WHERE TO GO

Where to go is a question easily answered -- Any where you can get permission to go. I say permission because I'd hate to see you loose your detector and car, then pay a big fine after you are arrested. Does this sound a little over-dramatic? Its happened, NOT TO ME, but it has happened. Its not that hard to get permission to search private property, all you have to do is ask.
First lets start with the easy ones, your family. Try asking your brothers, sisters, parents, grandparents, children or any other close relatives to get you going. After checking out these places its time to branch out a little, by asking your friends at work. Try taking a few of the interesting items that you've found to work and have a little "show and tell" session at breaktime. You will be surprised when all of a sudden you hear the usual comments --
"You know where you should go is ---"
"My place was built in the early 1900's ---"
"There was a stage stop at ---"
"There was a railroad station at ---"
These are all great hints of new sites for you to try your new found hobby and expertise. Take mental notes and at the first opportunity, write it down. I've gotten permission from a lot of people simply by talking about metal detecting. I keep a "running list" of these places and frequently bring this subject up at work. Soon everyone knows of your hobby and may invite you to their own yards to detect. People have a natural curiosity about treasure buried in the ground. They've read about it since they were kids and have imagined discovering lost loot. This is a great start to detecting on Private Property.
When you become accustomed to talking freely about your hobby, try to approach a total stranger. Have you ever driven down a country road, see a house with an old stone foundation and say to yourself, "If I could only get to detect that yard!". Why not stop the car, get out and just ask. The success rate of this method is about 80%. You will get the OK to go. This may be hard to believe, but it works. I personally have tried this method and was granted permission with some restrictions. These were followed to the letter and after the owners saw that I was trustworthy, they loosened up and let me detect freely at my convenience. I won't go back to their yard unless they are home to observe my methods. I also show them some of the finds I've made to keep their interest up, this does not mean you have to show them everything. Some people will take the valuable stuff away from you and there is NOTHING you can do about it.
As for Public Property such a parks, schools, beaches, etc. check with the local police. They will lead you in the right direction to getting the permission you need. There may be restrictions, city ordinances, or permit requirements needed in your area to go metal detecting. I checked with the town and county Park Recreation Dept. to make sure I was able to detect in the park system, all of them said go ahead. Just be sure to ask, as stated earlier it is not worth loosing your equipment. There are a lot of coins and jewelry lost on playgrounds under the swings, slides, and other playthings in the park.
CAUTION: NATIONAL PARKS ARE ALMOST ALWAYS OFF LIMITS TO METAL DETECTING!!!
To sum up this section, I would have to say that anywhere there is dirt, there may be a coin, jewelry, or some other relic. Always remember to ask permission, fill in your holes and take the trash with you!!
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