I agree with the MD Code of Ethics.
Except.
The part about getting permission.
So far, from reading the experiences of others and with my own (limited) experience, I am convinced that each location needs to be evaluated using common sense and morals, and then dug or not, permission be danged.
Here is a few of my guidelines:
Government land: Parks, national forests, road easements and similar = Mine. I paid for each one of these out of my pocket with my labor, and assuming I'm following the rest of the Code regarding hole size, neatness, courtesy, picking up litter etc., I am not doing anything immoral or unethical.
Also govt: Historical sites, sensitive areas of whatever nature--I leave it be. It's just common sense.
As for private land, here are a couple of examples. A large ranch owned by the same family for several generations recently sold most of it's land to a developer. As the development (into an industrial park) continues, an old homestead site (possibly a line shack for cowpokes) is within a few weeks of being bulldozed.
I contacted the developer, who said no for safety reasons. Now, I know there are release forms out there and I could have tried again. But I tell you what. He didn't say no for safety or any other reasons other than because it was the easiest way to cover his *ss in these times of ridiculous lawsuits. If I had persevered, I would have drawn attention to myself and "safety" measures may have been put into place.
Have I been out there? Yes, and hope to go again before the tear-down.
Another situation: Older house on acreage, recently bought by corporation. Outbuildings already removed, brick house to go next. Have I been there? Yes. And since then the house has been razed, and if they scrape the lot I might just go back. The lot is just going to be built on again, and you cannot convince me they have any interest in any rusty bits 'n pieces I remove.
Places where people live or businesses operate, not without asking.
Two "historical" type situations on private land: the remains of a stage stop, on private land, in a fenced field, with an additional fence around the site. No go. Another stage stop site about to be wiped out to widen a road. The site is already trashed. I go, and, no, I don't ask.
An empty lot in a neighborhood where a house used to be? It depends. I go case by case. I'm not doing any damage, I'm taking away litter, I'm not taking anything of value (usually
) and if I do find an old coin or something, would they have found it if I hadn't been there? Were they even looking?
I judge each situation, and if it passes my moral and ethical tests I go for it. Note I left off legal. I know private land is not mine and therefore anything I take from it could be construed as stealing, and even being on it as trespassing. Then again, at least out here, mineral rights do not necessarily belong to the landowner, nor water rights or timber rights or even grazing rights. As far as "treasure" rights, which is
sooo in the eye of the beholder...?
As far as permission, I'll leave when asked and apologize when necessary and let my morals, ethics and experience be my guide.
And I am registered as, and do vote, Libertarian.