Metal Detecting Banned in Cook County's Forest Preserves

		Quote:			Posted by homefire
	Do Picnickers, Hikers, Bikers , Bird Watchers, Walkers, Sight Seers Need a Stinking Permit? Don't go there!

I agree with no permit and total freedom like anyone else, but in view that it was banned as it is, better to take regulation than nothing. We are all anyways subjected to general forest regulations. Perhaps our hobby is perceived as intrusive and/or lucrative as opposed to bird watchers or bikers. Fishing requires a permit and they have regulations too. Fishermen got a tangible benefit from their hobby as we do too. However, there are important differences, we help clean the environment and we do not poison the water with lead. I don't mind to contribute part of what I take if treated with fairness. I also know that somehow we are all paying for the very few that are not honoring our code of ethics. I guess that to filter out those individuals and put them out of the hobby, some regulations are needed.

Posted on: June 03, 2012, 10:59:02 PM

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		Quote:			Posted by ArfieBoy
	My first question is, Where were all the Cook Count treasure hunters/metal detectorists when this was bing discussed and passed.

I don't know about the rest, but I have been sick and out of MDing until now. But you have a good question to ask the few MD clubs in Illinois. They are organized and should have a committee overseeing state policy or regulations that affect us. If they fought for our rights, I don't know because I am an independent hobbyist. However, the ban was a decision that took many by surprise for until not long ago, I detected many times in Chicago area woods and always asked officers if there was a problem with me MDing in the forest. The response was always the same, no as long as you cover your plugs. However, it is hard to believe that they banned us just for not covering a few plugs.  :

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		Quote:			Posted by bomber
	Ron Shore of WindyCity Detectors already has a legal team on this.they're trying to get a permit system going,its not just a few holes,its hundreds.i was hosting a group hunt in april,while scouting locations(Bunker Hill)i came across dozens if not hundreds of holes,spent a few hrs filling them up,bout a week later the ban came thru,(no hunt)

Thank you for the information Bomber. I personally came across with a number of holes uncovered in Schiller Woods, my favorite woods. I should not say a few holes, but a few hobbyists that do not covered them. It is sometimes difficult to tell whether the holes were made bigger by animals. But you can tell if you see a pattern. We need to find ways to pinpoint the culprits and educate them. I hope Ron's team works something out for the benefit of the hobby. 

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Thanks for the information Bomber!  I, too, am an independent TH'er.  No clubs anywhere near my area.  I know a lot of people with metal detectors and most of them don't go out much, or go to Arizona and the Southwest for gold.  Very rarely do I run into anyone else detecting around here.

I guess, the clubs that are in existence need to try to police the lone wolves that don't follow the Code of Ethics.  If I see someone digging wrong or trespassing I talk to them about it as gently as I can to correct their behavior.  I haven't had much problem with wrong hunting/digging/ trespassing...  Mainly because of the few people I see out detecting.

I wish the best to Ron Shore and his team.  Now the other clubs need to get in on it with them.

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ArfieBoy

A few days ago Homie call the guys that dug big holds without refilling and ignored the Code of Ethics as boneheads and he is so right. This has been a problem for our hobby for many years and I have no clue on how to fix it. Most of the problem comes from the guy that gets a detector for his B day or xmas and heads out with a back hoe to find Kid's treasure in 2 hours the detector goes into storage never to be seen again because the guy gets bored. But in 2 hours this guy has done more damage to our hobby the we can fix in a year. 

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Naa i'm from the uk . and its a local park in Cheshire not far from where i live (therefor not Chicago).. just typical i try to be 'above board' and get permission first 

no Racoons here in the uk .. but i heard of what they do over your side of the pond 

I agree with you there, a code of Ethics and good practice needs to be given with every metal detector supplied ! and if i see anyone not filling their holes in its an instant , politely done of course 

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