This might seem obvious to you experienced hunters, but when you ask for permission to dig up someone’s property, do to offer to:
Split finds, report all finds, or do people say “sure, just keep everything”?
I can’t seem to actually find any protocols on the forums
Thanks,
-Adrienne
I always just tell them : "You're welcome to anything I find". And I have NEVER had anyone holding out their hands, at the conclusion, saying "Give it all to me". And even if they seem to say they want everything (which has almost never happened), I will already have something that I want (a key-date coin, or a valuable trade-token or buckle, etc...) and : When we're looking at all the items on the table, I'll push that one to the side and say : "Here's a token I don't have for my collection". Or "Here's a coin that will fill out the missing slot in my coin-collection". And "So is it ok if that one is for me ?". And I have never had anyone tell me "no".
The trouble with STARTING with some sort of talk about "how to split" (as if, you're talking in legal terms), is that it only raises red-flags. Ie.: As if you're about to find something very valuable, in the first place. And if/when you
don't find something "super valuable", then you begin to look might silly. As if they're now thinking
"Gee, what was all that about ?"
And if you start talking legal jargon, that's the FASTEST way to get a "no", before you even start. It just raises red flags as if there's going to be problems. Ie.: Putting a contract in front of a total stranger to sign, is the FASTEST way to get a "no".
So just go with a big smile, a handshake, etc.... JMHO
Also, I would not define md'ing as "digging up someone's property". Just use the euphemism "metal detecting". No need to conjure up images in someone's mind that you're going to "leave holes all over their property". You intend to leave no trace, right ? (cover, stomp, fluff. Right ?) So why plant images in their mind that you are going to be "digging up their property" ?