A question of ethics ? Really want to know

[win]

Recently I asked permission at a new farm. The farmer was great, said come anytime. In talking he mentioned that 2 other detectorists, who I know slightly, had been there a number of times but no one had been for at least 2 years.  What do you think ?  Do I steer clear because others might regard it as 'their' ground ? Even after 2 years ? Could they have any argument against me ?   Or do I say, well its the farmer's ground after all, what he says goes as fas as I'm concerned.
           And if you think, after 2 years of nobody visiting, its OK. Would you go there even if someone was still currently detecting there ?
              A friend of mine recently got really angry because someone had been detecting on 'his' farm. When I asked him, it turned out he'd not been there for 10 years, completely stupid in my opinion, if we followed this idea, it would be possible to tie up great areas of land for years, even if we couldn't get round to detecting them. I'm sure some try to do this.
               But back to my question, do you think I should go there ?

[Mike]

yes , you were not to know someone else had permission on there , its the farmers land and choice who he gives his permission too so crack on and fill ya boots matey

[ysbytymike]

Certainly yes.
As far as etiquette is concerned, they've not been there for two years. 
People can't expect any land to be theirs for the foreseeable future. Its the farmers land after all.

[carling2]

all this my land your land rubbish is well over stated and leads to many bust ups and its stupid,,,.some people on here will say oh look its carling hes got more land than crown estates ,,sorry I gave away 80% of my permissions earlier this year as I just didn't have the time and to be honest it dosent matter where people go we all find the same tat anyway if somebody came on my remaining land that I have left then yes I would be peeved as I detect it regulary and have done for a long time but anything ive been on once in the past or haven't bothered with for ages then its fair game,,some people collect land like coins and stamps {why?} I know from experience that a good productive area can last years,,ive still only done 50% of land I started on 7 years ago {and it regulary gets turned over}..so yes back to the point  if nobodys been on it for 2 years go for it,, its the farmers land anyway.

[whosyouruncle]

GO  for it.

[Dryland]

As Mike said, if the farmer says it's ok, then it's his farm at the end of the day.

[Val Beechey]

Just ask yourself one question and you've got the ethical answer.

If the Farmer hadn't told you about the other fellas would you have thought twice about going. Of course you wouldn't. Get out there and enjoy yourself.

Val

[Napoleon]

If you got the land owner permission I wouldnt worry about others the end of the day you asked and he said yes so happy hunting I have been to few farms  where they have said no got people here already and I respect that but soon a farmer say yes I am in the field  . I always go with a friend or two and  share farms between us this way we all keep busy and enjoy a day metal detecting.good luck.Nap 

[cardiffian]

You have done nothing wrong. You weren't to know that someone else was searching there. I have quite a number of permissions and some I haven't been to for the same length of time. To be honest if someone went to them and got permission to search I can't honestly complain. As others have pointed out at the end of the day it is the farmer's land. It is hard enough these days to get new farms so make the most of it.

[alun]

Many sites are available to whoever the farmer or owner trusts at the end of the day, I have two areas which others also detect on, which does not bother me or the others concerned. In fact we pal up from time to time if we are there together.
As Val stated go and enjoy yourself, if others have a issue about it then they need to put themselves in your position.
If your down my neck of the woods, your welcome for a day out anytime.

[win]

Thanks everyone for taking time to post your comments, much appreciated. Nice to see that everybody is pretty much of the same opinion, settles my mind. Thanks again.

[Dryland]

One last thing though, Is ethics by thythecs ?

[win]

Yes, just north of Wethecs.

[Spooyt Vane]

No problem mate as far as iam concerned,if they wanted the land to them selves they would had a agreement with present landowner that would have stopped you going on..In these cases usually the other detectolrists have thousands of acres of land to go on...Far to much for their life time...Enjoy your new land and dont worry ...Rob

[anthonyjay]

When the landowner gives you permission you have every right to go there regardless of other arrangements. If you had the land first do you think the other detectorists would question their options?. I have a site in North Somerset where there are several detectorists that use it but none of us object sharing the land. I hope you many good finds my friend. AJ