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The American Metal
Detecting Association, otherwise known as AMDA, has now passed its
six-month mark of existence and if the turnout for our recent three hunts
is any indication of our success, we are delighted. We were pleased
to see, as we move forward with the new organization, that gold
prospectors using gold machines can compete successfully with coin and
relic hunters in competition hunts as in other types of terrain.
Also, that the hobby of metal detecting should involve around every owner
using a detector. Land issues that restrict the use of detectors do
no necessarily affect one type of detectorists over another. One aim
of AMDA was to ensure that the organization address the needs of all
detectorists, and we believe we saw that beginning just these past two
weekends.
Placerville
Hunt Review
AMDA put on its first back-to-back hunts for the year 2002 recently.
The first hunt "Go for the Gold" was held April 7, 2002, at
Placerville's El Dorado Country Fairgrounds in connection with the Gold
Prospectors Association of America Gold Show. It was our first hunt
under the AMDA banner for 64 hunters who paid to compete under a covered
horse arena. The target count per hunter was very high plus having a
lot of great token prizes planed for gold coins, silver rounds, silver
dollars, and gold nuggets. Here are the detectorists on the top of the token list
and their prizes:
 First: Jim Miller of Oakland,
California
Prize: $500 Treasure Cash Box
 Second: Bud Seney
of Fairfield, California
Prize: White's 5900 DI-Pro Metal Detector
 Third: George
Miskovsky of Placerville, California
Prize: US $5 Gold Coin
There was also a 50/50 cash raffle won by Steve
Keppel, of Woodland, CA for $146.50.
AMDA's Hunt Master, John Roggero sends a special thank you
to all who helped with the hunt field set-up and planting of coins.
A special thank you to Ace Smithart and Bruce Hampton of the "Gold
Mine" detector shop located in Sacramento, CA for their support of
great prizes at reduced rates and donations of nice gold
nuggets.
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AMDA's
1st Convention Rendezvous and Treasure Weekend
 Three days after the Placerville Show ended, AMDA's staff
drove 600 miles to Laughlin, Nevada to meet with the staff of the River
Palms Hotel and secure rooms for AMDA's 1st Convention Rendezvous and
Treasure Weekend to be held November 1-3, 2002. Final touches are
being made to the flyer and will be released soon. Convention
Coordinator is Bernard Grabowski and you may contact him or any of the
AMDA board members at the e-mail or phone numbers listed on the contact
page on this website. This
large event is our second event in Laughlin under the leadership of this
board and even though, we may not have 432 hunters as we did in 1999, we
do expect a large number of participators. Great news is that the
hunt field operated by Clark County Parks and Recreation Dept ahs been
much improved for parking cars and planting coins. We hope to have
some unusual displays, new vendors, and the usually great support by local
dealers associated with the various manufacturers. Therefore,
consider a Fall vacation at our first big event that will include 3 hunts
in Laughlin, Nevada, November 1-3, 2002.
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Primm
Valley Hunt Review
 On Thursday, April 11, the AMDA staff drove to Primm, on
the edge of the California/Nevada border for another GPAA Gold Show held
at Buffalo Bill's Hotel, April 13 and 14, 2002. AMDA's Huntmaster
and his experienced staff of planters prepared the hunt field behind the
Primmadonna Hotel for Two AMDA hunts. Two years ago, a Western
Chapter FDMAC hunt was held at this site, which was a nightmare in getting
permission to plant coins an inch or two deep. We were informed that
if any hunter touched or picked up a desert tortoise (being the Mohave
Desert Preserve/wilderness area), it would be a very large fine.
Also we were warned that if it should rain, the fairy shrimp could come
out of the ground and we might step on them. Well, my how times have
changed in just 2 years!! The hunt field was dug up and used the previous
weekend by racing sand-dune buggies!! I guess so much for worrying
about endangered species that live on the desert but if you are a detectorist,
you are not exempt form the restrictions without permission!
 The
hunt on Saturday had 59 hunters and the silver hunt on Sunday had
87. The target count for both hunts again was very high. We
also had 3 extra metal detectors donated by our friends at Fisher and
Tesoro, in addition to the 5,200 silver coins planted. To raise the
hopes of those who competed, we added 1,000 casino dollar tokens that
caused some additional excitement. Tom Lutrel of Concord, CA won the
top prize of a Fisher metal detector in Saturday's hunt. In Sunday's
hunt, the $1,000 treasure chest was won by Jim Kelly of Concord, CA.
The second place prize for a Tesoro metal detector was won by Tom
Swierczek of Helendale, CA. The third place prize -- a US $5 gold
coin was won by Rick Costello of Roseville, CA. Winner of $88.50 in
the 50/50 cash raffle was Bill Northington of Redondo Beach,
CA.
With increased attendance at the gold show,
successful hunters on the field, and terrific support in planting the
coins by members of the Colorado River Treasure Seekers Club, we believe a
good time was had by all! Without local club effort, these types of
hunts could not be held. Several suggestions we made to hold future
hunts in Redding, Santa Rosa, Ogden, Utah, and the Reno area. If
your club is willing to help in seeding the field with coins, just give
our Huntmaster, John Roggero a call. We took a tally of the GPAA
members who detected on Sunday alone and there were 35 hands that went
up. That is great news to have them join us in the hunt. As an
added feature, the Outdoor Channel videoed some of the events and
beautiful digital camera photos of the two-day event were taken by Bob
Westlund, of the Mr. Diablo club. Therefore, a Special Thanks to all
who participated!!! Hope to see many of you again in future hunts. Back
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Thoughts
by Bernard
Every now and then something happens that renews your faith in
our political system. The county government in Coos Bay, Oregon is suing
the Federal Government over the adverse actions which occurred after their
county was ravaged. No, they're not suing because the Forest Service
decided to have a "controlled burn" that go tout of hand.
They're suing the Federal Government because the Endangered Species Act
has ruined their life. Good Laws/Bad Laws:
Let me draw upon my background to make a point. Those that know me
personally know that I am retired military. The military had a great
saying about its enlisted personnel that went "Enlisted personnel are
sly and cunning and bear considerable watching." Well, this
same saying could apply to our elected officials. Campaign reform
was passed and the little people go screwed in my opinion. The
saving grace out of this fiasco is that portions, if not all of this law,
will be found unconstitutional. The problem is it will take a year
or two before it is struck down. Several Bills were
introduce into the House of Representatives that bear watching.
Don't let this first name fool you, H.R. 3808, Consistent Public Land Laws
Enforcement Act of 2002. Sounds good. It has a good idea --
consistent treatment for violators. However, here's the rub.
This resolution if voted into law would: Create two classes of fines for
those found guilty of inappropriate behavior on public lands. Class
B Misdemeanor: (1.) Any individual found guilty of violating regulations
governing the use of public lands will be subject to a fine not to exceed
$5,000.00 and/or imprisonment of up to six months. (2.) Any
group found guilty of violating regulations governing the use of public
lands will be subject to a find not to exceed $1,000.00 and/or
imprisonment up to six months. Class A Misdemeanor: (1.)
Any individual found guilty of "willfully and knowingly"
violating regulations governing the use of public lands will be subject o
a fine not to exceed $1,000.00 and/or imprisonment of up to one
year. (2.) Any group found guilty of "willingly and
knowingly" violating regulations governing the use of public lands
will be subject to a fine not to exceed $200,000.00 and/or imprisonment of
up to one year. Defendants charged with a Class
A misdemeanor must receive jury trial. This all sounds
great and would be great if it would apply only to the environmental
wackos. Guess what boys and girls, this is a law you could be
charged with in the future, if passed. Lets be practical - you have
wet "behind-the-ears" junior g-men and women running around
enforcing laws on public lands. Do you really want them to have this
tool to use against you? We, the public lands users need to ban
together and get this resolution either defeated or rewritten in such a
manner as to guarantee our rights. The next resolution
is one I think very Westerner can support -- its called "The Good
Neighbor Act." In a nutshell it would establish new rules on
when and how the U.S. Government may purchase land. In some cases
the U.S. Government will need the approval of the Governor of the state
and other local officials before they could buy land. FMDAC:
According to the information form their web page, the FMDAC Board vetoed the
idea of a paid executive director. Smart move!!! They are also gong to
work on identifying who their members are. This should have been
done long ago. If you follow FMDAC you may have noticed that they
seem more responsive to their membership. The Quest magazine now
carries articles on property right issues. They seem to have become
more energized since September 2001. Gee, I wonder if the forming of
AMDA had anything to do with their sudden interest in these items?
However, we have received a report form a reliable source that John
Underwood, FMDAC webmaster has been contacting the metal detector
manufactures about licensing treasure hunters and metal detectorists. In
the opinion of the AMDA Board of Directors, this would be a foolish
mistake as even in England, the National Council of Metal Detectorists do
not support the idea of permits. Those of us who detect in England
believe that current system being followed is a the better method.
Here in the United States, we should ensure that when a detectorist digs
up any artifact or coin that looks unusual, old, possibly of historic
value be encouraged to report the find to the nearest school of
archaeology or historical society for identification, evaluation recording
(if considered a significant find) by professional archaeologists.
If the item found does not meet criteria of being a significant historical
find, then the item should be returned to the finder. Simple as
That! The news form the "front lines" as I call
them have been thick and heavy recently, but I believe we are seeing some positive
results of the effort of local town folks who believe that public lands
should be open for all types of recreation, whether a hiker, bicyclist, an
equestrian, a prospector, or a collector using a metal detector.
Yes, we need to ensure that your holes are covered and that litter we find
with a detector is removed and placed in a trash basket, but as citizens
of this country, we have rights that we cherish and will defend. Back
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Archaeologists
Want Help
One of our AMDA members posted a notice on a well-known
web page recently you may be interested in. The notice was found
printed in the current issue of Passport in Time (PIT) put out by the US
Forest Service, which the USFS lists archaeology projects being planned
for the Summer of 2002. But behold - a few of the projects want
metal detectorists as part of their search teams. If you are interested,
let them know of the valuable service you could provide. Each time
we provide services to the archaeological community, it is one more event
we can use to counter balance some of the distrust and arrogance we often
hear form that sector. If you are interested, write:
Jill A. Osborn,
National Coordinator, PIT, USDA Forest Service
1249 S. Vinnel Way
Boise,
ID 83709
I was once told that metal detectorists should make
friends with younger students of archaeology as they would be more willing
to listen to our points of view. As long as we are called
"looters", progress won't be made in our country where artifacts
of metal content are generally no older than a few hundred years
old. Those who choose to not abide by the laws can be dealt with by
our court system.
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Incident
in Hawaii
Another AMDA member living in Hawaii recently informed me
that the State has closed down Hanauma Bay to using sand scoops in the
water - only hand fanning allowed, because a tourist with a metal detector
left large holes in the surf. This member and other local
detectorists were going to contact park officials to see if they
could overturn the ruling.
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Incident
At Folsom Lake
Another AMDA member recently had a serious and lengthy
discussion with a park ranger in Folsom, CA while detecting. Some of
our local club members detect there frequently and haven't been stopped,
however, recent measures are being taken to restrict metal detecting
because some one was selling Chinese coins on the internet, therefore, rangers
are on the lookout for metal detectorists. The ranger stated that it
was becoming serious business to see old coins and artifacts being sold are
traded on-line. The ranger said that the Folsom Lake area was a historical
site, but our member said that the whole of the US can be classified as
historical. AMDA is aware that Mormon Island is closed but not aware
of any other areas. We will be on alert and take steps to meet with
rangers, if any more incidents are reported to us. Meanwhile,
I sent an e-mail to Ron Stockman and MLRC for his comments on the
incident. He replied by saying: "I don't have
details on the advertising of coins on the internet so my suggestions can
only be sketchy. Advertising of coins, unless they are stolen is
perfectly legal. Coins in most cases are not considered to be of
significant archaeological value. The question would be, were these
coins removed from an established archaeological site? If not I
would not support detectorists acting as though they are criminals.
Coins being sold to members of the private sector by other members merely
means these will be preserved for generations to come. We must
remember there are commercial coins ships that sell coins and no one
condemns them." In a follow-up message, Ron Stockman
wrote: "The problem of whether to advertise finds for sale or information is a sticky one. I suggest AMDA needs to address the scenario and probably should do so in the newsletter. We need to raise the pros & cons
of the situation and get some input from our members. I really don't think AMDA should back away because while the idea may raise the ire of some folks it still is as much of a right as the right of coin, stamp, and antique dealers to buy and sell." "As to Folsom, I can hardly visualize the dam as being a significant historical area. Most of the sector is under water and the beach areas have been severely altered. Also, I am not aware of any significant historical event that
took place there. It is always important for AMDA to bear in mind the word "significant". It is the craft 'of archaeological & historical preservation laws." Now that this subject has been brought up, I would appreciate your opinions
on the subject. It raises issues that perhaps have not been addressed before but certainly could be fodder for those who still believe we are "looters" and "stealing from our children's heritage". Thanks. Back
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 Areas Posted
as Off-Limits to Metal Detecting
Christmas Tree Pass, near Laughlin, NV and Bear Lake, near
Sacramento, CA have been posted as off-limits.
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Other News
From Mother Lode Research Center
As a result of a miner's recent meeting with members of the US Forest Service, a topic of interest that we thought should be addressed by MLRC
differentiates between Small-Scale miners versus Recreational Miner. Thus, the following clarification was received 12/21/01: "For years MLRC has tried to drive home the point there is no such critter as a "recreational miner". The two words contradict each other. Once a person files a mining
location that person becomes a commercial miner. A person who hunts for gold for
fun is a recreational gold hunter but can also be a prospector which is a commercial term. All citizens are entitled to prospect for gold even if to begin when they hunt gold for
fun. UPI is properly named insofar as holding mining claims but it must be careful to state it is not solely a recreational group nor does it hold its claims for recreational purposes. There is no law which prevents the holder of a claim from allowing others to work that claim, no matter how many. There is also no such thing as a recreational or commercial tool. Gold dredges can be both since gold is extracted for either purpose. Plans of Operations (PO) are regulations drawn up under the Code of Federal Regulations, Title 36, Section 228 et.seq. The posting of a bond can be required if it is demonstrated that significant disturbance is going to occur. The right to occupy a claim is granted under existing law unless it can be demonstrated that the claim owner can commute to the location and his equipment can be reasonably protected during his absence, or, the USFS is willing to post a bond for the equipment in case of loss. The occupancy of a claim pertains more to erecting a structure and that is supposed to be the review standard. The 30-day occupancy law was established in national forests for recreational users, not commercial. Remember, under the Multiple Surface Use Act (1955) the USFS can control the surface of a mining claim so long as they did not materially interfere with the mineral operations. Restricting the miner down to 30 days could be considered a material interference." Due to probable environmental concerns, those that prospect and/or mine for gold, especially in California, please take notice! Suction dredgers are particularly affected. The California Department of Fish and Game now requires certain information to purchase a dredge permit such as the type of equipment (i.e., model, horsepower, power source, and other relevant information.) nozzle size, project size (i.e., the size of the area intended to be dredged.) In addition, if any person operates any equipment other than that authorized by the permit or conducts such operation in any water or area, or at any time, which not authorized by the permit, or if any person conducts such operation without securing such a permit, such person shall be guilty of a misdemeanor. The cost is $183.75. The concern that MLRC has is that the regulations governing special permits may have been extended to general use permits, all without a proper public hearing. If there is a change in policy and AMDA's board becomes aware of it, ' will pass on the information when it becomes known. Back
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Governmental
Agencies And Their Doings For The Greenies
If you want to keep up with the activities of the US Forest Service, BLM, Fish and Wildlife, as well as other
governmental agencies that direct or indirectly affect users of public lands, tune into Dr. Bill Wattenburg on KGO radio 810AM San Francisco, Saturday and Sunday Evenings 10 PM to I AM. Dr Bill also has a web site where more info can be read -
www.pushback.com. I listen as often as I can, and am doing so as I write this newsletter. Dr. Bill encourages everyone to send letters to Washington DC when our forests are allowed to burn, salmon are clubbed to death because they are not natural, farmers are allowed to lose their farms because their water has been turned off to save the Coho salmon and sucker fish. I learn something new each week and you will too. Back
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Metal Detecting
In State Parks
Metal Detecting in State Parks Since the units of the Department are extremely varied, authority has been delegated to regulate activity related to metal detectors to the State's District Superintendents. Therefore, you will need to contact personnel in the park in which you wish to perform metal detecting and follow their instructions as to where and how you may metal detect. California State Parks are covered under the California Code of Regulations, Title XIV, Division 3, Section I that contains four sections applicable to the use of metal detectors in State Parks. These regulations
define, plant life as including; leaf mold, grass, turf and humus; and geological features include earth, sand, gravel, and rocks.
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Section 4305 prohibits the disturbance of any animal
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Section 4306 prohibits the disturbance of any plant
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Section 4307 prohibits the disturbance of any
geological feature
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Section 4308 prohibits the disturbance of any
archaeological feature
The act of passing a metal detector over the ground in a State Park is not against the law. The prying up or digging out of an object however may be, as this may not be done if it disturbs the animals, plants, geological or archaeological features. Section 4309 gives the Department the authority to grant permits to disturb resources if it is in the best interest of the Department to do so. The recovery of lost items or property is subject to the conditions of Civil Code Section 2080.1 through Section 2080.6. All items with a value of $100.00 or more must be turned in to State Park officials. If no one claims the item with 90 days, it may then be transferred to the finder. This information was taken from California's home page on the
internet. Suggest that you research your state laws, if living outside of California. Back
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A Late Tax Notice
contributed
As Income Tax time just recently
passed... Did you ever notice: When you put the 2 words "The" and
"IRS together, it spells: "THEIRS". Do you know why they call it the 1040
form??? Because for every $50.00 you earn, they want $40.00 and let you
keep $10.00!!! Oh So True!!! Author Unknown Back
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Your Tax
Dollars at Work
contributed
Once upon a time the government had a vast scrap yard in the middle of a desert. Congress said someone may steal from it at night; so they created a night watchman, GS-4 position and hired a person for the job. Then congress said,
"How does the watchman do his job without instruction? "
So they created a planning position and hired two (2) people, one person to write the instructions, GS-12 and one person to do time studies, GS-11. Then Congress said, "How will we know the night watchman is doing the tasks correctly?" So they created a
Q.C. position and hired two (2) people, one GS-9 to do the studies and one GS-11 to write the reports. Then Congress said, "How are these people going to get
paid?" So they created the following positions, a time-keeper, GS-09, and a payroll officer, GS-11, and hired two (2) people. Then Congress said, "Who will be accountable for all of these people?"
So they created an administrative position and hired three (3) people, an Admin. Officer GM-13, Assistant Admin. Officer GS-12, and a Legal Secretary GS-08. Then Congress said, "We have had this command in operation for one year and we are $18,000 over budget, we must cutback overall
cost." So they laid off the night watchman! Author
Unknown Back to Top
Tid-Bits
Beware of the new Euro coins! According to my grandson who just returned as a German exchange student last month, he showed me that the centers of some of the coins flip out. Also there is a Malaysian coin worth in value a few small cents that is being mistaken for a similar-looking Euro coin of higher value. If you have them, hold on to them, especially if they have to be re-tooled.
One reason for the delay in sending out this Newsletter is the fact that I was working in Hawaii and Guam for three weeks last month.
While there, I was given a greeting card which described money used by the ancient Chamorro culture-- a tortoise-shell money, red spondylus shell money, and a special shell money called
guinahan famagu'on (prized and worn by men on special occasions). They called their shell money
alas. Money in ancient Chamorro times was used for ceremonial reciprocal gifts - these gifts of money are still called
chenchule.
 If you go to the web site http://www.snih.com.au/articles/2002/04/05/1017206257740.html, you may still
see the bronze age gold chalice cup recently found by a metal detectorist in England near Kent. The cup has been valued at $600,000 and may go higher.
What a thrill that must have been to dig that from the dirt!
Hopefully I will have another chance to hunt the English countryside this year as I leave for England with Discovery Tours, August
24th, returning September 1st. If you have access to some of the English websites, you will find exciting reading. Some of the news articles sent to me from England do not always favor our hobby, therefore, it is imperative that we all follow the rules and report our finds while there. Some archaeologists believe that metal detecting should be stopped outright and the machines no longer be sold. Hopefully, saner minds will prevail. Leaving 2,000 to 3,000 year old artifacts in the ground for plows to damage is not preserving their history as I see it!
Until next issue, AMDA will be working on plans for our Laughlin convention and a proposed meeting with members of other organizations having an interest in joining forces to strengthen "access" for our hobby in areas now being affected by extreme environmental policies. We will keep you posted and if you have any comments or questions in regards to the hobby, please contact a member of the AMDA Board.
Thanks for your support and participation - we all need
the exercise that metal detecting brings.
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Copyright
© 2002 All Rights Reserved
American Metal Detecting Association
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