Metal Detecting In Washington?
You Should Know The Law

Metal detecting in Washington follows the Antiquities Act of 1906 law.

This law was enacted to protect the artifacts of Native American Indians living in the west.

Even though this law does not specifically mention "metal detecting", you need to understand what tthe Antiquities Act says about digging artifacts.

This law is the grand-daddy of all laws that deal with the use of State and Federal lands in America. Pay particular attention to the section of stories that have been related to me about what happens when individuals break these laws.

Politicians, Archaeologists, and Beauracrats

This law has been broadened by government to now curtail all items being 100 years old or older to be off limits to digging. No longer is just an Indian artifact a protected item. Now, a wheat penny becomes a protected relic as well.  

Archaeologists along with their friendly politician have removed our freedom to enjoy the lands as they were intended. Their unconstitutional laws protect  them from us. They do not want the public, the taxpaying citizen, who's dollars keep them in jobs, to dig history. They want the stuff below the ground all to themselves.

Don't Give Up!

If you're thinking of quitting the hobby of metal detecting, please don't. That's exactly what the archaeologists want us to do. They would love nothing better than to have to never deal with any of us again. So if you give in and quit, then they win.

Remember,  if you are metal detecting in Washington, especially on land that is not privately owned, 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.

For detecting in Washington, town, village and city parks, you'll need to check with those local officials.

I cannot be responsible for any outdated laws from the time of this posting.

More about The Antiquities Act of 1906

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49 Places to Metal Detect, And More

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