Metal detecting in Florida is all about the thrill, excitement, and hunt. You can find a lot of things like gold rings, buckles, coins, and even a button.
If you are a hobbyist just like so many people out there, you can stroll along the beach with your detector in the hand, listening for a click or beeping sound.
It is very exciting and impressive to unearth objects that are buried underground. Every corner of Florida offers you various metal detecting adventures.
You can connect with a metal detecting club and hunt for treasures together while following their strict ethical codes.
If you are asking yourself whether metal detecting is allowed in Florida state parks, the answer is YES. Although each of these parks has its Management Procedures for Archaeological and Historical Sites and Properties in State.
They all have different conducts about metal detecting. So, it is left for you, as a metal detector, to find out their conduct. Metal detecting on any land owned by the state is prohibited except for some exceptions.
Lots of Florida public beaches allow metal detecting between high tide and the toe of the dune.
However, beaches that are part of preserves, sanctuaries, military, state, and federal parks, have different rules which govern metal detecting.
You will have to contact the manager to find out about their ethics.
Is metal detecting allowed during the lockdown
The Governor of Florida, Gov. Ron DeSantis ordered a statewide lockdown which took effect on the 3rd of April to April 3o.
He said, “all persons in Florida shall limit their movements and personal interactions outside of their home to only those necessary to obtain or provide essential services or conduct essential activities.
” The essential services include healthcare providers, banks, gas stations, child care, pet stores, restaurants, religious services, recreational activities, and so on.
This means that those who work in nonessential jobs will have to stay home.
However, since metal detecting is recognized as a recreational activity under the Florida forest policy, this means it is allowed.
Before you go out, you have to check with the landowners where you will be digging for metals.
Then, you need to maintain social distancing and restrictions on outside movement. Until these restrictions are reviewed, you have to adhere to them.
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Best metal detector for Florida beaches
You cannot use the same detectors you use on the land in saltwater. The contents of the saltwater increase the effect of the ground mineral, causing the regular detectors to pick up a lot of false signals.
Therefore, you will need a metal detector that can ignore the effects of salt water, no matter how high it is. Here are the 5 best metal detectors used in Florida beaches;
1.Garrett AT Pro Metal Detector
This device has an 8.5” X 11” PROformance DD submersible search coil. It also has premium volume control land headphones which are waterproof but sold separately.
According to customers’ reviews, it is a very easy to use piece even for beginners, and it’s quite accurate. It is sold for around $550.00. You can purchase it here on Amazon.
2. XP DEUS Metal Detector (Wireless WS5 Full Headphones + Controller and 11 inch Coil)
XP is a metal detector that can also be used on Florida beaches. It has an 11” X35 DD waterproof wireless search coil, WS5 Wireless headphones, wireless control display screen, a hip mount case for remote control, and a 5-year labour warranty.
It is lightweight and offers high performance, speed, and comfort. You can buy it here on Amazon.
3. Minelab CTX 3030 Standard Pack Metal Detector
This is a versatile detector that can be submerged into water for up to 10 feet or 3 meters. It has a GPS locating tool that will see where you have been and the place you are going to.
Minelab CTX has a PC mapping that will upload all the settings of your detector and the locations of your treasure into your computer.
It also uses an FBS 2 technology that uses multiple frequency transmission and coil to detect data communication and find more targets in different ground conditions. You can obtain it here on Amazon.
4. Fisher CZ21-8 Underwater Metal Detector
This device can be used either for saltwater or freshwater and can be submerged underwater for up to 250 feet.
It has precise pointing, easy ground balance, a touch button, and high performance in mineralized water.
It is recommended for shallow water, surfing, diving, and beach hunting. You can buy it here on Amazon.
5. Minelab Equinox 600 Multi-IQ Metal Detector
This detector has a waterproof design and is so, fully submersible. It is ideal for detecting streams, lakes, rivers, and beaches.
It is very lightweight and sleek. This product is about $649 and can be purchased here on Amazon.
Is metal detecting allowed in national forests
According to the policy of the forest, the recreational use of metal detectors is allowed in the National forest.
Most of the National forests in Florida are open to rock collecting, gold prospecting, using metal detectors.
It does not usually require any strict sort of authorization. However, you need a letter of authorization on some eastern forests because of the high level of the clay content of the soil.
You will have to ask the district manager for more and detailed information about it. Metal detecting can be used as an activity to gold nuggets, coins, jewelry metallic items, and so on.
Metal detecting Chattahoochee national forest
This is a National Forest Land. Therefore you can use a metal detector only for recreational activities. While you are on this land digging for metals, there are certain activities you are not allowed to carry out. These include:
- Digging around for objects that are buried.
- Using metal detectors for commercial gains.
You can visit their official website for more details before you go for metal detecting. However, you should know that it is highly prohibited to use metal detectors in Archaeological Forest lands. This is so in order to preserve and protect historical remains.
Metal detecting in Georgia
Georgia is one of the most populated states in the United States of America. It is a place where hobbyists go to search for the next big treasures.
It is legal to go for metal detecting in Georgia, as long as you follow the State Law Antiquities.
This law was enacted to protect all archaeological resources which are on public lands. If you are found guilty of looting, digging, or vandalizing these lands, you will be punished greatly.
The penalty ranges from imprisonment, paying of fine, confiscation of your devices, and so on.
You cannot use your detectors on state lands or beaches. You will have to check in with the managers of the parks or beaches if you want to explore the state.
Conclusion
Before you go around digging for metals in Florida or Georgia, make your findings and study the governing laws.
There are designated places where metal detecting is seen as a crime. So, to avoid getting into trouble with the local authorities, you need to abide by their rules and regulations.
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