I am often asked questions by new detector owners concerning how to act while detecting. A sponsor on findmall has this info displayed

[Elton]

First Texas has suggested a very fine guide line I pass on when asked.

Here it is......... [size=large]Published by First Texas[/size]



ETHICS AND THE ART OF RECOVERY

[size=medium]First Texas Products takes pride in the industry we serve, and ask you to join us in observing and promoting ethical and legal detecting practices, and in supporting dealers and organizations that do the same.
Before you begin your new adventure, realize that each time you go detecting you will be representing EVERYONE in this sport; all will be judged by your actions.

Detectorists are a very visible group and the public knows what you are doing. That is why you must conduct yourself accordingly, learn proper recovery techniques and abide by a code of ethics. Scars from improper or sloppy recovery methods can remain for years and further damage the image of this activity. This can only lead to tougher laws and regulations. Even in remote areas it is very important to always leave no sign you were there

Learn about your local laws regarding metal detecting, especially on Federal, State or County lands, because they can vary significantly from state to state. Contact City/County parks departments to inquire about the laws regarding metal detecting in your area BEFORE you go detecting. Do the same with State and Federal agencies that govern lands AND waters in your area.

If you will be hunting on private property you MUST obtain permission ahead of time and be absolutely certain you know the exact boundaries of the property or yard. Check with your County land records office (usually County Seat) to obtain information on how to research or obtain land ownership plats. In some places this information is available online or you may be able to purchase a plat book for your County (some libraries also have copies you can view). These plat books are useful tools, showing owner

 

[SpiritRelic]

Yeah,I second that!If you do all that,then you can act crazy!

 

[MarkCZ]

So, we're not supposed to SCREEM "Round" and then swing from trees?
Flip, flop all over the ground? LoL!

Mark.

 

[Tom_in_CA]

Elton,

There are various versions of the "code of ethics", that have circulated over the years. You know, like each manufacturer has a version in their instruction manuals, and/or treasure magazines have had one somewhere inside the front cover of each issue, etc.... And the versions have slight variations between each one.

Some people have mistakingly interpretted the parts about "obey all laws" and/or "know your local laws", to mean: "go ask 'can I metal detect?' " This was not at all what the codes-of-ethics was saying was necessary. A person can go look up the laws for himself. Thus some people have interpretted the codes to say they need permission on public land, even if there are no laws saying "no metal detecting".

However, your version does explicitly even perpetuate this:

"Contact City/County parks departments to inquire about the laws regarding metal detecting in your area BEFORE you go detecting. Do the same with State and Federal agencies that govern lands AND waters in your area."

Can you edit that to advise persons to "look it up", rather than "contact" ?

Why does someone need to "contact" officials and bureaucrats? Why can't he look it up for himself? The danger of asking bureaucrats "can I metal detect?" is that there's been too many cases of people doing this, and fetching themselves a "no", where no real rule or law existed that said such a thing. And where, quite frankly, no one had ever had a problem before. Or worse yet: In the absence of a rule saying yes or no, some entities have felt the need (upon many inquiries about the subject) to actually go IMPLEMENT a rule or law to "address this pressing issue". Thus, no, do not go ask "can I metal detect?". Instead, a person can look things up for himself, if he is skittish.

Then in the final summary of your version, the issue is addressed again, but doesn't say for us to "contact" anyone. This one just says to "check" (which could be intrepetted either way, but which, as I say, has often been interpretted to mean "go ask 'can I?' "

"1. Always check Federal, State and local laws regarding metal detecting before searching."

 

[Elton]

So, we're not supposed to SCREEM "Round" and then swing from trees?
Flip, flop all over the ground? LoL!

Mark.

LOL Not in my area of the woods you don't Mark.

 

[Tom_in_CA]

Ah, I see now that you were merely posting First Texas's version of the code of ethics (and not something you drafted up on your own). Ok, now I see

Does anyone here have a contact or "in" with First Texas, to see if they can alter their wording of this?

 

[Tom_in_CA]

Went to their website. Found their code-of-ethics version that you cut & pasted for here. The saw that they had a contact us tab. I sent a message with my concerns. We'll see what they say. Odds are, they won't even reply. But we'll see.

 

[ryanchappell]

Some people have mistakingly interpretted the parts about "obey all laws" and/or "know your local laws", to mean: "go ask 'can I metal detect?' " This was not at all what the codes-of-ethics was saying was necessary. A person can go look up the laws for himself. Thus some people have interpretted the codes to say they need permission on public land, even if there are no laws saying "no metal detecting"

Ditto your entire post Tom!

 

[Tom_in_CA]

Thanx. We've got to stop this "no one cared .... TILL you asked" self-fulfilling psychology from occuring. So if you see this "Must grovel" attitude touted by others, educate them that "express permission" is not the objective of the md'r (no more so than you'd need "express permission" to fly a frisbee). On the contrary, no ...we don't need "permission" or to "contact" anyone. All we need to do (if we're worried that is), is to see if there's any prohibitions. If there isn't ... then PRESTO, there ISN'T!

 

[edjcox]

what me worry...



Keep these in your pocket and show a handful to everyone who asks what you found and tell them about the rare Schlitz pulltab that you dream about....

Crazy....

They will walk away quickly...

 

[ecdonovan10]

This guideline from First Texas was written by a concerned and knowledgeable Metal Detector user/manufacturer. It is very good. Thanks for posting it.

Ed D.

 

[Hunt4Fun]

Tom in CA is right on. If you ask bureaucrats for a decision about metal detecting, you may have started the ball rolling toward a decree, ordinance or law being generated. Note that laws, ordinances and such seldom tell you what you can do ... they tell you what you cannot do.

We all need to behave ethically but we do not want to start that ball rolling.

Bob