LAND USE and the
"One for One" proposal

Let's see, what are our choices: metal detecting or writing a letter? Coin shooting or attending a meeting? Treasure scoping or a phone call? Relic hunting or fighting the feds? You get the picture. Ugly choices, but it doesn't take a rocket scientist to figure out that playing is ALWAYS a lot more fun than meetings, letters, phone calls and bureaucracy. There is a catch here, though, and you know in your heart what that is.

The (relatively) small vocal minority groups (of highly paid archaeologists and radical environmental protectionists) are trying to exclude recreational activities (and for that matter commercial activities) from public land. It's that simple.

The government-employed archaeologists are trying to eliminate the metal detecting hobby completely. This would allow them to keep their lucrative jobs and even though none would ever admit it, to enable some of them to continue to fill their own coffers with artifacts that we aren't allowed to gather. (Have you visited a public museum lately? The collections are virtually non-existent. Where do all those "professionally recovered" artifacts go? Come on, you know!)

All we ask is that you CONSIDER the importance of keeping our public lands open and ASK yourself if you've contributed something to the effort. Heck, we believe even a simple letter to your congress critter explaining how much you enjoy a days detecting out in the great outdoors is better than nothing. Express your opinion and let your love of your hobby be known.

Yes, we've got to continue to have briefings and strategy meetings. Yes, we've got to contact to our elected officials now and then. And yes, we must let folks know what and why we believe in enjoying our public lands. In the meantime, get out and do your favorite thing. Teach your kids to enjoy the great outdoors. Pass on your love of detecting to friends and family. Remember, land use is your right.