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Code of Ethics

Code of Ethics for Responsible Metal Detecting

Before beginning metal detecting one must always be aware of the legal requirements for your area, this could involve Federal, State, County and/or Local legislation. It would be very difficult to list, and keep up to date, with all the legislation for each region in one location. Therefore, we recommend that if you are unfamiliar with the legislation in your particular area please talk to your nearest Dealer who should be able to offer you good practical advice, as well as advising how to keep up to date with the latest legal requirements.

Usadetctors.com also recommends that you ask to join a metal detecting club or association that encourages responsible metal detecting to ensure you get the maximum enjoyment from this diverse and rewarding activity.

Regardless of the area that you are wanting to detect/hunt, there are best practices that makes our hobby gain the respect it deserves:

  • Do not trespass; always respect private property and do no metal detecting without the owner's permission.
  • It is advisable to get permission in writing, and to get agreement in writing first to avoid disputes regarding the ownership of any subsequent finds.
  • Never do anything that might contaminate wells, creeks or other water supplies.Respect our enviroment Please!
  • Respect the country code, leave gates as they are found, do not damage crops, never deliberately disturb wild or domestic animals.
  • Never litter, always gather or collect any trash or debris you create or find.
  • Leave it the way you found it.
  • Always use the correct digging or probing equipment to make the least intrusion or marks.(Plug it)
  • Always fill in your holes,including ploughed fields and beaches.
  • Never throw the trash you find back in the hole.Throw it away.
  • Report the discovery of any items of possible significant historical value to a local historian or museum in accordance with the latest legislation of your area.
  • Never go metal detecting around archaeological monuments.(don't do it) 
  • Report any live ammunition or other potentially lethal or toxic objects you may find to authorities after carefully noting or marking the location. Do not attempt to move or interfere with any such devices. Get away from it and call authorities.
  • Report all finds to the landowner/occupier. Always be honest and respectable.

Protect the metal detecting hobby by being a responsible hobbiest.

Example letter that seems to work great, when asking to hunt on a persons property.
(Copy and paste it in notepad and edit it there. )
 

Dear .......................

 

Our land has so much history that has yet to be discovered. Have you ever wondered what was lies beneath your feet as you walk around your yard? 

 What we find can tell us so much about the past and could fill in many details of our areas history. In turn will add to the heritage of the area.

 

Hi,  My name is (Your Name) and I live in (Your City) and I am very interested in the history of our region and look 

for artifacts/coins/objects using a high tech metal detector, and so I am writing to you asking for access to your land for myself and maybe a partner for this purpose.

 

I have been Metal Detecting all over the area for almost (?) years, and I am a member of many detecting groups and historical organizations throughout the country. I/We always follow the code of ethics and conduct as laid down by the National Council of Metal Detecting.

 

You can rest assured that I will always repect you and your property and leave it in the same condition as it was found.

 I know most folks these days are extremely busy, so rather than interupt you by knocking on your door unannounced

 I prefer to make the first contact with you by letter.

 

If you would grant permission I would be most grateful for the opportunity of a meeting or a telephone conversation during which I can answer any questions you may have.

 

I have enclosed a self addressed stamped envelope for you to return with your reply, 

but please don't hesitate in calling me at my number provided for you at the bottom of this page, or 

emailing me at: (YOUR EMAIL), if it is more convenient, and we can arrange a time to talk or meet.

 

You may also be interested to learn that I offer a free finding service to local residence and farmers who has

maybe lost a ring or any type of metallic object, (like a tractor part). I would be quite happy 

to assist in searching and hopefully recovering that item whether you grant me access to detect on your property or not.

 

If you were interested, I would be more than happy for you to accompany me on my first outing on 

your land to give you an insight into what makes our hobby so great and rewarding

 

My details can be found below. I thank you in anticipation for your consideration, I look forward to your reply.

 

Thank you for your time.

Great Day. 

 

 

If you want to read more about the hobby of metal detecting please stop by Wiki,

there you will find a hoard of information and insight.


Detector Defintions:

All-Metal Mode

 

A metal detector setting that detects all metal objects, no discrimination

 

 

 

Audio Threshold

 

The background audio level produced when no target is being detected - it is best to adjust the audio threshold to the lowest audible level, and recommended the operator use headphones when treasure hunting

 

 

 

Audio Tone

 

The pitch or frequency of the sound made by a detector. The tone on the GTI 2500, 1500 and GTP 1350 detectors can be adjusted on a treble to bass scale.

 

 

 

Cache

 

Larger deposits of treasure that generally consist of money and valuable objects

 

 

 

Classifier

 

A filtering device, typically found at the head of a sluice, which helps prevent rocks and other large debris from falling into a gold pan.

 

 

 

Coin Shooting

 

Hunting for coins regardless of location or era of coins targeted

 

 

 

Composite Digger

 

Trowel made of durable plastic that helps prevent coin damage during recovery. Ideal for soft terrain

 

 

 

Control Box

 

Contains the detector’s main circuitry, controls, speaker, batteries and microprocessor chip

 

 

 

DD Searchcoil

 

A special configuration of the transmit and receive coils to minimize the effects of ground minerals

 

 

 

DSP

 

(Digital Signal A highly advanced computer chip used in Garrett detectors and other sophisticated Processor) electronic equipment

 

 

 

Discrimination

 

The ability of a metal detector to reject a target, such as a pull tab and foil or accept a target such as a coin or jewelry based on its metallic composition

 

 

 

FastTrack

 

(See Garrett’s exclusive technology that analyzes ground mineralization and adjusts to "cancel" Ground Balance) its effects in a matter of seconds

 

 

 

Frequency

 

The number of times per second the energy transmitted from a detector’s coil changes direction (e.g. 7.0 kHz = 7000 times per second) - higher frequencies are typically used to find targets such as gold nuggets, while lower frequencies are best for general purpose hunting.

 

 

 

Gold Pan

 

A bowl-shaped, shallow container that traps gold flakes

 

 

 

Gravity Trap™

 

A patented gold pan made by Garrett which has 90 degree riffles to trap small gold

 

 

 

Ground Balance

 

An adjustment made to "cancel" or ignore ground mineralization; may be done manually (See GroundTracking) or automatically

 

 

 

Ground Tracking

 

The ability of a metal detector to continuously measure the ground’s mineralization and automatically adjust the detector’s ground balance setting for optimum performance

 

 

 

GTA

 

(Graphic Target Analyzer) Exclusive Garrett technology that visually identifies a target’s conductivity or ID and also shows the discrimination pattern

 

 

 

GTI

 

(Graphic Target Imaging) Exclusive Garrett technology that measures and displays a target’s true size and depth

 

 

 

LCD

 

(Liquid Crystal Display) A graphical display that indicates target information, detector settings, etc...

 

 

 

Multiple Frequency

 

See Pulse Induction and Multiple Frequency article

 

 

 

Microprocessor

 

Computer chip that performs digital functions that make many features such as Target ID and Discrimination possible on today’s Garrett detectors

 

 

 

Mono Searchcoil

 

Refers to searchcoils with one ring where both transmitter and receiver antennae are located

 

 

 

Motion Mode

 

Refers to the setting where coil motion is needed to detect targets

 

 

 

Notch

 

Discrimination Targets above and below these discrimination settings

 

 

 

Pinpoint

 

A mode of operation that allows the operator to detemine the precise location of a target still in the ground

 

 

 

Pulse Induction

 

Used primarily for heavily mineralized environments such as the beach or the gold fields of Australia and is found in many of today’s specialty detectors (See also Multiple Frequency)

 

 

 

PowerMaster

 

Exclusive Garrett feature that increases the detector’s ability to detect deeper and wider - up to 20 percent

 

 

 

Probe

 

A long screwdriver-like device usually made of brass used to penetrate the ground and physically locate a detected target before digging it up

 

 

 

Prospecting

 

Hunting for valuable metals such as gold

 

 

 

Relic Hunting

 

Hunting for targets with historical value, such as old battlefield items or family heirlooms

 

 

 

Salt Elimination

 

A detector’s ability to eliminate the interference of salt mineralization, which adversely affects detection depth and target ID capabilities

 

 

 

ScanTrack

 

A unique Garrett feature that automatically adjusts to the operator’s scan speed to achieve optimum performance

 

 

 

Searchcoil

 

Also referred to as the "coil", the searchcoil is the flat, typically circular disk swept over the ground to sense the presence of metal

 

 

 

Sensitivity

 

Generally synonymous with Depth, the adjustment that determines how deep or small a target can be detected - the higher the sensitivity, the greater the detection depth 

 

 

 

Shaft

 

The adjustable stem that connects the control box and the searchcoil