My name is Dan Clark. I am a past president and current member of the Southwest Michigan Seek and Search Club based in Plainwell Michigan. We as a club are now trying to unite all the clubs here in Michigan to be able to better respond to any attempts to restrict the rights of the Michigan metal detectorists.
As it stands at this time, we have lost a lot of the State parks for detecting. You will need to be very careful to only hunt in authorized areas in the state parks that allow detecting. The Park list.jpg attached is a scan of the state parks that have published information on where you can or can not detect. I have also included the state policy on detecting is state parks at the bottom of this email. You can also go to the following link for information on metal detecting in Michigan State parks.
http://www.michigan.gov/dnr/0,1607,7-153-10365_10883-97922--,00.html
As for detecting in other areas of Michigan, I would stay away from ANY federal lands. Private property is fine with the owners permission. City parks are usually OK but it is best to check with the local government first for peace of mind.
I hope this hasn't discouraged you. Metal detecting in Michigan is alive and doing well. The government is trying to impose more restrictions all the time but we are watching and doing what we can to prevent this from happening.
Finally I will finish with this. To get the most out of this hobby you should join a club. You can learn much about the proper method of target recovery, get tips on how to use your machine, learn the code of ethics for detecting, and just enjoy the company of others that share the hobby.
I invite you to visit my web site at http://dcdetec.com I maintain the last 12 months of our club newsletter there as well as slideshows of our find of the month contest. The slideshows will give you an idea of what you might be able to find with your detector.
Enjoy the hobby,
Dan Clark
Parks and Recreation Policy #8.18
Revised May, 2002
USE OF METAL DETECTORS
POLICY
The use of electronic metal detectors to find lost coins, rings, watches, or other valuables is a popular activity. Favorite search areas are intensive use areas, especially beaches. Parks and Recreation Bureau (PRB) has long recognized this as a recreational activity at appropriate locales. However, there is increasing concern that metal detectors are facilitating illegal removal of archaeological and historic resources from Bureau-administered lands.
Public Act 451, 324.74102 mandates the protection of historic resources within State Parks.
Public Act 238 of 1957 provides a means of disposing of personal property lost or abandoned on state property and this is included in the Park Field Manual, Ranger Guide, and Parks and Recreation Policy #1.10.
Public Act 451 of 1994, Part 761 Aboriginal Records and Antiquities, prohibits a person from removing, exploring or excavating any relic or aboriginal antiquities and abandoned property of historical or recreational value found upon or within the lands owned by or under the control of the state.
In addition to the concerns regarding the unauthorized removal of historical artifacts, there is a concern related to the potential damage to lands resulting from the act of “digging up” items identified by various metal detectors.
Public Act 451 of 1994, Part 324.74121, State parks; prohibited conduct, in section 74121 states:
“A person shall not do the following in a state park:
(a) Destroy, damage or remove any tree, shrub, wildflower or other vegetation or property without the permission of the department.”
Metal detectors may provide the public with a chance of recovering some lost possessions in intensively used areas. Items of historic value may not be removed.
For the foregoing reasons, it shall be the policy of the Parks and Recreation Bureau to prohibit the use of metal detectors on all Bureau-administered lands except:
1. Designated swimming beaches
2. Designated day use areas
3. Campgrounds
4. Parking lots
5. Boating access site parking lots
Exceptions to the areas listed above may be given in specific instances based upon new information that was unknown on the approval date of this policy.
It shall be the responsibility of the individual field unit to provide a map specifically designating areas in which this activity is allowed.
For requests to conduct archaeological research, refer to Parks and Recreation Policy #8.7, Use Permits. Archaeological research requires a permit jointly issued by the Michigan Department of Natural Resources and the Department of History, Arts and Libraries.
The following conditions apply to the use of metal detectors in state parks:
1. All recovered items must be checked by a park employee before being removed from the park.
2. Any items the park has recorded lost and that can be returned to the rightful owner will be turned in to the park, or the park will notify the owner of the name and address of the finder.
3. Coins may be retained by the finder unless rare and historic. If coins are turned in, PRB staff should contact the Michigan Historical Center, Department of History, Arts and Libraries to determine historic value and disposition instructions.
4. Any artifacts found will be retained by the State.
5. The use of probes or small hand trowels to retrieve objects discovered beneath the surface shall be allowed if the land is not unduly disturbed. Disturbed material must be replaced.
6. Large-scale digging to retrieve objects shall not be allowed unless being done as part of a Department authorized archaeological research project.
Metal detectors are prohibited from:
1. Fayette State Park and Fort Wilkins State Park
2. Beaches, day use areas, boating access sites or campgrounds known to have artifacts.
3. Designated historic or archaeological sites. Designated includes sites listed on the State or National registers of historic places, or indicated by the Michigan Department of History, Arts and Libraries as eligible for listing on the State or Federal register.
4. Areas specifically closed to the use of metal detectors by a Land Use Order of the Director."
