What are the Rules when Metal Detecting

Intro: 

Hey Everybody. Welcome! To Episode 84 of the metal detecting show podcast. My Name is Ciaran and I have been Metal Detecting for nearly 30 Years. 

So this week lets talk about the code of ethics of metal detecting whether you want to know this or not there are specific rules that are there to keep you safe while keeping the hobby in good stead with the general public.

Hey everyone before we start I want to thank you for listening to the podcast and I hope you enjoy the episode this week  If you want to support the show there are many options available from the links in the episode notes below and if you want to interact with me and the show that information is there too.  

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Content:

Hi everyone I hope you had a great week this week I didn’t get out ill come clean I had to make a choice between brewing a Belgian beer or hitting the beach and I chose the beer this week I’m afraid 

but only because the beer is very time dependant and if I want to have a few beers over the Christmas I got to start producing now. 

I have set up a community discord server to help you interact with the show it is at a very early stage so there may be changes while you use it but check out the link in the show notes 

This week I want to talk to you about the metal detecting rules or code of ethics now I have always done my best to behave responsibly while detecting and there has always been a guideline since I started out and as a matter of fact there is always some version of the rules of conduct around detecting included in every metal detecting book so I thought I would go through a list I have complied over the years and added to more recently so let’s get started.

 Never Trespass Always respect the ownership of the land even if there is a public right of way make sure you have permission to traverse this as I can tell you walking across someone’s land with a metal detector in tow even if your not detecting or have any intention to detect is like a red flag to a bull to a land owner and will do nothing for your chances in gaining permission.
 
 

Speaking of Permission never hunt on someone’s land without permission if a gate is open doesn’t mean it’s fair game. 

I would go as far as making sure you have written permission to hunt someone’s land from the confirmed land owner because some farmers rent their fields and they might not have a problem however the actual land owner may have a big problem or visa versa.
 
 

Make Sure you have the law on your side if hunting on public land check ordinance or with local council offices to make sure this is rock solid as hunting on public land will inevitably put you in the  public eye which makes you a target for civil warriors who may believe you don’t have permission to hunt so it is handy to have the law in your back pocket if required.

 Respect the rules of the country side never close an open gate unless you’re sure it was left open carelessly but more importantly always close gates after you.

Think about where you leave your waste and I am talking about all types of waste is there a chance it will contaminate a water source or pathway if in doubt  take it with you and just like your trash finds Take your litter with you also it makes total sense 

 Never alter a sign or old building either by damaging it physically or through vandalism or graffiti. You might think its fun till your caught.

 Do not approach Livestock or Animals when detecting you never know what can scare them or make them angry, the simple act of scaring sheep for example can cause lambs to die within the mother.
 
 Do not ignore the damage done by previous detectorists if you come across  this  don’t ignore it you have to make some effort to fix this as it brings the whole hobby into the spotlight negatively and you will be guilty by association. 
 
 

Learn to dig a hole correctly I tongue in cheek cover this in one of my earlier episodes however  if  you are leaving probe marks and trowel carnage all over the place it wont end well just see the previous point.

 
 Like littering take your trash finds with you two reasons for this you can show the positive impact detectorist are having on the environment and two I guarantee you if you don’t take it you will dig it again I promise you.

 Leave no trace no matter where you are fill in your holes even if you are on a beach and the tide is going to sweep them all away fill them in there  is  nothing worse than seeing holes all over a beach or field knowing that the  previous  detectorist was too  lazy to fill em in you dig it  you fill it
 
 

Be an advocate for the environment but especially the nature in your locality research the wildlife along with the  local history and be a public voice for its preservation.

Protect your hobby and be considerate and nice to people that approach you I know this can be though especially if you end up being a pied piper of kids on a beach but be nice or as we say in Ireland be Sound there’s no need to be  a dick about  it.

 Report every and all finds that may be of historical importance to your local authorities no matter how difficult it is remember according  to most national laws just because you found it doesn’t mean you own it and you have a responsibility to report it.

 Speaking of reporting If you find any object that may be  live ordinance or potentially involved in criminal activity make sure to report it to the authorities 

 and while you’re at it report any criminal activities you may witness to the appropriate authorities. 

Although you know there is potential great finds there you don’t detect graveyards our sites of historical importance most countries will have a database of where you can and cant go so you cant plead ignorance if you are caught  in  these  places.

 If your lucky to have a hunting buddy don’t hunt  their  permissions without  them present and even  starting before they get there can cause you issues so just don’t do it always maintain a relationship of thrust with your buddies and don’t take advantage of their good nature especially around permissions

 and finally if by chance you are asked to leave then leave straight away you  are their by the grace of the owners good will  if that  will has run out you can be sure it is because of noncompliance with  one  of the  previous points 

Doing some research on this  I came across  the following  which was captured  by The Legend that  is Dick Stout of Stout Standards and it is the 

The Ten Commandments of Metal Detecting
 by Jim Lewellen

The late Jim Lewellen, who was CEO and president of Fisher.

 1. Thou shalt not leave behind unfilled excavations.
 
 2. Thou shalt not trespass or defy in any way the lawful decrees of thy city, state, province or country.
 
 3. Thou shalt not harm vegetation, the creatures of the field, natural resources or the personal property of others.
 
 4. Thou shalt not covet the finds of thy companion. Nor shall ye covet his metal detector, digging tool, or the hallowed place he diggeth.
 
 5. Thou shalt not neglect thy family and friends whilst in the endless pursuit of this hobby.
 
 6. Thou shalt assist the distraught owners of lost goods, and the archaeologists, the enforcers of law, and all others who may need thy skill as a metal detectorist.
 
 7. Thou shalt return found treasures to the proper owners, whenever their true identity can be rightfully determined.
 
 8. Thou shalt report to the proper authorities any find relating to criminal activity or of archaeologtical significance.
 
 9. Thou shalt be considerate of others on the beach, and in other public places whilst waving thy search coil, and digging holes in the sand and soil.
 
 10. Thou shalt speak out against unjust laws and stand firm against the Philistines who would cast out all those who would use detectors of metal.
 
 and.....
 If thou dost not abide by these Commandments, may ye be plagued with mineral-bearing rocks, hard packed soil, pestilence, serpents, locusts, poisonous vegetation, and great multitudes of pulltabs, bottle caps and rusty nails. May ye spend the remaining years of thy wretched life digging signals of false origins. For thine iniquities shall surely bring the overzealous wrath of the ignorant, heathen bureaucrats down upon those of us who are innocent. For we are the righteous and the just and ye who do not obey the Ten Commandments of Metal Detecting are doomed to bad luck.

I love this ill include the link to the stout standards in this episodes show notes but all these rules and guidelines come down to one thing be sound do the right thing and don’t be a dick do you guys know of  any I  missed  let  me know via all the usual channels.

Wrap Up 

That’s it for this week’s I hope you liked this episode of the metal detecting show podcast.

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If you like this content and would like more please don’t hesitate to tell your friends and don’t forget to hit that subscribe button.

Once again, I hope you have enjoyed this episode and we will chat to you all again next week. 

Get out there eyes down and Happy Hunting.