in my experience there are two kinds of metal detector people - those that do it for the thrill of the chase, the chance to find long lost treasure, and then there are those that are in it just for the money
the money guys always say "finders keepers" no matter if there is a name, address, phone number etc etc on a find
the other guys have better moral values and will try to return a find if there is any way possible to
"Better moral values?"
How many times have you tracked down an owner and had a ring grabbed out of your hand when you go to the trouble of knocking on their door and then had that door slammed in their face?
How about letting someone know you have their property and then they put you off, ignore you, and play games with you for weeks...and then hardly a thank you when they do finally do you a favor and pick it up.
Maybe you have called someone dozens of times and they never answered or just picked up the phone and hung up before you ever had a chance to say a word.
Maybe you have been at a park or beach when someone asks you to find "their" ring with only a vague description and large area where they "lost" it, but in reality they were just hoping to get lucky and take some anonymous ring you found hoping you were foolish enough to believe them.
There are many, many other pretty bad scenarios when you try to return property, not all returns are classic and textbook and make you feel good about yourself.
Sometimes, what can go on can make you feel pretty awful and very frustrated.
Who are you to make such judgements about who is moral and who is not?
Have you walked in ANYONE'S shoes in any of the examples above?
I have, and your ignorant opinion aside I consider myself a very moral person, I have tried to do the "right" thing in the past and I sleep very well at night.
Even my wife, who has always been super sensitive to others feelings and is honest and moral as the day is log,
AND was so proud of me the few times I have tried to "Do the right thing" has changed her mind about all this when she saw how I felt and how I was affected after a couple of bad experiences.
Because of the way I was treated in the past I am now a firm believer in that finders keepers thing...and many other hunters feel the same.
I do this for the thrill of the hunt, I don't do this for the money and have never cashed in anything I have ever found but I will one day, and then I will buy something nice for my wife with that money...
Someone that I have full confidence will appreciate the gesture.
Must be nice to live such a righteous life, and think you have the right to make judgement's on everyone else's life, too.
I guess we are honored to have God or at least a Saint as one of the members on this forum.