The great state of Texas has a rich history with ranching, industry, and all sorts of other things that have made it the perfect place to search for a piece of the past. The soils are mineral-rich and teeming with things that time has left behind for you to discover. It may just be a perfect place to take your next metal detecting trip.
We’ve taken the time to give you an ultimate guide to metal detecting in Texas so you can prepare yourself and hopefully find something GOOD!
Laws Regulating Metal Detecting
There are no specific laws that regulate the extraction of any metal in Texas soil, however, the Antiquities Code of Texas does codify the restriction of artifacts being removed. Because they are able to regulate the extraction of artifacts, the state government has been able to procure artifacts that have been discovered and preserve their history.
You may not dig in any historical recreation without obtaining official permission from the responsible commissions. Any creation that has surpassed 100 years is not permitted to be dug up. However, this law doesn’t apply to private land. So if you’d like to go hunting somewhere private, you have to first get permission from the landowner and then it is happy hunting.
Where to Hunt in Texas
For finding various pieces of history, Texas has been a hub for things like lost jewelry, and currency that no longer exits. Each town has a list of unique places they recommend for optimal hunting.
Having a more prominent coastline and some fantastic beaches, the state does allow hunting for old ruins and articles in the sand. There are also various hiking trails and campgrounds that are a great place to find lost items you may not expect. Not to mention, there are plenty of ghost towns which attract people from all over the world to pay a special visit.
Some amazing spots to take advantage of when hunting are:
- Dallas-Fort Worth area
- Lake Texoma
- Lobo Ghost Town
- Glenrio Ghost Town
- Alongside the Frio River
- Bandera City Par
What Detectors are Best to use in Texas?
The state of Texas is well known for a lot of reasons, one of them being the vast landscapes. The state is also wealthy with many varieties of soils such as Inceptisols, Alfisols, Mollisols, and Ultisol. Because of the variety of soil types and minerals, it is important to know where you’ll want to be searching so you can choose your detector accordingly.
Metal detectors are designed to make your work easy, which means you should always seek a multipurpose detector so there is no need to overthink.
The Fisher F22 is the most effective device that you can find on a limited budget. However, if you do not have budget constraints, the Minelab Equinox 800 is what your go-to should be. The latter is one of the best devices that are available on the market and comes equipped with a multitude of functions that you can take advantage of to optimize your hunting experience.
Where to Get Your Detecting Permit
Detection permit processes differ from one region to another. The best way to get permission is to try a local government office or the police stations. These are probably the faster routes if you aren’t a local so that you can get started as soon as possible.
If you are already a member of a detecting club, the task is far easier. Primarily, all you need to show is that you know what you want to do and how you want to do it. It also doesn’t hurt to bring a positive attitude and always be polite to the people helping you obtain your permissions.
Generally, permission from officials will allow for you to hunt wherever you’re able to in the state, however, if you want to dig in a park or private land, you will still need to get specific permission from concerned authorities.
Hunting for Gold
Llano is the first choice for people searching for gold, but it can be tricky as 98% of that land is privately owned. These owners can be hard to get hold of so research more and make sure you can get the right permissions before going digging.
In addition to the above, there have been reports about gold discovery around places like Diana, Longview, and Murfreesboro. Montague County also has a surrounding highway, which is often the first choice of gold detectors. There is no certainty on whether the area actually contains a large amount of gold, or if people have just been lucky.
Metal Detecting Clubs
Clubs can be a great way to get your foot in the door of places you might not have been able to go hunting in. The Texas Association of the Metals is a significant player in the metal detecting community. They can help you obtain proper permissions and have the added benefit of engaging you in activities such as meetings and group digs.
Lone Star hunting club still manages to be the oldest club in the state that offers more significant opportunities. It can be a great place to start learning about hunting opportunities and gaining insight into the hobby itself.
Where To Find Detecting Equipment
Because it is such a common hobby, there are many stores that carry detecting equipment. Here are some that we recommend looking into:
- American Detector Distributors LLC
- Ed’s Lawn Equipment
- Fastenal Metal Services
- Metal Detecting Stuff
- Metal Detecting Spot
- East Texas Metal Detectors
- Garrett Metal Detectors
- Houston Metal Detectors
- Texas Metal Equipment
- C’s Sales and Services
- Metal Detectors Fisher
Ghost Towns
Ghost towns are a wonderful attraction that Texas has that can take your detecting hobby up a notch. These towns serve as a major attraction for tourists as people from all over the country make their way to conduct a search.
Some of these towns are:
- Terlingua: Was home to two different nations before Americans arrived. It is said to carry a lot of antiques because of its diverse history
- Lobo: Recently abandoned
- Glenrio: A popular choice amongst filmmakers. It has a lot of empty buildings that are ideal for hunting
- Sherwood
- Indianola
Parks in Texas:
To conduct a search, it is imperative that get the right kind of permit. Some popular parks that people gravitate towards for hunting are:
- Big Bend National Park
- McKinney Falls State Park
- Colorado Bend State Park
- Pedernales Falls State Park
- Dinosaur Valley State Park
- Brazos Bend State Park
Rivers:
Texas has beautiful rivers that act as an attraction to hunters, especially when the weather is hot. It is important to remember that to be effective in hunting these rivers, you’ll need a detector that is good for wet conditions.
Some common rivers for hunting are:
- Rio Grande River
- Colorado River
- Brazos River
- Guadalupe River
- Red River
- Trinity River
- Canadian River
Beaches:
Detecting at the beach is one of the best ways to spend a summer day, especially in Texas. Unlike other places, a permit is not required to search the beach. This provides an excellent opportunity for amateur hunters to be able to poke around and test out their skills.
Some popular beaches for searching are:
- Crystal Beach
- Surfside Beach
- Mustang Island State Park
- Rockport Beach
- Port Aransas Beach
- South Padre Island
- Boca Chica State Park
- Padre Island National Seashore
- San Jose Island
- South Packery Channel Beach
Final Thoughts
Texas is a state that is rich with history and that means it is an ideal environment to hunt for treasures that time has forgotten. With various rivers, beaches, ghost towns, and parks to choose from, you will not lack for great places to scour. It is always important to be respectful of the State rules and regulations, but once you’ve acquired permissions and the right equipment, it is smooth sailing.
Welcome to the Lone Star State and happy hunting y’all.
