[meteorite-list] Treasure Hunter Code of Ethics

From: Greg Stanley <stanleygregr_at_meteoritecentral.com>
Date: Tue, 23 Mar 2010 12:40:06 -0700
Message-ID: <SNT117-W3709E8BE6F6BBAA9E4277FD2260_at_phx.gbl>

Mike:

If people do not see dollar signs, than they simply will not watch it.? Look at "Antiques Roadshow," do you think it would be popular with the values of the items never revealed? No way.? I think "Meteorite Men" is great; I just love it when people I've know for years come to me and tell me about the show... and after a while I'm showing off some of my specimens to them.? As to the scammers, they will always be there and that is why meteorite enthusiasts (like us on this list) need to educate the public as best we can.? We surely had scammers before now.? As to the ethics of hunting... I'm surprised it has to be brought up and unfortunate too; I've collected fossils and minerals since the '70s and now meteorites since well... 1997 was actually the first time I looked form meteorites, and found my first in 2006. So the standard "treat everyone with respect, and leave all property as you found it" still applies.? I understand with more hunters they may be more abuse - well they need to reported in my opinion.?
 The integraty of the hobby needs to be maintained.? I can't believe blaiming "Meteorite Men" is the right thing to do however.

Greg S. ?

----------------------------------------
> Date: Tue, 23 Mar 2010 15:14:24 -0400
> From: meteoritemike at gmail.com
> To: raremeteorites at yahoo.com
> CC: meteorite-list at meteoritecentral.com
> Subject: Re: [meteorite-list] Treasure Hunter Code of Ethics
>
> Hi Adam and List,
>
> Well said, and I couldn't agree more.
>
> When I first saw Meteorite Men, I had very mixed feelings. I knew
> this exposure would bring in a ton of new collectors, a ton of new
> hunters, a few new dealers, and a ton of regular folk who think
> grandpa's rock is a meteorite. All of that fresh blood would be good
> for the hobby as a whole. I was thrilled with this aspect of the
> show.
>
> When I discovered that dollar values was going to play a prominent
> role in the show, I cringed. I cried. I ranted. I went outside, lit
> a cigar and paced around. (you get the idea). Because I knew all of
> those dollar signs (and Sonny's Ka-Jillion Dollar Rock) was going to
> bring out the greed elements surrounding any valuable or rare
> collectible (commodity) - the government is going to want it's palm
> stroked, land owners were going to see dollar signs, and scammers
> would crawl out of the woodworks. Any time there is a buck to be
> made, it brings out the best and worst in people (and institutions) -
> and now the genie is out of the bottle and the mainstream public knows
> that gold falls from the sky in the form of meteorites. And the
> government bureaucrats want to get involved now and make themselves
> feel important. God help us all. LOL
>
> In all seriousness though, the Treasure Hunter COE is a good thing and
> everyone should familiarize themselves with it. And above all -
> RESPECT NATURE. When you are out hunting or hiking, please LEAVE NO
> TRACE. No trash, no cigarette butts, no waste, no holes, and no
> disrespect. Treat the great outdoors like your grandmother's living
> room - be respectful.
>
> Best regards and happy huntings,
>
> MikeG
>
>
>
>
> On 3/23/10, Adam Hupe wrote:
>> 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
>> ______________________________________________
>> Visit the Archives at
>> http://www.meteoritecentral.com/mailing-list-archives.html
>> Meteorite-list mailing list
>> Meteorite-list at meteoritecentral.com
>> http://six.pairlist.net/mailman/listinfo/meteorite-list
>>
>
>
> --
> ------------------------------------------------------------
> Mike Gilmer - Galactic Stone & Ironworks Meteorites
> http://www.galactic-stone.com
> http://www.facebook.com/galacticstone
> ------------------------------------------------------------
> ______________________________________________
> Visit the Archives at http://www.meteoritecentral.com/mailing-list-archives.html
> Meteorite-list mailing list
> Meteorite-list at meteoritecentral.com
> http://six.pairlist.net/mailman/listinfo/meteorite-list
                                               
_________________________________________________________________
Hotmail: Trusted email with Microsoft?s powerful SPAM protection.
http://clk.atdmt.com/GBL/go/210850552/direct/01/
Received on Tue 23 Mar 2010 03:40:06 PM PDT