Getting permission

I like the idea of getting written permission for doing some hunting on private property.  Especially if it is someone that I am approaching that I don't know.  I wouldn't see the need for getting written permission for a friends property although I could see how problems could come up from that as well.  Has anyone ever had someone they have approached ask for a "share" of whatever is found?  If so, what is your experience with this?  I have looked over a very old piece of property near here that I know is "off limits" that is bounded by private properties; some residential and some industrial.  I was considering coming up with a form letter to pepper the area with in hopes of getting at least some response without a lot of leg work.  I noticed someone post that it may be less intimidating for people when your not knocking on thier door.  Does anyone have any experience with doing this?

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The first rule of requesting permission? Don't rock up the the owner with metal detector in hand.

There are lots of ways to get one's foot in the door. Begin by politely introducing yourself. A calling card would help here but be very careful of your wording. Name, phone number and a single line such as "Archaeological Researching" would be enough and would also pique the normal landowner's interest. Just imagine if you were in a casual discussion with an archaeologist; even an amateur, who wanted to discuss your land and its history with you. Pretty heady stuff for most folk. Avoid pictures on your card and always refer to it as what it is. A calling card as opposed to a business card. There's a difference.

After your introduction, explain your interest and make your pitch. Keep it simple. "You most likely already know this but your land on Four Corners Road was once a camping place for troops moving between the towns of Hope and Despair. I was wondering if you'd allow me to document some of the items they may have left behind. I'd be very happy to show you the finds and even leave some with you as a momento of the history of your land. I promise to leave little evidence of my presence there. You're also welcome to tag along and watch."

Most folk won't tag along but welcome those who do. The occasional loss of a piece of history won't matter in the grand scheme of things and will be invaluable as a reference. Imagine the conversation with neighbors after you give a nice find to a "watcher" who tags along. "This guy was terrific! I followed him for a while and when he found this here silver coin, he gave it to me! And he covered every hole he dug! Nice fellow. You know what, I have his card here . . ." You can't pay for a referral like that one.

Some people have trouble making the acquaintance of others and moving into the area of property. That's understandable so your approach should focus on the history of the land as if it's more important than the land itself. Keep a clipboard at your side and write down the location of any significant finds. Keep a plastic bucket handy to put the junk in and never miss the chance to show your growing pile of "dangerous, rusty, sharp things" you are removing for the landowner. That bucket can represent a lot of good will.

There are lots of contract forms out there for detector find sharing and written permission can give you a lot of leeway should you be approached by passing neighbors or law enforcement who may believe you are a trespasser. When you ask for the written permission, explain that the landowner may not always be available and you want to be sure that you are covered for that possible approach by well meaning friends and officials. Make your find sharing area obvious but limit it to a check mark with a line next to it for defining a percentage but nothing else. It may be that the landowner will gloss over it and simply sign the paper.

Good luck with your next approach. Every time you get a yes means you should begin working hard for your next "yes" which may be a referral.

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Thanks;
I sometimes get these ideas that I'm glad I don't act on before I get input.  25 years ago it was a different story!  I see that the slow single approach will get better results than a mass mailing. I appreciate your reply.

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never be afraid to politely ask --- worse case "no" -- and if you don't ask anyone --the answer will always be "no" 100 % of the time ---so by asking you can only do better and you can not do any worse since 100% no from not asking is as bad as it can get --- so its all "upside" by asking --plus you then know which spots to focus your "research efforts on" --the ones you can hunt!! --why research a place thats "off limits"? waste of time and effort

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Ivan;
Although I was looking at an "off limits" area in my town, I was looking at it from a satilite picture with GIS information infromation about the city surrounding superimposed on it (street names, property lines, addresses, etc.) I haven't taken all the advice to get to the old parts of town lightly and this area is where the city first started.  It's funny, but when I first got excited about this and tried to come up with old places to go my mind drew a complete blank.  But after reading a bunch of the posts on this site I started looking at things slightly different. I looked up while sitting in my living room one evening, BING! We have a drawing that an architecture student did of my in-laws old farm house outside of town.  It burned down years ago and they don't own it any more but a friend of the family bought the property.  I  have his phone number and hope to get permission to hunt the property. I just ordered my first detector and it's on its' way.  I hope to make this one of my first searches. I love this stuff!

Thanks to all who take the time to share thier experience!

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