I get letters asking often on metal detecting state parks.
A letter from Bill in Minnesota ->
Thanks for posting my letter if it's approved.I'd like to talk about detecting state park campgrounds.
Can they,where to look,and are state parks good places to metal detecting where camping is involved?
My experiences are,and I just happened to have my metal detector along when camping several of them here in the state,that of course I popped it out,and zipped over a few of the campsites.
I'd usually camp late fall,or early spring.So many of the times I pretty much had some state parks to myself to look over.
All I have to say,is what I found on average was .30-.50 cents a camp site,and digging up countless junk targets,because camping sites are aluminum galore filled,with more pull tabs,and trash objects that really fool the best of detectors...aluminum tent states,aluminum cans,broken pieces of camping equipment made of aluminum,or brass,and surprisingly aluminum sodder chunks from welding,or trailer/boat repair done...Burried garbage,silver dollar size iron washers,you name it.
Burrying your crap was the thing back in the 1960's & 1970's.
Doing that,and add in the jerks who leave some garbage behind.
Out of several of the state parks,the best find was a cheap cheap silver ring of teen size.
What's worse,is the coinage age found...on average is 1980's and older.Most within 15 years old.
Another thing,is you have to remember.There are alot of retired folks who travel hitting the campgrounds,and many others who love a variety of outdoor activities,and metal detecting is one of them.
So why not bring the dang thing along..right?
You have an army of folks from all walks of life in this game,and most are in it for the find,and the excitement of the find.
My opinion now is most the state parks are cleaned out,and the odds are the only thing you're gonna find is what was lost since the last guy detected there,or what he missed.
The laws have changed some since my hunting,and I'd always ask for permission if a camp host was there.
As I have said before...I metal detect where I can.
I don't sneak on to private property,and have morals in the field.
My opinion is state parks should allow metal detecting.
The rule would be to take the trash you dig up.(smile)..Because you'll be digging up alot,and they should also throw in a free T-Shirt,and odds are that pipe dream is about as good as having hopes they are a worth while place to detect to begin with.
They have been cleaned out,and after detecting your own site..please know now that's what pretty much every site will consist of in finds.
Metal detecting in state parks is more bologna in junk,than your neighborhood park that has been cleaned out already.
Chump change around the tent is about as best as it will get.
Not meaning to discourage the readers here,but as I have said before..10,000 people a year are curious about the state parks in their neck of the woods.
We've been beat to the punch,and most of these detector enthusiasts who detected prior to us in these parks?..Well,we're digging up the crap they re-burried.
So if you're wondering "Can I metal detect in state parks"?
Don't bumb in the least if they don't give you permission,because they have already been cleaned out,and it would take an archaeological approach with big sifters,shovels..and screens to find anything anyways with all the crap burried in the ground.
If you're at your campsite camping,and have a little privacy...I honestly don't see any harm detecting a camping site you just paid for,for the night,and breaking out the detector to see what's there.
It'll give you a wake up call,to everything I just talked about.
Maybe 50..to 75 cents,and with the best of metal detectors,you'll work for it.
Because by all means,it won't be three .25 cent quarters you'll dig up.
Your dectector will be ringing off the hook,and you'll be surprised of the "sh_t" that gives off strong potential targets.
Yea..bring it along,but metal detecting state parks don't overly excite me in the leasts.
Billy in Minnesota
