Year End Message

 Well, 2020 has been a challenging year for Deep Search to say the least and saying the least might be a good idea. We did get a few meetings in before the Minnie B. Veal center was closed by COVID. Then we all learned how to use Zoom and had our virtual meetings.

We managed to hold our Civil War Relics Hunt in Culpeper VA which was a big first with 125 in attendance. Some of our members also worked with ECRDA on a charity hunt to help out the American Legion hall where they meet.

We are already working on some plans for 2021 to have our normal hunts as soon as conditions allow along with some new ideas that are in the works for more relic hunts both on the scale of Culpeper and some smaller ones. There will also be plenty of competition hunts, parties and other activities as soon as we can safely have them. So far, we have booked the pavilion in Deal to hold our HOLIDAY IN MAY party on the beach, so SAVE THE DATE!!! It will be Sunday May 2nd

We have been going over the results of the survey that everyone got during the summer and want to make the club even better in the future. Thank you all for participating.

As you may know Mitch Speert decided not to run again for 2^nd Vice President and we sadly say goodbye to him as an officer but he will be at the meetings and events. Taking his place will be Dan Jurgens. Please keep Dan informed of any changes for the membership list and send him your 2021 membership dues as soon as possible. Even though we are not having regular meetings, we still have expenses to cover.

So as we head in to 2021, please be safe, fill your holes and get ready for a great year.

Donna Matushak-Funk

save the American Legion

 Folks, The American Legion Post 242 in Pompton Plains is where ECRDA meets. The post has had a hard time as COVID has cut their hall rental income to zero. ECRDA has obtained permissions on several private properties in Pompton Plains and the proceeds from this hunt will go to the American Legion Post so they can stay in business. 

Hunts Are Back!

Dan Jurgens Makes the News!

Our member, Dan Jurgens made the news again! This is what metal detecting is all about - SO PROUD OF HIM!!!
https://www.ourquadcities.com/video/rosary/5550446/

Rosary

Andora Farm SOLD OUT !

The Big Deal

NJ Law on Property Law Liability

Hi, this is Bob writing this and I want to start with a disclaimer. I am not a lawyer and this is not legal advice.

You know sometimes you are asking for permission to search a property and the property owner suddenly gets cold feet and says “What if somebody gets hurt?” Well. It turns out the New Jersey has a law that protects the property owner in just that case, Title 2A- Administration of Civil and Criminal Justice Section 2A:42A states that property owners can not be held liable if someone gets injured on their property if they have given permission to engage in a recreational activity.

First let’s start with 2A:42A-5.1. Liberal construction (https://law.justia.com/codes/new-jersey/2013/title-2a/section-2a-42a-5.1/ ). This section the law is specifically written to persuade property owners ”that might otherwise be reluctant to do so for fear of liability, to permit persons to come onto their property for sport and recreational activities.” So it seems like the lawmakers were looking out for us here.

Next, The law states the property owner has no duty to keep the premises safe or even warn you of dangers! So it falls on us, the detectorist to keep our selves safe. The next paragraph in the law states that the property owner giving the permission does NOT “assume responsibility for or incur liability for any injury to person or property caused by any act of persons to whom the permission is granted.“ In other words, if you get hurt, even if you fall in a hole that you weren’t told about, you can not hold the property owner responsible. (https://law.justia.com/codes/new-jersey/2013/title-2a/section-2a-42a-3/ )

So, if you are asking permission and the property owner is hesitant, tell him NJ State law says the you, the detectorist, are solely responsible for your safety and can not hold the property owner responsible. It may make a difference and lead to your next bucket list find.

Have you ever looked a permission and wondered where to start? This may help.
How did you know to dig here?

February 2020 meeting