THE MINDSET AND ETHICS OF A DETECTORIST

🤝 Code of Ethics ("Fill Your Holes!")

**Fill in your holes!** This is rule #1. An unfilled hole is an injury risk for livestock, a problem for tractors, and a reason for locals to hate detectorists.
**Respect property.** Don't climb fences or go onto planted fields.
**Clean up after yourself.** Dug up a bottle cap or a piece of lead? Take it with you. We're cleaning the land, not littering it.
**Be polite.** Local residents are either your best informants or your worst enemies — it's up to you.

Motivation:

Detecting is a lottery where you get to walk outdoors. The prize isn't just gold — it's a connection to history.

*The "small wins" technique:* Get excited even about a button or a weight. That's history too.

Dealing with bad luck:

There will be "empty" outings. That's normal.

[ ] Charged phone + power bank.
[ ] Water and food.
[ ] First-aid kit.
[ ] Compass/GPS (in forests).
[ ] Never touch unexploded ordnance (UXO) from wartime! Call emergency services immediately.