coinshooting

How To Gain Permission To Hunt Private Property

A very informative piece. A reprint from issue # 1

Ever wonder why so many detectorists are too shy to ask permission to hunt private property and take a chance on passing up some great finds. Private property is virtually the last untouched hunt sites remaining and the last source of old gold or silver coins. Are we not proud of our hobby or too ashamed and embarrassed to be TH’ers? Could this be what prevents us from knocking on doors? Isn’t it time we gained some positive feelings about our hobby. Are we any different than anyone else who enjoys a hobby and shouldn’t we be able to pursue it with enthusiasm and an element of pride?

One way to accomplish this is by the bold approach and working towards gaining permission to hunt the site we have drooled over for so long. You know the ones - the sites we have been putting off tackling. And we all know why we put it off - fear of rejection, being cut down to size with a firm no. But certainly we can muster up a modicum of nerve and shatter this barrier. In the next few paragraphs I will attempt to help you with this sticky situation and I don’t profess to be the answer man but can share with you some tricks that I have learned and that have helped me down through the years. Perhaps I can inject a dose of pride into you to stand up and be proud of your hobby. I know you enjoy it or you wouldn’t be in it or reading this.

First ( and this isn’t easy for shy folks ), if you have been fawning over a certain site and you haven’t yet drummed up enough courage to ask permission to hunt it, then stop drooling and do it. If you don’t it will be eating on you for years then someday you’ll hear of some other detectorist who wasn’t bashful and walked into this place and made a killing. Think about it, ""Why am I so afraid to ask permission and why am I constantly putting it off?" It will dawn on you that it’s the old fear of rejection back to haunt you. My reply to that is, " So what?" All that can happen is the owner will say no. It’s not life-threatening and he or she isn’t going to eat you. Just go on to your next favorite site and ask there. Look at it as gambling, where sometimes you win, sometimes you lose, or think of yourself as a door-to-door salesman. They don’t make a sale every time. In reality, very few people will turn you down if you approach them correctly and none of them resemble ogres. Most are basically very nice folks.

There are several ways to work this out and approach the owner, in person, by telephone, or by mail. Before attempting any of these ( don’t just waltz in cold ) prepare for your encounter by writing down on paper just exactly what you wish to say. What this boils down to is a selling job and you and the hobby are the product. In most instances the person you confront will know little or nothing about you or the hobby so have your spiel well prepared. The points you will need to present are:

(1) Exactly who you are, where you live, where you work, who you know, etc.

(2) That you are a dependable, reputable, honest, responsible, upstanding person.

(3) Explain carefully how long you have admired this property ( a little ego stroking doesn’t hurt to a prideful homeowner ) and why you want to hunt it.

(4) A brief explanation of what your hobby is all about and how long you have been at it and how experienced you are.

(5) Specify that you will hunt alone and you won’t be dragging along a herd of TH’ers with you. And that you will display the utmost respect for the owner’s property and leave it exactly as you found it. Don’t arrive at the door packing a belt full of big, ugly, digging tools or you won’t get past number one. Show the owner, what I hope will be a screwdriver or probe and explain how you will recover finds. Demonstrate if necessary.

(6) Most property owners won’t ask, but if they want a cut of the take, abide by it or thank them and walk away.

(7) No matter what the answer may be, let them know you understand their reluctance and appreciate their consideration of your request and always thank them graciously in either case. Courtesy buys a lot.

These seem to be simple statements and explanations but ones you need to mull over in your mind, for to merely walk up and start cold will often get you in trouble by confusing and scaring off the owner. Remember, you are a total stranger knocking on the door asking to dig up this person’s property. So write down what you wish to say ahead of time and memorize it. You must convince this owner to say yes and leave him little option to say no. If you are a real gabber then this should be a piece of cake.

Being a writer gives me an edge as I have a knack with letters and I find writing a letter to the owner makes it much easier for me and relieves me of having to think on the spot in a personal confrontation and allows me to cover each aforementioned area in a detailed manner. Course if you aren’t adept at composing letters, get out the books and brush up on how to do it, or have someone you know who is handy at writing whip one out for you. Letter writing is also less threatening to the property owner and gives him or her plenty of time to consider your request. Knocking on a door cold may just kill your chances as many people are finicky about who knocks on their door and you never know if you are interrupting something or what kind of mood they may be in. We have all had lousy days and confronting a property owner on one of those days does not generally offer much hope. Writing erases the pressure and gives the property owner time to think about your request at their convenience and to address it when they feel like it. I have included in this article an example of just such a letter for your edification so that you may study it, use as is, or revise and build on it to your particular need and situation.

When approaching a property owner with such an " out of the blue " request, put yourself in their shoes and think about how you would react should some total stranger knock on your door unannounced and ask to dig coins out of your beautifully manicured lawn, especially if the hobby was totally alien to you. By placing yourself on the other side you gain a better idea of just what to expect in this confrontation. Each owner, or site, may require different approaches and you are on your own to decide which one. It isn’t an easy task but accomplishable. Whatever and however you decide, do it with a positive attitude. You will only have one shot to make that winning impression. And remember, you are not only selling yourself but also the hobby. How you conduct yourself will reflect on all hobbyists.

SAMPLE LETTER

Mr. John Doe
804 Apex Street
Anywhere, California 95030

Dear Mr. Doe,

This may sound like a strange request so let me introduce myself. My name is Harry Smith and I have lived here in Anywhere for 20 years. I’m 35 years old and work as a truck driver at Zenith Industries, am married, with three children and own my own home.

My hobby is metal detecting ( looking for coins ) and I engage in it at every opportunity and am always looking for new and different places to detect. Recently I was informed that your home is built on the former site of an old city park and I’m hoping that you might consider allowing me to try my luck there sometime in the near future.

I have been engaged in this hobby for 10 years and find it a healthful, enjoyable, pastime that allows me to meet a lot of interesting people. The thrill of finding old and interesting items such as coins, jewelry, buttons, knives, etc., never ceases to be a joy. I always respect the property that I am allowed to search and leave it in the same condition that I found it. I do no noticeable digging. A screwdriver is my only tool ( used to pry objects to the surface ) . On occasion I may be required to use my hunting knife to cut a slit in the ground or to cut a small plug, which will leave no noticeable damage to your property. I assume all responsibility and liability for any accident that may occur while on your property. I also agree to abide by any restrictions or stipulations that you may make in regards to accessibility to the area in question and I promise never to bring anyone with me.

I’m sure you feel this to be a rather unusual request, considering that you do not know me personally. If you desire, I can supply you with references, both personal and business in nature. I would naturally prefer meeting you in person, but feel that a letter before hand is a much better vehicle to convey my request rather than just knocking on your door and invading your privacy. Enclosed please find an self addressed stamped envelope so that you may reply in the same manner should it be more convenient for you. If I do not hear from you in a week or two I will stop by your residence and introduce myself.. Another plus, should you allow me to detect your property, is if you have lost anything of value in the past on your property, I will be more than happy to try to locate it for you.

I will respectfully understand if you wish to refuse this request. Whatever you decide please understand that I appreciate your time and trouble. Thank you so much.

Sincerely,

Harry Smith

Tel. 714-870-345