A number of years ago a friend was arrested and cited for bottle digging at a site that is on railroad property, but adjacent to Fed land. He went before the BLM Magistrate in Reno and received a $450 fine. Being the diligent digger that he was, and knowing well and good that he was not on Fed property, he refused to pay the fine and requested a hearing at US District Court. That judge tossed the case out, which frosted the BLM Magistrate, but there was nothing that could be done about it. It was a contrived pony show by overzealous BLM employees who also received admonishment for their illegal arrest of the evil digger.
That being said, it is never a good idea to take the chance to dig on "public property", especially within eyesight of well traveled roads. I also hunt Native American artifacts and do so freely on BLM and USFC property, simply because the vast majority of western states land falls under their purview. Don't look obvious and don't telegraph your activity. If questioned you are looking for minerals.
That being said, it is never a good idea to take the chance to dig on "public property", especially within eyesight of well traveled roads. I also hunt Native American artifacts and do so freely on BLM and USFC property, simply because the vast majority of western states land falls under their purview. Don't look obvious and don't telegraph your activity. If questioned you are looking for minerals.
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