Private or Public...


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Private or Public...

by K. and D. Johnson
(Exeter,NH)

Ok, here is a tough one....I looked on the Q&A search and didn't see this addressed.

How do you know if a beach area is public or private. When we go collecting we are ALWAYS quiet and as respectful as possible.

However, we have recently found a "honey-pot" of an area with no signs saying private property...No one has said anything to us concerning the area but there is a "feeling" that we may not welcome. A look and a nod with a smile can only get you so far sometimes.

How do you handle a situation where you are asked to leave...Do you take their word for it if they say the area is private? Do you pack your stuff up and never go back to one of the best places you have found in YEARS?...Do you throw the Mean Low Tide line at them and wait for the police to show?(Not our style but we have heard it's been done by others)

How are you expert collectors handling this?

I am sure that David and Lin know the answer, so If you could help that would be great and any other answers or opinions are welcome....Especially from beachcombers who are coastal land owners.

Always respectful...K. and D. Johnson

Good question, Johnsons! We like how you said "David and Lin know the answer." Oh-oh. Now we have to figure out how to answer the question.

Actually, just to cop out of having to answer right now...each situation is different.

Cop-out, right? We have been in that situation several times. Once we were asked to leave by a lady in an older car who was paid by the residents to ask people to stay off their beach.

In a circumstance like that, we just leave politely.

Other situations are not as clear. If the beach is wide, stay close to the water line and hopefully out of hearing :-)

If the beach is long and you see someone staring at you with hostility, walk quickly down the beach until you are out of their "space."

If you leave near that beach and would like to frequent it, see if there is a homeowner's association. Make friends with several of the homeowners and express your concern about not stepping on anyone's toes but also that you help keep the beach clean and protected.

Well, those are some of our thoughts. I think you probably have drawn some of the conclusions yourselves.

And what about y'all other beachcombers? As Johnsons asked...What do you do?

Comments for
Private or Public...

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Sep 27, 2011

WHERE TO DRAW THE LINE!
by: Anonymous

I have always been told that the people own their property and maybe some of the beach.but no one owns the water privatly.I would nicely tell them that .

Jun 10, 2011

Thanks, All
by: K. Johnson

Thank you all for your quick and honest replies. Sorry to put you on the spot, David and Lin.
Please keep the suggestions coming...Pete, your posts are always good, too.

Jun 08, 2011

Private Beaches:(
by: val

Me and my sister have run into that this time of the year..This winter we would be at our hot spots with no problems..As soon as Memorial Day rolled around the signs started to be posted."No Trespassing"Ugh not pretty signs but we have respected them even though it kills us to know what beautiful seaglass might be on the other side of the sign...Positive I live in a resort area so hopefully by Sept.,Oct. We will have free access again.Makes me sad cause on a day off its just not the same I am addicted to combing. I even went as far to contact out local town hall to see whats public and whats private...One of our places a small patch is public but its just not the same.In my eyes not fair especially when not bothering anybody..But I do respect there privacy.

Jun 01, 2011

My 2p
by: Pete

I pretty much agree with Dave's comments. Historically land below "mean water level", that is, land exposed during low tide is considered to be in the public domain and therefor accessible to everyone.

However, since people who own waterfront property are typically financially better off than the general public, using this as a defense when charged with trespass probably won't get you very far.

Around here (Washington State) beaches that are "private" are pretty aggressively marked. If we get onto a beach via public access we stay near the water and assume that we are bothering no one. If confronted, we apologize, ask where the boundaries are located and leave.

A wise man once said that it's easier to ask for forgiveness than to get permission.
Later
-Pete-

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