Metal detecting in Portage, Wisconsin requires you to understand strict regulations across multiple jurisdictions. You’ll need a Wisconsin DNR permit (Form 9400-239) for state properties, valid only May 1-October 15 during specific morning or evening hours. However, Portage County Parks completely prohibit metal detectors across all 27 properties to protect archaeological sites and burial mounds under Wisconsin Statute 157.70. City parks may have separate requirements, and you must maintain 20-foot buffer zones around earthworks. Understanding these layered restrictions will help you detect legally.
Key Takeaways
- Wisconsin DNR requires permits for metal detecting on state property, valid only May 1-October 15 during specific morning or evening hours.
- Permit applications must specify personal information, lost item details, and search area; detecting is restricted to beach areas only.
- Metal detectors are completely prohibited in all Portage County Parks to protect archaeological sites under Wisconsin Statute 157.70.
- Archaeological sites and artifacts over 50 years old are protected; removal can result in equipment confiscation and fines.
- Permits are non-transferable, issued for specific items only, and recovered items must be verified at the property office.
Wisconsin State DNR Metal Detecting Permit Requirements
Before you can legally use a metal detector on Wisconsin state property, you’ll need to understand the Department of Natural Resources‘ strict permit system. Property offices issue permits only to specific individuals for recovering described personal items—these permits aren’t transferable. You must carry your permit during searches and operate within designated timeframes: May 1 through October 15, between 7:00-10:00 a.m. or 6:00-9:00 p.m.
The DNR’s enforcement challenges historically led to inconsistent application, but since 2012, regulations have tightened considerably. Archaeological site protections now require departmental archaeologist approval before detecting in sensitive areas. You’re required to report all recovered items to property offices for verification. Non-compliance triggers the permit revocation process. While Wisconsin’s maintained these restrictions for decades, understanding current requirements helps you navigate the system lawfully.
For questions about metal detecting regulations on DNR-managed properties, you can contact their customer service hotline at 1-888-936-7463, available from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. The department also maintains open communication with the media for inquiries regarding policies and procedures.
How to Apply for a DNR Metal Detecting Permit
To obtain a DNR metal detecting permit in Portage, you’ll need to download Form 9400-239 from the Wisconsin DNR website and complete it with your personal information, specific lost items you’re seeking, and your proposed search area.
The permit restricts metal detecting to designated times between May 1 and October 15, with daily use limited to morning hours (7:00-10:00 a.m.) or evening hours (6:00-9:00 p.m.). Metal detecting is only allowed on beach areas, as vegetation areas are off-limits for this activity.
Submit your completed application to the DNR Property Office in Madison or directly to the manager of the specific property where you plan to search. When metal detecting in Dane County Parks, you must carry your permit card or application with you at all times while detecting.
Required Form and Documentation
When metal detecting on DNR lands in Portage, you’ll need to complete Form 9400-239, the official Metal Detector User Permit required under s. NR 45.04(3)(i), Wis. Adm. Code. This straightforward application protects your freedom to search while ensuring proper documentation.
Your permit application must include:
- Your complete contact information (name, address, phone number)
- Detailed lost item documentation describing specific personal belongings you’re recovering
- Property superintendent signatures validating your access rights
- Release and Waiver of Liability with your signature and date
Submit your completed form directly to the manager of your target DNR property—whether that’s a park, forest, or waterway. Keep your signed permit with you at all times while detecting. The property manager must sign the permit before you can legally use your metal detector in the approved search area. If you experience trouble opening PDF forms, visit the DNR PDF help page for assistance with accessing and completing your application. For questions, contact DNR historic preservation officer Richard Kubicek at 608-445-8395.
Permit Restrictions and Conditions
Your DNR metal detecting permit comes with five critical categories of restrictions that govern when, where, and how you can search. You’ll face temporal limitations restricting activities to May 1 through October 15, operating only during 7:00-10:00 a.m. or 6:00-9:00 p.m. windows.
Geographic boundaries confine your search to designated zones, with archaeological sites requiring additional departmental review before you can begin. Your permit’s non-transferable and valid only for recovering specific items you’ve described in your application.
You must carry your permit during all activities and present any recovered items to the property office for verification. Some Wisconsin cities have implemented permit requirements for parks to regulate metal detecting activities, though enforcement varies by location. Understanding the permit renewal process and permitted search depth requirements guarantees you’re maintaining compliance while exercising your freedom to locate lost personal property within Wisconsin’s regulatory framework.
Submitting to Property Manager
After understanding the restrictions governing your metal detecting activities, you’ll need to complete Form 9400-239, the official Metal Detector User Permit application available for download at apps.dnr.wi.gov/doclink/forms/9400-239.pdf. The submitting application process requires careful attention to detail before property superintendent review.
When preparing your permit:
- Provide your complete name, street address, city, state, and ZIP code
- Describe the specific lost personal items you’re searching for
- Identify the DNR property name where you’ll be detecting
- Sign and date the form before submission
Send or deliver your completed application directly to the Property Superintendent or authorized DNR representative managing your target location. Following property superintendent review, the office will issue your permit specifying authorized search areas and valid timeframes for your detecting activities. Note that sandy beach areas do not require this permit application process.
Metal Detecting Restrictions in Portage County Parks
You can’t use metal detectors anywhere within Portage County Parks, as the practice is completely prohibited on county property.
This ban extends to special protection zones around burial mounds and earthworks, where you’re required to maintain a 20-foot buffer zone with no soil disturbance permitted. These restrictions protect archaeological sites under Wisconsin Statute 157.70, which establishes legal consequences for disturbing burial grounds or removing artifacts from public lands. The policy applies uniformly across all 27 county parks, even those without ceremonial mounds or burial sites. Violating these rules can result in confiscation of equipment, fines, and potential bans from county park properties.
Complete Prohibition Across Parks
While many municipalities allow metal detecting with proper permits, Portage County Parks Commission maintains an extensive prohibition across all 27 properties within its parks system. This blanket policy addresses preservation challenges by eliminating potential disturbance to archaeological resources and protected burial sites.
The restriction reflects multi stakeholder coordination involving Ho-Chunk Nation, Menominee Nation, and Wisconsin Historical Society representatives. Key policy elements include:
- Uniform enforcement across the entire county parks network, not just mound-containing sites
- Parks department policy implementation rather than separate statutory ordinance
- Violation consequences through park management enforcement action
- Cultural resource protection ensuring responsible stewardship of indigenous heritage
You’ll find this differs markedly from neighboring City of Portage, which operates its own permit system for municipal property under separate jurisdiction.
Mound Protection Buffer Zones
Under Wisconsin Statute 157.70, burial mounds receive baseline protection through a mandatory 10-foot buffer zone that prohibits any soil disturbance around their perimeter. Portage County extends this safeguard, establishing a 20-foot buffer around mounds in county parks—doubling state requirements for enhanced cultural site preservation.
You’ll face strict enforcement if you attempt metal detecting within these expanded boundaries, as any buffer zone encroachment violates county park regulations.
The Parks Commission developed this policy after consulting Ho-Chunk Nation, Menominee Nation, and the Wisconsin Historical Society. Their input guarantees these sacred sites receive culturally sensitive management. For you, this means understanding that recovery techniques must avoid these buffer zones entirely.
The county’s commitment to protecting burial grounds reflects community values of respect and preservation, prioritizing historical integrity over recreational freedoms near these protected areas.
City of Portage Metal Detecting Application Process
Obtaining a metal detecting permit in Portage requires submitting a standardized application form titled “METAL DETECTING PERMIT Application Valid for City of Portage Owned Property,” which the city updated on January 3, 2024, and makes available as a PDF download through the licenses and permits page at portagewi.gov. These municipal permit requirements guarantee responsible public property access while protecting community resources.
The City of Portage updated its standardized metal detecting permit application on January 3, 2024, available as a PDF download at portagewi.gov.
Application essentials you’ll need to provide:
- Complete contact information including name, address, phone number, and date
- $20.00 annual fee payable to City of Portage (Code 1215)
- Signed Release and Waiver of Liability acknowledging program risks
- Receipt number for payment tracking
Submit your completed application with payment to 115 W. Pleasant Street, Portage, WI 53901, or call (608) 742-2176. All permits expire December 31st annually, with no refunds granted under any circumstances.
Statewide Metal Detecting Limitations and Protected Areas
Wisconsin’s metal detecting regulations extend far beyond Portage’s city limits, with state and federal agencies imposing strict limitations that you’ll need to understand before exploring public lands. On DNR properties, you’ll need a special permit for specific lost items only, valid between May 1 and October 15. Archaeological sites remain off-limits, and you can’t remove artifacts 50+ years old.
Federal land policies restrict detecting in areas containing historical resources, though developed campgrounds may be accessible. The Archaeological Resources Protection Act prohibits unauthorized excavation on federal lands.
Violations carry serious artifact removal penalties: $100-$10,000 fines for damaging archaeological features, potential nine-month imprisonment, plus restitution costs. Counties and municipalities set their own rules—Green Bay Parks charges $6.00 annually and restricts digging depth.
Archaeological Site Protections and Burial Mound Regulations
Archaeological protections in Portage operate through multiple regulatory layers that’ll directly impact your metal detecting activities. The city’s Historic Preservation Commission holds unique authority under Wis. Stat. §44.44 to safeguard archaeological sites, requiring you to understand local restrictions beyond state regulations.
Portage’s Historic Preservation Commission wields statutory authority over archaeological sites, layering city-level restrictions atop existing state metal detecting regulations.
Critical protections you must respect:
- All human burial sites receive statutory protection, including Native American mounds—you’ll need Wisconsin Historical Society authorization two months before working near catalogued sites
- Private landowner permissions don’t override federal or state laws protecting Register-listed sites on their property
- State park monitoring enforces strict permit requirements under §44.47 for any field archaeology activities
- Destroying rock art on National Register sites constitutes felony charges under §943.01, even with landowner consent
Contact 608-261-2457 for political subdivision project guidance before detecting.
Dane County Parks Metal Detecting Permits
Your metal detecting activities in Dane County Parks require a formal permit obtained through the Parks Office, accessible via www.reservedane.com or by calling (608) 224-3730. The permit application process demands you’re at least 16 years old and willing to specify your intended detecting locations and activity scope.
Annual permits cost $10 for county residents, with daily options available for occasional use. The online ordering system processes your payment immediately and issues permits valid January 1st through December 31st annually. You’ll need to display your permit according to official guidelines and report any recovered items to park officials.
Approved Detecting Times and Search Area Boundaries
Beyond securing your permit through Dane County Parks, you’ll need to operate within strictly defined temporal and spatial boundaries that Wisconsin’s Department of Natural Resources enforces across all state-managed properties.
Permit duration timelines restrict all metal detecting activities to May 1 through October 15 on DNR lands. Your permit specifies exact authorized dates within this window.
Search zone boundaries require precise definition on your application:
- You must identify specific lost personal items you’re recovering
- Property managers delineate limited search areas before permit approval
- Archaeological sites need separate DNR archaeologist authorization
- All recovered items require property office verification before you retain them
Remember that Portage County parks maintain year-round prohibitions regardless of these state guidelines, and burial mounds carry mandatory 10-foot buffers—extended to 20 feet under county enforcement.
Reporting Requirements and Artifact Policies
You’re strictly prohibited from removing archaeological materials 50 years or older from their locations. Archaeological Resources Protection Act (ARPA) protections extend to all historical sites and artifacts on public land. Violations result in permit revocation and potential citations.
Your permit responsibilities protect both historical resources and your detecting privileges, maintaining access for responsible hobbyists statewide.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I Metal Detect on Wisconsin Private Property With Landowner Permission?
Yes, you can metal detect on Wisconsin private property with landowner permission. Establish clear landowner communication about boundaries and conditions. Use responsible detecting techniques to preserve the property while enjoying your freedom to explore legally authorized areas.
What Penalties Exist for Metal Detecting Without Proper Permits in Wisconsin?
Need freedom to detect responsibly? You’ll face fines for trespassing up to $2,000, plus potential criminal charges including nine months imprisonment for archeological damage. Permits protect your liberty while preserving community resources for everyone’s enjoyment.
Are Waterproof Metal Detectors Allowed in Wisconsin Lakes and Rivers?
You can use waterproof detectors in Wisconsin lakes under six feet deep per SB432, but you’ll face strict conservation regulations protecting underwater archaeology. Deeper waters and historic sites remain off-limits, requiring you to research specific locations beforehand.
Do Metal Detecting Rules Differ for Residents Versus Non-Residents?
No, metal detecting rules don’t differ for residents versus non-residents in Portage. You’ll follow the same visitor regulations and local ordinances regardless of where you’re from. Everyone has equal access to permits and faces identical restrictions.
Can Children Use Metal Detectors Under an Adult’s Permit?
Child supervision requirements aren’t explicitly addressed, but you’re responsible for metal detecting practices under your permit. You’ll maintain liability, guarantee proper recovery methods, and supervise any child’s participation while enjoying your detecting freedom on city property.
References
- https://dnr.wisconsin.gov/topic/parks/rules/metaldetect
- https://uigdetectors.com/metal-detecting-state-laws-in-usa-part-4/
- https://apps.dnr.wi.gov/doclink/forms/9400-239.pdf
- https://docs.legis.wisconsin.gov/code/admin_code/nr/001/45.pdf
- https://www.danecountyparks.com/recreation/metal-detecting
- https://metaldetectingforum.com/index.php?threads/was-handed-this-today-at-county-park.291887/
- https://portagewi.gov/licenses-and-permits
- https://kellycodetectors.com/content/pdf/site_locator_books/WI.pdf
- https://dnr.wisconsin.gov/taxonomy/term/1776?page=6
- https://dnr.wisconsin.gov/taxonomy/term/21?type=topic_content_page&page=11
