Metal Detecting In Ohio?
You Should Know The Law
Metal detecting in Ohio follows the Antiquities Act law of 1906.Be sure to click on the link below for a through explanation of that law, and some of the problems people face who break it.
And read through the entire page at the link, as well as at the other links I have provided to you.
Even though this law does not specifically mention "metal detecting", you need to understand what the Antiquities Act says about digging artifacts.
People have been arrested and fined for not following this law. Some have broke this law knowing they were doing so. That stupidity just casts a dark shadow over the hobby. That kind of ignorance is one of the problems why these insidious laws are created.
Be Careful, Do Not Break The Law!
And if the Antiquities Act isn't enough of a law, Ohio like many other States has to deal with another set of laws under the National Historic Preservation Act - NHPA.
You can visit the following link for more information on the NHPA.
National Historic Preservation Act
To keep this law stuff simple: if you are detecting in Ohio, especially on State Land, do not dig anything that you believe is an artifact, or anything that is older than 100 years.
If you want to detect on private property, then be sure you get written permission from the landowner. Although verbal permission is ok, written permission is more desirable.
Metal Detecting In Ohio and Town Laws
For detecting in Ohio, town, village and city parks, you'll need to check with those local officials.
In Case Your Thinking This, do not quit the hobby.
Some individuals give up metal detecting because they feel strangled by the laws. If your thinking about tossing your detector in the closet for good, don't do it. That is exactly what the beauracrats who make these silly laws want us to do. And the Archaeologists who have been trying to get metal detecting banned would be one step closer to their goal. The above would love to see our hobby closed off for good. Don't quit!
My TV Series Made The Archaeologists Mad.
I cannot be responsible for any outdated laws from the time of this posting.
Have you been metal detecting in Ohio ghost towns?
Be Careful, do not break the law!
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