US Federation of Metal Detector and Archaeological Clubs

 

In the US there is a group called the "Federation of Metal Detector and Archaeological Clubs" (FMDAC). This was was organized in 1984 as a "legislative (sic) and educational (sic) organization", and declares itself to be "a non-profit, non-commercial, non-partisan organization". According to the website its aims are simple:

FMDAC Mission:
[...] FMDAC is dedicated to the preservation, promotion, and protection for the hobby of recreational metal detecting and prospecting.
 FMDAC Purpose:
To unite, promote and encourage the establishment of metal detecting clubs. To preserve the sport / hobby of recreational metal detecting and prospecting. To make available to FMDAC clubs and Independent members information pertaining to the hobby and to keep members informed as to active legislation
FMDAC Goal:
is to Educate and inform the public as to the merits of recreational metal detecting. 

So it's been at this education now for 28 years. You'd think in all that time they'd correct the grammar of their mission statement. How can the illiterate "educate"? So they are protecting what "for" the hobby? Is artefact hunting a "sport"? I suppose all that walking and digging holes might be considered "exercise" by some of more sedentary tendencies, but certainly I'd be more inclined to call it something else. What kind of "archaeological clubs" are meant here?

According to the bylaws an additional purpose of the FMDAC is to "establish an understanding of the significant relationship between metal detecting and archaeological research". Somebody should inform Mr Stout. So it sounds like the PAS without the recording. They have a Code of Conduct (also called a code of ethics):

Metal Detecting Code of Ethics

1.  I will always check federal, state, county and local laws before searching. It is my responsibility to "know the law". 
2. I will respect private property and will not enter private property without the owner's permission, where possible, such permission will be in writing. 
3.  I will take care to refill all holes and try not to leave any damage. 
4. I will remove and dispose of any and all trash and litter that I find. 
5. I will appreciate and protect our inheritance of natural resources, wildlife and private property. 
6. I will, as an ambassador of the hobby, use thoughtfulness, consideration and courtesy at all times. 
7. I will work to help bring unity to our hobby by working with any organization of geographic area that may have problems that will limit their ability to peacefully pursue the hobby. 
8. I will leave gates as found. 
9. I will build fires in designated or safe places only 
10. I will report to the proper authorities any individuals who enter and or remove artifacts from federal parks or state preserves.

Well, points1-2 are the law anyway, point ten also (the same attempt to distance themselves from "nighthawks"). Points 3 (typical), 4, 5 (note only "natural"), 8 and 9 are the Country Code elements. six and seven refer to enhancing the image and strengthening the hobby. So where are the ethics concernned with the handling of historical material? Keeping off archaeologically sensitive sites, human remains,  the reporting and documentation of finds, the proper curation of excavated artefacts, the involvement of archaeologists in certain case? All of this is missing. Without them, there are not many "merits" of "recreational artefact hunting", it is just plundering the historical record for collectables.

Is there a similar organization in neighbouring Canada? What about Mexico? 

Vignette: Here's a map showing where FMDAC members (clubs and dealers) are.