Metal Detecting - Where Allowed
New Hampshire: Metal detecting allowed on some public lands but prohibited on many. ARPA (artifacts law) applies on federal land. Check before you dig.
METAL DETECTING LAWS
WHERE IT'S GENERALLY ALLOWED
• Your own property: Always OK
• Private property: With permission
• Some beaches: Check local rules
• Some county/city parks: With permit
• BLM land: With restrictions (no artifacts)
WHERE IT'S PROHIBITED
• National Parks: Strictly prohibited
• National Monuments: Prohibited
• State Historic Sites: Prohibited
• Archaeological Sites: Felony (ARPA)
• National Forests: Varies by forest
• Cemeteries: Always prohibited
ARPA - ARCHAEOLOGICAL RESOURCES PROTECTION ACT
Federal law protecting artifacts:
• Applies to federal and tribal lands
• FELONY to remove artifacts 100+ years old
• Fines up to $100,000
• Imprisonment up to 2 years
• Applies even if accidentally discovered
WHAT YOU CAN KEEP
On allowed lands, modern items like:
• Coins (modern)
• Jewelry (lost, not historic)
• Hardware and debris
• Things clearly not artifacts
CODE OF ETHICS
1. Always get permission
2. Fill all holes completely
3. Remove all trash you find
4. Report significant finds
5. Don't detect where prohibited
6. Respect other detectorists
GETTING PERMISSIONS
• City parks: Contact parks department
• Beaches: Check city/county rules
• Private property: Get written permission
• Schools: Usually need district approval