METAL DETECTORIST’S
CODE OF ETHICS
1. Always check state, county, and local laws before searching. It
is your responsibility to “know the law.”
2. Abide by all laws, ordinances, or regulations that may govern
your search or the area you will be in.
3. Never trespass. Always obtain permission prior to entering pri-
vate property, mineral claims, or underwater salvage leases.
4. Do not damage, deface, destroy, or vandalize any property (in-
cluding ghost towns and deserted structures), and never tamper
with any equipment at the site.
5. Never litter. Always pack out what you take in and remove all
trash dug up in your search.
6. Fill all holes, regardless how remote the location, and never dig
in a way that will damage, be damaging to, or kill any vegetation.
7. Do not build fires, camp, or park in non-designated or restricted
areas.
8. Leave all gates and other accesses to land as found.
9. Never contaminate wells, creeks, or any other water supplies.
10. Be courteous, considerate, and thoughtful at all times.
11. Report the discovery of any items of historic significance to the
local historical society or proper authorities.
12. Uphold all finders, search, and salvage agreements.
13. Promote responsible historical re-search and artifact recovery
and the sharing of knowledge with others.
GENERAL INFORMATION 23
