Metal detecting is a great hobby for anyone with some free time and a few great places to scan. If you are lucky enough for that, then there is some metal detecting etiquette that you, as a metal detecting basics beginners, need to know before you head out for your first hunt.
We have this metal detecting beginners guide just for you to have a complete understanding of laws and ethical aspects of this hobby.
1.0 Getting the Permission
It doesn’t matter whether it’s a privately owned site for metal detecting or a government owned park, beach or coastal area. It’s the first rule in metal detecting etiquette, and you have to get proper permission before you begin metal detecting on any piece of land.
1.1 Permission for Private Land
If you have done some homework and found a potential site for metal detecting that is privately owned, then getting either verbal or written permission from the landlord is the only safe way to metal detect there.
Depending on where you live, there might be different ways to get permission from the landlord. A good example is the UK, where the National Council for Metal Detecting has a search agreement form for such permissions.
If your country or state does not have any such councils or agreement forms, then having any kind of written permission is highly recommended. An email, text message, WhatsApp, or even verbal consent will work for you.
1.2 Permission for Public Places
It’s quite usual for newbies to think that public places like footpaths, common lands, parks, and woods are open to metal detectors. It all depends on the local laws, rules, and regulations on whether you can or cannot detect public places or can do so only under specific circumstances.
Nowadays, doing online research and studying state DNR websites like the Iowa DNR is the best ways to understand local laws about metal detecting in public places. You might need some kind of registration or permission letter before scanning public places in some countries.
In countries where metal detecting in public places is supported by law, they have strict rules about timing and how to do metal detecting in public places. So, be sure to get proper permission and know the local rules of metal detecting in public places.
1.3 Metal Detecting in Protected Sites
In almost all countries, metal detecting of protected sites is prohibited and is punishable by law. Protected sites include sites of religious importance, like old mosques, churches, temples, or places of historic importance, like castles or pyramids.
These protected sites also include natural reserves, especially those that have rare small reptiles that lay eggs underground. Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) that might be special due to any reason also fall under this category. So, always do proper research about the area before metal detecting.
2.0 Practicing Good Behavior | Best Metal Detecting Etiquette
Getting permission is not the only metal-detecting etiquette associated with this hobby. There are certain other etiquettes to do this hobby more ethically and professionally.
2.1 Respect the Law and Contract
If the law of the land allows you to do metal detecting in parks, beaches, or open land, or if you have a contract with the landowner to scan their property, the following are some points to consider in every scan job:
- Only do the scanning in allowed premises and time zones.
- Scan only on the given days and avoid any events or gatherings in public places.
- Do not use equipment that is not part of the contract or is too dangerous or loud to use in public places.
- Respect the personal space of others while metal detecting on beaches and parks.
- If faced with an unusual situation, contact the landowner or local government. Never perform an act that you are not sure of.
2.2 Handle Land With Care
You need to respect the land owned by others and public property. Always use proper metal detecting tools and digging tools to avoid unnecessary damage to the land. Only dig up to the depth you are allowed by the law or approved by the landlord in a written contract.
After digging, you need to fill the hole properly and restore the park or personal property back to its original state. Never bring any detergent or cleaner to clean your find on the spot. They can contaminate the land and water bodies and can be proven poisonous for wildlife.
You need to put extra care while metal detecting in agricultural fields or fruit gardens. Never cut crops, bushes, or trees, and dig ensuring that their roots will not be damaged.
2.3 Interacting with Fellow Metal Detecting Enthusiasts
You are never going down any specific metal detecting spot alone, or you are never going to be alone on any high-potential site. So, learn to communicate with other metal-detecting enthusiasts and respect their space.
Share tips and experiences with others to develop a friendly environment. If possible, set boundaries or specific times for scanning spots. If faced with any dispute, try to remain polite and solve it on common ground. If disputes persist, then it’s better to call authorities and try not to get physical.
3.0 Ethical Handling of Finds
Metal-detecting etiquettes are not limited to getting permission and scanning the area with care. They also involve the ethical handling of the finds, as it ensures the hobby maintains its integrity and respect among the public and authorities.
3.1 Reporting Significant Discoveries
Having a permit to scan the area does not give you the right to own everything you dig out of that land. What to do with your find totally depends on the law of the land you are digging. Countries like Egypt do not allow you to own, sell, or transport across borders items of historical importance.
Other countries set a limit on how old the item should be for you to own it. If your find is older than that limit, you have to return it to the local government. Similarly, some governments set a fair share for you to have of your fund.
How to report again depends on the law of the land. Check the specific guidelines in your area. Some regions have laws requiring you to notify museums or governing bodies within a set timeframe.
3.2 Return the Lost Items
This mostly happens on beaches, parks, and playgrounds where people can easily lose their extremely important and valuable items, such as wedding rings or bracelets. Nothing is stopping you from owning what you find in such cases, but it’s an ethical duty to return such items if possible.
Some rings have names carved on them, bracelets can have couples’ names on them, or you can look for inscriptions, initials, or any personal identifiers on the object. Make use of the local lost and found network, use social media, or contact the local police station to see if anyone has filed a report of lost valuables.
3.3 Sharing Finds with Property Owners
If you find any personal item on privately owned land, then you should ethically return it to its owners. It is highly recommended to have a predefined agreement on how the valuables found on the land will be shared.
This is important to avoid any disputes in the future and for good relationship building. Showing integrity encourages landowners to trust and allow you to detect their property again.
4.0 Environmental Considerations
The metal detecting hobby should not only benefit you, but it should also be somewhat beneficial for the environment.
4.1 Removing Trash and Debris
One of the best things you can do while metal detecting is to remove all the trash and debris you find while digging. As you will be targeting metallic objects only, you will find a lot of small metallic trash like cold drink cans and other similar items.
Have a big bag and take all your trash with you to dispose of it properly. If possible, have a number of plastic bags to collect all the trash you find on the ground. You can fill bags and leave them on-site while you metal detect and collect them all once you finish metal detecting.
4.2 Respect Wildlife
Metal detecting in woods and in open fields can be fun and relaxing, but you need to consider the same for wildlife. Never go metal detecting in woods during birds’ mating seasons. A lot of migrating birds fly thousands of miles just to breed on specific grounds, so respect nature.
Metal detecting involves digging ground that all reptiles call home. So, if you see signs of any reptile or insect living under the ground before digging, or at the start of digging, then it’s better to leave it as it is to protect nature.
Wild areas also have some very poisonous and venomous reptiles. Always be on full alert for things like snakes and spiders. Leave the area or at least maintain a decent gap from such reptiles.
Conclusion
Metal detecting is a fun hobby, but metal detecting etiquette is important. Some are related to local laws, some are part of your agreement with landowners, but some are truly ethical and show the better part of you. Follow the laws, show respect and love for others, and always respect Mother Nature.
