Metal detecting Alabama: Finding Treasure in so many ways

MY FIRST TIME

     So, I had my first time out metal detecting, it was not a long time out, because it was going to rain, and it did, so I stayed close to home. I am not sporting a water proof model. Though, it did not make the experience any less sweet. 

     I went out with my step son, he wanted to dig the holes, bad idea from jump, but I tried to let him none the less. The first signal hit was reading fairly good, penny signal, as my step son dug flinging the dirt everywhere. Me telling him, "Son be easy, we have to fill our holes, its good etiquette." Shortly after the penny showed its face, though the rock hard dirt, it was a zinc penny, but I was so excited to know that my detector worked correctly.

     Next, we went to softer dirt in the back yard. I hit a mixed signal it was bouncing around, iron to penny. Being new to coil swinging, I dug, dug it out knowing, being new its the thing to do till I get better. My step sons hands were already hurting from that rock hard Alabama red clay, dried due to no rain.

      So taking the rains I started to dig again, seeing I had ease of pinpointing last time, without a hand held pointer. Up came and iron nail. I was excited, because it was cool I, Me of all people found something. 

But then I remembered, always double check your holes, so I grabbed the shaft of the detector, and swung the coil over the hole. That all to familiar coin sound off of the Garret popped.

     So I poked around a lightly with the tip of the Garden spade I was using. It tapped something. Low and behold my own personal gold. Dark dingy and old, A 1955 D Wheat penny. My excitement was off the chart. I love old coins. No matter the value, I have always loved treasure hunting. I thought to myself, "Why has it taken me so long to get a detector." 

     Not understanding the why? I know I am almost paycheck to paycheck, having to extreme coupon so we can make it. But why not before now, why not 14 years ago with my brother. But smiling, with dirty hand, I took my story piece, that old penny, back inside to clean it up.

     I told my wife, my father in law, I did a YouTube video. No one in my home besides me was as excited. But now that coin rests well in my collection of older coins. I either paid for, or got as change back at a gas station.

     This is by far the greatest hobby I ever decided to take up. Since then, I used a regular 19 dollar pair of Sony headset, a 1/4 to 3.5mm changer, and a 3.5 extension cord. To make my own 32 dollar pair of great cheap headsets for my Garrett.

     I made a video on that as well. The next day, I went out to test them. My first signal was, you guessed it. A wheat penny, but older, 1953 D, the excitement. Never having got this many wheat pennies back to back. I rarely come across them. Again it started to rain, after such a long time, and I headed back in, only getting 10 minutes to test. Though, ready to go running back out. Soon the beach front will be before me, to detect on.

     Now I know your thinking, how is it, living paycheck to paycheck, how did I afford the beach, advanced reservations with my tax return, getting my stay of a week, at half the usual season cost. Sadly I expected the tax money to last longer. But we all know when you try to get ahead, your house breaks something that needs replacing, and its never something cheap and easy. That and making sure my kids had everything they needed, and a few things they wanted.

     I do the best I can with what I have, like most people do. My youngest excels at violin, so some tax money when to get him his own, over borrowing a schools one. To see his smile made it all worth it.

Maybe with metal detecting, ill find those grand plus cost rings and jewelry, and help ease the financial tension. I know one thing, my metal detector, is my favorite thing, wish I had of started soon.

thanks for reading...

If you wish to donate, to keep the stories coming...

you can send PAYPAL donations to 

darthsector@gmail.com and as always thanks again.

Metal Detecting Huntsville AL treasures in forests at interstate

HISTORY OF INTERSTATE

and a good place to look

When the Interstate Highway System was first laid out during the mid-1950s, Interstate 65 was routed on a north-south bee line connectingNashville, Tenn., with Birmingham, Ala. This route passes just to the east of Decatur, which was a major river port on the Tennessee Riverat the time. Huntsville, however, was still a small town about twenty miles (32 km) to the east of I-65.

During the latter 1950s and all through the 1960s, Huntsville underwent massive population growth due to the establishment of the U.S. Army Missile Command at Redstone Arsenal, and the new NASA Marshall Space Flight Center. By 1960, Huntsville had grown to more than twice the size of Decatur. It became clear that an Interstate Highway spur route would be beneficial to connect Huntsville with I-65, and thence to the rest of the country. I-565 was chosen as the Federal Highway Administration's number for this proposed spur expressway. It was decided that rather than terminating at the western edge of Huntsville, I-565 would extend farther eastward, providing an east-west freeway for Huntsville. On the eastern edge of Huntsville, I-565 was designed to feed into U.S. Highway 72, which was being widened to a four-lane highway running from Huntsville to Kimball, Tenn., where it feeds into Interstate 24.

Construction of I-565 began in 1987,

So basically, i knew my suspicions were correct in assuming the untapped potential of wooded areas near and around the interstate system, as well as the rail line.

This is a photo of that system as of 2012, but look at the potential for hidden zones not really looked at. Well worth the time and effort to investigate further my fellow coil swingers.

Today i got my metal detector, my first one ever, since using my brothers old as dirt Bounty hunter pioneer cost 100 at walmart..

I went in my yard. Found a Wheat penny my second hole, first one was a iorn nail and a zinc penny badly corroded. 

You can check that out at my youtube channel Huxlee Hunter, 

And again,

any donations are appreciated, starving artist here lol..

PAYPAL to darthsector@gmail.com ill take clad..lol cause beggers can't be choosers.

Huntsville alabama Metal detecting spots.

SPOTS TO HUNT

       Spots to hunt here in old Huntsville Al, can start to get slim unless you know your history better than most people. Not looking in the same locations as others may. It's no mystery that most of the schools, especially the old ones are near hunted to death. 

Not to mention public fields, where old homesteads used to be. I have read several forums on the near dry grounds. Though, there are still untapped places of relics or treasure, and where humans have been trash as well. 

These are my tips for virgin ground, un-hunted spots. I have found several by eliminating that which was obvious. Most people will think, city or county parks, but no i know those get hunted all to often. Anything Garrett or Mine-lab will surely dry those spots up. Only people who leave anything behind are Bounty Hunter users. 

1. MOST OBVIOUS- private properties with permissions. Most people are not willing to let you do it, or the hunter is not willing to go ask. So if you suck it up, you will get more permissions and more access.

2. Once upon a time I-565 did not run though Huntsville, they did not extend the interstate not up until the late 70's so old wooded areas near the interstate are a good place to look for old homes. These places are still property not belonging to private individuals, but the state, and are not classed as historical sites by any sense of the word. 

3. Most are not willing to do this. But old side walk tear outs, where they are doing construction, I know you may feel goofy walking down the section between the curb and the side walk. But you will not feel so bad once your pulling up Mercury dimes, sliver quarters, silver half dollars, and even Indian head pennies. 

4. If you know that a location looks sweet, but your not all sure about it being public or private. GOOGLE EARTH NEVER FAILS to get and birds eye view of a spot. that plus old maps may just reveal untouched ground with treasure a plenty.

5. The rivers of Alabama, banks are hunted all the time, but if you look to the lesser creeks or streams, where old homes once were you will be pleasantly surprised. If you follow it to unbeaten paths.

6. It takes a little time of research, effort, but finding untouched locations are easy. by picking spots you never though would have anything. 

7. That small random clearing, that looks like nothing but a old water run off, nothing of interest there, OR IS THERE. you will be surprised but what you don't think will produce will produce some of your best finds to date.

8. Rail road tracks, with iron discrimination,  you will be surprised at what you can find around old sections of track.

9. the least thought of location, under the overpass, and over the rainbow in riches, These places were built over old home sites, these empty lots containing nothing, but a few homeless, that will mostly leave you alone. If your fearful of getting robbed or mugged while doing your thing. take some defense with you. that big shovel comes in handy as a deterrent. 

10. easy one, imagination on where the good stuff is. does not have to be gold or silver, relics are great too. and just general fun. 

This is just 10 ways to get get started. For well urban hunting, due to rising buildings, and extended concrete roads. the ground is getting covered fast, and old treasures buried till they tear it up, in god knows how long. but there are places worth looking into, Its always where others say there is nothing, or not worth it, or the place you think has nothing, that normally makes the news when something is found. 

thanks for reading, if interested in donations you can make one via PAYPAL to

darthsector@gmail.com

Alabama Civil War History for Metal Detecting Hobbyist

ALABAMA HUNTSVILLE CIVIL WAR HISTORY

     Huntsville is a city located primarily in Madison County in the central part of the far northern region of the of Alabama. Huntsville is in the county of Madison County.

FIRST SETTLERS

First settlers

The first settlers of the area were Muscogee-speaking people. The Chickasaw traditionally claim to have settled around 1300 after coming east across the Mississippi. A combination of factors, including depopulation due to disease, land disputes between the Choctaw and Cherokee, and pressures from the United States government had largely depopulated the area prior to Revolutionary War veteran John Hunt's arrival and settlement in the land around the Big Spring in 1805. The 1805 Treaty with the Chickasaws and the Cherokee Treaty of Washington of 1806 ceded native claims to the United States Government. The area was subsequently purchased by LeRoy Pope, who named the areaTwickenham after the home village of his distant kinsman Alexander Pope.

The Big Spring, basis of street plan in Twickenham (renamed "Huntsville" in 1812)

Twickenham was carefully planned, with streets laid out on the northeast to southwest direction based on the Big Spring. However, due to anti-British sentiment during this period, the name was changed to "Huntsville" to honor John Hunt, who had been forced to move to other land south of the new city.

Both John Hunt and LeRoy Pope were Freemasons and charter members of Helion Lodge #1.

Emerging industries

Huntsville's quick growth was from wealth generated by the cotton and railroad industries. Many wealthy planters moved into the area from Virginia, Georgia, and the Carolinas. In 1819, Huntsville hosted a constitutional convention in Walker Allen's large cabinetmaking shop. The 44 delegates meeting there wrote a constitution for the new state of Alabama. In accordance with the new state constitution, Huntsville became Alabama's first capital when the state was admitted to the Union. This was a temporary designation for one legislative session only, and the capital was then moved to another temporary location, Cahawba, until the legislature selected Montgomery as the permanent location.

In 1855, the Memphis and Charleston Railroad was constructed through Huntsville, becoming the first railway to link the Atlantic seacoast with the lower Mississippi River.

Good to know, so you know where to look, buy checking out old maps.

Civil War

Bird's eye view of 1871 Huntsville, Alabama

Huntsville initially opposed secession from the Union in 1861, but provided many men for the Confederacy's efforts. The 4th Alabama Infantry Regiment, led by Col. Egbert J. Jones of Huntsville, distinguished itself at the Battle of Manassas/Bull Run, the first major encounter of the American Civil War. The Fourth Alabama Infantry, which contained two Huntsville companies, were the first Alabama troops to fight in the war and were present when Lee surrendered to Grant at Appomattox in April 1865. Eight generals of the war were born in or near Huntsville, evenly split with four on each side.

On the morning of April 11, 1862, Union troops led by General Ormsby M. Mitchel seized Huntsville to sever the Confederacy's rail communications. The Union troops were forced to retreat some months later, but returned to Huntsville in the fall of 1863 and thereafter used the city as a base of operations for the remainder of the war. While many homes and villages in the surrounding countryside were burned in retaliation for the active guerrilla warfare in the area, Huntsville itself was spared because it housed elements of the Union Army.

This is one of the many maps i have looked at, to see if any public property or even private fall in this area, that would make for great detecting spots.

Railroads

Huntsville has two active commercial rail lines. The mainline is run by Norfolk Southern, which runs from Memphis to Chattanooga, Tennessee. The original depot for this rail line, the Huntsville Depot, still exists as a railroad museum, though it no longer offers passenger service.

Another rail line, formerly part of the Louisville and Nashville Railroad (L&N), successor to the Nashville, Chattanooga and St. Louis Railway (NC&StL), is being operated by theHuntsville and Madison County Railroad Authority (HMCRA). The line connects to the Norfolk Southern line downtown and runs 13 miles (21 km) south, passing near Ditto Landingon the Tennessee River, and terminating at Norton Switch, near Hobbs Island. This service, in continuous operation since 1894, presently hauls freight and provides transloadingfacilities at its downtown depot location. Until the mid-1950s, the L&N provided freight and passenger service to Guntersville and points South. The rail cars were loaded onto barges at Hobbs Island. The barge tows were taken upstream through the Guntersville Dam & Locks and discharged at Port Guntersville. Remnants of the track supporting piers still remain in the river just upstream from Hobbs Island. The service ran twice daily. L&N abandoned the line in 1984, at which time it was acquired by the newly created HMCRA, a state agency.

A third line, the Mercury and Chase Railroad, runs 10-mile (16 km) weekend tourist rides on part of another former NC&StL and L&N line from the North Alabama Railroad Museum's Chase Depot, located in the community of Chase, Alabama. The rail line originally connected Huntsville to NC&StL's Nashville-to-Chattanooga mainline in Decherd, Tennessee. The depot was once the smallest union station in the United States when it served the NC&StL and Memphis and Charleston Railroad, the predecessor to the Norfolk Southern.

Another bit of info, for finding good old sites, because a lot of the rails are still the same, and a few abandoned.

Historic districts

• Twickenham Historic District was chosen as the name of the first of three of the city's historic districts. It features homes in the Federal and Greek Revival architectural styles introduced to the city by Virginia-born architect George Steele about 1818, and contains the most dense concentration of antebellum homes in Alabama. The 1819 Weeden House Museum, home of female artist and poet Howard Weeden, is open to the public, as are several others in the district.
• Old Town Historic District contains a variety of styles (Federal, Greek Revival, Queen Anne, and even California cottages), with homes dating from the late 1820s through the early 1900s.

Five Points Historic District, the newest historic district, consists predominantly of bungalows built around the beginning of the 20th century, by which time Huntsville was becoming a mill town.

This is great, because there are a few public locations around you could detect in, that do not get covered by commercial business. 

This is the best info that i could find for you guys that love to hunt, or do it in passing like me, or are new and want to find some cool spots like me again.

If you are interested in making donations to keep this info alive.

you can make a paypal donation to

darthsector@gmail.com   Any amount is appreciated.

Metal Detecting Laws for Alabama

METAL DETECTING LAWS

FOR ALABAMA

     Personally, I can barely find anything in any one place, to lay down all the rules, regulations, and laws, for metal detecting in Alabama, So I am going to take all the information I have found. Post it here, so that you can get it all in one place. That way you do not spend as long as me, looking for everything.

1. ANY AND ALL STATE PARKS IN ALABAMA ARE ILLEGAL TO DETECT IN! Arrested, fines, etc for getting caught. Here is a list of all state parks. 

• Bladon Springs State Park
• Blue Springs State Park
• Buck's Pocket State Park, located in Grove Oak, Alabama
• Cathedral Caverns State Park, located in Grant
• Cheaha State Park
• Chewacla State Park
• Chickasaw State Park
• DeSoto State Park
• Florala State Park
• Frank Jackson State Park
• Gulf State Park
• Joe Wheeler State Park, located near Rogersville
• Lake Guntersville State Park, located outside Guntersville
• Lake Lurleen State Park
• Lakepoint Resort State Park
• Meaher State Park
• Monte Sano State Park, located in Huntsville
• Oak Mountain State Park
• Paul M. Grist State Park
• Rickwood Caverns State Park
• Roland Cooper State Park
• Wind Creek State Park

Parks under other management[edit]

• Historic Blakeley State Park
• Brierfield Ironworks Historical State Park
• Chattahoochee State Park
• Tannehill Ironworks Historical State Park

So there is the List of the state parks that are a NO NO. So do that at your own risk. 

CITY AND COUNTY PARKS

1. They kind of have their own regulations, usually a sign may be posted, or you can as your county about those parks. Most of the time, these are not big, or major parks, but still well traveled, so they are worth looking into. Though, as said rules may vary. 

The Alabama laws follow the laws of ARPA.

Code of Alabama
Title 41 - State Government
Chapter 3 - Aboriginal Mounds, Earthworks and other Antiquities
Section 41-3-1

Reservation of exclusive right and privilege of state to explore, excavate orsurvey aboriginal mounds, earthworks, burial sites, etc.; state ownership of objects found or located therein declared. 

The State of Alabama reserves to itself the exclusive right and privilege ofexploring, excavating or surveying, through its authorized officers, agents or employees, all aboriginal mounds and other antiquities, earthworks, ancient or historical forts and burial sites within the State of Alabama, subject to the rights of the owner of the land upon which such antiquities are situated, for agricultural, domestic or industrial purposes, and the ownership of the state is hereby expressly declared in any and all objects whatsoever which may be found or located therein.

Metal Detecting In Alabama? If You Are Going To Dig, Follow The Law.

Section 41-3-2
Nonresidents not to explore or excavate remains or carry away, etc., from state objects discovered therein, etc.
No person not a resident of the State of Alabama, either by himself personally or through any agent or employee or anyone else acting for such person, shall explore or excavate any of the remains described in Section 41-3-1 or carry or send away from the state any objects which may be discovered therein or which may be taken therefrom or found in the vicinity thereof.

Section 41-3-3
Explorations or excavations of remains not to be done without consent of owner of land and not to injure crops, houses, etc., thereon.

No explorations or excavations shall be made in any of such remains without the consent of the owner of the land first had and obtained and unless such work is done in such way as not to injure any crops, houses or improvements on the land adjacent to or forming a part of such remains.

Section 41-3-4
Explorations or excavations not to destroy, deface, etc., remains; restoration of remains after explorations or excavations.

No explorations or excavations shall be made which will destroy, deface or permanently injure such remains; and, after any such explorations or excavations, they shall be restored to the same or like condition as before such explorations or excavations were made.

Metal Detecting in Alabama, or any treasure hunting can get you arrested.

Section 41-3-5
Disposition of objects taken from remains.
No objects taken from such remains shall be sold or disposed of out of the state, but when removed therefrom the objects so gathered shall be retained in state custody and either placed in the collection of the Department ofArchives and History or in the museums or in the libraries of the educational or other institutions of the state or they may be exchanged for similar or other objects from other states, museums, libraries or individuals.

Section 41-3-6
Exploration or excavation of aboriginal mounds, earthworks, etc., contrary to law.
Any person who shall explore or excavate any of the aboriginal mounds, earthworks or other antiquities of this state contrary to the laws of this state shall be guilty of a misdemeanor and, upon conviction, shall be fined not more than $1,000.00 for each offense.

If it is a historical park in any sense of the word then consider it off limits.


Code of Alabama Title 41 - State Government Chapter 3 - Aboriginal Mounds, Earthworks and other Antiquities Section 41-3-1

Reservation of exclusive right and privilege of state to explore, excavate or survey aboriginal mounds, earthworks, burial sites, etc.; state ownership of objects found or located therein declared.

The State of Alabama reserves to itself the exclusive right and privilege of exploring, excavating or surveying, through its authorized officers, agents or employees, all aboriginal mounds and other antiquities, earthworks, ancient or historical forts and burial sites within the State of Alabama, subject to the rights of the owner of the land upon which such antiquities are situated, for agricultural, domestic or industrial purposes, and the ownership of the state is hereby expressly declared in any and all objects whatsoever which may be found or located therein.

Section 41-3-2 Nonresidents not to explore or excavate remains or carry away, etc., from state objects discovered therein, etc. No person not a resident of the State of Alabama, either by himself personally or through any agent or employee or anyone else acting for such person, shall explore or excavate any of the remains described in Section 41-3-1 or carry or send away from the state any objects which may be discovered therein or which may be taken therefrom or found in the vicinity thereof.

Section 41-3-3 Explorations or excavations of remains not to be done without consent of owner of land and not to injure crops, houses, etc., thereon.

No explorations or excavations shall be made in any of such remains without the consent of the owner of the land first had and obtained and unless such work is done in such way as not to injure any crops, houses or improvements on the land adjacent to or forming a part of such remains.

Section 41-3-4 Explorations or excavations not to destroy, deface, etc., remains; restoration of remains after explorations or excavations.

No explorations or excavations shall be made which will destroy, deface or permanently injure such remains; and, after any such explorations or excavations, they shall be restored to the same or like condition as before such explorations or excavations were made.


Section 41-3-5 Disposition of objects taken from remains. No objects taken from such remains shall be sold or disposed of out of the state, but when removed therefrom the objects so gathered shall be retained in state custody and either placed in the collection of the Department of Archives and History or in the museums or in the libraries of the educational or other institutions of the state or they may be exchanged for similar or other objects from other states, museums, libraries or individuals.

Section 41-3-6 Exploration or excavation of aboriginal mounds, earthworks, etc., contrary to law. Any person who shall explore or excavate any of the aboriginal mounds, earthworks or other antiquities of this state contrary to the laws of this state shall be guilty of a misdemeanor and, upon conviction, shall be fined not more than $1,000.00 for each offense.

Translation - Don't dig up indian mounds or go grave robbing.

Alabama state parks...

(4) It shall be unlawful for any person to use any metal detection device in any State Park for the purpose of finding and removing, from said park, any items that are not his/her personal possessions without permission from the Park Manager.

Many state parks do allow metal detecting on the swimming beach, but ask first. Some parks like De Soto, are not 1friendly to our kind.

I personally know from experience, about De Soto, but i didnt know at the time, i apoligized and left. That was some 12 years ago when i was with my brother. i was using his detector at the time.

MORE LAWS AND RULES

     Update: I found it... It's in their promulgated rules and regs. 

8. ProhibitedDevices(220-5-.08)
(1) It shall be unlawful for any person other than a duly authorized law enforcement
officer to possess or carry into any State Park any form of firearm without written permission of the manager or custodian in charge of the State Park visited; provided, however, nothing in this regulation prohibits the possession of handguns by lawfully licensed persons for personal protection, provided the handguns are not used for any unlawful purpose. No person shall possess, discharge or set off on or within a State park any firecrackers, torpedoes, rockets, cap pistols, or other fireworks.
(2) No person shall operate or use any audio device, including radio, television, musical instruments, or any other noise producing devices, such as electrical generators, and equipment driven by motor engines, in such a manner and at such times so as to disturb other persons.
(3) No person shall operate or use any public address system whether fixed, portable, or vehicle mounted except when such use or operation has been approved by the Park Manager.
(4) It shall be unlawful for any person to use any metal detection device in any State Park without permission from the Park manager.

LAST THAT I COULD FIND BUT MOST IMPORTANT ALABAMA TASK FORCE FOR DETECTING IN ALABAMA.

Success in Alabama!

Posted February 27, 2012

Update: 2/24/12 – Thanks to YOUR help, our fellow Detectorists in Alabama have avictory! Bill HB-54 passed …. YOU sending one email really did make a difference.Now it’s onto the Senate. Please email the Senators in Alabama using the link below. Tell them to pass SB-81. Together, we are making a difference!

Reach all Alabama State Senators with one email. Click on the link below and then paste all of the email addresses into the “To:” field by right clicking your mouse then select “paste” or by using the key board hitting “Ctrl V”. Ask them to please support SB-81.

Email the Alabama State Senators Now!

Microsoft Outlook Users, please use these links instead:

Email the Alabama State Senators Now!

Below is an update from Steve Phillips:

My sons and I have helped introduce a new bill in the Alabama Senate, SB-81 (HB-54 in the House), that will make the current law easier to understand. The public currently has the right to find isolated underwater finds, but some professional archaeologists and their cronies at the Alabama Historical Commission have misled some law enforcement officers into believing that it is illegal to find and keep isolated finds such as an arrowhead, a coke bottle, or a coin. This is not true, but people have been harassed, detained, and their property confiscated on the Tennessee and Alabama Rivers, and in Mobile Bay.

Our bill does three things…..

Deletes (whether or not) from the definition of Cultural Resources.

Adds a definition for an artifact where no definition currently exists.

Adds the already existing state and federal law numbers to the bill, so that it protects Indian burial grounds and any other cemeteries that are underwater.

All historic shipwrecks are currently controlled by the AHC, and we are not trying to change that at all. SB-81 does not increase or decrease any current or future cultural resources that are to be permitted by the Alabama Historical Commission. We just don’t want our law enforcement officers to be used by professional archaeologists to stop divers from legal diving.

Please read SB-81 (HB-54 is identical but not yet available).

An article was in the Birmingham News this week that brought attention to the matter, and some of the professional archaeologists have been emailing and calling the Senators and Representatives asking them to kill our bill. These professional archaeologists and their cronies want exclusive rights to our 77,000 miles of waterways and to everything underwater. They could just as well claim all fish belong to the state, so no one could keep a fish.

Alabama has over 100,000 divers who work and pay taxes. We are permitted and certified. We have our boats permitted, and we support Alabama. Divers should find isolated items and save as much of our lost history as possible, and we need them to not be afraid to tell what they find because they fear harassment. Significant finds will be made in the future and we all want to learn from these finds. Other states have friendly dive laws that encourage divers to search and share what they have found, and we don’t want Alabama divers to feel they must keep their finds secret. These items are rusting and eroding away and need saving. We divers do not want to limit the efforts of the professionals, but we don’t want them to be our masters or regulators. We are the public and the public waters are ours individually as much as theirs. Individual Rights are what our constitution guarantees, not that the mob rules.

Items that are found are often placed in museums such as Tannehill State Park. All reference books identifying relics and artifacts have been written by authors using collectors such as our family, and over twelve reference books have been written using Steve’s collection alone. Professional Archaeologists have written none of these, or any other, Civil War reference books. Hunters, fishermen, arrowhead collectors, fossil hunters, relic hunters, gold prospectors, historians, museums, and amateur archaeologists, as well as divers, have a common interest in using our public lands and waters. Being amateur archaeologists or historians does not mean that we are lesser people, it just means that we are not paid. We don’t want grants or contracts as the professionals try to get for anything they do. Amateurs are good. The best golfer in history was an amateur. His name was Bobby Jones and he golfed for love of the game, not money. We, the public, use our waters for love, not money. SB-81 is supported by the Alabama Tourism Department and the Indian Tribes.

We need your individual support to help us pass this bill. A State Senator told me in email this week:

Steve, another barrage of emails have gone out around the state today to legislators about our bill. I have had four committee members contact me and ask that we not even bring our bill up for a vote in committee because of such strong opposition they are hearing. We really need to get some people contacting their legislators to support this or I am afraid it will be soundly defeated in a committee vote.

Please take a moment and contact ALL Senators and Representatives and ask them to Support SB-81 and HB-54.

HERE IS SB-81

Under existing law, the Alabama Cultural Resources Act prohibits the salvaging of cultural resources from the waters of this state except with a permit. The term "cultural resource" is broadly defined to include underwater items on lands under navigable waters whether or not associated with a shipwreck. A violation of this act is a criminal offense. This bill would amend the definition of cultural resources to specify cultural resources are those found with any shipwreck, would add a definition for artifacts, and would provide that it would be lawful to recover abandoned artifacts which are not cultural resources from submerged lands that are under navigable rivers in this state.

To amend Sections 41-9-291 and 41-9-292 of the Code of Alabama 1975, relating to the Alabama Underwater Cultural Resources Act; to amend the definition of cultural resources; to add a definition for artifacts; and to provide that it would be lawful to recover abandoned artifacts which are not cultural resources from submerged lands that are under navigable rivers in this state. BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF ALABAMA: Section 1. Sections 41-9-291 and 41-9-292 of the Code of Alabama 1975, are amended to read as follows: "§41-9-291. "As used in this division, the following terms shall have the following meanings: "(1) ARTIFACTS. Any man-made object. "(1) (2) COMMISSION. The Alabama Historical Commission, acting as the custodian of cultural resources for the State of Alabama. "(2) (3) CONTRACTOR. Any individual, company, corporation, or private or public institution determined by the commission to be appropriately qualified, that has applied for and received a permit or contract from the commission to begin exploration or excavation activities in state-owned waters. "(3) (4) CULTURAL RESOURCES. All abandoned shipwrecks or remains of those ships and all underwater archaeological treasures, artifacts, treasure troves, or other

cultural articles and materials, whether or not associated with any shipwreck, that are contained in or on submerged lands belonging to the State of Alabama and the sea within the jurisdiction of the state, and that have remained unclaimed for more than 50 years, excluding therefrom sunken logs, cants, and timber resources of any other type not associated as part of a shipping vessel, and are eligible for, or listed in, the National Register of Historic Places or the Alabama Register of Landmarks and Heritage and any items covered in Section 13A-7-23.1. "(4) (5) EXCAVATION. The study and intentional removal from submerged land belonging to the state, by accepted scientific methods, of any objects recognized as cultural resources. "(5) (6) EXPLORATION. The systematic examination by actual survey of an area of submerged land belonging to the state for the purpose of locating and recognizing cultural resources. "(6) (7) SUBMERGED LANDS. Lands under navigable waterways owned or controlled by the State of Alabama. "(7) (8) TREASURE TROVE. Any gold bullion, gold ingots, gold dust, silver bars, and other precious metals or stones. "§41-9-292. "(a) All cultural resources as defined herein are declared to be state cultural resources subject to the exclusive dominion and control of the State of Alabama.

"(b) Cultural resources shall not be taken, damaged, destroyed, salvaged, excavated, or otherwise altered without a prior contract or permit obtained through the commission, which is designated as the official custodian of state cultural resources within the jurisdiction of the State of Alabama; provided, however, that issuance of any contract or permit shall also be subject to the prior written approval of the Commissioner of Conservation and Natural Resources. "(c) It shall be lawful to recover abandoned artifacts that are not cultural resources as defined in this division from submerged lands that are under navigable river  in this state." Section 2. All laws or parts of laws which conflict with this act are repealed. Section 3. This act shall become effective on the first day of the third month following its passage and approval by the Governor, or its otherwise becoming law.

FOR GULF SHORES BEACHES AND ORANGE BEACH..no current prohibition on this.

This is all the information on rules, laws, that i could find, i know its a lot but worth knowing your rights, as a active metal detecting hobbyist. Good hunting 

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Thank you and enjoy!