I would like to add to the thread a bit more. I found my meteorite on public land. It was on a checkerboard mixed with Anadarko (company that owns the land that the Union Pacific Railroad was granted to them in 1865 to encourage RR development), there are also private land parcels very near by, and a great big old interstate system which the federal government owns but the state of Wyoming maintains the surface of the ground on. All of this is with in 1/2 mile of my find. My GPS and map skills led me to believe it was located on one property, the maps were in error by a hundred yards, it was truly on BLM lands, and the long story made short is that the integrity of the finder is truly the big question. I could have SAID that I found it about anywhere, including my own back yard 10 miles away from the real location and no one would know the difference. I have integrity, and would "do the right thing" right down to inniating contact four years ago with all of the major land owners asking advance permission to hunt. One very major private land owner asked for 10% of any profits from my searching, and I have unlimited access to about a million acres, sealed with a good old fashioned hand shake. The second private land owner says hunt his lands for free, keep all that I find, and remember him if I find a Mars, or Moon rock. Other parties have eluded to hunt all that I want and contact them if I find a million dollar rock but not to bother them with "ordinary meteorites"; the paperwork would cost the company a number of thousand of dollars to get started.
I can not stress enough the importance of contacting the land owner early, in a very polite and honest way, share information, offer your wisdom, honesty, sincerity, and the road to hunting meteorites is very rewarding, especially knowing that you are genuinely welcomed to trespass because you were honest and on the front end...instead of the wrong end of a boot due to not contacting the land owner. Law enforcement frowns out here when they have to come out and arrest trespassers. Fines for trespass locally can be a few hundred dollars and forfeiture of any finds, or future ability to hunt those properties or friends of the property owners that hear about that "no good low down scoundrel trespasser". Such is the West.
Hope I have offered some "western" insight.
Best,
Dave Freeman
Successful meteorite hunter, and honest story teller.
[EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote:
Hi Marcia,
Property varies so much from one juristiction to another. Public domain has been outlined by the Supreme Court in cases of lost or discarded artifacts. The FBI felt the need to set these precidents so they could dig through trash on parkways for evidence in court. I read an old thread that said if I find it, it's going in my pocket and that's all the validation I need. I think that's the general rule although it may not sound appropriate.
Bill Kieskowski
Hello Warren and List, Warren your question about property locale ownership, brought to mind a question of my own that I would appreciate an answer to, on or off-list, by yourself or other list members. I understand that when hunting on private property, you are supposed to get (written?) permission. I know that different Countries have different rules on whether or not a meteorite is property of finder or confiscated by government, or percentage of it taken for identification and record and display at museum, ect. My questions are regarding meteorites found in USA. What EXACTLY are the rules to guarentee that if you find one, say on public land ( State Park, lakeshore, river-bed, dry-lake, abandoned gravil pit, ect.) you can claim it without fear of confiscation, by State or Local authorities? I know this was an issue with the F.P. that supposedly "bounced" off the public sidewalk before hitting a home and was confiscated by local authorities ( Sorry to bring that unfortunate issue
up), and there have been other instances. Is it the amount of money ( it's worth) that determimes whether or not a counter-claim is laid on it by local, state, or is it the classification of the fall or find that again,makes it confiscatable? To be classed, especially if it were something really significant, you do have to say where it was found right ? How does this work? When something is found on private property, after having been given permission to look, what is the obligation of the collector in regards to payment to land- owner, should a possible meteorite, or a meteorite be found, or land owners right to counterclaim pwnership rights? I would truly appreciate guideline answers on some of these questions please, or reference reading material? Thank-you and Best Regards, Marcie
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