I apologize for the framing of my response. I appreciate your input. My expectations are my problem, not yours.
No worries at all - in hindsight, you got at least one pretty ridiculous response, so I get why you might have framed things the way you did. And I apologize too - it looks like I misunderstood what you were saying…you weren’t actually calling the responses unhelpful, just not what you were expecting. Sorry for the misinterpretation!
…I also dont see a reference to MOONSHINE in the code, so I guess my still is safe? …
Fair question. I know, it sounds very much like I’m just being selective about the rules/regulations for parks, but there’s a method to the perceived madness. Of course, it doesn’t mean that it’s ok to set up a still in the middle of the park just because it isn’t specifically mentioned in the town code. If we take it to a further extreme, I think most of us would agree that it wouldn’t be ok to murder someone in the park either, even though it isn’t specifically mentioned. The things those two “activities” have in common is that they are already covered by other state and/or federal laws, and they are generally considered universally “bad” or “evil”…we know they aren’t allowed, because they already aren’t allowed generally and/or are morally reprehensible. And here’s where Tom_in_CA’s influence on how I think about detecting in parks really shows…
I start on the assumption that metal detecting is not evil - it’s a wholesome activity not much different than fishing. Along that lines, if I wanted to see if fishing was allowed at the park, I would search the regs for “fishing” and nothing else. I do no different for metal detecting.
Yes, “digging” is a part of detecting, but like I said in earlier posts, I honestly don’t believe the regulations are intended to cover the type of “digging” we do,
assuming we are responsible detectorists who know how to retrieve a target and leave little to no trace. I know, that sounds selective again - but from my perspective, it’s a matter of degree. Where do we draw the line? If I wear cleats while playing football or baseball in one of the park’s fields, I will be “digging” up small bits of dirt, and “damaging” the grass. If I put up a badminton net to play with friends during a picnic, I’m driving several stakes into the ground, leaving small holes and disturbing the grass. Don’t even get me started on the squirrels with their acorns
Regardless, none of us would think twice seeing any of those things happening at a park. I honestly think of metal detecting as equivalent to those same activities. No permission needs to be asked, but common courtesy dictates a brief review of the rules to make sure those activities aren’t specifically prohibited (who knows, maybe the town council hates badminton…
) It’s just my opinion and what has worked hassle free for me for years - others certainly can and do disagree to varying degrees.