PENNSYLVANIA

in PA. Most STATE PARKS are open to metal Detecting. You Must Call, or stop in at the Office Before searching, and advise them what you wish to do. Some Require You do this every time, some will just tell you to ENJOY. Ice Picks & other Narrow prong Devices are to be used.? ? ?http://www.dcnr.state.pa.us/stateparks/

PA STATE FORESTS are open to GOLD PANNING, SPELUNKING & FOSSIL HUNTING. I havn't asked about Metal Detecting. Have You ? http://www.dcnr.state.pa.us/forestry/

PA STATE GAME LANDS are not open to Metal Detecting

Jeff,

I don't want to sound contradicting in my first post, But could you please tell me where you got your info on state game lands. I searched through the laws pertaining to game lands and found nothing about metal detecting, panning, prospecting or treasure hunting in any way. I just want to get my regs straight before I go and get into trouble.

mike

I posted it that way to Prevent telling someone to Go ahead & then have them get in trouble. 2 years ago the FMDAC distributed a letter from the Game Commission here in PA saying it was Legal. But after Contacting the Harrisburg Office & talking to a couple Gameland Officers, they said it was Illegal to Dig or Remove anything from gamelands except Game in season.? ? ? I think what it comes doen to is. If you ask the Local Gameland Officer & he Gives you Permission, he's not supposed to, but your then in the Clear, but If he says no, your not.? ? ?It's one of those places where CAUTION is advised.

by the way MIKE. do not feel like you can't be Contridicting to this Issue. I POSTED IT, and absolutely welcome yours and anyone elses feedback. Contridicting or not. IF you heard different, I would definately like to know about it. and I'm shure other PA members want a Definate answer on this also.? ? WELCOME to the TreasureNet ; jeff

Thanks jeff, I just wanted to check. I personally know the PGC laws pretty well, having helped pass a new one in the past few years. I checked thier site and found nothing so I was a little confused but I am new to the THing. I will check with my local officers and go from there.

mike

Shure Thing Mike ; Definately, Keep us Informed of what you Find Out.

PA Game Commission areas are posted with a list of rules. No digging or removing items. Now some of the areas are so far back in the forest you will not see others. I should know. When you can't find a pull tab in a five mile area you know you are back in there. There is a reason why lost treasure is lost. Even in Pa. there are remote areas with lost treasure. With research and footwork you can find these areas. Did I say LOTS of footwork.

Jeff,

It is nice to know PA is so open about metal detecting. Other states should follow there policies. After all detector users are only people out enjoying the land by pursuing a hobby.

Yep, good old PA, I use to live there and most of my relatives are there so I visit quite often.  After reading this thread I emailed all the park people on the county and State level and with the exception of a couple of county parks, pretty much every park is fair game.  You do have to get approval first from the appropriate office and some counties require you to check in and get a permit.  I only wish Maryland was as accommodating.  I'll be headed up to try my luck this week on my day off, now that we moved I'm not that far from the PA border. 

Anyone who lives in PA, what luck have you had with the State Parks.  Do the parks get hit pretty hard?  Just curious so I know what to expect when I get up there.

Was at Ricketts Glen State Park in NE Pa. over the 4th. Was talking to a park ranger about detecting the beach, he said probably not in the summer, but check with the park manager, he'll probable let you after the swin season is over. He also said he had several inquiries about detecting & just told me this: One thing he did say he knows you can only use a screwdriver, no shove( I stepped in a hole on the beach about10" deep dug by a kid with his shovel playing in the sand, go figure )  & supposed to turn valuables in to the park office, except coins. This beach had to have about 2000 + people on it. Would have loved to get in to that early the next morn. I asked about coming back next mornin real early on the way out & told not during busy season, check back the end of summer. My personal thought is that either the park manager or rangers are also detectors and get it when the pickins are good, or they have buddies who they take care of first. Again, just my thought.     

My understanding it is up to each Parks Discretion.

  However the LAW  ITSELF States. IN PART:

Metal Detecting is NOT permitted where the activity would conflict with the facility in use.

within fenced in areas, of swimming pool complexes (state operated or Concession operated).

Metal detecting on beaches and in lake swimming areas within a reasonable distance of shore will be permitted

From the Tuesday AFTER LABOR DAY, to the SATURDAY PRIOR TO MEMORIAL DAY. unless posted otherwise.

During the summer session, metal detecting in beach and swimming areas will be at the discression of the park manager, based on HIS/HER Knowledge of the use and type of facility.

metal detecting in underwater areas will be permitted within a reasonable distance of shore, if it does not conflict with other activities, or have potential to cause damage to the facility.

Thanks jeff,
I'm glad you posted that. I live in Virginia and you know the foolishness we're going through here. I think I need to plan a vacation to PA.
jim

Yep, No Problem Jim.

     I can add More Here.

Too Much to Type all up at once, Being I hunt & Pek.

  "Many State Recreation areas have the potential for the recovery of Valuable Historic Objects, State Recreation areas with this potential May have part or all of the area closed to metal detecting".

   "Shovels,spades,garden trawels,and other similar tools may not be used to dig into or turn over ground areas that are COVERED BY turf, vegitation,shrubs,or trees. Permissable digging tools are screwdrivers,ice picks, and other similar narrow prong devices."

   "Individuals who want to use a metal detector in a state recreation area, must receive prior approval from the appropriate park office and report items which are found and will be removed from the park. Items recovered become the PROPERTY OF THE FINDER, except for those of historical significance"

  THE ABOVE GUIDELINES ONLY PERTAIN TO STATE PARK LANDS.

Persons should contact the PA GAME COMMISSION
                                       PA FISH & BOAT COMMISSION
                  and/or the   D.E.R. BUREAU OF FORESTRY

For Guidelines applicable to their lands.


    in addition,  Persons should Consult the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission, when they are seeking to find Historical artifacts   
   The Commission has Legal Responsability under the  HISTORIC PRESERVATION ACT (#253 of 1978)
                                       

thank you jeff    that is everything i needed to know  im a newbie to metal detecting and i was just curious about the local laws   im in the lehighton area and i was just confused about the laws
again thank you     

[John 3:16]

Thanks for the info Jeff, I was wondering about PA state parks & land.  I had also heard that State Game Lands were pretty well off-limits to detecting, though I guess the district office would have some discretion.

I sometimes metal detect down in the NJSSR, but that place has gotten bad of late.  I have also heard Virginia is pretty bad, which is weird, because I never figured that to be one of "those" states... NJ / NY / MA / CT / MD / CA.

One official says not in the summer, but ask and maybe you can get permission from someone [else] after....
That's not the way laws are to be enforced in a haphazard manner at the discression of some local potentate who is intent on abusing his power.
Does anyone know the laws?

Was at Ricketts Glen State Park in NE Pa. over the 4th. Was talking to a park ranger about detecting the beach, he said probably not in the summer, but check with the park manager, he'll probable let you after the swin season is over. He also said he had several inquiries about detecting & just told me this: One thing he did say he knows you can only use a screwdriver, no shove( I stepped in a hole on the beach about10" deep dug by a kid with his shovel playing in the sand, go figure )  & supposed to turn valuables in to the park office, except coins. This beach had to have about 2000 + people on it. Would have loved to get in to that early the next morn. I asked about coming back next mornin real early on the way out & told not during busy season, check back the end of summer. My personal thought is that either the park manager or rangers are also detectors and get it when the pickins are good, or they have buddies who they take care of first. Again, just my thought.     

The problem with that is the man made beaches of our state parks are regularly combed ( with a york style rake on tractor ). This will remove broken glass  and other hazards for the next visitors.

I lived in Beltzville Pa. and was able to get into Beltzville State Park literally as the gate opened. I headed right for the beach ( beach was small,  few hundred yards long by 100 feet wide ) not a soul was around but the beach had already been combed. I went back more than a few times hoping to beat the maintenance but no luck.



 

As another note to this topic. I have been told that county parks are of limits around me. Southeast PA. Have others in PA been told the same thing?

With reference to Jeff in Pa. 's comment about the Game lands We covered this some time ago and after my letter to Rep. Keith McCall i received a letter from the Game commission that said just that...NO DIGGING OR REMOVAL OF ANY THING EXCEPT LEGAL GAME DURING THE PROPER SEASON W/PROPER LICENCE.  If you find a quarter leave it because in the law they will take it back. Only time will tell if any change will be made but as of now that is it.  If you are caught they can fine you and take your MD and car and search your home for other treasure.  hmmmmm sounds like Russia.

As another note to this topic. I have been told that county parks are of limits around me. Southeast PA. Have others in PA been told the same thing?

So far We only have one County park in Schuylkill county.
Sweet arrow lake. & I have been Hammering that since late 99

I find it hard to understand how ......... persons will come on-line saying they heard such & such place or parks doesn't allow metal detecting".  Then they cite the text-lines that were given to them, when they went and asked.  Most of the times, the lines do not mention metal detecting at all.  Rather, they will say something "do not remove anything" or "don't disturb the vegetation", etc...    Then it occurs to me:  Of COURSE if you ask a desk-bound bureaucrat "can I metal detect at such & such place", their easy answer is "no" (because they envision geeks with shovels, and don't want to be bothered).  My hunch is if you'd just gone, you probably could've detected till you were blue in the face, and never been noticed or bothered.   

For example, I detect county parks here all the time, where I'm at, and ........ unless I was being obnoxious or leaving a mess, I'm not bothered.   But who's to say, if I went high enough up the ladder of the chain-of-command at the county offices, I might find someone to tell me that detecting is not allowed?   C'mon guys!  Just relax!  Just go, unless a sign specifically says otherwise.  Just be discreet, don't leave any traces of your being there, go at off-times, etc....    Detecting is like nose-picking, you're ok, as long as your discreet.  But if you ask enough people "can I pick my nose?" someone will tell you "no".

I find it hard to understand how ......... persons will come on-line saying they heard such & such place or parks doesn't allow metal detecting".  Then they cite the text-lines that were given to them, when they went and asked.  Most of the times, the lines do not mention metal detecting at all.  Rather, they will say something "do not remove anything" or "don't disturb the vegetation", etc...    Then it occurs to me:  Of COURSE if you ask a desk-bound bureaucrat "can I metal detect at such & such place", their easy answer is "no" (because they envision geeks with shovels, and don't want to be bothered).  My hunch is if you'd just gone, you probably could've detected till you were blue in the face, and never been noticed or bothered.   

For example, I detect county parks here all the time, where I'm at, and ........ unless I was being obnoxious or leaving a mess, I'm not bothered.   But who's to say, if I went high enough up the ladder of the chain-of-command at the county offices, I might find someone to tell me that detecting is not allowed?   C'mon guys!  Just relax!  Just go, unless a sign specifically says otherwise.  Just be discreet, don't leave any traces of your being there, go at off-times, etc....    Detecting is like nose-picking, you're ok, as long as your discreet.  But if you ask enough people "can I pick my nose?" someone will tell you "no".

Your last statement is basically the impression I got from a lawyer friend of mine. He said that, if the landowner makes it clear that he doesn't want you there, you don't REALLY need permission, but it's nice to get it anyway. Agreed?

it's very simple.

IF You feel you must ask.

Ask if it is a "Public Park" or If the park is "Open to Public Use"

If they say yes.

Use the Park

After reading all of the post above I can say I had it all thrown at us. It is hard to get a true law on this from the state. I have had everything throw en at us from the state , DCNR, the Museum Comm. and the lawyers of the Commonwealth and we are still doing what we do. I now understand what they are afraid of and they are only doing what they have to do to make sure the good stuff ends up in the states hands. Think about it, The state owns the land so they own anything in , on and under it. and if we want to dig on anyones land we have to ask first.
We have several sites on DCNR land and we can not dig or we can go to jail , get a fine, or they will take everything and I mean everything.  We tell them were we are checking out the land and we give them  dates and time. They want us to post a $15,000 bond and if we use probes in the land they will be on site to make sure everything is done right or the bond will be gone. You can use a metal detector on DCNR land but no digging . If you think you found something great let them know and try to work things out. Sure this is a bitch but it is the only way to get a reward. If you dig or break the law in anyway you cannot get a reward and you will face the law.
We been doing this for over 5 years and we built up a trust with them, by now they know if we find something we will turn it over to them ( but never get anything back). If you find something worth lots of money you stand to make more money doing it by the law, than working with the black market and getting pennys on a dollar.  Detectors and ground radar is OK but GPL are a no go.
I hope this helps.   

Thanks for all the info!

Jeff-of-PA, not sure if you're still watching this thread or not, but here goes:

You say in your initial post on this thread, that md'rs must "stop in at the office" of each park, to alert them of your intention.  I plugged in the website address you give for this, and clicked on "rules and regulations":

http://www.dcnr.state.pa.us/stateparks/

Search as I may though, through this entire list of rules and regulations, I see nothing that says what you're saying.  Nothing at all addressing md'ing, nothing saying to check in at each kiosk, etc...    So where are you getting this info, if it's not even in their own list of rules?   

Jeff-of-PA, not sure if you're still watching this thread or not, but here goes:

You say in your initial post on this thread, that md'rs must "stop in at the office" of each park, to alert them of your intention.  I plugged in the website address you give for this, and clicked on "rules and regulations":

http://www.dcnr.state.pa.us/stateparks/

Search as I may though, through this entire list of rules and regulations, I see nothing that says what you're saying.  Nothing at all addressing md'ing, nothing saying to check in at each kiosk, etc...    So where are you getting this info, if it's not even in their own list of rules?   

I'v read this Many years ago & Yes I even read it in their
Extensive explination of rules If i remember Right 

i imagine it hasn't changed.

i will do a search & see if i can find it.
It wasn't on their main page,
from what I Remember it was on a link
on their main page.

Plus I'v read it Dozens of places over the years which
may explain my Confusion 

I think the PA Game Commission is losing out big time on additional revenue. If your a hunter you must buy a hunting licence and are required to abide by the rules, this also allows you to hunt on state game lands. Why can't the same thing be done (on state game lands only) for metal detecting?

I know that I'm not the first person to come up with these suggestions but if I remember right the game commission has not been receptive to them.

I believe that this should be attempted again when the time is right. So the next time the game commission states that they are having financial problems we should petition them to raise money by selling metal detecting permits for state game lands. I believe that a professionally worded suggestion with enough signatures to the right person at the right time has a good chance to be accepted.
I would be more then happy to help with this since I believe this would be beneficial to both the game commission and metal detectorists.  IANAL

Paul  

Jeff, Ok.  Please post the link or text when you find it.  I'm just curious.

Paul, this subject of "why not allow metal detecting to become a licensed thing, with per applicant charges etc...." issue has come up over the years on forums.   The general consensus is that it's not a do-able idea.

1) For starters, unlike hunting game, or fishing, or other such hobbies, there just isn't the #'s to justify creating a bureaucracy for this.   I mean, let's face it:  we're in a pretty niche small hobby.   And unless you've got #'s and resultant demand/need for an issue, it's hardly worth the government's time to regulate something so unique and small in adherents.

2) You and I probably WOULDN'T want our hobby regulated (which would naturally come with any permits).  I mean, we're already in archie's cross-hairs as it is (who hate us with a passion).  And since any state park's dept. has "cultural heritage" type archie's on staff or advisory positions, do you think for a minute they're going to allow it?   

Therefore our hobby is a bit like nose-picking:  You just do it discreetly, and no one notices or cares.  But ask for sanction, and you just create headaches, un-wanted attention, etc....   

   I hear what your saying Tom. I would never want to see a fee or licence to metal detect. The state game lands is a bit of a different issue though, since it is purchased by the game commission and payed for by hunters the connection to buying a licence to metal detect on them is a simple one.

   Although I am not a hunter I believe that the game commissions acquisitions and preservation of land is a big jewel in Pennsylvania's crown and a licence to metal detect on these lands may give them the ability to purchase more.
 
   That being said you are probably right that the small amount of people in the hobby are not enough to generate a significant amount of income to make it a worth while endeavor for the game commission.

   And I definitely agree with you about the unwanted attention. The government gets more then their fair share of money from me already and I don't want them interfearing in another part of my life. 



Paul