[meteorite-list] Treasure Hunter Code of Ethics

From: Adam Hupe <raremeteorites_at_meteoritecentral.com>
Date: Tue, 23 Mar 2010 09:58:40 -0700 (PDT)
Message-ID: <482438.23300.qm_at_web30707.mail.mud.yahoo.com>

Dear List Members,

One of the reasons Meteor Crater was closed to hunting was due to a few meteorite hunters disrespecting land owners wishes. Holes and excavations were left behind without being back-filled and I read that a steer was injured. The BAR T ranch complained that cattle gates were being left open and trash left behind. ...and you wonder why it is now off limits.

If meteorite hunting is going to be portrayed as a form of treasure hunting on TV, then maybe the treasure hunter's Code of Ethics should be brought up. It may help to preserve a portion of this hobby which is in grave danger right now. A disturbing recent development is that two states felt the need to protect federal lands from meteorite hunting even though none have been found on federal land in these two states as far as I can tell. What prompted this? You publicly treat meteorites like treasure and so will state and federal governments. You attach mega dollar price tags and you sometimes garner the wrong attention.

Everything you say or do has a backlash that needs to be considered. What is good for TV ratings may not be good for the hobby.

Treasure Hunters have been around for a long time and learned their lessons the hard way. Perhaps, we could learn something from them.

Here is a link to a good interpretation of the Treasure Hunters Code of Ethics:

http://www.threeforkstreasurehunters.org/ethicscode.html


Best Regards,

Adam
Received on Tue 23 Mar 2010 12:58:40 PM PDT