Summer Series #2: How To Get Permission To Treasure Hunt/Metal Detect On Private Property

This is my 2nd post in a series of summer posts about treasure hunting in the modern era and how to get on those killer sites that your friends and peers which they could get. My first post was all about prepping for treasure hunting in the water with 10 tips and video links. If you want to go back and read about it click here.

Back to permissions...

Lets be realistic, most people in today's think twice about going up to knock on someone's door to ask for permission to dig holes in their yard. I know I did. I used to get sick to my stomach every time I tried. But you know what? I TRIED and yes you are going to get knocked down and told no but thats par for the course and some will say, "It's the right of passage". You have to get thicker skin so I'm going to share some of my secrets and link you to a video I did a while ago that will help you help yourself get better permissions and I guarantee that your treasure will get better and better.

Here are my 5 easy tips and BONUS for getting better permissions (not in any order):

• (1) Print up a flyer that talks about who you are and what you want to do. This breaks the ice with the owner but make sure you have your contact information somewhere in the flyer just in case they say no today but have a change of heart tomorrow. It happens trust me!

• (2) Offer up some of your treasure with the owner. A lot of folks in my circles don't believe in this. They think just because they spend the work digging it up they should get to keep it. I hate to be the bearer of bad news but I don't agree. ITS NOT YOUR PROPERTY. The owner has every right to it. Offer them something and trust me it will pay off in the long run. Some of my best permissions were a direct result of this strategy.

• (3) Take some of your coins and/or relics you found from previous hunts for show and tell. I always have a little fishing box full of rings, coins (make sure you put in a couple silver coins), thimbles (woman love seeing those). If the flyer doesn't work this will and I'm 90% sure of it.

• (4) Print up business cards. You can get them made for about $20 or less now and you get something like 500 to hand out. Its always nice to leave the owner with something they can put in their wallet to show someone else later. They aren't going to remember your name but they will remember your card.

• (5) I know this sounds a little cheesy but print up a small photo album with pictures of your most valuable items you found treasure hunting. This is certainly a conversation piece that will lure the owner into your corner for getting the permission.

• (Bonus) Offer to help the land owner around the house. Help them bring in firewood, cut their grass (this also benefits you) carry in groceries etc. One time I watched a tree fall across this old ladies driveway (she wasn't home at the time) so I went back home got my chainsaw, went back over, and cut it up so she could drive up the driveway. She was so thankful that she gave permission to come and go as I please and the permission turned out to be a civil war site. SCORE! and its all mine.

Good luck and I hope these 5 (and a bonus) tips help you score that next permission. If you like what you reading please follow me here on steemit. If you like my videos please sub my YouTube channel Mental Metal. I'm also on Twitter @mentalmetal314 and we have a Facebook group called Metal Detecting Maryland. Feel free to join group.