![Metal Metal](/uploads/1/2/5/7/125783997/848346330.jpg)
You don’t need a special license to own a metal detector. However, as a hobbyist, it’s important to know the general rules and regulations that apply to metal detector use.
Welcome to Dudley Metal Detecting Club. We are a local friendly club that hold regular digs in and around the local areas (usually within a 45 minute drive), we hold meetings once a month and assist you in any way we can.
- Some cities allow amateur metal detectors to search public properties such as fairgrounds, city parks, and beaches. It may (or may not) be possible for you to keep what you discover. In either case, the ground must be returned to its original condition.
- Some states require hobbyists to register before searching public properties. The laws on public metal detecting vary from state to state, so be sure to consult your local government agency before searching for treasure on public property.
- If you’re to search private property with your metal detector, the owner of the property must first give permission. The owner can add conditions to your use of his/her land, such as ownership rights or time limits.
- If the private property you search can be claimed as protected land under an antiquities law, it’s illegal to remove any items from the site.
Penalties for violating these laws and restrictions can range from a stern warning to thousands of dollars in fines. We urge amateur metal detectors to do some research and obtain all pertinent clearances before starting a search on any private or city-owned property.
Get to know your metal detector's settings. All detectors are different, and reading the manual is key to getting the most out of yours. That said, there are some basic features you should know whether you read the manual or not:- Discrimination: Allows you to choose what kind of targets you want. For example, if you only want coins, you can set it to ignore iron objects. Useful in heavy trash areas or if you're searching for specific things.
- Sensitivity: Allows you to choose how precise the detector will be. This, again, helps you hone in: if there are pipes nearby and the detector won't stop beeping, lowering the sensitivity will help you find the good stuff.
- Detection Mode: This allows you to filter out certain objects, like coins, to make detection more precise.
- Ground Balance: Allows you to account for common minerals. If, for example, you keep getting pings on 'iron' but find nothing, you can 'balance out' the iron in the ground so that the machine doesn't beep for low levels of iron.[4]