I can understand why some wish to fly under the RADAR..
I like to and try not to stand out when detecting so as to keep my piece and quite and to detect/recover and relax without being hassled...
But ignorance and assumptions and the AGGRESSION shown by some; when members of the Public or Police or Council ask or question their activities is what causes even more harm.
A: The man told police that under the Mining Act that deals with fossicking and prospecting
he was allowed to search and dig on the oval.
Hear this time and time again - other forums and FB
B: Central West Prospecting Supplies - ON FB where first published.
The rules applied to prospecting
can be a bit ambiguous, so check the laws (google them), or contact
your State's local action group for advice.
What I see all the time is:
A new person asks about parks etc and gets told -
all good " don't leave a mess and fill your plugs ", its is a Public park; so if any one asks tell them to mind their own business...
I am a paid up member of a long time Registered MD Club and one of the few in Qld and we have an ongoing battle with club days and digs; as we are always battling the Rules and REGS AND new people who have been told and told again; they can dig parks all they want.
We fight to maintain Permission on some private places that allow us to prospect and camp for Club outings.
But coin and or relic hunts are almost impossible to organise/manage because of the LAWS ( We are accountable under our public Liability) and that means we have to ensure all members/guests are aware and that ILLEGAL activities can not be condoned.
HOWEVER: It is all resolved by asking and setting the conditions AND obtaining permission
Then some A/hole comes along after (no permission) and digs holes and may or may not, leave a mess.. Because they are under the impression that; that a public park is open slather... And then we loose access!!!
Permission is all that is needed - Just ASK...
So as a Member of a Registered Club/Organization
I do not apologize for bringing the LAW to the notice of all. It is an impost in organising a Club Outing but it is not possible.
The sooner more people understand and work with the land owners/managers. The better for all.
As a single identity - you can do, what you can, to work around and or push the grey.
As a club, we do not have that option and the conflict between what is on FB/Forums and the actual Law causes conflict for all.