Do I need permission to use a metal detector?

Private Property: Like any other activity, if you wish to metal detect on private property, you must have permission of the property owner. Metal detecting on private property without the owner's permission has the potential to lead to charges of trespass and theft.

Are there rules to using a metal detector?

Federal law prohibits the possession and use of metal detectors on federal property. In addition to metal detecting, federal law also prohibits relic hunting, digging for artifacts, and removing artifacts or historical objects.

Can I use a metal detector anywhere?

You must obtain permission from the landowner before using a metal detector. This includes land to which the public have rights of access such as beaches, footpaths, or council-owned land.

Can I use a metal detector in the woods?

Yes, you can metal detect in woods! Woods and forest areas are excellent places to metal detect, as they are well-used paths littered with treasures and relics that have been dropped over the years. Research is key to have the most success when metal detecting in woods (we have some tips on this coming up)!

How do I ask for permission to metal detect?

Metal Detecting: 10 Tips to Get Metal Detecting Permissions

Can you get fined for metal detecting?

Yes. A finding of treasure must be reported to the local coroner within 14 days. Failure to report can lead to a fine and/or imprisonment.

What is illegal metal detecting called?

The majority of detectorists comply with the law and the Metal Detecting Code of Conduct. However, illegal detecting – or 'nighthawking' – is undertaken without the permission of the landowner and with a total disregard for laws which safeguard the preservation of Scheduled Monuments and other protected sites.

Can you metal detect in graveyards?

Who owns the land where you will be searching? This is the most important question to ask. You should never use your metal detector on graves themselves because it is likely that that land is owned by the families of the individuals who are buried there.

How deep will a metal detector detect?

Are you curious about metal detecting, and wondering how deep a metal detector can go? Most metal detectors can detect objects about 4-8ʺ (10 - 20 cm) deep. In ideal conditions, a mid-range metal detector can reach 12-18ʺ (30-45 cm) underground. Some specialized detectors can go as deep as 65' (20 m).

Can my phone go through a metal detector?

It's a common misconception that metal detectors use magnetic fields to detect metal, but this is not true. They detect metal based on electrical conductivity, not magnetism. And even if they did use magnets, the solid-state storage used in smartphones and most other electronics are unaffected by magnetic fields.

Can you metal detect on a beach?

Beaches are a great place to use a metal detector. The dry sand is loose, making it easy to dig, and there are usually plenty of people around if you need help. Check local metal detecting laws before you start, as some beaches have restrictions.

Do you need permission to go metal detecting on a beach?

Do you need permission to go metal detecting on a beach? You must have permission to detect on any land. This includes parks, public spaces, woods, common land and public footpaths!

Where can I metal detect for old coins?

Search around front porches, back door steps, walkways and driveways. Scan floors, baseboards and floor coverings carefully for lost coins. Very valuable old coins are often found between the baseboards and the floor. Interestingly, people used to hide coins behind boards in the wall and inside hollow doors.

What are the three golden rules of metal detecting?

Regardless of the region that you detect, there are a number of best practices that should always be adhered to: Do not trespass; always respect private property and do no metal detecting without the owner's permission.

Will cash set off a metal detector?

University of Washington physicists Christopher Fuller and Antao Chen have discovered that American banknotes contain enough magnetic inks that metal detectors can actually pick up their signal.

What do I need to start metal detecting?

Will a metal detector pick up gold?

Q: Will any metal detector find gold? Yes. Most metal detectors are capable of finding gold but some will do a much better job than others. Since gold has rather low conductivity, metal detectors that use higher frequencies will spot gold better than low-frequency detectors.

What will trigger a metal detector?

Metal detectors can detect both ferrous and non-ferrous metal types, although they detect ferrous metals more easily due to their magnetic properties. Ferrous metal contains iron and is often magnetic, while non-ferrous metal consists of other elements like nickel, aluminum, and zinc.

What is the greatest weakness of metal detectors?

Disadvantages of metal detectors include: Only able to detect electrically conductive or magnetic objects. If a contaminant is neither ferrous nor conductive, it will be essentially invisible to a metal detector. Because of this, metal detectors are rarely used on their own for quality control.

What can you not do at a cemetery at night?

Try not to remain in the cemetery after dark to avoid being charged with trespassing. Furthermore, it goes without saying that do not enter a cemetery during the hours it is closed. It can be disrespectful to do so and also dangerous for you, your fellow visitors, or the cemetery's staff members.

How do graveyards not stink?

The ground where the body is buried will absorb the smells for those interred underground, and a properly designed mausoleum will have vents to emit gases where they will not be noticed, above the mausoleum. Cemeteries will also have the usual smells of mown lawns and flowers.

Are creeks good for metal detecting?

Metal Detecting in creeks is certainly worth it. It opens up a world you don't experience on drier land. You'll find different and quite interesting artifacts including round musket balls, coins, knives, fishing gear, nautical items, gold, and more. One of the reasons creeks produce such interesting finds is history.

Can you metal detect on old battlefields?

Battlefields are usually well-marked, so you'll know if you're in the right area or not. If you want to find Civil War relics, then using a metal detector is a great way to go about it.

What is the coolest thing found with a metal detector?

Here are some of the best finds in history: In 1977, a California man found a 4.9 kg gold nugget with 132 pieces of gold inside of it. It was later known as The Mojave Nugget and is the largest piece of gold ever found.

Who owns metal detecting finds?

The legal owner of any finds is the landowner, but in practice many landowners are happy for detectorists to keep lower-value finds. The written agreement should set out how the value of any finds over a certain value should be split, with most people choosing 50:50.