exploration. This means that you can go out and collect gold, gems and minerals. This includes panning, sluicing, digging with basic hand tools and metal detecting.

What is the hobby of metal detecting called?

Prospecting is looking for valuable metals like gold, silver, and copper in their natural forms, such as nuggets or flakes. Metal detectors are also used to search for discarded or lost, valuable man-made objects such as jewelry, mobile phones, cameras and other devices.

Can you metal detect in parks?

Metal detecting is OK in most parks (not all) but you cannot remove anything from the parks. Permitted on most beaches, but check with specific park office because most are federal lands.

Can you metal detect in ghost towns?

Ghost towns are communities that used to thrive, but for one reason or another were deserted. While the backstories to these towns are fascinating, they also offer a great place to metal detect. Just like with any other hunt, research, preparation, and safety go a long way for a productive expedition.
Why is consent required? The entire foreshore in the UK has an owner. Metal detecting is not a public right and as such permission is needed from the landowner to detect. Items which are not defined as treasure and found whilst metal detecting is in principle also owned by the landowner.

Can I keep treasure I find?

The Act declares that any 'treasure' must be reported to the local coroner within 14 days of the find. If it is determined to be 'treasure' then the treasure valuation committee will set a price for it and the owner is required to offer it up for sale to a museum.

What is the most expensive item ever found with a metal detector?

Staffordshire Hoard: $5.7 million (£4.4m
This metal detecting discovery is the largest hoard of Anglo-Saxon gold and silver metalwork ever found. Terry Herbert stumbled upon the stash of 4,000 artifacts in a field in Staffordshire, England belonging to farmer Fred Johnson back in July 2009.

Can you find silver with a metal detector?

Few metal detector operators have ever hunted for native metallic silver, but it does exist. Most newly mined silver is extracted from silver bearing minerals that will not sound off on a detector, but natural metallic silver will certainly trigger a metal detector if the pieces are large enough.

Where is the best place to metal detect for coins?

The Best Metal Detecting Sites for Old Coins and Rings
  • Historic Homes. I've gone treasure hunting at several different places, but one of the best metal detecting sites for me has always been permissions at old homes, preferably those built before 1900.
  • Old House Sites (Torn Down)
  • Old Swimming Holes.
  • Old Churches.
  • Old Parks.

How do I ask for permission to metal detect?

How to ask for permission to metal detect on private property
  1. Find the owner. Make sure you ask the owner for permission, not their neighbour, tenant or kids!
  2. First impressions count. Clean yourself up.
  3. Don't mention these words. Don't mention the following trigger words:
  4. Offer something in return.
  5. Be prepared for lots of 'No' responses.

Why does my metal detector keep beeping?

Low batteries can cause some strange things to happen with metal detectors. It is a major reason your metal detector won't work. Check the batteries if you get a lot of strange random beeping or alarms and replace if necessary.

What can you find with a metal detector?

Here are just a few good reasons to search for jewelry treasures with your metal detector: The sheer amount of lost & buried jewelry to be found. Jewelry is dropped just about everywhere (beaches, parks, sporting events, concerts) Almost all metal detectors are designed to signal gold, silver, platinum and bronze.

Can you find coins without a metal detector rdr2?

Originally posted by Erynar: It depends. If you can dig without a metal detector, the spot where you can dig will be clearly different, and you will actually get the option to dig when you're over it with a shovel (with a high enough collector rank, you can also see the spot glow like normal collectibles do).

Can metal detectors find coins?

Every metal detector will detect coins – whether it's a $50 machine or $10,000. Coins are metal, and metal detectors, well, detect metal. There is no “best” metal detector for coins – there are best coin detectors for different price brackets.

What happens if someone finds a treasure?

In California, there is a law mandating that any found property valued over $100 be turned over to police. Authorities must then wait 90 days, advertise the lost property for a week, and finally release it to the person who found it if no one could prove ownership.

What happens if you find a treasure?

If your find can't be considered a treasure, you are legally required to take it to the police. It will go into their custody and be handled like any other case of lost property. However, if you've got a bonafide treasure trove you're probably in luck.

What happens if a find is declared treasure?

If it is declared to be treasure then the finder must offer the item for sale to a museum at a price set by an independent board of antiquities experts known as the Treasure Valuation Committee. Only if a museum expresses no interest in the item, or is unable to purchase it, can the finder retain it.

Can I keep gold I find?

Your finds
If you discover gold or other minerals or gemstones on land not covered by a mining tenement, and the ground is Crown land (under the Mining Act 1978), then you are free to keep what you have found (as long as you hold a Miner's Right).

Do you need insurance for metal detecting?

Since Metal Detecting is quite a specific hobby (surely, not the same as sewing or gardening) with the existing level of danger, your insurance company will not cover any risks related to detecting.

Do I need a Licence to metal detect UK?

Do you need a license to use a metal detector? No, the Home Office scrapped licenses in 1980. However it is now required on some beaches that a permit be obtained. Further information can be obtained from the Crown Estates website and the permit applied for online through a link on the detecting page.

Is metal detecting a good hobby?

And the great thing about detecting is that the hobby pays for itself. One good day of hunting can pay for a lower-end machine if you know where to look and you sell your finds. Even the junk you find is worth money. You can sell scrap metal and make quite a bit from it.

How much money can you make metal detecting?

For Land Metal Detecting, unless you get lucky finding a gold ring for example! Usually, you can earn up to 20 bucks worth of finds daily and can go from there. But honestly this depends on many things … If you work for a museum or police, you will be paid a monthly wage!

Why are metal detectors illegal?

It is a criminal offence to use a metal detector at certain sites of special scientific interest or a “protected place”, such as scheduled ancient monuments or an area of “archaeological importance”. The problem is that when metal detectorists go rogue it can be difficult to bring them to justice.

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