Hope we can all keep hunting artifacts for many years to come

I just read an article on Arrowheadology.com that was from an unknown collector.  That person kept it anonymous because he or she lives in a western state where it is illegal to hunt for artifacts (Even surface collecting).  The name of the state was not mentioned of course.  The author describes looking for artifacts under the cover of darkness (surface collecting in creeks).  The author says that he/she has to constantly look over the shoulder while hunting.  This person can never show the private collection to anyone for fear of hearing a knock at the by some official coming to confiscate the artifacts. 

I live in Kentucky and have had the privilege of hunting artifacts on the same two adjoining farms since I was a little kid.  I can't imagine being unable to legally pursue the hobby that I love.  At this time, a bill was sent through the Ky legislature that states you have to obtain a permit to dig for artifacts, even on your own property.  This was piggybacked on a cemetary bill.  I don't know if it has become law at this point.  I hope we are not starting on the same path as the author's state.  There are some who say this is the politically correct thing to do.  They think we should turn our collections in so that the modern day indians (native americans - PC) can rebury them.  I for one think that there is too much politcal correctness going on.  It's getting a little ridiculous!  Anyway, I hope that I can continue to enjoy this great hobby.  I figure that at the very least I am saving the artifacts from imminent destruction by farm machinery.  I hope to be able to pass my collection down to future grandsons/grandaughters. I just hope that I can at least take them artifact hunting some day.   

Two groups. Archeologist and native indians. If you read in other parts of teasure net you will see this discussion many times with archeologist chiming in. I am sure its just a matter of time and forums like this will be for only showing collections grandfathered in and no recent finds allowed let alone a good insitu hunt. If you read the Federal laws pertaining to artifacts you will see that many things are not allowed by American citizens.

Yea hope no laws pass in Ohio, Then I'll be a lawbreaker...

The entire issue with a few vocal collectors in the west is that they want to hunt on public land and that's been illegal for years...  Those collectors that hunt/dig on private land have none of those issues.  (There are other issues, like the Kentucky bill, but they aren't nearly as bad or as far reaching as the federal laws.)

I feel for collectors out that way, especially if they been hunting sites responsibly for years, but the laws are pretty clear and surprisingly old (dating back to 1906.)  Since the government started focusing and training field staff on enforcing the existing laws, a lot of people who were doing what they've been doing for a long time have been caught.  Some of them were really just innocent people who like to walk around outside and pick up arrowheads, others trespassed on Indian reservations and looted burial caves and other sites still visited/mantained by the tribes out that way.  The bad apples tainted it for everyone else.

If anyone wants a pretty decent overview of the archaeological laws that affect collecting on public land, check out this slide show presentation.  If you can't get in, try again tomorrow it just means we've gone over his bandwidth limit.

http://www.fws.gov/historicPreserva...tectionAct.ppt#277,1,Archaeological Resources Protection Act

Yea hope no laws pass in Ohio, Then I'll be a lawbreaker...

me 2...