Metal Detecting CODE OF ETHICS

[KWA]

MDcode of ethics/law

just read a book by charles garrett that says that whatever is foung DOES NOT belong you as far as the law goes.
according to the law you must do everything you can to find the right owners or their heirs if, you make a really old fine.
he comes short of saying you should turn over said property to the cops.
according to the law your finds are not yours as the owners did not abandoned their property but merely lost it and therefore did not willingly relinquesh said property.
you also are not allowed to charge a fee or request a reward for finding others property.
so i guess the next time i find a ring at the beach i need to holler from the water if anyone lost it or if i am searching anyother place i need to yell that i found something.
this really pute a damper on my parade.
do the right thing or keep the !!!!?

 

[KWA]

typos

sry bout them and i guess you cant use a word that rhymes with rap?
really?

 

[Dustyloins]

I guess we're all going to jail now.........say your "goodbys"!!!!!

Dusty

 

[Goldmember]

Thanks for posting this. As a novice in the sport it's important to find out the rules.
Thanks,
GM

 

[cmbtvet]

I found a dime, 3 pennies, and a small cross at the beach yesterday...anyone here lose them?

 

[Schweddy]

I don't know if all states have the same laws as Charlie's, or if he's commenting more on the ethical side of things. However I'm certain there are plenty of people who would happily pay you for the "service" of helping them find their lost valuables. I see nothing wrong with this legally(provided uncle Sam got his share) or ethically. What's their alternative? Buying their own pricey detector?

 

[Joves]

I am talking about Leesburg. It was a huge mining town but now it's a ghost town. It is on the national historic register so am wondering if it's off limits to MD'ing. The surrounding National Forest areas could be productive too. Leesburg was a HUGE gold mining area

The town on a Historic Register is a definite NO! Now in the forest you need to go to the particular forests website and look at the rules. Each forest is different, Im lucky that there is no rule against MDing with a big BUT. And that but is if it is a historical site, otherwise all areas are open. National Parks are always a no.

 

[Joves]

just read a book by charles garrett that says that whatever is foung DOES NOT belong you as far as the law goes.
according to the law you must do everything you can to find the right owners or their heirs if, you make a really old fine.
he comes short of saying you should turn over said property to the cops.
according to the law your finds are not yours as the owners did not abandoned their property but merely lost it and therefore did not willingly relinquesh said property.
you also are not allowed to charge a fee or request a reward for finding others property.
so i guess the next time i find a ring at the beach i need to holler from the water if anyone lost it or if i am searching anyother place i need to yell that i found something.
this really pute a damper on my parade.
do the right thing or keep the !!!!?

Each state has its own laws on that. Some dont make you attempt to find the owners if it was obviously lost long ago, and anything that could be recent is almost debatable. If I was to find an expensive item I would attempt to find the owner before keeping it.

 

[persimmons]

D
- Report any criminal activities you see to proper authorities immediately. You are not a "snitch" or a "tattletale". You are a citizen with both rights, privileges AND duties. Respect them as they were hard-earned by many who came before you.

I agree with a lot of these, but this one strikes me a bit differently. I believe some crimes are justifiable, such as some vandalism. Spray painting a meaningful message on the side of a building (not a home, not targeted at a specific person) is against the law, but what gives corporations the right to put hideous billboards everywhere, while it's illegal to get your own message out? I will report something such as breaking and entering, but not this. :]

 

[PAMD Tim]

but what gives corporations the right to put hideous billboards everywhere, while it's illegal to get your own message out?

They lease billboard space from places that are willing to provide it. They do not hijack space. It is not illegal for you to lease your own billboard space...just not free.

 

[gernhart]

newbie

Hello I am a newbie- have not even purchased a detector yet. I am doing a lot of research to make sure I get the best detector I can afford that fits my needs. I will follow the code of ethics and all laws. Thanks for youe great site, I plan on spending quite a bit of timw on it gathering information.
I am looking for a detector for use in Nevada,around Las Vegas and Lake Mead, as well as other areas nar by. Hoping to findraw gold, in ore and nugget form, as well as meteorites and anything else of value that appears. I am seriously considering a Minelab X-Terra 305. It seens to be a good product, and reasonably priced- looking at kellyco mainlyy as it appears to be a quality retail site. Anybody got and suggestionsas to what I should use- and I am looking for as price range $750 or lower, preferrably $450 or lower.
Anyways hope this turns out to be agreat hobby, ad I can meet a lot of new friends. Thanks to everybody here as you have a great site I expect to get a lot of enjoyment from it.

 

[mhallack]

I really like having the code of ethics posted here. For me these rules are just common sense that everyone should know about. (the list from the 1st page)

 

[Ride4me79]

I will do everything I can to follow that code of ethics. I will not ruin the fun for everyone else.

 

[AirborneDave]

I really like having the code of ethics posted here. For me these rules are just common sense that everyone should know about. (the list from the 1st page)

My thoughts exactly. However, common sense don't seem to be so common anymore.

 

[AirborneDave]

I guess we're all going to jail now.........say your "goodbys"!!!!!

Dusty

I'm guilty as charged on all counts

 

[Montana 3-7-77]

Code of Ethics

a code to live by

 

[edd]

Do not Kill the hobby these are,
Good Rules to Follow When Detecting

- Never trespass. Always get permission to traverse private or restricted lands.
- Always respect private property and do no metal detecting without the owner's permission.
- Before searching public sites, always check laws, ordinances or regulations that may govern your hunt.
- Always leave gates as they are found whether open or closed.
- Never do anything that might contaminate wells, creeks or other water supplies.
- Never tamper with signs, maintenance facilities or equipment.
- Never damage or destroy property, buildings or what is left of ghost towns or deserted structures.
- Never spook, taunt, provoke or otherwise disturb wild or domestic animals.
- Never leave litter. Pack out any and all trash or debris you create or find.
- If necessary, clean up after a previous detectorist. Acting in spite of him or even just ignoring his trangressions will only hurt us all in the end.
- Always use the correct digging or probing equipment to make the least intrusion or marks.
- Never throw trash finds back in the hole.
- Leave as little sign of your passing as possible.
- Always fill in your holes, including plowed fields, sand pits, beaches and in water.
- Study, learn, appreciate and protect our heritage of natural resources, wildlife, and private property.
- Be thoughtful, considerate, courteous and respectful of others at all times.
- Protect the metal detecting hobby by being a good will ambassador at all times.
- Report the discovery of any items of possible significant historical value to a local historian or museum in accordance with the latest legislation of your area.
- Report any live ammunition or other potentially lethal or toxic objects you may find to authorities after carefully noting or marking the location.
- Report any criminal activities you see to proper authorities immediately. You are not a "snitch" or a "tattletale". You are a citizen with both rights, privileges AND duties. Respect them as they were hard-earned by many who came before you.

I did not make up these rules, just trying to save the hobby for newbie's to come.

ezdigger Stan

common sense should be #1

 

[Rat64]

Much of it is common sense, yes. It all needs to be said though.
I personally appreciate the reminder as I am completely new to this hobby.

 

[Redfearn]

seems like straight forward rules and commen sense..I will keep them in mind once I start to go detecting

 

[mjf4000]

I agree with every rule posted and that's one of the reasons I have joined the club is to gain knowledge so we may all learn and enjoy the experiences that come with detecting.