Pulled up by the cops & kicked off the soccer field..Happy Fathers Day

[clegy]

HI All,

Had my first run in with the cops last night, got pulled over and had my all my kit on the front seat.

I can see why he had to ask about the "Torch, screwdriver and gloves" at 1am LOL

Next morning hit the soccer grounds, Like my 5th hunt there coin popping.
(except for the watch that didn't quite POP)

Someone who would not give their name asked me to leave and was generally a rude prick.

I have named him "Cranky" in leau of his real name.

Going to be hard to get permission Now I can almost guarantee he is on the board and probably the preso (DOH!),
Luckily in a small town I have mates in the club.

Didn't think I needed permission there. Lesson Learned!

Here are some of the finds I won't be getting anymore until I get permission. then 8.( now :8

I have written a full account on my Metal detecting blog if your bored and need something to read.

Happy detecting

Clegy

 

[AtomRat]

I don't know enough about the permission rules mate, but you've had some nice finds there and if you kept your cool and explained yourself correctly, it sounds like you have just learnt a lesson but in a nice way too and hopefully no charge or rubbish was nessacary. Theres always someone with a rude attitude againt it, wether its leavin 'huge rabbit holes' or 'messin up the place' they always have something to say and why its important to keep your holes tidy so you can reply with 'point to one of my holes and show me where I've dug mate' and if your tidy enough they won't be able to and just have another excuse.

As long as you are in your right and keep polite you will be fine and make sure you have that miners right on you!

I like that you are doing a blog. Not many bother with that too much anymore so ill take a peek once in a while for ya

 

[clegy]

Thanks Atom,
I tried to show the guy where I had popped like 50 targets and it was as clean as you could get.

He was not interested, I remained polite as to keep the door open for permission.

Short Of walking backwards with my eyes downcast I think I have done enough to get back on in the future.

Thanks for comments on the blog, I like to type a bit and I'll throw a few vids up as time gets on.

Permission rules are quite varied and I don't think there is a specific way to go about it.
As an ex salesman I can generally get what I need if I can get eye to eye with the person/people.

I'm actually working on a document I can present to owners/managers so they have some sense
of security about what I do on their land.

Unfortunately those that went before me, stuffed it up a little.

Clegy

 

[AngerManagement]

To be 100% legal

You need permission for any where you want to Recover items.

PS. Nice Watch

I did a VERY specific part of a soccer playing field the other day (Friday Morning); looking for a lost item, on request by the owner.... Marked the area with yellow Milk bottle caps and had others to drop at my return point.

I got a number of hits, but did not attempt to recover any thing that was not just under the surface. The grass was cut short and a tight variety, very unlike other fields such as Rugby etc.

I did not find the item - am assuming some one saw it on the surface or just covered by a few blades of grass and has been pocketed.

A club member did come up to me - there were about 5 watching... He said that the owner had asked about a lost ring and that when they saw me - they were going to have me removed ASAP... But one noticed I was not digging or even stopping very often other than to do little circles. They thought it funny with the milk bottle tops, and decided to watch a bit longer.

I picked up a few surface items and a few boot tags - all surface or able to be scratched with my finger.

I showed him these and he smiled... I explained that I was looking for a lost item and that I had no intention of digging for any thing that was not fresh/surface or gave me the signals of a Ring... Hence my grid pattern and the cross and circular motions that I was doing to confirm any signal that I thought was good.

PS. The sub soil was CANSLAW but they had put down a sand layer of about 2" over the top... Trashy to say the least and lots of good signals that would have turned out to be crap...

We had a bit of a chat and I was politely escorted from the playing field They have had to ask a few to move on ( and not all have been pleasant when asked to stop what they are doing) as it would appear that some dig holes and can not work out what is a good target and what is scrap. The groundskeeper person was getting very pissed with having to repair parts of the field and even the side lines. Apparently some one even tried to dig the sprinkler system that was under the soil. I did find two sprinkler heads - but it was so obvious that the signal etc was not something good in the first instance.. A quick inspection of the grass clearly identified a water point.

He also stated that some club member live close to the field and do report things to police or to club when they might observe things going on. Drug and booze use late of a night, seems to be the main issues and concerns about vandalism/break and enter of teh club houses. He asked if I had been there previously and I had no problems in saying the afternoon before; but did not have the exact location. All he said was - That explains it !

My take home lesson. Don't assume that the person that may have lost an item; has asked permission to have others come and look and to confirm with the land owner the recovery method I will be using.

I did leave my name and contact number and rego with the club - To ensure I do not get blamed for any shite that may happen in the future AND that if they do have any requests for lost item's..... They now know me and my attention to detail. SO at least a good outcome for me; the owner of the lost item was disappointed but appreciative of my efforts... If she passes on my infor to others, another positive...

 

[rocketaroo]

Does the soccer club own the land, or lease it? Unless its a public area, then you would need permission. Some personal injury insurance may sway the deal. There's a great soccer oval/club not far from me, but I wont detect it without permission first. I wouldave asked that guy, if he knows who owns the land, and challenge his authority respectfully.

 

[AtomRat]

Proof of previous diggings, finds and even quotes or references from others on document can certainly help but probably still won't budge those concrete personalities. I was once at a caravan park which has a crown creek going through it. I was detecting the banks and he quite nastily attempted to get me to move on. I had no shown holes visible and was not even near his park yet he said I was on it. I certainly could have stated the fact that it wasn't his land and I had every right to be there, but to keep the peace and I left with a smile as I calmed his attitude down explaining 'there are no holes, I am not an amature' showing the finds I was getting and I even gave him a couple of coins. I will return and I doubt he will attempt it next time, but if he does, I will calmly explain my rights and if he wants he can call the police, or I would and I'm sure they would still try to remove me but rights are rights and they would be in the wrong at this specific location.

 

[clegy]

Cheers Mark,

I am hearing what your saying exactly.

My assumption (mistake) was to assume the land was public, it is leased by the soccer club from what i can research.
(the guy would tell me nothing)

I have never touched the playing fields, only the sideline area's between fields and the spectator areas
near a hill.

last defensive comment, I also only popped coins that where right near the top, I got tons of stuff and the only
mark was where the watch popped out, it brought a chunk of earth with it.

I'm working on a plan for permissions and the liability insurance is a great idea, I'll get a quote for that.
Finds should cover that cost pretty fast.

I think also being in old jumper covered in stains, Aussie flag boardies and thongs, wearing a XXXX Beer hat probably didn't go down to well.

Time to start detecting in my suit and tie. LOL

Thanks for the great reply.

Clegy:

Rocket Its leased as mentioned mate.
Council Mow and Upkeep the area but the soccer club have control I guess.

That's what got me, the council guys there every now and then, there is no groundskeeper. Its the same guys that mow my footpath for me
and I sling 'em a can of coke when I'm home.

B.T.W
Anyone Interested in a swiss army watch slight wear marks?
Its only been mowed once, twice tops LOL

Clegy

 

[AngerManagement]

From my contacts with Clubs and those that have an agreement / lease with the;

1: Council or own the land outright - In many cased that is most of them.

2: And OR any where with a club house or building for that sport; is a sure sign of some legal arrangement in place.

I have had pleasant interactions if I ask Senior committee members about permissions; before ever detecting the place.

I once got about 3/4 YES of all places I asked... But due to the behaviour of others - have since lost most of those.

Even with permission I have had club members not in the know or even neighbours to the field - Give me a hard time. I NEVER detect / attempt recovery on the PLAYING FIELD.

On finding out more, it is usually because they have had enough of vandals, break and enters, damage to property - Not usually MD people.

But more than a few have had confrontation with MD persons that just arc up and start abusing concerned people about "Public Parks" "Sports grounds" etc are open to every one an NO permissions needed etc. One of the Norths Rugby Committee members that I deal with, with had a nasty experience and threatened with physical abuse and while he went to the club house and called security and police. The MD person went on a bit of a rampage and slammed his SHOVEL into many parts of the ground and bashed a few poles etc on his way to the car.... Never found who it was, two of them...

And yes, I lost that permission afterwards as well... Committee members and those trying to look after the grounds have had enough....

These days when I ask for permission - I ask for access at a set time and date that the club is happy with and that if some one wants to be on site with me = GREAT. That way the do not have to worry about who,what,when etc etc....

I get maybe 10% yes.... The rest say - OHS / Security and Previous BAD experiences with damage to grounds = NO

So yes, it is getting harder and those that do the right thing often suffer for the poor behaviour of others... It just make me look out side the square as to how to ask / get permissions AND where I might look for items.... Got to find a positive 8)

PPS> I try to look as much like a Council Worker or even get Club Colours . Any passer by ask etc... I am pleasant but try not imply OPEN season.... Act more like I am one of the maintenance people.

 

[Heatho]

If the land is a public place only the council or police have a right to tell you to move on. If you're digging big holes then you should expect to be charged. I've only ever had one person have a go at me and she had absolutely no right, I asked if she was a council ranger or police officer to which she replied that she wasn't. She said I was digging holes, which I wasn't, it was rabbits digging holes. I asked her if it was her dog that crapped all over the oval?

I have permission to detect my local parks and sports fields by the council ranger who looks after them, I did not seek permission, he came up one day and asked what I was doing? I said "a spot of metal detecting", he said no worries as long as I did not damage the playing fields he was fine with me detecting the sidelines and other areas. It's not written permission but no one has ever hassled me except one silly busybody. I regularly chat to the council bloke, we are on a first name basis now, he likes seeing my finds too.

Soccer and footy clubs don't generally own the land, neither do cricket clubs in the summer months.

To be honest Clegy I would have told the grumpy old man to sod off and go call the council or cops if he has a problem. If it were illegal and being across from the council depot, never hassled by council and you made no damage he has absolutely no right to tell you to go away. You can detect the surface without digging and there is nothing he can do about it.

Another council bloke asked 1 day also and he just laughed when I said "I'm not causing any damage", he said "look what the soccer players have done", referring to the mess they made on a wet playing field, there was hardly a blade of grass left, he said also that they should not have played that weekend as it was too wet, but they still did and ruined the oval...... Every week the players leave sticky tape, drink bottles, cans and all sorts of junk everywhere, poor old detecting guys usually clean some of this junk up. If a club wants to pick on me I'll get photo evidence every week of the mess and rubbish these clowns leave and send it to the local paper and council, lol.

 

[Heatho]

Cheers Mark,

I am hearing what your saying exactly.

My assumption (mistake) was to assume the land was public, it is leased by the soccer club from what i can research.
(the guy would tell me nothing)

I have never touched the playing fields, only the sideline area's between fields and the spectator areas
near a hill.

last defensive comment, I also only popped coins that where right near the top, I got tons of stuff and the only
mark was where the watch popped out, it brought a chunk of earth with it.

I'm working on a plan for permissions and the liability insurance is a great idea, I'll get a quote for that.
Finds should cover that cost pretty fast.

I think also being in old jumper covered in stains, Aussie flag boardies and thongs, wearing a XXXX Beer hat probably didn't go down to well.

Time to start detecting in my suit and tie. LOL

Thanks for the great reply.

Clegy:

Rocket Its leased as mentioned mate.
Council Mow and Upkeep the area but the soccer club have control I guess.

That's what got me, the council guys there every now and then, there is no groundskeeper. Its the same guys that mow my footpath for me
and I sling 'em a can of coke when I'm home.

B.T.W
Anyone Interested in a swiss army watch slight wear marks?
Its only been mowed once, twice tops LOL

Clegy

Mate the insurance and stuff like that is seriously not a good idea, it is basically a one man hobby, have a chat with the council blokes next time and asked their opinion, you'll probably find that they don't mind and grumpy old man is a grumpy jerk who thinks he owns the place.......

 

[Heatho]

Found this replica Austrian coin token thing, here's a link to some info. http://coinquest.com/cgi-bin/cq/coins?main_coin=9602

 

[Wookiee]

Cheers Mark,

I think also being in old jumper covered in stains, Aussie flag boardies and thongs, wearing a XXXX Beer hat probably didn't go down to well.

Clegy

That should have gotten you a free membership!

Unpatriotic to get upset at someone in Aussie Flag boardies, thongs and a hat with a beer logo on it.

 

[Wookiee]

If anyone asks what you are doing just tell them you are locating and removing sharp metal objects from public areas and therefore saving peoples feet and tidying the place up a bit.
And any syringes you find are placed in a sharps bin so children can't find them and do themselves harm.

 

[Havinago]

From what i understand with the playing fields in my town is that council owns them and leases them to the clubs and/or events, and that the clubs or event managers pay a deposit and are responsible for any damage done to the field/amenities and can be back charged for repairing damage done, at least thats what it says on our local councils web page, so i can understand that clubs would get a bit ancy when they see someone scraping around with a detector and tools and not fully understanding what and how you are going about things. Funny thing with myself is (touch wood) i've had club blokes come up to me and point out where all the crowds gather and say you should try over there, where i reply thanks but nah not a good idea i stay off the fields don't want to upset anybody, and like someone else mentioned I must look like someone official or a council worker as i wear dark blue work clothes, steel cap boots and a wide brimmed Dark blue hat while detecting (real fashion statement i know) :lol:

P.S Nice finds BTW

 

[Jaros]

Have you thought about parks with underground PVC pipes for irrigation and what the "shovel" might do to the whole system??
HMmmm???
Jaros 8.(

 

[Goldpick]

Have you thought about parks with underground PVC pipes for irrigation and what the "shovel" might do to the whole system??
HMmmm???
Jaros 8.(

That's why you don't use shovels on well groomed and irrigated turf. Only hand tools so you have the ability to recognise obstructions under the surface before causing any damage.

Personally I try to avoid those sorts of areas anyway, as they are one of the more obvious places for the inexperienced & incompetant detectorist to hit. I prefer not to cop a mouthful for something that wasn't of my own doing.

 

[Roaring Days]

Great topic - very interesting to read everyone's views. I have to say, being new to detecting, that probably the greatest source of discouragement is the difficulty in finding places you can actually get permission to detect. All part of the learning process I guess.

 

[Shoota]

As a few have mentioned,
On the occasions when I hunt at Soccer grounds, i will only detect around the side lines & where spectators watch from & never on the playing surfaces.
I have honed my retrieval skills to cause almost no noticeable evidence that i had dug there.
I do however pick my days when the ground is suitably moist but not soaking wet.
Dry ground is difficult to make good. I don't dig plugs but instead try to open a slit that can be closed easily after retrieval of the item.
A Pin Pointer is something every detectorist should invest in before digging anywhere in parks or sports grounds and should practice there skills on there own lawn first!
I have seen some poor digging in my time & often will repair other peoples holes so I don't get blamed for them.

Some of the old busy bodies can get a little "precious" about there soccer fields but when a player slides in for a tackle the ground is often cut up far worse than even an average detectorist can cause.

 

[Aimbo]

I play soccer for the local women's team and I think they get a bit 'precious' about the grounds because they (our team anyway ) spend A LOT of money keeping it up to scratch. And the amount of damage it receives, mostly from imbeciles in cars doing burnouts in winter (not metal detectors per se) means the club spend a lot of time and effort to keep it a competative ground. Obviously I enjoy both activities in question here, but from a club members perspective that is why they probably were gruff about it!

Great find tho and it reminds me not to play with coins in my pocket haha :lol:

 

[silver]

It's always ok to play,... with coins in your pockets,... it helps keep the dream alive (ha).