For every responsible detectorist, there is probably one strictly for personal gain type out there, who could care less about filling holes, researching legal sites, asking permission, or even consider returning finds.
A new story must create an emotional response in the reader. Negative emotions are much easier to tickle, that's why most news isn't good news. Vandalism in the park, or a trespassing treasure hunter will get more coverage, and priority. Even if we were to make every possible effort, to find the previous owner, or relative, to return every find, before claiming it for our own, I doubt it's going to make a huge difference. We all lose things, and never see it again. When we see where something is found and returned, we think cool, but what happened to my stuff? We aren't out there looking for pulltabs and pennies, and most people have a pretty good idea we are hoping for gold and silver.
The general public will always wonder if we found their valuables, and never said a word, someone who gained, from another's loss. Do people appreciate that we pick up trash, remove sharp metal, or do they notice the holes other's leave behind more? I'd prefer to keep it low profile, not bothering anyone, and no one bothering me. Would you really want to be a celebrity every time you go out hunting? Everyone flocking to your side, wanting to know if you found their stuff, or would call you just as soon as you do? Would some call the cops, wanting the to search you, check your finds, because them believe you just picked up their diamond wedding ring? Sharing publicly occasionally isn't bad, but it should be as rare as, actually finding something you can track down an owner. We are out there, looking for lost things, and we would like to keep the good stuff.
