Manager/site confirmation required — exact owner/manager controls detector and recovery rules
Grade A · 100/100
Sussex County · Delaware Office of Nature Preserves / exact landowner or manager
DNREC identifies 34 dedicated Nature Preserves and states that some are privately owned and some publicly owned. Visitor guidance prohibits collecting natural or cultural resources, including rocks, soil and cultural artifacts. Exact detector legality…
DecisionConfirmation RequiredTrip readyNoPlanObtain Manager Site Confirmation Before TravelEvidenceCurrentScopeManager Or Site Confirmation RequiredPrecisionAuthoritative scope reviewed; exact recreational detector/recovery permission remains manager/site-specific
Permit: Resolve exact ownership, public-access status, controlling manager and any required written authorization before field use
Verified: 2026-08-29
Authorization required — public Wildlife Area rules prohibit detecting; Division Director permit exception must be obtained
Grade A · 100/100
Sussex County · Delaware DNREC — Division of Fish and Wildlife
Current DNREC Wildlife Area public rules list metal detecting/use of metal detectors as prohibited. 7 DE Admin. Code 3900 §8.2.6.5 states detector use on Division lands or waters is unlawful without a permit from…
DecisionAuthorization RequiredTrip readyNoPlanObtain Authorization Before TravelEvidenceCurrentScopeControlling Rule Scope StoredPrecisionConditional authorization / designated-zone prerequisite
Permit: Division Director permit required for metal-detector use under 7 DE Admin. Code 3900 §8.2.6.5
Verified: 2026-08-29
Manager/site confirmation required — exact owner/manager controls detector and recovery rules
Grade A · 100/100
Sussex County · Delaware Office of Nature Preserves / exact landowner or manager
DNREC identifies 34 dedicated Nature Preserves and states that some are privately owned and some publicly owned. Visitor guidance prohibits collecting natural or cultural resources, including rocks, soil and cultural artifacts. Exact detector legality…
DecisionConfirmation RequiredTrip readyNoPlanObtain Manager Site Confirmation Before TravelEvidenceCurrentScopeManager Or Site Confirmation RequiredPrecisionAuthoritative scope reviewed; exact recreational detector/recovery permission remains manager/site-specific
Permit: Resolve exact ownership, public-access status, controlling manager and any required written authorization before field use
Verified: 2026-08-29
Manager/site confirmation required — exact owner/manager controls detector and recovery rules
Grade A · 100/100
Sussex County · Delaware Office of Nature Preserves / exact landowner or manager
DNREC identifies 34 dedicated Nature Preserves and states that some are privately owned and some publicly owned. Visitor guidance prohibits collecting natural or cultural resources, including rocks, soil and cultural artifacts. Exact detector legality…
DecisionConfirmation RequiredTrip readyNoPlanObtain Manager Site Confirmation Before TravelEvidenceCurrentScopeManager Or Site Confirmation RequiredPrecisionAuthoritative scope reviewed; exact recreational detector/recovery permission remains manager/site-specific
Permit: Resolve exact ownership, public-access status, controlling manager and any required written authorization before field use
Verified: 2026-08-29
Manager/site confirmation required — exact owner/manager controls detector and recovery rules
Grade A · 100/100
Sussex County · Delaware Office of Nature Preserves / exact landowner or manager
DNREC identifies 34 dedicated Nature Preserves and states that some are privately owned and some publicly owned. Visitor guidance prohibits collecting natural or cultural resources, including rocks, soil and cultural artifacts. Exact detector legality…
DecisionConfirmation RequiredTrip readyNoPlanObtain Manager Site Confirmation Before TravelEvidenceCurrentScopeManager Or Site Confirmation RequiredPrecisionAuthoritative scope reviewed; exact recreational detector/recovery permission remains manager/site-specific
Permit: Resolve exact ownership, public-access status, controlling manager and any required written authorization before field use
Verified: 2026-08-29
Manager/site confirmation required — exact owner/manager controls detector and recovery rules
Grade A · 100/100
Sussex County · Delaware Office of Nature Preserves / exact landowner or manager
DNREC identifies 34 dedicated Nature Preserves and states that some are privately owned and some publicly owned. Visitor guidance prohibits collecting natural or cultural resources, including rocks, soil and cultural artifacts. Exact detector legality…
DecisionConfirmation RequiredTrip readyNoPlanObtain Manager Site Confirmation Before TravelEvidenceCurrentScopeManager Or Site Confirmation RequiredPrecisionAuthoritative scope reviewed; exact recreational detector/recovery permission remains manager/site-specific
Permit: Resolve exact ownership, public-access status, controlling manager and any required written authorization before field use
Verified: 2026-08-29
Allowed with restrictions — ocean beach east of dune line during normal park hours
Grade A · 100/100
Sussex County · Delaware DNREC — Division of Parks and Recreation
7 DE Admin. Code 9201 §3.6.1 creates the express detector exception for ocean beaches east of the dune line during normal park hours. Protected archaeological/historic material remains subject to §3.7 and statewide cultural-resource law.
DecisionAllowed With ConditionsTrip readyYesPlanGo Only With Verified ConditionsEvidenceCurrentScopeControlling Rule Scope StoredPrecisionConditional detector permission
Permit: No general detector permit stated for the §3.6.1 ocean-beach exception; verify current park signs/closures before use
Verified: 2026-08-29
Manager/site confirmation required — exact owner/manager controls detector and recovery rules
Grade A · 100/100
Sussex County · Delaware Office of Nature Preserves / exact landowner or manager
DNREC identifies 34 dedicated Nature Preserves and states that some are privately owned and some publicly owned. Visitor guidance prohibits collecting natural or cultural resources, including rocks, soil and cultural artifacts. Exact detector legality…
DecisionConfirmation RequiredTrip readyNoPlanObtain Manager Site Confirmation Before TravelEvidenceCurrentScopeManager Or Site Confirmation RequiredPrecisionAuthoritative scope reviewed; exact recreational detector/recovery permission remains manager/site-specific
Permit: Resolve exact ownership, public-access status, controlling manager and any required written authorization before field use
Verified: 2026-08-29
Allowed with restrictions — ocean beach east of dune line during normal park hours
Grade A · 100/100
Sussex County · Delaware DNREC — Division of Parks and Recreation
7 DE Admin. Code 9201 §3.6.1 creates the express detector exception for ocean beaches east of the dune line during normal park hours. Protected archaeological/historic material remains subject to §3.7 and statewide cultural-resource law.
DecisionAllowed With ConditionsTrip readyYesPlanGo Only With Verified ConditionsEvidenceCurrentScopeControlling Rule Scope StoredPrecisionConditional detector permission
Permit: No general detector permit stated for the §3.6.1 ocean-beach exception; verify current park signs/closures before use
Verified: 2026-08-29
Manager/site confirmation required — exact owner/manager controls detector and recovery rules
Grade A · 100/100
Sussex County · Delaware Office of Nature Preserves / exact landowner or manager
DNREC identifies 34 dedicated Nature Preserves and states that some are privately owned and some publicly owned. Visitor guidance prohibits collecting natural or cultural resources, including rocks, soil and cultural artifacts. Exact detector legality…
DecisionConfirmation RequiredTrip readyNoPlanObtain Manager Site Confirmation Before TravelEvidenceCurrentScopeManager Or Site Confirmation RequiredPrecisionAuthoritative scope reviewed; exact recreational detector/recovery permission remains manager/site-specific
Permit: Resolve exact ownership, public-access status, controlling manager and any required written authorization before field use
Verified: 2026-08-29
Allowed with restrictions — ocean beach east of dune line during normal park hours
Grade A · 100/100
Sussex County · Delaware DNREC — Division of Parks and Recreation
7 DE Admin. Code 9201 §3.6.1 creates the express detector exception for ocean beaches east of the dune line during normal park hours. Protected archaeological/historic material remains subject to §3.7 and statewide cultural-resource law.
DecisionAllowed With ConditionsTrip readyYesPlanGo Only With Verified ConditionsEvidenceCurrentScopeControlling Rule Scope StoredPrecisionConditional detector permission
Permit: No general detector permit stated for the §3.6.1 ocean-beach exception; verify current park signs/closures before use
Verified: 2026-08-29
Prohibited — metal detector use outside the qualifying ocean-beach exception
Grade A · 100/100
Sussex County · Delaware DNREC — Division of Parks and Recreation
7 DE Admin. Code 9201 §3.6 prohibits metal detectors on Division lands except during normal park hours on ocean beaches east of the dune line. §3.7 independently protects prehistoric/historic artifacts and human remains.
DecisionProhibitedTrip readyNoPlanChoose Legal AlternativeEvidenceCurrentScopeControlling Rule Scope StoredPrecisionExpress detector-use prohibition or equivalent no-detecting rule
Permit: No ordinary recreational permit pathway established; only the express ocean-beach exception or written/official authorization applies
Verified: 2026-08-29
Authorization required — public Wildlife Area rules prohibit detecting; Division Director permit exception must be obtained
Grade A · 100/100
Sussex County · Delaware DNREC — Division of Fish and Wildlife
Current DNREC Wildlife Area public rules list metal detecting/use of metal detectors as prohibited. 7 DE Admin. Code 3900 §8.2.6.5 states detector use on Division lands or waters is unlawful without a permit from…
DecisionAuthorization RequiredTrip readyNoPlanObtain Authorization Before TravelEvidenceCurrentScopeControlling Rule Scope StoredPrecisionConditional authorization / designated-zone prerequisite
Permit: Division Director permit required for metal-detector use under 7 DE Admin. Code 3900 §8.2.6.5
Verified: 2026-08-29
Manager/site confirmation required — exact owner/manager controls detector and recovery rules
Grade A · 100/100
Sussex County · Delaware Office of Nature Preserves / exact landowner or manager
DNREC identifies 34 dedicated Nature Preserves and states that some are privately owned and some publicly owned. Visitor guidance prohibits collecting natural or cultural resources, including rocks, soil and cultural artifacts. Exact detector legality…
DecisionConfirmation RequiredTrip readyNoPlanObtain Manager Site Confirmation Before TravelEvidenceCurrentScopeManager Or Site Confirmation RequiredPrecisionAuthoritative scope reviewed; exact recreational detector/recovery permission remains manager/site-specific
Permit: Resolve exact ownership, public-access status, controlling manager and any required written authorization before field use
Verified: 2026-08-29
Manager/site confirmation required — exact owner/manager controls detector and recovery rules
Grade A · 100/100
Sussex County · Delaware Office of Nature Preserves / exact landowner or manager
DNREC identifies 34 dedicated Nature Preserves and states that some are privately owned and some publicly owned. Visitor guidance prohibits collecting natural or cultural resources, including rocks, soil and cultural artifacts. Exact detector legality…
DecisionConfirmation RequiredTrip readyNoPlanObtain Manager Site Confirmation Before TravelEvidenceCurrentScopeManager Or Site Confirmation RequiredPrecisionAuthoritative scope reviewed; exact recreational detector/recovery permission remains manager/site-specific
Permit: Resolve exact ownership, public-access status, controlling manager and any required written authorization before field use
Verified: 2026-08-29
Authorization required — public Wildlife Area rules prohibit detecting; Division Director permit exception must be obtained
Grade A · 100/100
Sussex County · Delaware DNREC — Division of Fish and Wildlife
Current DNREC Wildlife Area public rules list metal detecting/use of metal detectors as prohibited. 7 DE Admin. Code 3900 §8.2.6.5 states detector use on Division lands or waters is unlawful without a permit from…
DecisionAuthorization RequiredTrip readyNoPlanObtain Authorization Before TravelEvidenceCurrentScopeControlling Rule Scope StoredPrecisionConditional authorization / designated-zone prerequisite
Permit: Division Director permit required for metal-detector use under 7 DE Admin. Code 3900 §8.2.6.5
Verified: 2026-08-29
Authorization required — public Wildlife Area rules prohibit detecting; Division Director permit exception must be obtained
Grade A · 100/100
Sussex County · Delaware DNREC — Division of Fish and Wildlife
Current DNREC Wildlife Area public rules list metal detecting/use of metal detectors as prohibited. 7 DE Admin. Code 3900 §8.2.6.5 states detector use on Division lands or waters is unlawful without a permit from…
DecisionAuthorization RequiredTrip readyNoPlanObtain Authorization Before TravelEvidenceCurrentScopeControlling Rule Scope StoredPrecisionConditional authorization / designated-zone prerequisite
Permit: Division Director permit required for metal-detector use under 7 DE Admin. Code 3900 §8.2.6.5
Verified: 2026-08-29
Manager/site confirmation required — exact owner/manager controls detector and recovery rules
Grade A · 100/100
Sussex County · Delaware Office of Nature Preserves / exact landowner or manager
DNREC identifies 34 dedicated Nature Preserves and states that some are privately owned and some publicly owned. Visitor guidance prohibits collecting natural or cultural resources, including rocks, soil and cultural artifacts. Exact detector legality…
DecisionConfirmation RequiredTrip readyNoPlanObtain Manager Site Confirmation Before TravelEvidenceCurrentScopeManager Or Site Confirmation RequiredPrecisionAuthoritative scope reviewed; exact recreational detector/recovery permission remains manager/site-specific
Permit: Resolve exact ownership, public-access status, controlling manager and any required written authorization before field use
Verified: 2026-08-29
Manager/site confirmation required — exact owner/manager controls detector and recovery rules
Grade A · 100/100
Sussex County · Delaware Office of Nature Preserves / exact landowner or manager
DNREC identifies 34 dedicated Nature Preserves and states that some are privately owned and some publicly owned. Visitor guidance prohibits collecting natural or cultural resources, including rocks, soil and cultural artifacts. Exact detector legality…
DecisionConfirmation RequiredTrip readyNoPlanObtain Manager Site Confirmation Before TravelEvidenceCurrentScopeManager Or Site Confirmation RequiredPrecisionAuthoritative scope reviewed; exact recreational detector/recovery permission remains manager/site-specific
Permit: Resolve exact ownership, public-access status, controlling manager and any required written authorization before field use
Verified: 2026-08-29
Manager/site confirmation required — exact owner/manager controls detector and recovery rules
Grade A · 100/100
Sussex County · Delaware Office of Nature Preserves / exact landowner or manager
DNREC identifies 34 dedicated Nature Preserves and states that some are privately owned and some publicly owned. Visitor guidance prohibits collecting natural or cultural resources, including rocks, soil and cultural artifacts. Exact detector legality…
DecisionConfirmation RequiredTrip readyNoPlanObtain Manager Site Confirmation Before TravelEvidenceCurrentScopeManager Or Site Confirmation RequiredPrecisionAuthoritative scope reviewed; exact recreational detector/recovery permission remains manager/site-specific
Permit: Resolve exact ownership, public-access status, controlling manager and any required written authorization before field use
Verified: 2026-08-29
Authorization required — public Wildlife Area rules prohibit detecting; Division Director permit exception must be obtained
Grade A · 100/100
Sussex County · Delaware DNREC — Division of Fish and Wildlife
Current DNREC Wildlife Area public rules list metal detecting/use of metal detectors as prohibited. 7 DE Admin. Code 3900 §8.2.6.5 states detector use on Division lands or waters is unlawful without a permit from…
DecisionAuthorization RequiredTrip readyNoPlanObtain Authorization Before TravelEvidenceCurrentScopeControlling Rule Scope StoredPrecisionConditional authorization / designated-zone prerequisite
Permit: Division Director permit required for metal-detector use under 7 DE Admin. Code 3900 §8.2.6.5
Verified: 2026-08-29
Manager/site confirmation required — exact owner/manager controls detector and recovery rules
Grade A · 100/100
Sussex County · Delaware Office of Nature Preserves / exact landowner or manager
DNREC identifies 34 dedicated Nature Preserves and states that some are privately owned and some publicly owned. Visitor guidance prohibits collecting natural or cultural resources, including rocks, soil and cultural artifacts. Exact detector legality…
DecisionConfirmation RequiredTrip readyNoPlanObtain Manager Site Confirmation Before TravelEvidenceCurrentScopeManager Or Site Confirmation RequiredPrecisionAuthoritative scope reviewed; exact recreational detector/recovery permission remains manager/site-specific
Permit: Resolve exact ownership, public-access status, controlling manager and any required written authorization before field use
Verified: 2026-08-29
Authorization required — public Wildlife Area rules prohibit detecting; Division Director permit exception must be obtained
Grade A · 100/100
Sussex County · Delaware DNREC — Division of Fish and Wildlife
Current DNREC Wildlife Area public rules list metal detecting/use of metal detectors as prohibited. 7 DE Admin. Code 3900 §8.2.6.5 states detector use on Division lands or waters is unlawful without a permit from…
DecisionAuthorization RequiredTrip readyNoPlanObtain Authorization Before TravelEvidenceCurrentScopeControlling Rule Scope StoredPrecisionConditional authorization / designated-zone prerequisite
Permit: Division Director permit required for metal-detector use under 7 DE Admin. Code 3900 §8.2.6.5
Verified: 2026-08-29
Search/recovery restricted; modern lost-item detector use requires refuge-specific verification
Grade A · 100/100
Sussex County · U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
National Wildlife Refuge System rules restrict protected-resource searching, collection and unauthorized ground disturbance; refuge-specific verification remains required.
DecisionSearch RestrictedTrip readyNoPlanResolve Search Purpose And Site Rule Before TravelEvidenceCurrentScopeControlling Rule Scope StoredPrecisionPurpose-specific search/resource restriction — not a blanket detector-use ban
Permit: Refuge-specific special-use authorization may be required; no permission inferred from public access
Verified: 2026-08-29
Authorization required — public Wildlife Area rules prohibit detecting; Division Director permit exception must be obtained
Grade A · 100/100
Sussex County · Delaware DNREC — Division of Fish and Wildlife
Current DNREC Wildlife Area public rules list metal detecting/use of metal detectors as prohibited. 7 DE Admin. Code 3900 §8.2.6.5 states detector use on Division lands or waters is unlawful without a permit from…
DecisionAuthorization RequiredTrip readyNoPlanObtain Authorization Before TravelEvidenceCurrentScopeControlling Rule Scope StoredPrecisionConditional authorization / designated-zone prerequisite
Permit: Division Director permit required for metal-detector use under 7 DE Admin. Code 3900 §8.2.6.5
Verified: 2026-08-29
Authorization required — State-land metal detecting requires permit/authorization; no State Forest recreation exception established
Grade A · 100/100
Sussex County · Delaware Department of Agriculture — Forest Service
Delaware SHPO guidance states State law does not allow metal detecting on state land without a permit, with the Atlantic-beach exception. 7 Del. C. §5312 separately protects archaeological resources and restricts archaeological recovery tools…
DecisionAuthorization RequiredTrip readyNoPlanObtain Authorization Before TravelEvidenceCurrentScopeControlling Rule Scope StoredPrecisionConditional authorization / designated-zone prerequisite
Permit: Applicable State archaeological/agency permit or written authorization must be confirmed before detector use/recovery
Verified: 2026-08-29
Manager/site confirmation required — exact owner/manager controls detector and recovery rules
Grade A · 100/100
Sussex County · Delaware Office of Nature Preserves / exact landowner or manager
DNREC identifies 34 dedicated Nature Preserves and states that some are privately owned and some publicly owned. Visitor guidance prohibits collecting natural or cultural resources, including rocks, soil and cultural artifacts. Exact detector legality…
DecisionConfirmation RequiredTrip readyNoPlanObtain Manager Site Confirmation Before TravelEvidenceCurrentScopeManager Or Site Confirmation RequiredPrecisionAuthoritative scope reviewed; exact recreational detector/recovery permission remains manager/site-specific
Permit: Resolve exact ownership, public-access status, controlling manager and any required written authorization before field use
Verified: 2026-08-29
Manager/site confirmation required — exact owner/manager controls detector and recovery rules
Grade A · 100/100
Sussex County · Delaware Office of Nature Preserves / exact landowner or manager
DNREC identifies 34 dedicated Nature Preserves and states that some are privately owned and some publicly owned. Visitor guidance prohibits collecting natural or cultural resources, including rocks, soil and cultural artifacts. Exact detector legality…
DecisionConfirmation RequiredTrip readyNoPlanObtain Manager Site Confirmation Before TravelEvidenceCurrentScopeManager Or Site Confirmation RequiredPrecisionAuthoritative scope reviewed; exact recreational detector/recovery permission remains manager/site-specific
Permit: Resolve exact ownership, public-access status, controlling manager and any required written authorization before field use
Verified: 2026-08-29
Prohibited — metal detector use outside the qualifying ocean-beach exception
Grade A · 100/100
Sussex County · Delaware DNREC — Division of Parks and Recreation
7 DE Admin. Code 9201 §3.6 prohibits metal detectors on Division lands except during normal park hours on ocean beaches east of the dune line. §3.7 independently protects prehistoric/historic artifacts and human remains.
DecisionProhibitedTrip readyNoPlanChoose Legal AlternativeEvidenceCurrentScopeControlling Rule Scope StoredPrecisionExpress detector-use prohibition or equivalent no-detecting rule
Permit: No ordinary recreational permit pathway established; only the express ocean-beach exception or written/official authorization applies
Verified: 2026-08-29