Metal Detecting Laws and Ethics

Metal Detecting Laws and Ethics

1. Respect our lands and laws. Unfortunately, just as in any profession or other hobby, there are those who break the rules and don't give anything back to their community. Establish your personal honor code, "I will not cheat or tolerate those who do." Whatever site you're detecting on, it is essential that you not only follow the Treasure Hunter's Code of Ethics, but that you enforce it with your friends as well so that our children can enjoy this hobby in the future. Look after your buddy - look after yourself.

a. Selfless Service to Your Community. No matter what term you use to describe them: treasure hunters, amateur archeologists, or metal detectorists, people who share this rewarding hobby have been helping their communities for decades. Many times, these people have been called upon to volunteer to share their expertise to assist local police to locate evidence at crime scenes, to aid professional archeologists map projectile and casing locations at battlefields, or simply to find and return a cherished wedding band or class ring.

>>>Great Ideas to Give Something Back to Your Community<<<

b. Code of Ethics - Your Basic Responsibility. Nowadays, it seems as though you have to be a lawyer to do just about anything, but if you follow this standard code to the letter, you shouldn't even need to worry about the law. Aside from the generally accepted code below, Click Here to read the Ten Commandments of the hobby.

I WILL respect private property and do no treasure hunting without the owner's permission. I WILL fill all excavations. I WILL appreciate and protect our heritage of natural resources, wildlife, & private property I WILL use thoughtfulness, consideration, and courtesy at all times. I WILL build fires in designated or safe places only. I WILL leave gates as found. I WILL remove and properly dispose of any trash that I may find. I WILL NOT litter. I WILL NOT destroy property, buildings, or what is left of ghost towns & deserted structures I WILL NOT tamper with signs, structural facilities, or equipment.

2. Metal Detecting on Private Property. The most important law you need to know is the right of every American to protect their personal property. Just because there isn't a "No Trespassing" sign doesn't mean you can't end up on the business end of a guard dog. Take the time to ask for permission before you detect. Be courteous and emphasize your respect for their property, and you'll be successful.

Tip #1: Write the landowner a letter - this is far less intrusive than knocking on their door. If you don't get a response in a week or so, follow it up with a phone call to let them know that you wrote the letter and wanted to know if you could answer any questions they might have. It is never necessary that you offer to share what you find, but they could always establish that condition. If they tell you no, don't be disappointed. There's many more sites with far more relics, coins, and jewelry than there will ever be detectors or time to find it all.

>>>Sample Letter<<<

Tip #2: Construction sites where bulldozers have scraped off the past 100 years worth of trash exposing the surface where horses trotted en masse offer a fantastic, but often short lived window to finding really old coins and relics. This is also a unique set of circumstances when it comes to asking for permission since the main concern is safety. In this case, I will ask the foreman if there is an area where I won't get in the way, or if I can come back when the work crew leaves for the day. The foreman may require a hard hat, but this is a small price to pay especially if it is in an old downtown area.

Tip #3: Structures placed on the National Historic Register and the land surrounding them are strictly off limits and you could be punished severely for detecting on them. While these sites are often private property, the land owner is not even authorized to give you permission to hunt it once they have filed for this status with the National Parks Service. Don't waste your time asking if you see the identifying black plaque. However, this is great way to do some quick research on the internet to locate the oldest areas of a city. As long as you get permission, there is no reason why you can't hunt the adjacent property owned by someone else whose land isn't on the register. It probably shares the same history, but lacks the harsh restrictions!