Is there any hope for detecting in Wisconsin?

[Poopdeckpappy]

Just joined up while I was contemplating just how long this weather will keep me from detecting. This forum looks great and will hopefully provide some instruction and general communication opportunities with like minded folks.
i just settled in the Madison area and found Wisconsin to be a not so friendly metal detecting state. I seems that the state department of natural resources has done a good job of restricting our hobby on state owned land and water. I intend to join a local club and see what approach they take to find good potential sites that ca be legal to hunt. If any of you have any WI experience or ideas let me know.
for those of you that enjoy metal detecting friendly states be thankful.
looking forward to the forum and future communications.
Swinging low and slow with my E-Trac.
Poopdeckpappy

[Digger Don]

As far as I know Most county and state parks seem to be off limits. On the other hand, most towns have no problem with metal detecting in their parks.
I have a place just south of you And have hit many small town parks with no problems. I think if you do some research online, you will find an abundance of places to hunt in your area. Good Luck & HH

[freemindstuck]

My advice is to look for the loop holes in the laws. For example Iowa has ARPA (Artifact Recovery Protection Act) which says it's illegal to dig anything over a hundred years old. But there are no laws concerning hunting meteorites. So when I run across conservation officers on public land and they ask what I'm doing. I'm always meteorite hunting.
Another example, in my town you are technically supposed to call the utility company and have a yard marked up before digging. There is an exemption for gardening. So when a police officer approaches me and ask what I am doing. I always reply, " Why I'm gardening officer and what a nice day it is"
Good luck and happy hunting!

[Timewarpdigger]

Here we need yearly permits for state and county parks, the township I live in doesn't require anything, so its not to bad and the two fees combined ran me about $90. Well good luck in your new digs. Safe & HH

[Tony Two-Cent]

One of our members here, wisconsin digger, found 322 silver coins in Wisconsin in 2013.

Fire Fighter 43, one of our moderators here, does extremely well in Wisconsin.

Consider hunting city parks, or getting permission at old ball fields, fairgrounds, churches, racetracks, farm fields, picnic groves, or at private residences.

It's out there, you just have to be persistent with your research. :thumbsup01:

Best of luck!

[Boulder]

Hello and Welcome to the forum from John in NJ... :)

[OxShoeDrew]

I think joining a club was a good idea. Club members know the ins and outs.

[skribnodsister]

Welcome :) I'm also from Wisconsin. I've hunted the local parks, I've also looked on the Historical map works and found place to go in bean and corn fields that once were an old racetrack and town hall and etc, and have gotten permission from people to hunt their yards and have done pretty well. So don't be discouraged about state parks there are still plenty of places to go, you just have to do a little research.

[leslie(nova scotia)]

Man we have it easy here in the land of the Canucks. Only things off limits are federal historic sites, provincial parks during the season and the odd school yard. welcome to the hobby!

[Skamaniac]

I am finding that the off season is a good time to do research through museums, libraries, county offices, old maps, etc. The county or city taxing authority knows who owns every piece of property and it is public record.

Oh, and talking to the old guys having coffee every morning at the local eatery. Every town has that place. These are the guys who have been around since Custer was a corporal. They know where all the buildings used to be and are usually more than happy to have someone take an interest in what they know.

[Ronandari]

Welcome aboard Poopdeckpappy. Pretty countryside up your way but a little cold for my blood. I am sure that you will find multiple sites to hunt in short order with a little research.

Cheers

Ron

[Fire Fighter 43]

Welcome to the forum from SE Wisconsin. There is a good TH club in your area so your decision to join would be a great idea. I've done 95% of my hunting in WI for more than 37 years. I mainly hunt private property and have found many nice finds. This does require some work as far as research and obtaining permission but it does pay off. Most municipal public parks are open for detecting. I always check the local ordinances before detecting a municipalities property. Good luck this season and happy hunting.