Are you looking for a site in Mississippi to begin your metal detecting adventure? You’ve come to the right place.
Metal detecting is a hobby in which you go on an expedition and use a metal detector to look for anything from jewelry and coins to historical items. This hobby has been around for a long time. Metal detecting exploded onto the scene as people realized it might make them a lot of money. Metal detectorists are constantly searching for and detecting rare metals such as gold and silver, which they then sell for a profit. A high-end metal detector costs around $1000, and if you know where to look, you may get your money back in as few as three metal detecting trips.
Metal detecting is as good as it gets in Mississippi, which is one of the few areas in the country where it is that good. The weather is perfect for metal detecting, and the scenery is perfect for gold and silver prospecting. Whether you want to go metal detecting on beaches, rivers, streams, creeks, ghost towns, or state parks, Mississippi offers it all. However, you should conduct research and get familiar with The Hospitality State’s local and federal metal detecting regulations.
Metal detecting laws in Mississippi
Despite the fact that metal detecting is considered a recreational activity, we cannot rule out the possibility of unearthing something of historical relevance to the government. As a result, metal detecting laws and regulations vary from one state to the next.
Metal detecting criteria and restrictions have been developed in Mississippi. Metal detecting on government territory is likewise governed by the Archeological Resources Preservation Act (ARPA).
Always remember that state and federal laws do not apply to private property. They’re only good for metal detecting on state or federal land. To metal detect on private property, you just need permission from the landowner or tenant.
The requirements for metal detecting in Mississippi are rather simple. Make sure you’re not metal detecting in any historically significant areas of Mississippi. As a result, it is unlawful to use metal detectors or excavate artifacts on any historical site in Mississippi. As a result, while digging native mounds, burial sites, or earthworks, use caution.
Metal detectors are likewise illegal without authorization on Trust’s land, according to Mississippi law. Furthermore, the State of Mississippi owns all historic and prehistoric sites in the Forest Preserves, and they may not be demolished without permission. Unless you have valid authorization, metal detecting is prohibited in numerous regions.
Don’t dig up anything that appears like an artifact or is more than 100 years old if you’re metal detecting in Mississippi on a state or federal land. If you locate and collect a historical relic, notify officials so they can properly care for it. In Mississippi National Parks, metal detecting is also forbidden unless prior permission has been provided. Metal detecting, on the other hand, is permitted in Mississippi’s public parks as a recreational pastime. It’s possible that you’ll be permitted to metal detect in historically significant areas, but that’s a long shot.
Overall, while metal detecting in Mississippi, it’s critical to understand and respect the restrictions. Breaking these regulations will result in harsh consequences, such as fines or, in the worst-case scenario, jail time. If you’re looking for a new metal detecting site in Mississippi, check with your local, county, and state officials to be sure you satisfy all of the requirements.
Is it legal to metal detect in Mississippi?
Metal detecting is completely legal in Mississippi. On the other hand, legality has its bounds. As previously stated, metal detecting without a valid permit is forbidden on historic sites, state parks, and federal lands in Mississippi. As a result, metal detecting on Mississippi’s public lands may require a permit. Permits can be obtained over the phone or over the internet. Please contact your local park and recreation office to obtain one. It’s inexpensive, with a single unit costing about $10.
If you use common sense and look for jewelry, money, and gold nuggets in public locations throughout Mississippi, you’ll be OK. Check with the local county office before metal detecting in a historically significant region.
Can you metal detect on BLM Land in Mississippi?
Metal detecting on BLM land is subject to the same limitations as it is on all other Mississippi public lands. Metal detecting is permitted on BLM land in Mississippi, but you must be cautious not to harm or expose any artifacts. Remember that, according to ARPA, the government has the authority to take any “archaeological valuables” uncovered on BLM land. Archaeological resources are tangible objects from human life or activities with archaeological importance and are at least 100 years old.
Where can you metal detect in Mississippi?
Despite the fact that many traditional metal-detecting spots have been prohibited in Mississippi, there are still a few great metal-detecting locations.
If you live in Mississippi, one of the first places you should go metal detecting is your hometown. Knowing a region’s history not only saves time, but it also assists in the finding of valuable items. Where you metal detect and the history of the region determine what you find and how valuable it is. On average, metal detecting based on historical research will yield better results than detecting in random sites.
Some of the best places you can go for metal detecting in Mississippi are:
- Abandoned Buildings and Structures
- Abandoned Parks and Old Churches
- Old wagon train routes and Abandoned Mines
- Native American Trails and Ghost Towns
- Natural Disaster Destruction Sites
- Mississippi Beaches, Rivers, Lakes, and Creeks
- School yards
- Civil war sites
Is there any buried treasure in Mississippi?
Mississippi is a beautiful state with a rich history and beautiful surroundings. Mississippi is claimed to be home to a number of Civil War-era buried treasures. To prevent the Union Army from collecting Confederate gold and silver coins, they are claimed to be buried beneath Mississippi’s soil. Some are hiding in the shadows, waiting to be found! Despite the fact that many of these claims have yet to be proven, treasure seekers and metal detectorists are optimistic that they will be discovered soon.
| Treasure | Details |
|---|---|
| Ship Island Wrecks | Ship Island, located off the coast of Gulport, was a popular wrecking ground for ships in the past. Many coins and artifacts have been discovered on the island’s south side. |
| Old Napoleon Church Treasure | During the Civil War, Confederate troops on the run buried $80,000 in gold coins near the ancient Napoleon Church site, which lies about a 100yds from the Pearl River near Waveland, close to St. Louis Bay. |
| Captain Dave Buried Treasure | Captain Dave, a privateer, is said to have hidden $200,000 in treasure in an oak tree forest on an ancient property near Pass Christian. |
| Calico Dick Loot | Calico Dick, the infamous pirate, is said to have hidden a trove of pirate plunder in a swamp 3 miles south of Pearlington. |
Metal detecting on Mississippi Beaches
Mississippi’s coastline is roughly 44 miles long. Because of the popularity of Mississippi’s beaches, they’re a great area to seek misplaced jewelry and money. As a result, you’ll notice a lot of other metal detectorists out late at night on Mississippi beaches looking for treasure.
As of the publication of this article, metal detecting is legal on Mississippi beaches. Mississippi, on the other hand, has the authority to demolish anything older than a century.
Some of the most famous beaches to go for metal detecting in Mississippi are:
- Gulfport Beach, Gulfport
- East Beach, Ocean Springs
- Biloxi Beach, Biloxi
- Front Beach, Ocean Springs
- Harrison County Sand Beach, Gulfport
Metal detecting in Mississippi Rivers and Creeks
Mississippi not only has a lengthy coastline, but it also has several rivers and streams. It’s a great place to do metal detecting because there are so many rivers, creeks, and streams. Make sure you have adequate waterproof metal detectors while detecting in rivers and streams. The following are some of Mississippi’s best metal detecting rivers and streams:
- Bluff Creek, Jackson
- Hatchie River, Alcorn
- Jourdan River, Hancock
- Pascagoula River, George
- Magees Creek, Walthall
Metal detecting in Ghost Towns of Mississippi
Hundreds of ghost towns and abandoned settlements dot the Mississippi landscape. These are the towns where mining used to be done, but people left as the ore ran out. For a number of reasons, people flocked to other cities and towns.
All of the villages and towns in Mississippi’s ghost towns have been abandoned. These Mississippi towns have a lengthy and illustrious history. Metal detecting in Mississippi’s ghost towns may also need municipal approval. After determining whether or not you require a permit and obtaining one, Mississippi’s ghost towns will quickly become one of your favorite metal detecting destinations.
Historical artifacts may be found in these ghost towns. Coins, fine jewelry, and other valuables abound in these Mississippi ghost towns.
Some of the popular ghost towns in Mississippi for metal detecting are:
Metal detecting clubs in Mississippi
Metal detecting in Mississippi is one of my favorite pastimes since it allows me to reconnect with old friends while also creating new ones. I definitely recommend joining a metal detecting group in Mississippi if you want to meet new people and go on a metal detecting trip with them.
Metal detecting has been increasingly popular in recent years, with clubs cropping up all across the United States. Members of the club are involved and supportive of one another. Once a month, these groups meet together to show off their discoveries, plan their next expedition, and discuss how to assess the variety and value of their finds.
Metal detecting groups might be a great way to find out about new treasure-hunting spots. If you’re a newbie, setting up your metal detector for a specific location might be difficult. As a result, joining a metal detecting club is a fantastic way to deal with this problem.
There are a number of wonderful metal detecting organizations in Mississippi. Whether you’re a beginner or a seasoned hunter, metal detecting organizations in Mississippi can help you improve your skills.
Metal detecting clubs are not required to have an internet presence. As a consequence, you may join Facebook groups to network and exchange your skills with other metal detectorists in Mississippi.
Some of the best Metal detecting clubs in MS are:
- Tri-State Coin & Relic Hunter’s Club, Luka
- Southern Historical Research & Recovery Association, McComb
Similarly, some of the most popular Metal Detecting Facebook groups in MS are:
- Central MS Metal Detecting
- MS Metal Detecting and Coin Collecting
- Metal Detecting Finds and For Sale
Final Thoughts
Overall, Mississippi is an excellent choice for your metal detecting needs. Nature, history, weather, and permissive legislation all contribute to the enjoyment of this hobby in Mississippi. Make sure you’re familiar with Mississippi’s metal detecting regulations before attempting it in public. If you’re going to private property, be sure you get permission from the owner first; else, you might face trespassing charges.