Newbie in Maryland - questions about asking permission to hunt

[jwilkinson2000]

Hi all,

I just started a few months ago. I bought a Fisher F5 and have enjoyed it but as others have observed here, there's a learning curve! But i'm getting the hang of it. My major problem is finding the time!

I live in the DC suburbs so the area is loaded with history and great potential sites, but most are in private hands. I'm wondering if anyone can offer advice as to how to approach homeowners/property owners to ask permission? Because if things are found that are of value, is it finders/keepers or do the property owners usually want a share? (esp regarding artifacts and relics...)

Do you usually use face-to-face (knocking on the door and introducing yourself to a complete stranger?) or do you leave (or send USPS) a letter of intro to several promising sites, and then proceed with just the positive replies? or is a simple business card enough to do the trick?

thanks
james

 

[Payloadjim]

Welcome to the forum from N. Arizona.
Face to face, maybe leave a card with name and number to let them think about it.
Stop in the Chat room and meet some of the folks some evening. Usually early West Coast time. HH...

 

[louie41]

where in Maryland? I'm on eastern shore. I'm around lots of farms and have gotten to know several farmers and ask around. Had decent luck. I'd say when go in person try and have a decent appearance. We all know the saying. Be polite, explain your hobby and interest in their property because of possible history, how you'll be respectful of property (good extraction technique) especially if in manicured lawns around house. I don't mention giving finds back unless they ask. If they right off say they want them then either don't bother or tread that ethical fence on whether you do or not show/share. that's another whole subject. usually they tell me keep it. once I gave back a small silver cat pendent while searching for a gold ring just to keep good faith. I'm welcome back any time they said.

oh yeah, depending on where you are there are some public places that actually say permit/permission required (like QA County).

 

[jwilkinson2000]

Thanks Louie.
I'm in the College Park area. The Route 1 corridor dates from colonial times, but most is paved over; my neighborhood has several Victorian era farm homes, so that's a good start locally. Thanks for the tips- some of these folks I know, but most I do not --but they may know my name as I was on the Town Council for some time.

Also older public areas of nearby Greenbelt are quite historic (dating to 1930's New Deal), and I have not been able to find any restrictions on detecting there.
The University of Maryland @ CP could be quite a site too; again I cannot find any restrictions mentioned on its website...
So in these cases, where I've done research and cannot find any mentions of MD'ing, let alone restrictions, do you think I better off opening the Genie bottle to ask for permission, or wait until somebody official asks me what I'm doing?

thanks for your thoughts...

 

[piper247]

Hello and to the forum.
Just wanted to add, contacting by mail most likely won't bring positive results because most people won't take the trouble to respond.
GL & HH

 

[Damianicus]

Welcome! I'm from Baltimore.

 

[bergie]

Welcome from WV.

 

[Detector Nut]

aboard!

 

[ga5150]

I'd recommend reading Goes4ever's website/posts on how to do doorknocking, and also check out Pocketspills information on presentation and talking with people.

 

[louie41]

there's also a club on your side of the bay you may be interested in http://marylandfreestateclub.com/Clubs.html

I'm with eastern shore treasures club.

 

[ChesapeakeTim]

Whats up from the Shore! I would check around with local farms around you...you should do pretty good if you get into them.