To answer the question right off, yes, you can fly with a metal detector. I have never had a problem flying domestically or internationally. I have even taken the detector on a Royal Caribbean cruise and used it on the beach oriented excursions. It was a little inconvenient but had its rewards also.

Basically, there are three types of detecting trips that we have taken. The first involves planned vacations to the beach to do some water detecting. we enjoy this since we get to combine it with shelling, gathering sand dollars, and finding those elusive beach agates (Oregon), tumbled beach glass, and sharks teeth. The family gather to do their own thing; swimming, fishing, or sunbathing, if they would prefer. More on the rewards of this type of vacation.

I occasionally take my detector on extended business trips. This second type of trip involves a little planning. I use the Internet to locate dealers in the area that might hook me up with someone willing to take me along for a weekend hunt usually before the beginning of my conference. I then book the hotel a couple of days early and enjoy the opportunity to meet new people in the field and explore new places.

The last of the opportunities is the detecting "tour". These are usually set up by a promotor or group for one express purpose. This is a great way to go if done correctly. I will talk more about these opportunities.

One I leave out here is going to see old buddies and visiting old haunts. That is more like going home to detect and usually involves a little less planning. You let your buddy do all the work and get the permissions.

That brings us to the next topic, permission. On many of these trips you will be in unfamiliar territory so being familiar with local and state laws is critical. Talk to local authorities and be familiar with what you can do. Then be a good visitor and leave things better than you find them. Remember too, hunting in National Parks and historic areas is absolutely forbidden. If you are thinking of sneaking in, please turn your detector into the nearest dealer and forget about this hobby. We don't need you.

 First a word about tours. Research. I have been on three detecting tours in England. England has very specific metal detecting laws that must be adhered to. In addition, bringing things back has rules and regulations. The first trip we booked was through a travel agency in Florida that had run several trips before ours. We were assured that all rules were followed and all laws obeyed. When we got there, all went well except there were a few things that raised the hackles on my neck. One day we were taken to a park to hunt. The organizers ran to get a cup of coffee while we hunted. A few minutes into the hunt we were confronted by the local magistrate and informed that we had no business being there and to leave immediately. HMMM. Another day I was taken to a different park where I was assured we had permission. It was a decent hunt though mostly fairly modern stuff. As the day started to wind down a truck, obviously run by the park service appeared on the other side of the lake. I was told that our time was up and we needed to hurry and leave, avoiding the direction of the truck. I was also invited on a night hunt as long as I could move quickly if spotted by the farmer. I declined.

On another occassion, after specifically telling the organizers that they were NEVER to plant a hunt so that i found good items, they did exactly that. It was pretty obvious and when confronted, they admitted it. Some of the days were on the up and up since we hunted with local clubs with purchased permission from the farmer. That was when I made my better finds.

As the week wound down and we prepared to leave, I asked about logging the finds and reporting them. I had some older items that I felt needed to be reported. I was told that since none of it qualified as treasure (that was correct), there was no need. i brought the finds home and, thank the lord, was not checked.

Since then I have taken two trips with Discovery Tours sponsored by Jimmy Sierra. It was a totally different experience with archaeologists to ID the finds, permission to hunt, and in the end, we left all finds that were more than 400 years old to be identified, cataloged, export papers issued and sent to us about six weeks later along with officially signed export papers.

I have heard of another group in the Colchester area that does the same procedure. If you are going to do this, follow the rules. For those of you thinking you might like to turn me in for the first hunt----too late. I contacted the authorities on a later trip and told them what had happened. They asked for a list of older items which I gave them. They thanked me for being honest and all is well. By the way, they also said there was an arrest warrant out for the leader of the first hunt and that he had skipped the country.

There are other tours also. You can locate guides to take you nugget hunting on public and private land in Arizona. There are also two large placer areas in Alaska that allow you to stay in their cabins, feed you and let you detect the bulldozed area for a weekly fee. It isn't cheap but there have been some nice finds.

This is the cheapest and most relaxing. I love to wander the beach, hoping to find something but not really caring that much. The first beach hunt we too was to Atlantic Beach, NC. I think I found $1.38. At Clearwater Beach, about the same, $2.05. Did better at Myrtle Beach finding something over $4 and two silver rings. Vero Beach gave us three silver rings and just over $6. As you can see, you don't get rich (no gold in a while), but it is just a nice relaxing hobby. That ring pictured at the beginning of the article is silver and CZ. Got your adrenaline going though, didn't it?

I considered taking the detector to Germany on our last trip but my research showed that a permit was required. i was told that it probably wouldn't matter as most don't have them but I opted not to chance it. England taught me that lesson. I did take it on a cruise one time. Again pickings were slim, about a dollar in two stops, but the 1765 silver pirates coin made up for it!

 I have many travelling friends that take their detectors wherever they go. Many small towns allow detecting in the parks and around schools and such. You must be sure to check with the authorities, however. I travel less and prefer to find someone in the area willing to take me out. It's more fun to be able to show your finds off. I have been entertained by a club in Rochester, NY who took me to a school and some parks. I found lots of change including one silver dime, several wheat back pennies and one Indian Head cent. in addition, I found a nice old, bronze crucifix.

Another time I was picked up by the president of the club in Boston MA. He took me out and though there weren't a lot of finds, An old green glass and bronze broach and a 1900 half dollar were pretty special.

So, if interested have some fun. Follow the rules. Don't plan on getting rich. Then you will enjoy metal detecting.