How to Get Permission to Metal Detect on Private Land (Without Getting Chased Off by a Farmer With a Shotgun)

So, you’ve got a lead on some prime treasure-hunting territory, maybe it’s an old homestead, a colonial battlefield, or a farm that’s been standing since the 1700s. Your metal detector is charged, your shovel’s ready, and your heart’s racing at the thought of what might be buried beneath your feet.

There’s just one problem.

You don’t own the land.

And if you just go waltzing in like it’s the Wild West, best-case scenario? You get yelled at. Worst case? You meet the business end of a landowner’s “Get Off My Property” policy.

Asking permission to detect on private land can be intimidating. But it doesn’t have to be. If you do it right, you won’t just get access, you’ll build connections that lead to even bigger discoveries down the road.

So let’s break it down: how to ask permission like a pro, what not to do, and how to turn one "yes" into a lifetime of hunting opportunities.

Step 1: Find the Right Land to Detect On

Before you go knocking on doors, you need to know where to look. Not every plot of land is worth your time, and some landowners are more likely to say yes than others.

How to Identify Good Spots:

• Old Maps & Historic Records – Find places that existed before metal detectors were invented. Old homesteads, farms, and trade routes are gold mines.

• Talk to Local Historians – Small-town historical societies love talking history, and they might point you to places others have overlooked.

• Aerial Maps & Google Earth – Look for old roads, building foundations, and structures that aren’t there anymore. If you see a big empty field where an 1800s house once stood, that’s a promising location.

Farmland is a great option. Plows bring buried relics closer to the surface, making it one of the best types of land to detect on.

Step 2: Figure Out Who Owns the Land

Once you’ve found a promising spot, you need to figure out who actually owns it. You can’t just assume it’s up for grabs.

How to Find the Owner and Ensure You’re on the Right Land

Before you ask for permission, you need to be sure you’re talking to the right landowner. Here are a few ways to find them.

• County Tax Records – Many counties have online property databases where you can look up the owner by searching an address or parcel number. If that doesn’t work, visit the local assessor’s office to check records in person.

• Ask the Neighbors – In small towns and rural areas, locals often know who owns what. A polite conversation can lead you to the owner and sometimes give you an idea of how likely they are to say yes.

• Historical Land Records – If you’re researching abandoned properties or old homesteads, historical archives might reveal past owners and possible descendants who still hold the land rights.

Using the onX App for Property Research

The onX app is a great tool for checking property lines, landowner names, and public lands. It makes it easy to know where you’re detecting and who to contact for permission. It’s also useful for finding public lands where metal detecting is allowed without permission.

The app does have a yearly subscription fee, but it’s a valuable resource for serious metal detectorists. It saves time on research and can reveal detecting spots that might otherwise go unnoticed.

Whether you’re using online records, asking around, or relying on onX, knowing who owns the land is the first step in getting permission the right way.

Step 3: Make a Strong First Impression

This is where things can go really well or really badly. You’re about to ask a complete stranger if you can dig up their land. How you approach them makes all the difference.

What Not to Do:

• Don’t just show up with your detector in hand. You’ll look presumptuous at best, suspicious at worst.

• Don’t ramble about buried treasure. It makes you sound like you just crawled out of a conspiracy forum.

• Don’t immediately talk about "splitting the finds." Some people get suspicious when money’s involved.

What to Do:

• Dress casually but neatly. No one’s handing over their land to someone who looks like they just crawled out of a bunker.

• Be polite and friendly. A smile and a handshake go a long way.

• Keep it simple.

What to Say:

"Hi, my name is [Your Name], and I’m really interested in local history. I do a bit of metal detecting as a hobby, and I’ve been researching historic sites in the area. I came across your property and noticed it has some real history to it, would you be open to letting me take a look and see what’s beneath the surface?"

That’s it. No overcomplicated explanations. No pressure. Just a friendly, low-stakes conversation.

Mentioning local history is always a good move. People love knowing their land has a story. If you say you’re interested in “learning more about what happened here,” they’re much more likely to say yes.

Step 4: Address Their Concerns (Before They Even Ask)

Most landowners will have questions, if you can answer them before they ask, you’ll come across as trustworthy and professional.

• "Will you tear up my land?"

  • "No, I only dig small holes, and I always leave everything exactly as I found it."

• "Are you going to sell anything you find?"

  • "Nope. I just love the history. Anything I find, I’d be happy to show you first."

• "What happens if you find something valuable?"

  • "If I find anything significant, I’d love to discuss it with you and even offer to split it if you’re interested."

The more reassuring you are, the easier that "yes" will come.

Step 5: Offer Something in Return

People love a win-win situation. So give them one.

What You Can Offer:

• A report of anything interesting you find. Some landowners get a kick out of learning what’s buried on their property.

• A cleaned-up artifact. Find an old relic? Offer to clean it and return it as a keepsake.

• A copy of your research. If you have old maps or historical data, they might find it just as fascinating as you do.

If you find something really interesting, offer to frame it with a little plaque. People love a good story piece for their home.

Step 6: Get It in Writing (Just in Case)

Most landowners won’t require a formal agreement, but if you’re hunting a high-value site, it’s not a bad idea to get permission in writing.

A simple one-page agreement stating that you have permission to detect and outlining what happens to any finds can save you a ton of headaches later.

Step 7: Be a Good Guest (So You Can Come Back)

Follow these rules, and you’ll never burn a bridge:

• Always fill your holes. Don’t leave the place looking like a battlefield.

• Close every gate, especially if it’s farmland.

• Follow through on any promises. If you told the owner you’d show them your finds, do it.

• Leave no trace. Treat the land with respect, and you might just get invited back.

Final Thoughts: One "Yes" Leads to More

Once one landowner trusts you, it snowballs. They’ll tell their neighbors, you’ll build a reputation, and before long, you’ll have more sites to hunt than you know what to do with.

So go out there, knock on some doors, and make those connections. The past isn’t going to uncover itself. And who knows? That next handshake might just lead to the greatest find of your life.

Now go get that permission, and happy hunting.